snow goose hunting tips

boos1906 · 11-19-2008, 04:45 PM

Hey guys this spring I am going to be just gettin started in snow goose hunting. I am looking for any tips on decoys, calling, locations and anything else you guys can think of. Thanks guys

mtgreenheads · 11-19-2008, 04:56 PM

Buy decoys (sillosocks are terrific, but old-school northwinds work too) till your credit card bleeds, as well as a decent ecaller or 2. Try and find a group of guys to share decoy expenses, helps as well.

Scout and learn to dream of nice spring days with south winds.

Good luck!

Doug Steinke · 11-19-2008, 05:15 PM

Pray ... a lot.

akareddog · 11-19-2008, 05:48 PM

check out huntingsnows.com tons of information.

Luv2Decoy · 11-19-2008, 06:05 PM

Best advice is only hunt on days when the wind blows or if not windy pray for fog.

Patrick Olson · 11-19-2008, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luv2Decoy

Best advice is only hunt on days when the wind blows or if not windy pray for fog.

Remember the weather man is only right half the time.

I have hunted days when he called for 20 mph and it was dead still. Hunted days when he said 3 mph and it has been strong enough to blown my hat off.

Best advice is hunt everyday. You never know when the weather man will be wrong and the N breeze will accidentally blow S, when the fog that was supposed to clear early stays late, or when tomorrow might be a massacre even though all the conditions are dead wrong.

You may have to sort through some bad days, but it beats laying in bed.

PO

**Catfishsteve** · 11-19-2008, 07:13 PM

Point gun at darkest spot in the sky. Empty. Repeat.

boos1906 · 11-19-2008, 07:28 PM

Patrick not all of us are as lucky as you and get to hunt everyday

Patrick Olson · 11-19-2008, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boos1906

Patrick not all of us are as lucky as you and get to hunt everyday

You are right, wish I could hunt every day too. But you can't always follow the best advice. I guess my point was that weather, wunderground, and accuweather are basically worth their weight in toilet water. And the chance of predicting a white out barn burner on weather and S winds alone is slim.

PO

gooseh8r · 11-19-2008, 08:37 PM

You never know when the better shoots are gonna come.

Last year our best kill days were days of light wind. The only reason I could think for it was the adult flocks werent able to hang in the wind and pick apart the spread like they can in more windy conditions. Sillosocks are worth thier wieght in gold on those days.

With the ammount of juvies this year, everyone will be pounding em again.

Best advise I could give anybody...When you think your ecaller is quiet enough, but the geese are still hanging up, turn it down afew more notches.

Hillbilly · 11-19-2008, 08:53 PM

I will second Gooseh8r on the juvy report. There were more young in Sask in October than I have seen in many years. That will definitely help your odds.

bigquackattack · 11-19-2008, 10:13 PM

Get hidden as well as possible. A flock of just 500 birds has 1,000 eyes.

Alex T. · 11-19-2008, 10:38 PM

Some pieces of the puzzle....1)decoys 2)sounds 3)concealment 4)location IMO,the weather(or maybe it's the weather guys) is just not reliable enough to justify which day to hunt;hunt when you can. We shot alot of birds last spring on frozen ground, decent north winds,and some snow on the ground. IMO,concealment is a huge factor.I hardly get out of the blind once things are adjusted properly. If 1 guy has to take a leak,everyone gets out and goes,strecthes their legs or whatever.Then,back in the blinds. Plus,I don't leave the lids open. I try to follow the concept of fall asleep and let the birds wake you up(they are kinda noisy).Of course,someone is always awake and keeps a watch but nobody is out getting busted by birds.I've seen a few pics on here of guys with their blind doors open.Just think of how much movement there is when 2,3,or 5 guys are jumping in and flipping their lids closed. Good sounds coming from an ecaller is important.Quite a few snow goose tracks out there and you'll get different opinions on which one works the best.Trial and error will tell ya what to use. Location is important but not as critical as in the fall.Ya don't need to be on the X to kill a bunch of snow geese in the spring. Find their flight "highways" and get under them. Of course,being on the X will help but it isn't critical for hunting migrators;just the local birds. Decoys,tons of advancement in the last few years.IMO,depending on your setup will help dictate what style of decoy to buy. Just some of my thoughts and opinions on the best waterfowling out there IMO.

Alex

Big Dawgg · 11-20-2008, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boos1906

Hey guys this spring I am going to be just gettin started in snow goose hunting. I am looking for any tips on decoys, calling, locations and anything else you guys can think of. Thanks guys

Are you planning on field hunting? I have been toying with the idea of snow hunting.
Do most of you guys find the geese then ask permission to hunt the land or do you have spots planned out already?

BPbowhunter · 11-20-2008, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Dawgg

Are you planning on field hunting? I have been toying with the idea of snow hunting.
Do most of you guys find the geese then ask permission to hunt the land or do you have spots planned out already?

From what i've read on various forums, is that yes it is possible to find an X for them, but it's usually not as consistent as it is in the fall with canadas. Most guys set up for migrators.

Patrick Olson · 11-20-2008, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Dawgg

Do most of you guys find the geese then ask permission to hunt the land or do you have spots planned out already?

It all depends on conditions. Days of likely migration, and I might be thinking get as far away from any other snow goose on the ground as possible. Days of fog, etc and knocking on the door of 400,000 geese is no problem with me.

Generally, late and early in the season we are hunting Xs, bad weather no migration, going for Xs. Favorable migration conditions and we are going to to the go to spots.

PO

gooseh8r · 11-20-2008, 06:54 PM

Hunting the "X" has always been counter productive to me.

The geese leave the roost, more often than not in 1 big mass. They come in and you shoot, or they see something wrong and leave, jump over to the next field and totally screw you the rest of the day.

Sound familiar?

livnlrn · 11-20-2008, 09:59 PM

Don't for get the sunblock. If you're bald like me remove your skull cap every once in awhile so your head gets an even burning. Otherwise you'll end with a farmers tan on your melon and you look stupid. I'm serious!

**Ty Stromquist** · 11-21-2008, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug Steinke

Pray ... a lot.

I vote this for post of the year.

livnlrn · 11-21-2008, 07:03 AM

Don't get greedy. Shoot whatever is in range.

11-19-2008, 04:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
boos1906 Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 44 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	snow goose hunting tips Hey guys this spring I am going to be just gettin started in snow goose hunting. I am looking for any tips on decoys, calling, locations and anything else you guys can think of. Thanks guys

11-19-2008, 05:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
Doug Steinke Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Grande Central Posts: 58 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Pray ... a lot. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. HuntingDownCancer org

11-19-2008, 08:37 PM	#10 (permalink)
gooseh8r Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ne Posts: 480 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 6 Posts	You never know when the better shoots are gonna come. Last year our best kill days were days of light wind. The only reason I could think for it was the adult flocks werent able to hang in the wind and pick apart the spread like they can in more windy conditions. Sillosocks are worth thier wieght in gold on those days. With the ammount of juvies this year, everyone will be pounding em again. Best advise I could give anybody...When you think your ecaller is quiet enough, but the geese are still hanging up, turn it down afew more notches. __________________ "In Duckhunting there are champion duck callers and champion duck killers...Im both." To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

11-19-2008, 10:38 PM	#13 (permalink)
Alex T. Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: under the lids of a laydown blind Certified Youth Fishing Instructor Posts: 3,419 Thanks: 0 Thanked 62 Times in 35 Posts	Some pieces of the puzzle....1)decoys 2)sounds 3)concealment 4)location IMO,the weather(or maybe it's the weather guys) is just not reliable enough to justify which day to hunt;hunt when you can. We shot alot of birds last spring on frozen ground, decent north winds,and some snow on the ground. IMO,concealment is a huge factor.I hardly get out of the blind once things are adjusted properly. If 1 guy has to take a leak,everyone gets out and goes,strecthes their legs or whatever.Then,back in the blinds. Plus,I don't leave the lids open. I try to follow the concept of fall asleep and let the birds wake you up(they are kinda noisy).Of course,someone is always awake and keeps a watch but nobody is out getting busted by birds.I've seen a few pics on here of guys with their blind doors open.Just think of how much movement there is when 2,3,or 5 guys are jumping in and flipping their lids closed. Good sounds coming from an ecaller is important.Quite a few snow goose tracks out there and you'll get different opinions on which one works the best.Trial and error will tell ya what to use. Location is important but not as critical as in the fall.Ya don't need to be on the X to kill a bunch of snow geese in the spring. Find their flight "highways" and get under them. Of course,being on the X will help but it isn't critical for hunting migrators;just the local birds. Decoys,tons of advancement in the last few years.IMO,depending on your setup will help dictate what style of decoy to buy. Just some of my thoughts and opinions on the best waterfowling out there IMO. Alex __________________ Listening to an e-caller daily to help pass the time until they come back

11-20-2008, 06:54 PM	#17 (permalink)
gooseh8r Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ne Posts: 480 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 6 Posts	Hunting the "X" has always been counter productive to me. The geese leave the roost, more often than not in 1 big mass. They come in and you shoot, or they see something wrong and leave, jump over to the next field and totally screw you the rest of the day. Sound familiar? __________________ "In Duckhunting there are champion duck callers and champion duck killers...Im both." To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

11-19-2008, 04:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
mtgreenheads Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 51 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Buy decoys (sillosocks are terrific, but old-school northwinds work too) till your credit card bleeds, as well as a decent ecaller or 2. Try and find a group of guys to share decoy expenses, helps as well. Scout and learn to dream of nice spring days with south winds. Good luck!

11-19-2008, 05:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
akareddog Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 67 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	check out huntingsnows.com tons of information.

11-19-2008, 06:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
Luv2Decoy Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: in the blind Posts: 70 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Best advice is only hunt on days when the wind blows or if not windy pray for fog.

11-19-2008, 07:13 PM	#7 (permalink)
Catfishsteve Director Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Plattsmouth, NE Posts: 6,847 Thanks: 22 Thanked 115 Times in 35 Posts	Point gun at darkest spot in the sky. Empty. Repeat.

11-19-2008, 07:28 PM	#8 (permalink)
boos1906 Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 44 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Patrick not all of us are as lucky as you and get to hunt everyday

11-19-2008, 08:53 PM	#11 (permalink)
Hillbilly Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lincoln Posts: 69 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I will second Gooseh8r on the juvy report. There were more young in Sask in October than I have seen in many years. That will definitely help your odds.

11-19-2008, 10:13 PM	#12 (permalink)
bigquackattack Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Close to the creek Posts: 128 Thanks: 4 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	Get hidden as well as possible. A flock of just 500 birds has 1,000 eyes.

11-20-2008, 09:59 PM	#18 (permalink)
livnlrn Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 380 Thanks: 3 Thanked 7 Times in 6 Posts	Don't for get the sunblock. If you're bald like me remove your skull cap every once in awhile so your head gets an even burning. Otherwise you'll end with a farmers tan on your melon and you look stupid. I'm serious!

11-21-2008, 07:03 AM	#20 (permalink)
livnlrn Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 380 Thanks: 3 Thanked 7 Times in 6 Posts	Don't get greedy. Shoot whatever is in range.

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