Spring Snow Goose Guide in MO

Squaw Creek Refuge - One of the best staging areas in the spring

Our spring snow goose hunts take place near major staging areas in Missouri and South Dakota. Several hundred thousand birds are common and, given the right conditions, peak counts can exceed a million snows. These staged birds, combined with untold numbers of migrating flocks, provide great decoying action. Peak hunting occurs mid-February through early April during the Conservation Order. This special season has liberal laws allowing the use of electronic callers, unplugged guns, and generous bag limits.

Missouri usually leads the nation in total spring snow goose harvest. NW Missouri is without a doubt one of the most consistent and productive regions in Missouri. Most of our Missouri hunts take place in this corner of the state.

Our South Dakota hunts have grown in popularity over the years. These hunts typically have higher averages, hunting pressure can be considerably less, and the migration is massive if your timing is right. The extraordinary number of migrating birds is a result of a natural funnel forcing the majority of the Mid-Continent snow goose flock to migrate through a narrow band of eastern South Dakota. The biggest drawback to South Dakota is the travel distance but these hunts shouldn’t be overlooked. It is a favorite hunting spot of many of our Up North Outdoor guides.

The hunts take place on private leases over large spreads of Deadly Decoys full bodied windsocks. I co-designed these decoys with my business partner Damian Kuzmin. Together we design, manufacture, and sell them through our partnership in Deadly Decoys, Inc (Check out our Snow Goose Decoys). They are an ultra-realistic windsock decoy that has an internal BackBone™ support that gives them a full body appearance, striking feather detail, and unrivaled realistic movement. The blinds we use are lay down blinds. These blinds provide excellent concealment, comfort, and mobility. Our electronic callers are capable of producing sound quality of the utmost clarity without background noises or distortions. A large spread of realistic decoys, movement, and sounds are the keys to successfully decoying snow geese. We have put a major emphasis on refining these areas over the years. Additionally, we have several subtle tactics that we use to set us apart from other guide services. These little things are what make our hunts more consistent and successful than the competition.

We take pride in being able to successfully decoy these wary birds. While we have many amazing days in the field each year it takes the right conditions and a little luck to have those 60, 80, or 100 plus bird days. Most years we have a couple fields that get zeros and a few that exceed the century (100 +) mark. Hunters should come expecting to harvest between 10-40 birds/field/day with a potential for much larger days.

We run our snow goose hunts over the most productive parts of the spring conservation season but weather can play a significant role on our success. When weather issues develop we rely on our years of snow goose hunting experience and the weather forecast to try to predict how conditions will affect the geese in our area. Our policy is we hunt under all weather conditions unless they become hazardous. We occasionally postpone hunts under adverse conditions. This is a judgment call on our part.

The 2010 spring season was our 10th anniversary and our most challenging to date. We intentionally shortened it so I would not be away from my family of small children as long this year. The timeframe we chose to hunt has traditionally been our most consistent and predictable. This year the weather was less than ideal. We made the right decision when we postponed about a week’s worth of hunters. This shortened our already condensed season. We ended up only hunting 21 days vs. 2009 when we hunted 48 days. There were bright spots. High field was 140 birds with a number of 40-70 bird days. Low field for the year was a zero.

Our 2010 total harvest was 1890 geese. Over the past 10 years our annual harvests have been 1890 (2010 - only 21 days vs. 40-50 days in the field most years), 5471(2009), 3850 (2008), 5653 (2007), 4442 (2006), 3653 (2005), 3583 (2004), 1266 (2003), 1049 (2002), and 469 (2001) snow geese. This is just over 31,000 snow geese harvested in 10 seasons.

If you would like a video proof of the quality of our guided hunts you can purchase “Snow Flurries 2”. It was filmed during the 2009 spring season with several of our client featured as shooters. It is exactly what you will experience on a good day hunting with us. You can purchase the video by calling 563-382-0530 or our online store www.deadlydecoys.com/store/. (You will be redirected to the Deadly Decoys, Inc. website which is an affiliate of Up North Outdoors, Inc.)

Order the Video

There has been a lot of hype created around the spring snow goose season. Some of its warranted. Some of its overblown marketing. As you can see from the pictures we have many truly amazing days in the field each year. These are above average days and show the potential. It takes the right conditions and a little luck to have those 60, 80, or 100 plus bird days. Hunters should come expecting to harvest between 10-40 birds/field/day with a potential for much larger days. These are decoying birds with most shots being called in the 25-50 yard range. In reality, snow geese are the toughest of all waterfowl to decoy. The enactment of the spring season and its liberal laws are testament to this fact. We are highly successful but we don’t guarantee birds. Slow days or even a rare zero are a part of hunting occasionally.

Rates:

We run two styles of hunts: Standard and Shooting the X. We recommend hunting a minimum of 3 days. Our Standard packages are a 3 day (Friday-Sunday) or 4 day (Monday-Thursday) hunt. The Shooting the X hunts are 3 days. We prefer booking the hunts as listed. We also realize that it’s not going to work for everyone. If you require something outside this structure call me. Normally I can make something work for both of us.

Standard Hunts: These are the hunts that we have run for 10 years. On this style of hunting we hunt semi-permanent setups. This means we hunt the same fields often, moving as necessary. We hunt near very large concentrations of staged and migrating flocks, decoying them as they fly over our spreads. Throughout the past 10 spring seasons this has proven to be a very successful strategy. Our measure of this success is not only the 31,000 snow geese we have harvested but also the high percentage of repeat clientele. Daily harvests of 10-40 birds/field/day are typical on these hunts with a potential for much larger days. Most years we have a couple of fields that get zeros and a few that exceed the century (100 +) mark.

Every day in the field is a chance at a band or a neck collar

Have a chance to see A LOT of geese!

Use large, realistic decoy spreads

3-Day Weekend Package: $500 per hunter - Youth: $450

This hunt package is Friday-Sunday. Friday & Saturday are full day hunts (legal shooting time until sunset) and Sunday is a half day hunt (legal shooting until 12:00 pm).

3- Full Days: $525.00

4-Day Weekday Package: $675 per hunter - Youth $600

This hunt package is Monday-Thursday. Monday-Wednesday are full day hunts (legal shooting time until sunset) and Thursday is a half day hunt (legal shooting until 12:00 pm).

4-Full Days: $700

NEW - SHOOTING THE X HUNTS: On these hunts we are going to be hunting as many hot fields as we can get lined up. Where will the hunts take place? There are several locations that hold large numbers of birds during this time period that we are considering but ultimately where we end up will be where we can find the most birds with the best hunting. We are going to be extremely mobile. You will be told a few days prior to your hunt were you will be hunting. Because we are moving so often hunters are required to assist with the decoy spreads. Those not wanting to put in the extra effort should book our standard hunts where your assistance is not likely needed.

When you first look at the price of these hunts you may think to yourself “why so much more than the standard hunts?” Here is the answer. There is going to likely be three guides per field not just one. The other associated expenses such as fuel, lodging, leases, and meals will be more than tripled due to the mobility. This style of hunting requires a greater effort physically and financially from both of us. We have faith in the premise that the greater the risk the larger the potential reward. These have limited space this year. Call to check dates and availability.

3-Day Hunt: $1200/Hunter

Three full days hunts until sunset. Six hunters Minimum. We don’t combine parties on these hunts.

1. Prices don't include lodging, license, or gratuity.

2. Party size of 6 hunters guarantees your own field. Groups of less than 6 hunters can reserve their own field for an additional fee. Otherwise groups of less than 6 hunters will be combined with other smaller sized groups to reach 6-8 hunters per field. No dogs allowed on combined group hunts, no exceptions! If you have your own field, well mannered dogs are allowed.

3. Full day hunts run legal shooting time to sunset. Half-day hunts are until to 12:00.

4. Youth are those under age of 18 and must be accompanied by an adult.

Payment:

One person in your party needs to be the contact person. I will need this person’s contact information. They will be the one sending me payment, receiving the confirmation letter, and any other communications concerning the hunt.

A deposit of 50% is due within 14 days of booking your hunt. Full payment is due by January 15th. Those booking after January 15th are required to make full payment. Payment can be made with personal check, money order, or credit card (Visa/MC/Discover). For those paying after January 15 credit cards are preferred.

All monies paid are non-refundable. If you can’t make the trip it is acceptable to find a replacement as long as the party size doesn’t change. If you can’t make the hunt and can’t find a replacement you forfeit your deposit. If full payment has been made then the 2nd half of payment will remain as a credit for a future hunt. If we have to postpone the hunt it will be rescheduled in the current or future season as the schedule allows. When we postpone a hunt it is with your best interest at heart. This payment policy we feel is fair. Most of your payment is used to pay expenses incurred in preparing for your upcoming hunt. By sending payment you are agreeing to these terms.

Lodging:

Missouri Snow Goose Hunts

Lodging is at the local motels. I will provide you with the local motel numbers once you book the hunt. It is your responsibility to call and make those reservations.

South Dakota Snow Goose Hunts

Lodging is at one of the premier Pheasant Hunting Lodges in South Dakota. It’s off season for them so our hunters get a special rate of $70/night for meals and lodging. Gabrielle serves family style meals with hearty breakfasts, sack lunch for the field and supper featuring pheasant, beef or pork. You’ll enjoy home baked pies, fruits and vegetables from the garden and the cookie jar that’s always full!

Licenses:

Missouri Spring Snow Goose Hunts: February 25 - March 17: There is no daily or possession limit. Unplugged guns and electronic callers are legal.

License: Conservation Order Permit ($40 non-residents/$5 residents...new requirement for 2010) & Hunter Safety Certificate if born on/after 1-1-1967. Those that have not completed a hunter's safety course can still hunt if they purchase an Apprentice Hunter Authorization ($10) in addition to the two permits. This Authorization waives the hunter's safety requirement.

Apprentice Hunter Authorization (This is not a permit to hunt.) Allow the purchase of firearms hunting permits by persons born on or after January 1, 1967 and at least sixteen (16) years of age without display of a hunter education certificate card. The holder of this authorization also must purchase a firearms hunting permit and hunt in the immediate presence of an appropriately licensed adult age 21 or older who is hunter education certified. This authorization may be purchased annually for two (2) consecutive permit years (March 1 through the last day of February).

South Dakota Spring Goose Hunts: March 21-April 3: There is a 20 bird daily/hunter but no possession limit. Unplugged guns and electronic callers are legal. License: Spring Light Goose: Adult - $45, Youth under 16 - $25 plus Hunter Safety Certificate.

What you need to bring:

We provide all of the blinds, decoys, electronic callers, and any other equipment required in the field. While we appreciate the offers to bring your own equipment we prefer to use ours as it is proven, effective, and familiar to us.

• Non-toxic shotgun shells.
  
• Most use 12 gauge, 3 or 3½ inch, steel shot size 2’s to BB’s.
  
• Camo clothing and face mask for warm and cold weather. Waterproof (Gortex) is preferred. Bring plenty of clothes to dress in layers. You can always take some of them off if you get too warm.
  
• Food or drink (non-alcoholic) you may need while in the field.
  
• Camera to capture the hunt on film.
  
• Rubber boots or field boots are all that is needed most of the time. I would also recommend you bring waders (neoprene). Most years they are not needed however if conditions become muddy waders will make hunting more enjoyable.
  
• Hunters are required to help with the decoy spreads as necessary.