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The northern push of snow, blue and Ross geese into South Dakota last week has reversed into a southern retreat from recent snow fall. The approaching Arctic Clipper weather system will likely push concentrations of geese back into Nebraska and Missouri over the next few days. Expect geese to move as far south as the lowest southerly dip in the jet stream.

Light Goose hunting remains good to excellent along north-central portions of the Missouri and Platte River Corridors — in Nebraska, northern Missouri and southern South Dakota.

Goose numbers are on the rise in southwestern Iowa and hunter success is fair to good in most areas. Light goose hunting along the Mississippi River Valley is poor from northeastern Arkansas up to west central Illinois. Very few snow geese remain in Oklahoma and Kansas and hunter success is poor overall in both states.

Hunting has slowed considerably in Nebraska due to recent snowfall. Geese remain in concentrated flocks in areas with the least snow cover and open water. Hunter success in Kansas, Oklahoma and northern Texas has improved dramatically over previous weeks with hunting good to fair in traditional snow goose hot spots. Snow goose hunting is good to excellent in Missouri and Arkansas with northeast Arkansas reaping the benefits of the recent storm with goose numbers incredible in some areas. Snow goose numbers are up again in central and southern Illinois — again, with most opportunity for harvest on private inaccessible lands. Pockets of snow geese slipped north of the storm and found refuge in areas of South Dakota and Iowa. Numbers are low, but hunters willing to scout are having success.

Light Goose hunting is good to excellent in Nebraska and Northwest Kansas. Hunter success in Texas and New Mexico is poor with relatively few birds hanging south. Goose hunting in Oklahoma and western Arkansas is poor with goose hunting fair to good in Northeast Arkansas. Snow goose numbers have dropped significantly in southern and central Illinois over the past week with limited numbers of geese in Iowa. Missouri snow goose numbers are good to fair with harvest success good in areas holding birds.

Light Goose hunting is good to excellent in Nebraska and Northwest Kansas. Hunter success in Texas and New Mexico is poor with relatively few birds hanging south. Goose hunting in Oklahoma and western Arkansas is poor with goose hunting fair to good in Northeast Arkansas. Snow goose numbers have dropped significantly in southern and central Illinois over the past week with limited numbers of geese in Iowa. Missouri snow goose numbers are good to fair with harvest success good in areas holding birds.

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. Continue reading

Light goose numbers are good to excellent in New Mexico and Nebraska. Texas hunters are reporting fair success with jump-shooting opportunity best. In Colorado, numbers are fair with decoying providing its share of frustration. Warm temperatures have geese scattered in Kansas, Arkansas and Missouri — with hunting best in eastern Arkansas along the Tennessee border.

Recent snow and colder temperatures are expected to improve conditions and feeding patterns of geese over the next few days. With any luck, the resulting snowfall to the north will push geese south over the next few days.

Light goose hunters are urged to visit the Audubon study links provided on our National Snow Goose Tracking page. The Audubon study, conducted with satellite tracking systems, offers incredible insight into the feeding distances geese travel before heading north.

There has been little changed in the northern portion the flyway. Geese are fair in Washington, Idaho and Oregon. Oregon hunters reported increase in widgeon and mallard activity. Teal have been flying better in Northern and Central California with goose harvests low. Arizona reported increased harvests in the final week with an influx of ducks, geese and hunter activity to move the birds around. Continue reading