The 2013 spring season was our best total harvest with 5835 snow geese harvested. Among these birds there were 8 leg bands, 1 yellow neck collar, and one double banded bird with a $100 reward. There were also three blue phase Ross geese but only one was a prized mature adult.
Arkansas: It was our first year so I don’t have anything to judge this year against. Most of the hunting was above average and a lot of it was well above average. It is a migration corridor but there are staged birds in the area that use flooded rice fields, fish ponds, and duck lakes. If you are looking for a low hunting pressure area with good success Arkansas might be the place for you. Our best day in Arkansas was 119 snows with 5 shooters in the field. We are looking forward to returning in 2014.
Missouri: We started out the first week with above average hunting. Then winter came back to the Midwest. It snowed and then four days later it snowed again turning the temps cold for a few days. Hunting during this time was below normal. When the weather heated back up so did the hunting and groups hunting with the remainder of the season had pretty good success. Best day in Missouri was 115 snow geese.
South Dakota: Since there was so much cold weather in South Dakota I tried to move those hunters up a week to have them hunt in Missouri rather than hunt the tundra of South Dakota. A couple groups did move and they were rewarded for their flexibility. Most of the groups couldn’t or wouldn’t move so with a lot of work and calling in favors we were able to get two of our spreads set using cordless drill to punch stake holes in the ground. My guide friend allowed us to hunt two of his spreads. It started out slow but most fields ended up shooting 10-35 snows. High field was 35 geese. Due to the inconsistency of the weather in recent years we have decided to take a break from South Dakota to focus on building up our hunts in Arkansas where the hunting was outstanding and the weather is more stable. We may revisit them in the future but not in 2014.
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First time snow goose hunter with a double banded snow. The second band was a $100 reward band. It was also our first day in the field in NW Missouri. 2013.
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Hunter from California. They don’t get many blue geese out there so they are always prized by the west coast hunters.
This is our only neck collar during the 2013 Spring Snow Goose Season. Since they have stopped collaring snows several years back they have become increasingly rare.
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You know the Missouri snow goose season is about over when they start burning the grass on the levees. They sure like to burn stuff in Missouri.
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Juvy blue phase ross
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Some young hunters with their band.
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If only everybody was so easily entertained between snow goose flocks.
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First day of our guided snow goose hunts in Arkansas.
Nice Arkansas early Feb snow goose hunt.
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Another banner Arkansas Snow Goose hunt.
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Youngster enjoying a hunt with his father. A little on the slow side today but he still had fun.
Regardless of the weather we hunt unless it becomes hazardous. These hunters braved the elements and were rewarded with a successful hunt.
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An above average Missouri snow goose hunt.
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Have you ever been dog tired?
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Squaw Creek Refuge loaded up with snow geese in Missouri.
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Missouri has some excellent snow goose hunting.
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Back!
Molly on her first snow goose hunt.
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Flyer decoys are one of the keys to our success.
You can be successful hunting snow geese after the snow stops with the correct techniques and gear.
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Arkansas snow goose hunting was excellent in 2013.
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Strong push from the south on this Missouri snow goose hunt.
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Another strong migration day in Missouri.
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The tail end of the snow goose migration was very good in Missouri.