Snow Geese?

[DonBo]

Just booked my trip to Clark, SD first week of April. With all the juvies this year, that doesn't sound too late does it?

[PierBridge]

That's a tough call Bryce with those battery's. I'm not sure how much or how loud you play the calling CD for but those Vex battery's will drain fast with that big ole amp your using. I know you're trying to keep it as light as possible but you may want to up-size the batt's...

[Bryce]

Not so much weight vs practicality of having a dedicated battery for this rig that's used for only a week or so each year. Ran it for awhile this afternoon. Granted, only two speakers at low volume but I also have no intent of sitting out in temps less than 20. Got almost two hours out of it before quitting to grill cow. Notice that there is a remote on/off amp switch to help conserve battery also. Other speakers should be here by the end of the week for further testing. MP3's definitely the way to go. Can't imagine what a pita cds would be.

[Maxxed Out]

Tons of birds in sodak. That was fun to watch. Unfortunately thats mostly what we did for the three days was watch.

Things were really starting to pick up on Friday until the wind switched from the S to the NW at 11:00. We had just started seeing birds coming in and were looking to feed. When the wind switched everything stopped.

Got some action on Saturday afternoon, nothing real tight to the spread but we shot 13.

Sunday was more of the same, some birds looking but nothing committing too hard. Had a few suicide singles. Ended the three days with 20 birds, for three of us.

[fishkid]

u just need a truck and a x2 with magazine extender and a pond full of snows..and good cover to sneak up to them

[Bryce]

Them leading edge birds are a real treat aren't they? Photographers love em, decoy hunters cuss at em. I see reports of huge juvie concentrations that haven't even left Texas yet, numerous reports of good shoots in MO, and some in NE. Sodak reports are mainly about convoys of every hat with a trailer full of decoys following every flock that crosses the river. Gonna change fast this week with forecasted weather but just saw one report of that possibly going south too. Itching to get out there but saving resources for the right time.

[Andy Loos1432404924]

Hey Don,

We are hunting April 4 and 5th. If its anything like last year at this time we should do good.

Keep me posted on how you do.

[DonBo]

Andy, those are the same days we'll be out there, so my report probably won't do you much good. Will you be hunting somewhere near Clark also?

[IceHawk]

Guys I will be heading out there March 24th-28th so I will have a report on bird locations etc.

[strait-meat]

From what I heard there is quite a few snow geese in southern SD but with all the pressure there and in NE is there is more watching of them than shooting. When more of the snow melts, the geese should be able to spread out some and so will the pressure. I am guessing that last week of March should be really good!

[hunterpete]

my son was south of Des moines yesterday, saw huge numbers

[carpshooterdeluxe]

From what I heard there is quite a few snow geese in southern SD but with all the pressure there and in NE is there is more watching of them than shooting. When more of the snow melts, the geese should be able to spread out some and so will the pressure. I am guessing that last week of March should be really good!

oh there is plenty of shooting going on too...

[chub]

Lot's O birds, lot's O people, and plenty of shooting.

Bring a couple changes of clothes and don't forget the tow strap.....

[IceHawk]

Well back from my Sd hunt. Our group did well 131 total. We got birds every day with Wednesday being the best as the birds were confused with the snow storm. Started at Aberdeen and worked down most birds were N from Iguare between Desmet and Huron. Rds are terrible as most are closed and washed out. Permission was a breeeze as usall. A big thanks to the Farmers and landowners you always make our trips fun! Field conditions were a bugger when thawed out but we dealt with the issues as usal. We got alot of matures so I would assume the juvies are on there way yet. Look for a big migration when it warms as the birds are real ancey to move N. Good luck to all future hunters.

[Bryce]

Headed out Sunday for a guided hunt. Hope to be at nodak camp by the following weekend for a couple weeks of freelancing.

[creepworm]

I have never seen a snow goose migration before but wow. There has to be ten thousand or better that arrived in Brookings this afternoon. They are just thick coming in waves from the south.

[IceHawk]

Spring snow goose hunting should be a must do to every serious waterfowler. Even if the hunting turns out bad which is rarely, The migration alone is worth the trip. You will see thousands of light geese tons of canadas and specks. And last but not least you see thousands of ducks in full plumage it's like a work of art!

[Finlander]

I agree with Icehawk! Any serious waterfowler who hasn't seen this spring migration is really missing a great event. The first year (2001) I went to South Dakota I never dropped a snow, but was in such awe of what I saw that I have retuned every year since. Bring your camera!

[carpshooterdeluxe]

I have never seen a snow goose migration before but wow. There has to be ten thousand or better that arrived in Brookings this afternoon. They are just thick coming in waves from the south.

There are an estimated 100 thousand birds in the brookings area using the sheet water from the big sioux river right now. they have been moving back and forth with the weather from sioux falls to brookings, but they are keying in big time on that water.

[creepworm]

Ya, I finally had some time to do a little driving during the daylight yesterday. 10 thousand birds was not at all close to the number I saw yesterday. They are just thick.

The skies were filled with birds like this for the hour or so I was driving around.

[cbrooks]

Push those geese up here

[DonBo]

Leaving Sunday for Clark, SoDak, 40 miles west of Watertown. Any recent reports from that area?

[carpshooterdeluxe]

Leaving Sunday for Clark, SoDak, 40 miles west of Watertown. Any recent reports from that area?

birds and hunters everywhere.

[IceHawk]

There will be birds there if hunting pressure is to high slip over to the Tulare Redfield area. Hunted this area alot in the past and have done well!

[carpshooterdeluxe]

There will be birds there if hunting pressure is to high slip over to the Tulare Redfield area. Hunted this area alot in the past and have done well!

I have a crew working on a project in Redfield. The guys just got back to the office. Hotels are nearly full up there too. So is one of the hunting lodges we use from time to time in the off season.

The only areas not getting pounded are further north, further west, or further south of the main wads of birds. Especially now that the guides are basically done in MO.