With the general waterfowl season now closed, hunters are turning their thoughts towards the 2009 Conservation Action and spring light goose hunting. The heavy snow pack that provided excellent hunting for southern states this season will continue to provide opportunity for light goose hunters as they migrate north to their nesting grounds in the coming months.
Hello folks, and, as always, welcome to Waterfowler.com.
The 2008-2009 General Waterfowl Season is closed and for many hunters it was a very memorable season. Early season cold fronts drove teal, pintail and gadwall into the south in September and October, and heavy snowfall in November and December brought the mallards and geese. While persistent drought conditions did hamper hunting opportunities in California and central Texas, habitat conditions across most of the U.S. were good to excellent this season and harvest totals are expected to be slightly above average for many southern states.
The heavy snow that helped push waterfowl south in grand-fashion, will also provide a welcomed relief to drought conditions in the Prairie Pothole Region this spring, thanks to record snowfalls in the Dakotas the past few months.
If you have yet to experience the extreme hunting action of spring light goose hunting, now is the time to begin your planning. The massive flocks, thunderous wing-beats, and enormous field spreads can only be outdone by the sheer volume of their shrilling calls – which can nearly drown out the sound of shotgun fire. The action is hot, the bag limits are liberal and simply put, it’s an awesome excuse to spend additional days in the field.
Over the next few months, hunters and many outstanding guide services will migrate with the geese as they move north. The pace of the migration will vary with the melting snowline. Expect light geese to drive to the edge as they journey north. Opportunity for light geese can evaporate as quickly as the snow itself, so make sure plans are as mobile as the geese.
The Spring Snow Goose reporting area is active again, and WFC members are encouraged to post general information on this page, as well as detailed information on their state homepages. WFC’s classifeds are now open to commercial guide listings for Commercial Gold Sponsors. Be sure to check this listing when making your plans for the spring season and support those who support the services of Waterfowler.com.
While the duck season has come and gone, the memories live on and WFC members are invited to share their photos of the past season in the Member Photo Gallery. We look forward to seeing your images and will featured the best images on our homepage in the coming months.
MID-CONTINENTAL LIGHT GOOSE REPORT:
Snow geese are active on their wintering grounds in the deep-south. From New Mexico to Louisiana, snow goose numbers are good to excellent at this time and light goose numbers in Texas and Arkansas are above average for this time of year.
Hunters are reminded to check their state regulations for licensing information, as well as season dates, bag limits and equipment restrictions. Successful light goose hunting is dependant on scouting and access to active feeding areas. Be sure to obtain permission for land access and obey trespass laws.
Until our next report, make plans to participate in a light goose hunt this spring.
