Spring Snow Goose Hunt Expectations

Spring Snow Goose Hunt Expectations

Spring snow goose hunting can be one of the most exhilarating waterfowl hunting adventures you can experience. From the sheer numbers of birds, you see, no possession limits, the use of extension tubes, and huge decoy spreads the luster of spring snow goose hunting runs deep. Not only is it pretty much a free for all there are plenty of videos that depict snow goose hunting closely related to shooting fish in a barrel. The problem is that the snow goose hunting reality is a far cry from the depiction that YouTube videos make it out to be. Most snow goose hunting videos, social media posts, marketing ads or videos all boast the sport’s greatest moments and will never showcase the other side of the coin.

Spring Snow Goose Hunting Perspective

Over the past 10 - 15 years snow goose hunting has built a large recognition as well as commercial entity growth. The gear has continually progressed as well as those who chase the spring snow goose reverse migrations and the regular fall migration. To put it into perspective Snow geese are the only waterfowl species that can be hunted from the end of August to the end of May that is roughly 10 months out of the year with very little down time in-between seasons as they make their way south. Snow Geese are hunted from the upper reaches of the Canadian bush line all the way down to the coast of Southern United States, granted hunting pressure changes through-out their journey and by location as well, but snow geese see decoy sets literally 10 months out of the year. That is more than any other waterfowl species by far, so you think hunting snow geese is still like shooting fish in a barrel? I beg of you to think a little harder about that thought, snow geese are hunted pretty hard and by some of the industry’s best and brightest they literally see it all from top to bottom, from north to south, Every gimmick from every angle. Snow geese literally see it all!

Spring Snow Goose Hunting Reality

Now that we have established a little background about snow geese and their hunting pressure during their life, let’s talk a little bit about reality in the spring. Videos are very good at persuading people and depicting the glory experiences but, let’s face it here you’re not going to see videos about the other side of snow goose hunting. You will never turn on a clip and see a video of guys getting skunked or the many many days of just flat out being burned by mother nature and her harsh realities. There are far more days of that reality that are involved than that of the hero shots that social media and videos showcase.

This is where the problems arise with it all, marketing makes it seem like every time you hit the field you will fill the back of your pickup bed with snow geese, because you can have an extension tube, those huge tornados are going to ball up on top of you all day long, and you are going to run through 3 cases of shells a day. It seems like good times had by all no doubt, but it is also mostly a fantasy created by the marketing of outfitters. Not saying that it is not a possibility, but the probability is low.

Let’s be clear though, I am not saying that it is a complete lie or that it is not ever going to happen but, putting the reality into perspective for everyone is just as important so that people don't go in blind thinking they are going to burn down the house every time they set foot into a snow goose decoy set. There is a reason the saying a wild goose chase exists, the illusion is so inviting that you are almost definitely going to set yourself up for disappointment time and time again. Snow goose hunting is about being able to take the good with the bad and to enjoy the adventure and experience of it all. Accepting that you are at the mercy of nature and it is 100% out of your control is the best way to think about it going in. You are going to un-doubted find yourself on the losing end of mother nature’s wrath more times than you care to admit and any day that you are able to go out sit in a decoy set and shoot double digits is a great day!

Spring Snow Goose Hunting Measure of Success

Some people measure their success on numbers alone and that is most definitely going to lead you to disappointment. We know that piles make smiles but, over time those numbers will blend and ultimately doesn’t make you better or worse than the next guy. We all want to make a pile picture at the end of the day, but when you think back the adventures and who you share those experiences with is all you’re going to remember. I can remember those huge days granted but, the picture is not what I remember it is the time in the field with the people I was with that is what I really remember when thinking back.

Spring Snow Goose Hunting Variables

Hunting is hunting no matter what anyone says and not one person can guarantee any outcomes of any event hunting or otherwise. There are so many factors that go into snow goose hunting and 95 percent of them are out of anyone’s control. Location and hiding are the only thing that can humanly be controlled, outside of that it’s on mother nature. You cannot control the birds, you cannot control the weather, and you cannot control the outcome. That pretty much leaves you at the mercy of mother nature and trust me she is always against you.

Spring Snow Goose Hunting and What you really should expect

When you hire a snow goose hunting guide or a snow goose hunting outfitter and you book a spring snow goose hunting adventure the best way to go into it is with no expectations at all, this way you will never be disappointed and with that will make those unbelievable days that much more memorable. There is a chance you might not shoot anything and there is a chance that you will shoot a huge pile. You could get 3 days of really bad weather and the birds completely disappear or you could get 3 days that you are covered up thick with birds and you could hit them with a tennis racket. Ultimately, if you go in with the expectation to enjoy the experience with those you care to share it with you will always get what you pay for. 99% of all snow goose hunting outfitters out there will average between 15-30 geese per hunt. Some years may yield better averages, and some might yield lower averages, but overall, that seems to be in the ballpark of overall daily averages. You could run yourself ragged chasing these things and assuredly will drive yourself mad if you expect to go out every day and get the same results let alone to shoot huge piles day in and day out, it’s just not going to happen.

Whiteout Outfitters and our Spring Snow Goose Hunting Guarantee

The only thing that we can guarantee our hunters when they book a spring snow goose hunt with us is that we are going to do what we can to put you in the best position we feel possible for each situation to give you the best opportunity with what we have to work with. Outside of that we can guarantee a safe environment, comfortable accommodations, friendly knowledgeable staff, and our best foot forward day in and day out. So, if this sounds like what you are looking for then I am sure we can accommodate you and your hunting buddies with a memorable spring snow goose hunting adventure with us.