SD snow goose trip

[IceHawk]

How many Fmers are heading to SD for the spring snow goose hunt. My group of 8 plans on hunting central SD around the weekend of March 18 or the weekend of March 26. Alot depends on what the weather does and when the geese hit are area. We will be doing our annual week long hunt. The way things are looking things should be heating up in the central part of the state during this time. I realize weather plays a key role in the migration. We are ready to roll at a moments notice but my gut tells me one of these weekends will be prime.

I have been participateing in the spring conservation season in SD since it started. The sight of the snow goose migration heading N is something to behold!!! If you time it right you will see thousands and thousands of snow geese. The one thing I have noticed over the years is how hard they are becomeing to decoy. Alot of guys are resorting to jump shooting over decoying and this really has the geese jumpy.I have nothing against jump-shooting and pass-shooting. I prefer decoying and will continue to do it. Waterfowling to me is a art, and setting decoys and hunting over them is what its all about for me. The numbers shot decoying can be good if the conditions favor but to me seeing geese locked over a spread is what it's all about. Geese shot are a bonus.

Anyone else plan on hitting Sd this spring? If some of us are hunting the same locations and same areas we may have to get together for a evening talk session. Sd or bust in a few weeks.

[JerknPerchSD]

I hunt snow geese any of the above mentioned ways. I'm not going to make the investment on decoys because of the fact that I am full time in college and I'm not going to take the chance of the conservation order ending. Who wants to shoot snows in the fall? I instead am spending my money to the tune of 14 doz more Hardcores for next fall as well other additions. Me and my group shot about #$% honkies and almost &*# mallards this fall so I hope to top that next fall. Good luck on your SD trip, better not be a zillion MN plates in my neck of the woods...lol

Andy

[Flick]

I'll be downt there probably the 11-13. And then through the 20th in ND or maybe again in SD. I'm up at NDSU so I hope they make their way close to us for break so we can save on gas. I'm pumped I cant wait.

JerknPerch I think I might have talked to one of your buddies the other day, Jerry at NDSU?

[mwktrapper]

Heading over to SD this weekend. Might run into NE if need be but would rather not buy the liscence there. We're running a spread of 800 consisting of floaters, shells, socks, sillos, and kites - 2 ecallers and 6 guys. Sounds like the front is in the southern section of SD.

Hey Jerknperch, first you explain how you're a poor college kid and then you tell us you're buying 14 dz HC's. You got me. Nah, I know where you're at. I'm in school and can't figure out when I should buy a book or decoys. I'll let you all know how we do.

[dhuth]

Myself, a buddy and my old man will be heading out late the 18th. We hope to be heading to SD if theres birds around. We are more than willing to hook up wiht a few guys for a hunt. If anyone wants to join or be joined, please let me know. I havent done this spring goose deal but killed my fair share of honks in the fall...we'd prefer decoying, but a bird in the bag is worth two in the bush right? a good sneak is always in the cards. keep posted and hopefully something works out.

[MattKeller]

What Mike's not telling you is that those are my decoys

You guys are going to kill 'em.

I'm just happy that it's crow season here and we have a few crows to kill.

Bring on the black bandits!!!!

[Rost]

There is a ton of snows in the Madison area right now. Last night I looked up and it was wave after wave. Awesome sight. If anyone plans on heading to the Madison area specifically, make sure to let me know! I got a grill, beer, etc..

[catchnmall]

I will be out there. I think you might be a little late if you wait until then.

[IceHawk]

catchnmall- I prefer to have geese above and below me for hunting. I have hunted Sd as late as a week after easter with success. The early birds up first are the more mature and wise birds. The later birds are easier to decoy more juvies and Ross. I usally dont get to excited untill Sand Lake refuge is holding a fair amount of birds. I hunt the Redfield and Doland area. There are two good roosting lakes close that will hold birds for quite some-time. Last year we hunted the 2nd and 3rd week in march and the numbers of birds were incredible. They weren't totaly out of the state until the end of March. My observations over the yrs are the geese really like to stack up in Northern Sd and put the feeed bag on. Once the weahter gets nice they lift and blow right over ND into canada. We try not to rush out until the birds are scattered throughout the state. I follow the migration info everyday. With the info, 7 yrs hunting spring snows in SD and predicted weather forcasts I hope my guess will be about right. Who knows I've been wrong before time will tell.

[Rost]

Here is a picture of some geese I took today. Mostly canadas near shore, but out a bit the snows are thick. Just to the right were the majority of the snows, but I only got 1 pic (memory card was full).

[Rost]

This was just forwarded to me. Geese shot in ND last fall.

Even PerchJerker might raise an eyebrow on this one! DBL click on the thumbnail..

[JerknPerchSD]

I saw that pic on waterfowler dot com. I too was out near your neck of the woods Rost. We killed our second BAND of the year today. 2 in one week, hopefully they keep comming. That pic of yours is from the lake that starts with H eh?

Andy

[Mike Walerak]

Cory,

Where is that open water at and why isn't my boat in it!

mw

[jas]

FYI, that picture is from down south. Here is a link.

http://refugeforums.com/refuge/showthread.php?t=318630&page=4&pp=20

[jblabsnduck]

That picture was from the Ark-LA region not ND and it was this spring. Feb.21st

It was posted by DoubleR from MS.

[Rost]

My email said it was geese taken in ND. Whatever I guess, either way that is a pile of geese!

Yeah, PJ that is Lake H. Where were you hunting? Which way from town?

Mike- Make sure you wear your rain gear if you decide to take your boat out in that.

[JerknPerchSD]

We hunted south and east of long lake. Those Lake H birds arent worth the hassle...there was 20+ vehicles waiting for them to come off

[SDPROV]

wHAT DO YOU GUYS DO WITH THAT MANY WATERFOWL? jUST WONDERING BECAUSE WE SHOOT A FEW OURSELVES AND WE COULDNT COME CLOSE TO EATING THAT MANY OR FIND ENOUGH PEOPLE TO SHARE THEM WITH? 300 HONKERS AND 600 MALLARDS IS ALOT OF BIRDS!

[Wigeon]

That is alot of bird.Are you guys guides? If not just watch what you are saying,unless you ate 5 ducks every other day you may have been in some sort of violation, a 6 bird limit a day with no more than 5 being mallards and a possession limit being twice daily so 10 mallards how many in your group 60. 60x10=600. 3 geese daily, possession twice daily so 6, how many hunted geese in your group 50,50x6=300.avg mallard drake 2-4# hen 1.5-3.5# so 3#drakesx300=900# 2.25#henx300=675 so thats 1575# of mallard. avg goose lets say is 8# 8x300=2400# for a combined total weight of 3975# that alot of bird, so if you would be willng to share a recipe for sausage or jerky that would be great,3975# gives you alot of practice making sausage or jerky.I think you should clarify if your guiding and if thats the total birds for your clients.

[Old Guide]

wigeon, nice math...!!

[Sartell Angler]

Quote:

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wigeon, nice math...!!

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I second that! I attend SCSU and two of my classes this semester are accounting and business statistics. Since you live so close Wigeon maybe you would want to give me a hand on my homework one of these days...you know, free up some of my time. Seems as though you enjoy doing it!

SA/wdw

[mille lacs muskie bum]

Hey dhuth, my bro and I are planning on going to SD that weekend. maybe we could hook up. never been out there yet but I have heard there are a ton of snows around watertown.

[dhuth]

Give me an email and ill keep in touch with you. We're hunting with another group for awhile anyway, but if we decide to head off solo, I'll let ya know and we can hook up. We will be out from the 18th -the 21st so... email at [email protected]

[Wigeon]

I had some free time sat. night to figure that out,I'll have to pass on giving you a hand on that homework stuff.I'm gettin ready to make a run out to sd and hunt some snows myself.