Snow Goose Production Up, Strong Fall Flight Expected; Delta Waterfowl to Goose Hunters: ‘Get Ready’ WINNIPEG, Manitoba—Could a bumper crop of snow geese be in the offing for waterfowl hunters this year? It was a huge production year for snow geese in the arctic Dr. Robert “Rocky” Rockwell, a biology professor at City University of New York and one of North America’s leading authorities on snow geese, thinks so. Rockwell says the summer nesting season in the subarctic region of La Perouse Bay in northern Manitoba was “spectacular.” “This is a huge production year,” says Rockwell, who was concerned about nesting success after last year’s dismal production. “This was the most bizarrely wet year I’ve ever seen up there. The birds nested 9 or 10 days earlier than normal, and as a result nest success was very high.” Translation: Goose hunters are staring down the barrel of what could be a banner fall flight. “Predicting hunting can be a fool’s errand, and I never like to do it, but the upcoming season appears to be shaping up awfully well,” says Delta Waterfowl President Rob Olson. “My message to goose hunters is this: get ready. The migration could be packed with young-of-the-year birds.” Rockwell agrees. He says high nest success means lots of juveniles will be making the flight south. “We’re talking about juvenile to adult ratios of 1.5 to 1,” says Rockwell, “which means those puppies are going to be sucked right into decoy spreads. Harvest always goes up when you have a high juvenile-to-adult ratio, so I think there’s good opportunity and I think it’s going to be early, because geese are already moving south.” Rockwell says snow and Ross’ geese are foraging heavily on berries inland from the Hudson Bay coast. Thousands are currently south of the normal La Perouse Bay breeding range near the Broad River and are staging all the way to the Ontario/Manitoba border. The eastern arctic is also looking good, says Dr. Jim Leafloor, a research scientist for Environment Canada who just returned from a banding program on Baffin Island. “We’re expecting good production on Baffin, for all species, not just snows,” says Leafloor. “On South Hamption Island it’s the same deal, so the eastern arctic seems to be doing well this year.” It’s a slightly different story in the central arctic. The migratory bird sanctuary at Karrak Lake south of Queen Maud Gulf is the breeding ground for 10 to 15 percent of the mid-continent snow goose population. “Production of young at Karrak Lake has declined in the last four years,” says Dr. Ray Alisauskas, a research scientist with Environment Canada who’s been studying the colony since 1991. “There was later-than-average nesting due to delayed snow melt and delays in nutrient storage, stemming from reduced food availability because of very high densities of geese on subarctic feeding areas.” It could be a banner year for snow goose hunters While nesting productivity is down, Alisauskas says overall populations of both snow and Ross’ geese remain very high. The number of nesting geese at Karrak Lake has grown from 400,000 to more than a million in less than 10 years. A recent assessment found survival rates have not declined since 1989, even with concerted efforts to reduce the population through liberalized hunting regulations and a special spring conservation hunt. “This harvest is showing that it’s sustainable,” says Alisauskas. “These birds are so resilient. You see video in the spring and you say, ‘Wow these birds are getting pounded quite hard,’ but when you look at the estimates of survival, they haven’t changed in the last 20 years.” Olson says their sublime taste hasn’t changed in 20 years, either. Delta’s president isn’t a preacher, but he has become an evangelist for snow geese, which he says are among the most underrated waterfowl species for the pot. In fact, he insists they’re among the best. “I don’t know where the propaganda started, but the myth that snow geese are inedible is just that—a myth,” he said. “I think they’re absolutely delicious—certainly not winged liver, as some have suggested— and I challenge hunters this year to prepare these succulent birds for their friends and family. They won’t be disappointed.” For Rob Olson’s snow goose recipes, see www.deltawaterfowl.org/hunting/recipes/archive/024-goose.php

2010/11 Delaware Hunting & Trapping Seasons

Shooting Hours: Deer and small game (except migratory birds, wild turkey, raccoon, opossum & frogs) ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset. Raccoons, opossums, and frogs may be hunted at night. The shooting hours for migratory game birds and waterfowl are ½ hour before sunrise to sunset.All content printed in RED are proposed dates and/or regulations. Hunters should continue to monitor this webpage sometime after mid-June to determine if the seasons and/or proposed changes were formally adopted.

2010/11 Small Game, Turkey, Furbearer,

^{1Season hours are ½ before sunrise until 1:00 PM. More Information for Small Game and Turkey Hunters} 

2From January 1 – April 31, 2011, fox hunting by chase during deer hunting season shall be permissible on private lands only on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday if the owner of the private land has authorized such hunting to occur thereon except no chase is permitted during the October, November and December deer seasons. 

3Red foxes may be harvested with the following: longbow; crossbow; shotgun; rimfire rifle or centerfire rifle up to .25 caliber; or a muzzle-loading rifle. However during any deer firearms season, it shall be unlawful to hunt red fox with any firearm that is not also legal for deer hunting. 

4Season reopens ½ hour after sunset 

5Minimum length is 8 inches on the curvature of the top of the shell.

Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset in all hunting zones

Non-toxic Shot: Required

Season Zones: Most waterfowl seasons are set based on five waterfowl hunting zones that have been approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

NOTE: (1) The following hunting season dates will not be finalized until federal regulations have been adopted in late September. Be sure to check the final regulations before going hunting; and (2) You must register with HIP to hunt any of these species.

^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.

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.

* 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, 2 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.

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.

^a These season dates will not be finalized until federal regulations have been adopted in late summer. Be sure to check the final regulations before going hunting.
^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

1. The Lake Champlain Goose Hunting Area is the same as the Lake Champlain Zone.
2. 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.)
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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, 2011
Shooting hours: ½ hour before sunrise to sunset
Bag limits: 25 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.

Background

Waterfowl hunters in New York will have a special opportunity to harvest snow geese in most areas of the state during spring 2011. In 2009, DEC implemented a “Conservation Order” for snow geese. A Conservation Order is a special management action authorized by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act to control certain wildlife populations when traditional management programs are unsuccessful in preventing overabundance. Federal and state regulations were amended in fall 2008 to allow this additional harvest of snow geese in response to concerns about their growing numbers across North America (see “Offsite Links” in the right-hand column).

Populations of snow geese, also referred to as “light geese” because of their white plumage, have grown to historic highs. The overabundance of light geese, which nest in far northern regions of North America, is harming their fragile arctic breeding habitat. The damage to the habitat is, in turn, harming the health of the light geese and other bird species that depend on the tundra habitat. Returning the light goose population to sustainable levels is necessary to protect this delicate habitat, and every species dependent on it. Large numbers of snow geese feeding on natural vegetation can also destroy large areas of coastal marshland during migration and winter. Serious damage to agricultural crops, such as hay, winter wheat, barley and rye, occurs on migration and wintering areas as well.

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.

International Concern

Concern about the overabundance of snow geese has been growing for years. An international “Arctic Goose Habitat Working Group” concluded in 1998 that action was needed to limit the greater snow goose population. A goal of 500,000 birds has since been established for the Atlantic Flyway. However, it took more than a decade to fully implement the recommendations of this group.

In November 2008, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service finalized rules establishing a Conservation Order and allowing the use of special hunting methods to increase the harvest of light geese across the country. Similar regulations have been in place in many Midwestern states and Canadian Provinces, including Quebec, since 1999. Harvest of light geese has more than doubled in those areas and the population growth rate has been reduced. Now, New York waterfowl hunters will be able to participate in this conservation effort.

Regulations for 2010

Under the new regulations, any person who has migratory game bird hunting privileges in New York, including a valid Harvest Information Program (“HIP”) confirmation number, may take snow geese and Ross’ geese (a smaller but nearly identical species) in the Western, Northeastern, Southeastern, and Lake Champlain Waterfowl Hunting Zones from March 11 through April 15, in addition to the regular snow goose hunting seasons in each zone. Areas where large numbers of snow geese occur at this time of year include the Finger Lakes region, the St. Lawrence Valley, and the upper Hudson and Champlain Valley regions. A special season was not implemented on Long Island, because relatively few snow geese occur in huntable areas there during the spring.

All migratory game bird hunting regulations and requirements apply to the taking of snow geese during this spring harvest period, except that use of recorded or electrically amplified calls or sounds is allowed and use of shotguns capable of holding more than three shells is allowed.

Hunting Snow Geese

Snow goose hunting can be one of the most challenging and rewarding types of waterfowl hunting. To help increase your chances for success, you can view or download the brochure developed by the Atlantic Flyway Council called “Successful Hunting Tactics for Greater Snow Geese” (pdf, 535 KB). We hope this is helpful and encourage you to share your hunting tips with others.

Permit and Reporting Requirements

Unlike some other states, no special permit is needed to participate in New York’s special snow goose harvest program. Harvest reporting is not mandatory, but any person who participates must provide accurate and timely information on their activity and harvest if requested by the Department. DEC plans to survey a sample of program participants to estimate hunter activity and harvest, and the extent to which the special measures helped hunters take more birds. This is necessary for continuation of the program in future years.

Results of the 2009 Spring Snow Goose Harvest Program

New York’s first year in the special snow goose harvest program was a success. We estimated that approximately 1,450 hunters participated in New York’s 2009 spring snow goose harvest program. Participants reported hunting in at least 20 counties across upstate New York, and they harvested nearly 7,700 birds (5.3/hunter). This harvest was in addition to the estimated statewide harvest of 6,800 snow geese during the 2008-09 regular season. Approximately 20% of the reported harvest was taken with the aid of electronic calls, and 10% was reported taken with the 4th, 5th or 6th shell in a gun. Although some of this harvest may have occurred without these special measures, the combined effects may have increased overall harvest by 10-20%.

Substantially higher harvests of snow geese during the spring season in New York are possible in the future. Many hunters said they were unaware that the special season was open, and many of those who did not hunt said they may next year. In addition, it seemed that snow geese migrated through New York earlier this year than they normally do. We believe this was more likely due to weather conditions than to effects of hunting pressure. If large numbers of snow geese remain in the state into April, as they often do, spring harvests may increase to several times greater than occurred in 2009. New York plans to continue to participate in and promote this special snow goose management program.

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.

WEBLESS MIGRATORY GAME BIRDS

Region B: Deer Seasons & Bag Limits
2010-2011 and 2011-2012

Anne Arundel*, Baltimore*, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Dorchester, Frederick, Harford, Howard*, Kent, Montgomery*, Prince George’s*, Queen Anne’s, St. Mary’s, Somerset, Talbot, Washington (Zone 1), Wicomico and Worcester counties

* Suburban deer archery zone of Region B: For vertical bow and crossbow hunting only: unlimited antlerless deer may be taken in these counties during the open bow season only.

Sika Deer

Sika Deer Seasons & Bag Limits
2010-2011 and 2011-2012
Caroline, Dorchester, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico and Worcester counties only

  ]]> http://www.ultimategoosehunts.com/2010/06/17/proposed-maryland-hunting-seasons-2010-2011/feed/ 0 http://www.ultimategoosehunts.com/2010/06/17/guided-snow-goose-hunting-central-ny-upstate-ny/ http://www.ultimategoosehunts.com/2010/06/17/guided-snow-goose-hunting-central-ny-upstate-ny/#comments Thu, 17 Jun 2010 20:33:03 +0000 Joe http://www.ultimategoosehunts.com/?p=152 DOA Outfitters and Frontenac Fowlers have increased their expertese of hunting Greater & LesserSnow geese from Virginia and the Delmarva Peninsula northward to the Canadian Border and the St. Lawrence river becoming the only waterfowl outfitting operation on the East coast to offer hunts on the entire flyway in the continental U.S. And we sent ‘em across the border with steel in their butts. The ones that survived that is. This past season was the best ever hunting snow and blues from Delmarva North from December to end of March, harvesting geese in an assortment of ways the entire way. If you want to kill snows effectively, you have to be flexible. We were shooting a fifty-fifty mixture of snows and blues by the time they went north into Canada. Lots of bands, neck collars, and Eagle heads. A real thrill. Come join us next year. The fun will start in Mid December in MD & DE. Book now while there are still some good dates left. Customize your 3 day waterfowl hunt for snow or canada geese, or sea, diver, and puddle ducks. Take your pick. DOA Outfitters Inc Joe Austin 410-883-2027 Lodge 410-603-1400 Cell Email: doaoutfitters@gmail.com

DOA Outfitters  and Frontenac Fowlers have increased their knowledge of hunting Greater & LesserSnow geese from Virginia and the Delmarva Peninsula northward to the Canadian Border and the St. Lawrence river becoming the only waterfowl outfitting operation on the East coast to offer hunts on the entire flyway in the continental U.S. And we sent ‘em across the border with steel in their butts. The ones that survived that is. This past season was the best ever hunting snow and blues from Delmarva North harvesting geese in an assortment of ways the entire way. If you want to kill snows effectively, you have to be flexible. We were shooting a fifty-fifty mixture of snows and blues by the time they went north into Canada. Lots of bands, neck collars, and Eagle heads. A real thrill. Come join us next year. The fun will start in Mid December in MD & DE.

Customize your 3 day waterfowl hunt for snow or canada geese, or sea, diver, and puddle ducks. Take your pick.

DOA Outfitters Inc
Joe Austin
410-883-2027 Lodge

410-603-1400 Cell
Email: doaoutfitters@gmail.com

Canada goose hunts are very popular and we can help with all your Canada goose hunting questions and adventures.

1. The only wintering grounds in the world for the greater snow geese. Wintering on the peninsula from mid October to mid March.
2. Shooting mallards and black ducks over fields in MD, DE, & NY.
3. Season starts end of October and they geese and ducks have been here all summer. Don’t have to wait for them to migrate south. They are here when the season opens.
4. Hunt Giant tail dragging Honkers as they decoy in off Lake Erie. A beautiful hunt right on the lake with tons of Giant Canadas locked up with landing gear down.
5. Our duck hunts have flocks of Mallards, Widgeon, Pintails and Blacks all in our faces with 30 yard shots all morning over corn fields. No mud snatching at your boots and pulling your hip out of joint. No saltwater to annoy you and your equipment. This hunt is great for older gentlemen or scrapping young bucks.
6. Tired of waiting ’till the last week of duck season to have a decent hunt? Come with us to where they nest in western NY. Shoot the Egg Shell Helmet right off their heads.

1. Become a serious environmentalist. Help us shoot all the Giant Canadas in the flight path at Buffalo International Airport and save human lives. We hunt in Clarence, NY.
2. Save our beer supply. The snow geese are eating the barley as fast as it pops up out of the ground.
3. Help get the cost of wheat products down. Canadas and snows are devouring wheat at an alarming rate.
4. Practice our second amendment rights. God bless America.

Customize your 3 day waterfowl hunt for snow or canada geese, or sea, diver, and puddle ducks. Take your pick.

DOA Outfitters Inc
Joe Austin
410-883-2027 Lodge

410-603-1400 Cell
Email: doaoutfitters@gmail.com

The Heart Pounding Thrills of cupped wings over the decoy rig while pounding Snows, Giant Canadas, Mallards, Gadwall, Widgeon, Woodies, Blacks, Canvasbacks,Scoters,Old Squaw,Bluebills, Etc. We hunt many other species of ducks, geese, and brant as well in cypress swamps, highland creeks, potholes, saltwater marshes and bays.

In all of our hunts,  we hunt grain fields for ducks or Greater Snow & Giant Canada Geese. Hunt like a gentleman in comfort from layout blinds high and dry and free of sloppy mud and salt water.

Customize your 3 day waterfowl hunt for snow or canada geese, or sea, diver, and puddle ducks. Take your pick.

DOA Outfitters Inc
Joe Austin
410-883-2027 Lodge

410-603-1400 Cell
Email: doaoutfitters@gmail.com

Hunters young and old are invited to relax and stay for a comfortable lodging experience for up to 10 hunters, complete with separate bath facilities and a cozy hunting den with potbelly stove.

DOA Outfitters Inc
Joe Austin
410-883-2027
Email: doaoutfitters@gmail.com