spectr17
02-12-2003, 10:42 PM
Check out the basics for getting into snow goose hunting
AR G&FC
LITTLE ROCK - The word has come repeatedly to Arkansas hunters: Take more snow geese. They are overpopulated. Thin ‘em out.
In Arkansas, snow geese are found in agricultural sections of the state, in particular the eastern half of the state and along the Arkansas River Valley. But Arkansans aren’t used to hunting them. And there are differences in goose hunting from duck hunting.
Some basics of snow goose hunting from staff members of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission are:
Scout to find the geese before you go hunting.
Use the proper shotgun loads.
Think in large numbers for decoys.
Learn to call geese.
Dress for the occasion.
Snow geese are typically hunted when they fly to rice or wheat fields to feed. Experienced snow goose hunters normally spend a day in order to spot where flocks are feeding and then acquire permission to hunt. Almost all hunting opportunities are on private land, so acquiring permission is a must.
On the chosen morning, 600 or more white rags are spread in a rice or corn field, and the hunters, dressed in white or camouflage, lie among the rags. No. 2 or larger steel shot is preferred when hunting snow geese.
Lucky hunters may see one to 10,000 geese descend from the skies. When the birds become decoy shy, hunters often watch feeding flocks all day. Part of a large flock may feed in a rice field while the rest of the flock loafs nearby in a soybean field. By acquiring permission on the lands between such flocks, the birds can be shot while they are passing back and forth.
Calling geese is a learned art. Going out with experienced callers and buying instructional tapes are both good ways to start. However, snow geese communicate with various high-pitched barks and soft grunts and are fairly easy to imitate. Electronic callers will improve chances (allowed during the conservation order only).
Hunters must also remember to dress for extremely cold weather, wearing several layers of clothing. In Arkansas, mild weather can become severe in a couple of hours. On milder days, the layers can be peeled off for comfort.
Fields often are muddy where snow goose hunting takes place. Mud translates to wet for hunters who lay on their backs to await the geese. Putting something waterproof between the hunter and the ground is a necessity. If a camouflage tarpaulin isn’t obtainable, try a dull-colored tarp with handfuls of grass, rice stubble or straw scattered over it.
In Arkansas the special snow goose conservation order runs through April 30. Liberalized rules allow hunters to use electronic callers, shoot till 1/2 hour after sunset and unplugged shotguns. There are no daily bag limits. A free special permit number must be obtained by calling 1-800-364-4263, during regular business hours and any current hunting license is sufficient. State or federal migratory waterfowl hunting stamps are not required. Detailed tips for hunting snow geese can be found on the AGFC website at http://www.agfc.com.
AR G&FC
LITTLE ROCK - The word has come repeatedly to Arkansas hunters: Take more snow geese. They are overpopulated. Thin ‘em out.
In Arkansas, snow geese are found in agricultural sections of the state, in particular the eastern half of the state and along the Arkansas River Valley. But Arkansans aren’t used to hunting them. And there are differences in goose hunting from duck hunting.
Some basics of snow goose hunting from staff members of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission are:
Scout to find the geese before you go hunting.
Use the proper shotgun loads.
Think in large numbers for decoys.
Learn to call geese.
Dress for the occasion.
Snow geese are typically hunted when they fly to rice or wheat fields to feed. Experienced snow goose hunters normally spend a day in order to spot where flocks are feeding and then acquire permission to hunt. Almost all hunting opportunities are on private land, so acquiring permission is a must.
On the chosen morning, 600 or more white rags are spread in a rice or corn field, and the hunters, dressed in white or camouflage, lie among the rags. No. 2 or larger steel shot is preferred when hunting snow geese.
Lucky hunters may see one to 10,000 geese descend from the skies. When the birds become decoy shy, hunters often watch feeding flocks all day. Part of a large flock may feed in a rice field while the rest of the flock loafs nearby in a soybean field. By acquiring permission on the lands between such flocks, the birds can be shot while they are passing back and forth.
Calling geese is a learned art. Going out with experienced callers and buying instructional tapes are both good ways to start. However, snow geese communicate with various high-pitched barks and soft grunts and are fairly easy to imitate. Electronic callers will improve chances (allowed during the conservation order only).
Hunters must also remember to dress for extremely cold weather, wearing several layers of clothing. In Arkansas, mild weather can become severe in a couple of hours. On milder days, the layers can be peeled off for comfort.
Fields often are muddy where snow goose hunting takes place. Mud translates to wet for hunters who lay on their backs to await the geese. Putting something waterproof between the hunter and the ground is a necessity. If a camouflage tarpaulin isn’t obtainable, try a dull-colored tarp with handfuls of grass, rice stubble or straw scattered over it.
In Arkansas the special snow goose conservation order runs through April 30. Liberalized rules allow hunters to use electronic callers, shoot till 1/2 hour after sunset and unplugged shotguns. There are no daily bag limits. A free special permit number must be obtained by calling 1-800-364-4263, during regular business hours and any current hunting license is sufficient. State or federal migratory waterfowl hunting stamps are not required. Detailed tips for hunting snow geese can be found on the AGFC website at http://www.agfc.com.