Spring Snow Geese

[IceHawk]

I realize it is still early but I was wondering if any body else hunts them in the spring, alwyays looking to trade information when they arrive. I have been hunting them for 4 years now. I usally chase them from SD to ND. Our group has been doing real well. Every year we learn a little more of their patterns, last year we shot over a 100 in three days all over decoys. We have been setting around 3-4 hundred shell and northwinds. Some of the areas I hunt are REDFIELD, FAULKTON, SD. If any of you guys want to experiance a unbeleivable hunt you should give it a try. As far as locating areas to hunt the land owners will go out of there way to help you. I have hit some really great fields the key is respect there land, they will remeber you the following year. The snows tend to arrive and move quick so its alot of work, you have to be prepared to make moves to new locations. I have noticed the last few years they are getting a little harder to decoy we have started using 4 electonic callers and more decoys. For the people without decoys alot of people are jump-shooting them so there is a way to get them without spending lots of money. I prefer decoying them but to each his own. If anyone else has hunted them I would like to hear your results on your hunts.

[FISHER ED]

What is the process of getting a license to hunt the Spring Snows in ND? Does that license go against us non-residents 14 day limit in the Fall? I'd like to get some info on this so if anyone knows or can point me in the right direction I'd appreciate it. Thanks..

[Guest]

Ed,
It's $50 nonresident in SD and ND. I hunted SD last year for the first time and when I arrived at the border I went to a gas station and bought the license. It's good for the entire spring snow migration, however long that will be. Doesn't effect regular waterfowl license stuff.

We just drove around and ended up hunting three days in De Smet, SD area over Easter. A large snow storm kept the birds in the area for several days, they did not like anything north of the snow line and we were in heaven!

We just snuck on all of them and jump shot'em. It was a real rush. We didn't have decoys, but we would like to get some....someday.

I don't know if I am going to hunt them this spring in ND/SD because my hunting partner has a really busy spring/summer. Me too. I would like to hunt them in my area as I have seen more snows migrate into MN every year. The license here is like $3 or something, so what can ya lose?

[Guest]

Please kill as many snows as you can, it is an epidemic and the issue needs to be addressed. THey are ruining nesting habitat and it is quite possible that someday the numbers could reverse and we could have a big problem. I try and kill as many as I can the last couple years we have been in the right spot right time with 800 flags and 2 callers. DECOYING them is the only way to go (some guys get em ditch piggin)but for the high numbers of kills you gotta lay in the mud. Hopefully the snow cover will keep them "trapped" in the area we hunt in again. What a rush, what an awesome sight, I cant wait to lay in the mud and stare at the sky and watch the birds shift, circle, cyclone into the spread. Truly an amazing sight, anyone who calls themselves a waterfowler or a conservationist needs to help in reducing the numbers of light geese, we owe it the birds, and your shotguns.

youngbleed

[Old Guide]

IceHawk, Tonydean.com covers the snow migration thru the Dakotas in the spring.

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