early goose season for minnesota

[crowrosa13]

just wondering when the early goose season starts up for minnesota

[squeeb27]

9-1-12 to 9-22-12. The DNR HSOforum is a beautiful thing. Duck season opens on 9-22, this is odd usually early goose closes for a week before duck season. AWESOME!!!

[TylerS]

9-1-12 to 9-22-12. The DNR HSOforum is a beautiful thing. Duck season opens on 9-22, this is odd usually early goose closes for a week before duck season. AWESOME!!!

You sure those dates are set in stone? My understanding, at least as far as waterfowl regs are concerned, is that nothing is official until the feds say it is. That typically comes later in the summer.

At least that's how it always goes here in Nodak. I'd ascertain Minnesota's ways are similar...

[Shane Z]

TylerS-

You'r correct. Nothing is set in stone as of yet. The DNR does a breeding success and population survey to adjust regulations as needed. Although, I'd be willing to bet that those dates are pretty accurate.

[Gordie]

Yep nothing is set in stone until the feds OK it.

Typically in the past its been Labor Day Weekend or it has fallen on those dates so thats a good starting point to think of for a start time.

[Maxxed Out]

This early spring should lead to an unbelievable hatch and a phenomenal early season. Can't hardly wait. I heard a rumor SD is talking about going to 12 geese per day for early season. Zoinks!

[Gordie]

This early spring should lead to an unbelievable hatch and a phenomenal early season. Can't hardly wait. I heard a rumor SD is talking about going to 12 geese per day for early season. Zoinks!

No doubt MO the geese are in every pond around my area along with tons of ducks and I have been seeing more divers than usual but I know they will head north when the time is right. Should be a fun filled early season.

[surewood]

I haven't saw the tentative dates change since I've been waterfowl hunting. Not in stone, but they're sharpening the chisel.

[PerchJrkr]

When will they get on board with the mid August opening? By the end of August/First week of Sept. most of the locals leave here and go somewhere, not sure where, but they definitley dissapear. We're usually shooting some flight birds by 2nd weekend... Isnt the reasoning behind the early season to control the resident goose population?? Multiple thumbs up for MN hunting and fishing regs..

[Finlander]

Minnesota nice you know! We grow'em so other startes can hunt them!

[TylerS]

Man, I hunt for waterfowl exclusively in Nodak, and I hate hunting in August. As a rule, I still don't hit the field until the first week of September. Gives the birds a little time to learn to fly, and the farmers a couple more weeks to cut some grain. Opens up the field prospects, as well as the opportunities. Plus, you can always cross your fingers and early frost will cut down on the millions of mosquitoes...

[Quackaddict9]

We shoot locals every year and the first migration starts the 3rd weekend usually.

[Broadside]

Minnesota nice you know! We grow'em so other startes can hunt them!

Really? I cant stop laughing. Drive around SD or ND in August and let us know how many MN geese are flying around getting shot.....

[Finlander]

Broadside, I'll be hunting geese in North Dakota for early goose this year mainly do to the fact my daughter is expecting her first child due September 1st. She moved there with her husband to there farm they just bought! So I get to shoot geese and have a new grandson to boot!

So, I'll do my best to help thin out the goose population! Last year I hunted the Alexandria area as there were alot of geese until opening morning! Where they went is anybodys guess! We shot 2 for the weekend, and that was after putting alot of miles scouting!

[carpshooterdeluxe]

Really? I cant stop laughing. Drive around SD or ND in August and let us know how many MN geese are flying around getting shot.....

Band harvests have shown that there is a transmigration that happens from western/southwestern MN into the dakotas in late summer.

I've seen 2 geese harvested in SE ND that were banded too young to fly only weeks prior in Ottertail Co, as well as a mallard that was banded too young to fly near marshall that was shot in october the same year south west of brookings. The last goose band I shot was right on the MN/SD border; last weekend of the sept. goose season a few years ago; bird was banded in may that year in wisconsin. Age indicated that that bird was a molt migrator though.

[squeeb27]

It will be for sure on Sept. 1st just because I am best man in my buddies/hunting partners wedding, what an silly-me!! I cant talk I got married opening day of duck season 2008, wish the DNR announced concrete dates earlier. Guess I will wait a week to slay some geese, without him I may add since he will be in Mexico on a lame honeymoon. I know where his heart will truely be when I send him a pic of the geese I got!!

[Maxxed Out]

Based on how the MN DNR typically operates changes usually take a couple of years to get passed. They started talking about removing the restrictions on Lac qui parle a couple of years before it happened. My point is unless you've heard a lot of steam about the early season being moved into August (if you haven't heard any steam by now then there isn't any) I would start planning on the early season opener being the first weekend in September like it typically is.

[PerchJrkr]

Broadside- you obviously didnt even read my post at all. The locals are still here in August. Last 8-10 years I have 5-6 fields LOADED up with birds in the 2-3 weeks before the early goose opener. With new genetics and dry augusts, the wheat here is usually starting to come out 1st or 2nd week of August. And Tyler, the birds seem to be flying just fine by that time, since they leave here. I hunt not far from Finlander, and the birds are gone by the wednesday before the early goose opener. Opening morning is always a disappointment.

[Broadside]

I dont think I quoted your post but ok..I aggree with you 100% about the MN geese going somewhere,I grew up in Southern MN and it happened to us every year. I think the early season should be opened earlier. Sorry I touched a nerve with a few people with my attempt at humor...

Broadside- you obviously didnt even read my post at all. The locals are still here in August. Last 8-10 years I have 5-6 fields LOADED up with birds in the 2-3 weeks before the early goose opener. With new genetics and dry augusts, the wheat here is usually starting to come out 1st or 2nd week of August. And Tyler, the birds seem to be flying just fine by that time, since they leave here. I hunt not far from Finlander, and the birds are gone by the wednesday before the early goose opener. Opening morning is always a disappointment.

[GatorGetter]

Here in SE North Dakota the canada goose population is at an all time high. With the warm early spring the small grains will be harvested earlier than the past few.

[dan z]

I know that every year around sept 19 give or take a day, there is usually a very small front from the northeast that brings geese right to my boat. the past 3 years its been lights out when this "front" hits.

[TrapMan13]

Yup lights out because your shooting them where they are sleeping. Great way to kick any local and / or migrating geese out of the area before they have a chance to start using fields to the point where you can pattern them.

No offense but its the truth, proven time and time again

Chad

[Gordie]

Hunting in Minnesota is a opportunity game when it comes to goose hunting so when you have the opportunity to take them you take them. There may not be a opportunity for everyone to use feilds for hunting them and so you have to set up where the odds are in your favor.

[dan z]

thanks Gordie!

[dan z]

Yup lights out because your shooting them where they are sleeping. Great way to kick any local and / or migrating geese out of the area before they have a chance to start using fields to the point where you can pattern them.

No offense but its the truth, proven time and time again

Chad

How would you like to be shot at while eating breakfast.

thata my