Unseasonably warm temperatures continue to wreak havoc on the predictability of “normal” waterfowl migrations. To the dismay of Texas and New Mexico Hunters, snow and blues have taken wing early and already begun their journey north. While light geese are pouring into Nebraska at this time, in all likelihood the gunning in Nebraska could be over as fast as it starts if warm temperatures continue to move the snowline north at the current pace.
If you are of the ilk that hunts when the huntin’ s good? now is the time in Nebraska, Missouri and Illinois.
As reported a few weeks ago, abnormally dry conditions persist throughout most of the Prairie Pothole region of the United States. If snow continues to recede at the current pace, hunters could witness the fastest northern migration in years as geese flyby the northern portion of the Central and Mississippi Flyways into Canada.
As of this writing hunter success was good to excellent in Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas. Hunter success is fair to poor in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. Light goose hunting in Arkansas is varied with harvest and goose numbers poor in the west and localized activity in the northeast good to excellent. Goose numbers in Illinois remain excellent compared to previous years with numbers from Vandalia to Sangchris Lake very high due to favorable southwest winds. Despite excellent goose numbers, hunter success remains low due to limited access in active feeding areas.
With Colorado hunters waiting for their light goose opener on the 25th of this month, you just have to wonder if it will be over before it starts.
