Snow Goose Hunting MD, NY, & DE
Snow Goose Hunting Maryland, New York and Delaware
Beep. Beep. Beep. Goes the unforgiving alarm at 3:30 in the morning. I think to myself, Man I have got to get one of those alarms that plays music or honks like a goose. That thing has got to go. OK, sit up on the edge of the bed. As I rise to my feet I hear a creaking noise. What was that, the floor boards. No, stupid, that was your ankles cracking. Alright now, you got to get the hunters going this morning. Man, that fresh brewed coffee smells great. You gotta love those timers on the coffee pots, especially at 3:30am.
Let’s see now, where did I leave those long johns? Oh here they are. Thank God, my wife washed them. That is probably a good thing. This is the sixth day in a row of Snow goose hunting and Lord knows those babies have to be ripe by now.
As I hobble out to the bunkhouse, breaking the kinks loose in my ankles, I remind myself of a saying that I have posted in my office that simple says, “Never Regret Growing Old Because Many Are Denied the Privilege”. Words to live by for sure. OK now, get the guys up. Right, they are so full of jitters they could hardly sleep last night. Unlike myself who has learned to get your sleep or you get sick. You can bet my head hit the pillow at 8pm.
Mornin’ fellas. Ready to whack’em and stack’em. “We have been ready ever since we got here” Bubba Hollers. We got about two hours of sleep. Between nerves, Buddyweiser, and some good scotch, we kind of lost track of time.
Not a problem guys as long as everyone is sober. We’ll fill up thermos at WaWa (Indian for Goose. Pay attention to the sign next time you go by. How appropriate.) That’ll snap those eyes lids open. If not I guess I’ll have to kill your geese for you. Let’s get moving. Bubba, will you ride with me. I’ll give you the low down on this Delmarva Snow Goose hunt. OK Big Joe.
As we get on the road to the field, I tell Bill that there was about 50 acres of Snow’s on the field the day before. At about 750 birds per acre, that works out to about 37,500 birds using the field the day before. We just might kill a few. As we get to the field the temperature is warm, about 55 degrees. The guys are bummed out. Not to worry fellows, warm weather causes fog. And I can already see it forming in the headlights.
OK fellas, I’ll drive around in the field and the young bucks Charley and Steve, you get in the back of the trailer and pitch out decoys. Let me know if I’m going too fast. Ha!! Ha!! Ha!!
Bubba sits in the truck with me and while we are riding around he asks, Did you hear something? Yeah Bubba, sure did. It’s the young bucks in the back of the trailer getting bounced around when we crest the corn rows. They’ll be alright. That’s why I wanted the young fellows to do the pitchin’. Their bones are more flexible than us old Farts.
OK fellas, as we pitch out the decoys, spread them in the field about 6 feet apart.
Paul asks if that isn’t a little far apart. Give me a break Paul. When is the last time you ever saw a Snow Goose with a tape measure. Besides, our 800 decoys looks like a thousand or better when we spread them out some.
Hey Bubba, did you see something in the headlights then. I thought so but it was fast. Hard to see what it was in the dark. Look out George. That thing is flying straight at you. George instinctively throws a Snow Goose shell at the object just barely missing the Juvi Snow Goose. Man, no one is going to believe this. I am sure glad you didn’t hit it before sun up. I don’t know if that would be hunting before legal shooting hours or just pure self defense.
After we get all 800 decoys out and placed we switch to the blinds.Ok remember how I showed y’all how to pop up the layouts. Let’s get those up and put a little brush on them. OK, as I go down the mental checklist,dekes out, layout blinds in place, coffee poured, and shotguns ready to roll. Looks like we are ready for some Snow Goose Swattin’. The fog is thick. It looks like it is going to be a good morning.
As the red sky starts to form over our shoulders, mixed in with the fog, Bubba says “Hey guys did you hear something.” Steve says I think so. It is way off. What is it? It sounds like truck traffic in the distance. No, Steve, That’s sound like about 5000 snows coming this way and they are making one hell of a racket. OK, get buttoned up in the blinds. Game on. I’ll do the calling. They won’t be able to hear us anyway. It will be more sight than calling that will get their attention anyway.
All those geese know is that they have flown about 30 miles to be in this field this morning. How in the heck can they find this field 30 miles from their lift off point in the Atlantic in a fog is beyond me. But here they come.
Get ready guys. You won’t be able to hear me Holler take ‘em, just look for my gun barrel to go up in the air. All of a sudden they bust through the fog and hit the ground out of nowhere lighting all around us. Oh Crap , that one just landed five feet away and almost took off my head. Man, the goose shit is about ready to fly. I holler Kill ‘em, Kill ‘em, Kill ‘em as we pop up and the mayhem begins. Darn, how do I pick one? OK, deep breath, focus, follow through, squeeze. Bamn!! That’s one, Swing, follow through, and shoot again. Bamn!! Miss. How could I have missed? That was a wall of snow goose white.
One more shot. Follow through, squeeze, Bamn!! and thump goes the goose body as it hits the deck. YEAH!!! Two out of three ain’t bad. I’ll take that. Man these Snows can gain altitude fast. How can a 10 lb. bird move so fast?
OK guys stay put and reload. They are coming back. 2000 or so birds that were on the far end of the flock never heard us shoot. They don’t have a clue what’s in store for them. Take a deep breath, relax and focus when you shoot. 100 yards and closing. Get ready; their wings are set and landing gear down. OK, Kill’em Kill’em Kill’em. Thump, thump, thump the white birds go as they whack the ground. Man did you see that one hit the deck. He must have bounced three feet in the air.
Good shooting guys. Stay put and Summer (my Yellow Labrador) will get the birds. Watch her. Her instinct will take over now. She has already seen the sailer, as she gets on the birds butt, and runs a good three hundred yards to get the cripple.
As she brings the bird back she mentally takes note where the other birds are laying. The instinct of her knowing which bird is crippled and which one she should go after first is amazing. She hands me the bird and tears off for the next one. Rick says I got three that hit the ground behind us and Steve got two on the far left. After Summer finishes retrieving all the birds we do a quick count. Man what a great start. 8 guys shooting and 15 birds so far.
OK guys button up. A small bunch of about 500 “Only” coming at us. Here comes a single ahead of the flock. Don’t shoot he should bring in the others as the bird settles down in the wheat field and immediately starts to feed.
Here come 10 more following up the single. Let them come in too. Almost enough birds to shoot now as they start to touch down they sense something is wrong and they begin to back pedal. We had better shoot now as I scream Kill ‘em Kill ‘em Kill ‘em.
The guns roar and eight of 11 birds tumble. Guys that is some great shooting. We’ve got 23 for the grease now.
As the sky clears of birds and fog and the madness of the morning becomes a memory for life we are standing around the rig talking about the sight of 8000 birds coming straight at us in the early morning light. (Take note that when the birds came in earlier it was 5000 birds. Oh yeah the fish tale starts to grow already). Man did you see those birds in the decoys. There must have been a 1000 on the ground when we sat up to shoot. (Right…., more like 100 at the most. But the story sounds good anyway.) Thinking to myself, Let’em have their fun Joe.
They’re building a hunting memory that they will tell their Grand kids years from now and Lord knows how many birds they will say came in at daybreak and how many thumped the ground. One thing for sure, the number of birds we saw that morning won’t get any smaller as the years go by.
Oops, reality check. Here comes a single. Get in the blinds. But Joe he’ll see us move. Don’t worry about that. That bird is at least 500 yards out and he can’t make us out. All he sees is movement and that will just bring him in faster. Everyone dives in to their blinds and buttons up as the bird starts sailing to land with wings cupped. That bird is at least 250 yards out and with the wind blowing now at about 25 knots, it seems like it takes hours for him to get in range. I whisper to the hunters next to me, Wait, hold, hold, hold,……..( Meanwill Beeds of Sweat Break out on Their Foreheads). OK I think to myself, you let ‘em suffer long enough, TAKE ‘EM as all 8 shoot at the bird and he crumples. Oh boy that one is going to be a good eating bird. As I sarcastically say “Shouldn’t have much shot in IT.”
As the time approaches noon the birds start flying about a mile high, heading back to the ocean for the rest of the day and night. Well guys it looks like our hunt is over. The birds are heading to roost. Let’s pack up and head back to the barn. We have a few birds to clean.
We get back to the lodge and get the birds cleaned, wash our birds, take a good hot shower and throw another log into the wood stove stoking the fire. Did someone say nap time?
Even the young bucks feel the warmth and nod off for a snooze. About five my wife comes in to a sleeping crowd and announces supper time. Another delicious home cooked meal. My wife grew up on one of the islands in the Chesapeake and one thing those women can do is cook. After the meal, with bellies full and a couple of shots of good bourbon in our bellies it is becoming obvious that we won’t be long for the sack, and dreams of a day of ducking tomorrow. Man this is living. Another great hunt with DOA Outfitters. Nite y’all.
BIO BOX: Joe Austin is the owner of DOAOutfitters.com a waterfowl guide and Big Game
outfitting service for the Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, New York and North Carolina areas. For
information on the various hunts provided visit www.doaoutfitters.com or www.ultimategoosehunts.com for all the details.
NEW YORK TENTATIVE 2010-11 WATERFOWL SEASONS
Tentative Waterfowl seasons
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Species |
Western |
Northeast |
Lake
|
Southeast |
Long
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Youth Days a |
Oct 9 & 10 |
Sept 18 & 19 |
Sept 25 & 26 |
Sept 18 & 19 |
Nov 13 & 14 |
Ducks, Coots,
|
Oct 23 – Dec 6
|
Oct 2 – Oct 11
|
to be determined |
Oct 9 – Oct 17
|
Nov 24 – Nov 28
|
Sea Ducks |
same as above |
same as above |
to be determined |
same as above |
Oct 16 – Jan 30b |
Snow Geese |
Oct 23 – Dec 13
|
Oct 1 – Dec 31
|
to be determined |
Oct 2 – Jan 6
|
Nov 24 – Mar 10 |
Brant |
Oct 2 – Nov 20 |
Oct 2 – Nov 20 |
to be determined |
Oct 9 – Nov 27 |
Nov 24 – Nov 28
|
Canada Goose
|
see map for TENTATIVE Canada Goose Seasons |
||||
a Youth Days are additional days for Junior Hunters only. Young hunters, 12 to 15 years of age, possessing a junior hunting license may hunt ducks, coots, mergansers, Canada geese, and brant on 2 special days in each zone. Daily bag limits for ducks are the maximum allowed during the regular duck season, and 2 per day for Canada geese. Young hunters must be accompanied by a licensed (including current HIP registration and duck stamp) adult hunter, but the adult may not shoot any birds unless the respective regular season is open. Note: A 2009-10 hunting license is needed to hunt on any Youth Day in September 2010.
b In the special sea duck area only.
TENTATIVE 2010-11 Waterfowl Bag Limits
The daily bag limit is the maximum number of birds of each species that any person may take or possess in the field during any one day. The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit for all waterfowl species except snow geese. The possession limit is the maximum number of birds that any person may possess in total in the field, at home, in transit or in storage.
Species |
Daily Limit |
Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|
Ducks* |
6 |
12 |
Sea Ducks** |
7 |
14 |
Coot |
15 |
30 |
Canada geese # |
see map |
|
Snow geese |
15 |
no limit |
Brant |
2 |
4 |
* The daily limit of 6 ducks includes all species of mergansers, and may include no harlequin ducks and no more than 4 mallards (no more than 2 of which may be hens), 1 black duck, 3 wood ducks, 1 pintail, 2 redheads, 2 scaup, 1 canvasback, 4 scoters or 2 hooded mergansers.
** The daily limit of 7 sea ducks (scoters, eiders and long-tailed ducks – formerly called oldsquaw) is in addition to the regular duck bag in coastal waters of the Long Island Zone only. No more than 4 scoters may be included in the daily bag of sea ducks. In all other areas, sea ducks are part of the regular duck bag limit.
# Cackling geese and white-fronted geese may be taken as part of the Canada goose daily and possession limits. Snow geese and Ross’ geese may be taken as part of the snow goose limits.
Waterfowl Hunting Zones

Western Zone – That area west of a continuous line extending from Lake Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to Interstate Route 81 and then south along Interstate Route 81 to the New York-Pennsylvania boundary.
Northeastern Zone – That area north of a continuous line extending from Lake Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to Interstate 81, south along Interstate Route 81 to Route 31, east along Route 31 to Route 13, north along Route 13 to Route 49, east along Route 49 to Route 365, east along Route 365 to Route 28, east along Route 28 to Route 29, east along Route 29 to Interstate Route 87, north along Interstate Route 87 to Route 9 (at Exit 20), north along Route 9 to Route 149, east along Route 149 to Route 4 north along Route 4 to the New York-Vermont boundary, exclusive of the Lake Champlain Zone.
Lake Champlain Zone – That area east and north of a continuous line extending along Route 9B from the New York -Canada boundary to Route 9, south along Route 9 to Route 22 south of Keesville, south along Route 22 to the west shore of South Bay along and around the shoreline of South Bay to Route 22 on the east shore of South Bay, southeast along Route 22 to Route 4, northeast along Route 4 to the New York-Vermont boundary.
Southeastern Zone – That area east of Interstate 81 that is south of a continuous line extending from Interstate Route 81 east along Route 31 to Route 13, north along Route 13 to Route 49, east along Route 49 to Route 365, east along Route 365 to Route 28, east along Route 28 to Route 29, east along Route 29 to Interstate Route 87, north along Interstate Route 87 to Route 9 (at Exit 20), north along Route 9 to Route 149, east along Route 149 to Route 4, north along Route 4 to the New York-Vermont boundary, and northwest of Interstate Route 95 in Westchester County.
Long Island Zone – That area consisting of Nassau and Suffolk counties and their tidal waters, and that area of Westchester County and its tidal waters southeast of Interstate Route 95.
Special Sea Duck Area – An area defined as the coastal waters of New York State lying in Long Island Sound, Block Island Sound, Great Peconic Bay and associated bays eastward from a line running between Miamogue Point in the town of Riverhead to Red Cedar Point in the Town of Southhampton, and any ocean waterers of New York State lying south of Long Island.
TENTATIVE 2010-11 Canada Goose Seasons
Goose Hunting Area Boundary Descriptions
Shooting Hours: one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
Bag Limits: The daily bag limit is the maximum number of birds that any person may take or possess in the field during any one day. The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit for all waterfowl species except snow geese. The possession limit is the maximum number of birds that any person may possess in total in the field, at home, in transit, or in storage. See table below for specific bag limits for each Goose Hunting Area.
Non-toxic shot: Required
Other: You must register with HIP to hunt geese.

| Goose Hunting Areab | September | Regular | Special Late | Bag Limite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast | Sept. 1 – Sept. 25 | Oct. 23 – Dec. 6 | none | Sept. Season: 8/day Regular Season: 3/day |
| East Central | Sept. 1 – Sept. 25 | Oct. 23 – Nov. 19 Nov. 27 – Dec. 13 |
none | Sept. Season: 8/day Regular Season: 3/day |
| South | Sept. 1 – Sept. 25 | Oct. 23 – Dec. 13 Dec. 26 – Jan. 9 Feb. 26 – Mar. 10 |
none | Sept. Season: 8/day Regular Season: 5/day |
| West Central | Sept. 1 – Sept. 25 | Oct. 23 – Nov. 21 Dec. 26 – Jan. 9 |
none | Sept. Season: 8/day Regular Season: 3/day |
| Hudson Valley | Sept. 1 – Sept. 25 | Oct. 23 – Nov. 19 Dec. 18 – Jan. 3 |
none | Sept. Season: 8/day Regular Season: 3/day |
| Lake Champlain | Sept. 7 – Sept. 25 | Oct. 20 – Dec. 3 | none | Sept. Season: 5/day Regular Season: 3/day |
| Western Long Island | Closedc | Nov. 24 – Mar. 8 | none | Regular Season: 5/day |
| Central Long Island | Sept. 7 – Sept. 30 | Nov. 24 – Nov. 28 Dec. 7 – Feb. 9 |
Feb. 10 – Feb. 15d | Sept. Season: 8/day Regular Season: 3/day Special Late Season: 5/day |
| Eastern Long Island | Sept. 7 – Sept. 30 | Nov. 24 – Nov. 28 Dec. 7 – Jan. 30 |
none | Sept. Season: 8/day Regular Season: 2/day |
a Final regulations will be posted on the DEC website and announced in a press release in August.
b See map (above) and boundary descriptions (below) before going afield.
c September season in Western Long Island will be closed to allow extension of the regular season in this area only.
d The Special Late Season is open only in a small portion (north shore) of the Central Long Island Area (see description below).
e Cackling geese and white-fronted geese may be taken as part of the Canada goose daily and possession limits.
Special Late Canada Goose Season
DEC offers a special Late Canada Goose Hunting Season. The Late Canada Goose Hunting Area is that area of the Central Long Island Goose Hunting Area (see Regular Goose Season map) lying north of State Route 25A and west of a continuous line extending northward from State Route 25A along Randall Road (near Shoreham) to North Country Road, then east to Sound Road, then north to Long Island Sound, and then due north to the New York-Connecticut boundary.
Season Dates: February 10 – February 15
Bag Limit: 5 geese per day, 10 in possession.
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset
Non-toxic Shot: Required
Other: All migratory bird hunters must register with HIP.
New York State Goose Hunting Area Descriptions
For descriptions of these areas based on road boundaries, rather than Wildlife Management Units, see Road Boundary Descriptions of New York State Goose Hunting Areas
- The Lake Champlain Goose Hunting Area is the same as the Lake Champlain Zone.
- The Northeast Goose Hunting Area is the same as the Northeastern Waterfowl Hunting Zone. (That area north of a continuous line extending from Lake Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to Interstate 81, south along Interstate Route 81 to Route 31, east along Route 31 to Route 13, north along Route 13 to Route 49, east along Route 49 to Route 365, east along Route 365 to Route 28, east along Route 28 to Route 29, east along Route 29 to Interstate Route 87, north along Interstate Route 87 to Route 9 (at Exit 20), north along Route 9 to Route 149, east along Route 149 to Route 4 north along Route 4 to the New York-Vermont boundary, exclusive of the Lake Champlain Zone.)
- The East Central Goose Hunting Area consists of the following WMUs: 4A, 4F, 6P, 6R, 6S, 7M, and 7P. The East Central Goose Hunting Area also includes those parts of WMUs 7F and 7J lying south of Route 31 and east of Route 81.
- The South Goose Hunting Area consists of the following WMUs: 3A, 3C, 3H, 3K, 3N, 3P, 3R, 4G, 4H, 4O, 4P, 4R, 4W, 7R, 7S, 8M, 8N, 8P, 8T, 8W, 8X, 8Y, 9A, 9C, 9F, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9M, 9N, 9P, 9R, 9S, 9T, 9W, 9X, and 9Y. The South Goose Hunting Area also includes: that part of WMU 8G lying south and west of a continuous line extending along the New York State Thruway from Crittenden-Murrays Corners Road (near the Erie-Genesee County line) to Exit 48 in Batavia, then south along State Route 98 to State Route 20; that part of WMU 3G lying in Putnam County; and that part of WMU 3S lying north of Interstate Route 95.
- The West Central Goose Hunting Area consists of the following WMUs: 7A, 7H, 8A, 8C, 8F, 8H, 8J, 8R, and 8S. The West Central Goose Hunting Area also includes: that part of WMU 6K lying west of a continuous line extending along the north shore of the Salmon River from US Route 11 to Interstate Route 81, then south along Route 81 to Route 49; those parts of WMUs 7F and 7J lying west of Interstate Route 81; and that part of WMU 8G lying north and east of a continuous line extending along the New York State Thruway from Crittenden-Murrays Corners Road (near the Erie-Genesee County line) to Exit 48 in Batavia, then south along Route 98 to Route 20.
- The Hudson Valley Goose Hunting Area consists of the following WMUs: 3F, 3J, 3M, 4B, 4C, 4J, 4K, 4L, 4S, 4T, 4U, 4Y, 4Z, 5R, 5S, and 5T (excluding that area that is within the Lake Champlain Zone); that part of WMU 5J lying east of a continuous line extending along Interstate Route 87 from Route 29 at Saratoga Springs north to Route 9 (at Exit 20), then north along Route 9 to Route 149; and that part of WMU 3G lying in Dutchess County.
- The Western Long Island Goose Hunting Area is that area of Westchester County and its tidal waters southeast of Interstate Route 95 and that area of Nassau and Suffolk Counties lying west of a line extending from the New York-Connecticut boundary due south to the northernmost end of the Sunken Meadow State Parkway, south along the Sunken Meadow State Parkway, the Sagtikos State Parkway, and the Robert Moses State Parkway to its southernmost end, then due south to international waters.
- The Central Long Island Goose Hunting Area is that area of Suffolk County lying between the Western and Eastern Long Island Goose Hunting Areas, as defined above and below.
- The Eastern Long Island Goose Hunting Area is that area of Suffolk County lying east of a continuous line extending due south from the New York-Connecticut boundary to the northernmost end of Roanoke Avenue in the Town of Riverhead, south on Roanoke Avenue (which becomes County Route 73) to State Route 25, west on Route 25 to Peconic Avenue, south on Peconic Avenue to County Route (CR) 104 (Riverleigh Avenue), south on CR 104 to CR 31 (Old Riverhead Road), south on CR 31 to Oak Street, south on Oak Street to Potunk Lane, then west on Stevens Lane, then south on Jessup Avenue (in Westhampton Beach) to Dune Road (CR 89), then due south to international waters.
- The Special Late Canada Goose Hunting Area is that portion of the Central Long Island Goose Hunting Area lying north of State Route 25A and west of a continuous line extending northward from State Route 25A along Randall Road (near Shoreham) to North Country Road, then east to Sound Road, then north to Long Island Sound, and then due north to the New York-Connecticut boundary.
Snow Goose Season
Special Snow Goose Harvest Opportunity
Areas open: Western, Northeastern, Lake Champlain and Southeastern Waterfowl Zones
Areas closed: Long Island Zone
Season dates: March 11 – April 15, 2010
Shooting hours: ½ hour before sunrise to sunset
Bag limits: 15 snow geese per day, no possession limit
Special measures allowed: electronic calls, unplugged shotguns (more than 3 shells)
Non-toxic shot: required
Requirements to participate: current small game hunting privileges, federal duck stamp and registration in New York’s Harvest Information Program (HIP). NO special permit is required but participants must provide harvest information if requested by DEC.Snow Goose Population and Harvest Trends
The Atlantic Flyway population of light geese, composed mostly of “greater” snow geese, increased from approximately 50,000 birds in the mid 1960s to more than one million birds in recent years. Population estimates in May 2009 reached a record high of 1.4 million birds. Most of these birds pass through New York during spring and fall migrations and spend the winter in New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. Managers concerned about the impacts of too many snow geese have recommended a population goal of 500,000 – 750,000 in the Atlantic Flyway. The only practical way to reduce the population to that level is to increase hunter harvest, which in recent years has averaged between 30,000 – 40,000 birds in the flyway, including about 5,000-10,000 in New York.
New York has had a long hunting season for snow geese for many years, but until recently, federal regulations did not allow the season to be open after March 10, when large numbers of snow geese begin migrating north from their wintering areas. From mid March to mid April, more than 100,000 snow geese may spend time in New York, fueling up for their return to the arctic breeding grounds in May. Even larger numbers of snow geese congregate along the St. Lawrence River in southern Quebec, where annual surveys have documented the dramatic growth of this population (see chart below).

Why have snow goose populations increased so dramatically? First, the availability of waste grains on agricultural fields provided a vast new food supply for these birds. Second, continuation of restrictive hunting regulations during the 1970s and 1980s allowed the population to grow while hunter harvest rates declined. These two factors resulted in a higher reproductive rate, a higher adult survival rate, and offspring that were in much better condition to survive.