Spring Snow Goose Hunting, The Experience
Spring snow goose hunting is one of the most exhilarating and frustrating of all waterfowl hunting and maybe of any hunting of any kind. One minute it can be the best thing you have ever done in your life and the next can make you want to pull your hair out.
One minute it can be the best thing you have ever done in your life and the next can make you want to pull your hair out. It is not a sport for those who thrive on predictability and consistency. Follow along and find out if snow goose hunting is for you or if it is just for the birds.
Welcome to Whiteout Outfitters I am Clayton ORourke and I have been hunting and guiding for snow geese in the spring since the conception of the light goose conservation order that was established in 1999 to combat the exploding population of mid continental lesser snow geese. Along the way I have dealt with many many ups and downs as I am sure most snow goose hunters can sympathize. From the outside looking in it is portrayed as shooting fish in a barrel and the most fun you can have with clothes on, yet the brutal reality is that it is far from that. But, before I get into detail about the ups and downs of it all let's dive a little bit into the light goose conservation and why it was introduced in the first place with a history lesson about the order.
The Light Goose Conservation Order
In the late 70's marshes and waterways along the gulf coast were drained and this pushed the snow geese to shift their wintering areas into agricultural areas where they were able to find left over agricultural grains for a food source and the population began to grow at an alarming rate. This over population began to have a devastating effect on the arctic breeding habitat.
As a result the US and Canada introduced The Conservation Order for Light Geese in 1999 to reduce the population by liberalizing the regulations on snow goose hunting by increasing the bag limit, possession limits, extending shooting hours, allowing unplugged shotguns, and the use of electronic callers and just like that spring snow goose hunting season was established.
The Current Population
With the Light Goose Conservation Order now established it has become increasingly clear that we are not able to decrease the population by even the liberal standards that were established. Snow Geese are increasingly adaptive and get smarter and smarter every year. It doesn't help that their life expectancy is 15 - 25 years making some of them old enough to drive a car.
The current population has been estimated at roughly 5-10 million with an increase of about 3% on most years they don't show any signs of slowing down their growth. So, at this point at best we are marginally somewhat maintaining the population and with the adults getting harder and harder to hunt I would look forward to the spring snow goose season at least for the foreseeable future.
Back to the Experience of Spring Snow Goose Hunting
As I was saying before to me, snow goose hunting is both the most exciting and the most frustrating and that brings us full circle on the real experience of it all.
Spring Snow Goose Hunting is ever evolving from minute to minute, hour to hour, day to day, and season to season. By that I mean that it changes quickly and every flock or every bird you can't expect the same outcome. There have been days where it was just lights out good hunting from morning to night and there have been days that it has been like getting a root canal. but, the reality is that the experience lives in between the highs and the lows. It lives in the morning sun rises, the afternoon migrations, the laughing, the story telling, the sun sets. and everything and everyone that is there in those moments with you.
The Experience is never the outcome but is instead the journey you have shared with those around you that experience those highs and lows, the good days, and the bad days. But, even the bad days are always good because the reality of it is that you have the opportunity to witness one of the most awe inspiring natural phenomenons there are on this earth and you get to do it under the sky of the earth that everyday presents a new masterpiece.
We have been through blizzards, frigid temperatures, tornados, vast weather shifts, floods, droughts, mud, blood, and everything that mother nature could possibly throw at you and it is always worth the risk. So, if you or anyone you know is thinking about a possible spring snow goose hunting adventures look us up but, know this, that there are no guarantees in life outside of death and taxes, mother nature dictates all, and don't go into it with any expectations at all and you will have the best time you could have. If, you set expectations and number counting you're only limiting yourself on what is most important and not giving the real experience a chance to evolve. Spring snow goose hunting on a bad day can make you wish you didn't get out of bed, however those days are far and few between and only truly come when you leave your bed with the expectation of filling the pickup bed. The only sure fire way to do that is to go and chase them in a truck and jump shoot them on a roost. But to sit in a field and enjoy the spectacle they can produce in flight and in the migration is way more rewarding of an experience.
Get Equiped for Snow Goose Hunting
Snow Goose Hunting Gear
Kryptek Men's Lined Beanie
100% Polyester, Imported, No Closure closure, Machine Wash, Microfleece lining makes this hat perfect for your cold winter days, Low profile beanie stays on with a comfortable, secure fit BATTLEFIELD TO BACKCOUNTRY - This is the stealthiest camo on the planet; Nearly invisible in action, Kryptek’s camo conjures a 3D appearance on a 2D surface with micro and macro layering
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Kryptek Men's Overwhite Boxed Set Yeti
Water resistant durable material, 4 piece set includes jacket, pant and leg gaiters, Oversized to layer over your gear, Kryptek Yeti snow camo pattern
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Helly-Hansen Workwear Waterproof Processing Bib Pants
100% Polyester, Imported, Machine Wash, FULLY WATERPROOF COVERALLS FOR MEN made from EN 345 certified fabric protects against rain, snow, fog, and ground humidity during work, hunting, fishing, or sailing.
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SITKA Gear Men's Nodak Waterfowl Jacket
Polyester, Made in the USA or Imported, Zipper closure, GORE-TEX 3-LAYER LAMINATE - This waterfowl hunting jacket is made from a non-disposable, durable waterproof/breathable GORE-TEX 3-layer laminate with 75D polyester face
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SITKA Gear Men's Nodak Waterfowl Bib
Made in the USA or Imported, Buckle closure, GORE-TEX 3-LAYER LAMINATE - This waterfowl hunting bib is made from tough, waterproof/breathable GORE-TEX 3-layer laminate with 75D polyester face
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Avery Snow Dog Parka Neoprene White
Neoprene, Made in the USA or Imported, 3mm neoprene, Double bar tacked seams, Glued & stitched just like waders, 1 inch Velcro for torso adjustability, Tapered cut for maximum body coverage
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Intro to Snow Goose Hunting for Kids
Learning about snow goose hunting can be fun and exciting. This book will open kids your eyes to all things snow goose hunting so kids can have an exciting and hopefully successful first snow goose hunting trip. "Intro to Snow Goose Hunting For Kids" will share so many fun tips on snow goose hunting that kids won’t want to put it down.
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Snow Goose Hunting Made Simple: 21 Steps to Snow Goose Hunting Success
Do you want to hunt snow geese but are frustrated with your lack of success? We have all been there. We have spent hundreds of dollars on hunting supplies and hours driving, setting up decoys but then not finding any snow geese or seeing geese but having none come within shooting range.
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The Science of Snow Goose Hunting
This book told me how to hunt snow geese. It tells you decoys, decoy placements, concealment, stratagies, calling, equipment and receipes.
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