2010 Snow goose - Where and When?

[guythathunts]

Ok snow goose fans - Where are they going to be and when!?

I know this is the million dollar question, so maybey we can put our heads together and have some sucess heading west this year.

I am going to be hunting the weekend of March 12th. By looking at the progression of the snow line, reading migration reports and having a stab in the dark type of notion, I am thinking I will have to be somewhere in centeral Nebraska. Typicaly this time of year I would be in southern SD, but last year we were on the very leading edge and I would like to be in the thick of things this year. Combine that with the weather and I think I will need to be about 100 miles south of the SD border.

I know things can change quickly and only time will tell exactly where the starting point should be, but it is fun to speculate!

So what do you all think? Am I way off? What would you do? What is your plan?

[snow]

Might have to keep going south that early this year,still a good snow packall across nebraska and into north central Kansas.Guys hunting in NW Mo said the refuge is still locked up,migration reports south of St Joesph Mo are just starting as are reports coming from Kansas city area.

[Cody Gruchow]

i plan on heading to Nodak if given the chance.(funds) but i may head towards the SD border also and down towards southwest MN to run and gun. its all depends on what i hear.

[snow]

Cody~

Its going to take some long hot days and some rain and wind to dry up SW Mn,man do they have alot of snow pack,20"s plus and well into SoDak.Tuck some of that tax money away and be ready to roll.Got another report today from AK,the boyz there said they have huge wads of birds and seem to be holed up there with all the snow to the north,few juvies (usually the case early in the season) in the mix.

[guythathunts]

Well the weather is changing fast. It is going to be in the high 30's for the nxt 10 days with a few days getting into the 40's in S SD. Weather.com also puts the 10 day forcast into the mid 50's the whole time in Kansas city. I amthinking there will be a chance that the migration fly over the bulk of NE fairly quick. What are the chances in your opinion that geese will be in huntable #'s in S SD in 10 days from now? I give it 50/50 as of now. Hmm.... plans change so fast this time of year!

[snow]

It will take  alot more of this warm weather,wind will help as will rain to whack the snow pack down BUT the lakes are still locked up with ice.I would'nt get to excited just yet unless you want to travel,no huntable #'s in the squaw creek area of missouri  just yet,but looking at the snow pack map the major migration might be further west like last year,even further west on the rain water basin of nebraska,most likely between grand island and kearney nebraska,if thats the case be aware that if this happens in past years the DNR has shut down the entire cooridor because the sandhills were migrating thru at the same time.Need to make a few calls if you head that way.

Still 15"s plus thru central SD~  
http://www.nohrsc.noaa.gov/nsa/  

PS~Here is a report from the squaw creek waterfowl refuge from today,if you have never herd of this refuge it is the major stagging area of waterfowl as they head north,quite a place to visit and hunt.+



March 4, 2010
We would expect the Spring migration to be in full force by now, but Mother Nature has seen fit to change the plans. We have had a Refuge record amount of snowfall this winter at 53” and record cold temperatures. This weather pattern has caused all Refuge pools to remain frozen and snow covered. As of today, the ice depth on our main pool is 10 inches. We estimate all other pools with ice depths between 8 -10 inches. On top of that these frozen pools are covered with 4-6” of snow . Surrounding ag fields remain partially snow covered with 2 to 5” of snow. Temperatures during the day have been above freezing for the last three days and are expected to get into the 50’s this weekend, however we still drop well below freezing every night so the cycle of freezing and thawing has really hampered the thawing out of the Refuge pools.
What all this means is that the spring migration has been much delayed and that there are currently no birds in the area. At last check, there are birds moving into central Missouri, but not moving any farther north. As soon as there is open water and clear ag fields birds will be on the move. The current conditions will persist through this weekend. Hopefully, next week we will have a better idea of how things will progress.
2010 spring migration numbers will be reported on this (information line) page as soon as birds arrive and we can get a count. Once the birds are here there will be a weekly waterfowl counts posted until the migration has moved out.
On a happier note, we do have one pair and possibly two pair of adult bald eagles attempting to nest on the Refuge.

[mncowboy]

what does a non res snow goose licence run in south dakota? what all does a guy need. i have land to hunt but the family out there dont hunt

thanks
monty

[JohnWester]

$45
 and someone like me with a trailer full of dekes to help you hunt it. 


and lots of shells

[snow]

Hey monty~

What aprt of SoDak are ya in? Land is part of the equation,got some big water around your spot? Lots of dekes is a plus and a good/loud ecaller is a must,or if your in the flyway and find a roost area its always a blast to setup a pass shoot and alot less work. 

[JohnWester]

hey back off snow... I saw him first!

have ecaller too...

[mncowboy]

hey guys i live in princeton, mn, my folks grew up in eastern sd. have family all over eastern south dakota, aberdean, watertown, sisseton, brandon just to name a few. thats why i wanna learn more. i cant go this year so i am learning and getting my ducks in a row so i can make a good trip in 2011.     John, my father bought that mossberg 835 from you a couple years ago.

[JohnWester]

ahh... ok. hey monty. we should hook up sometime, I found a piece that screws on the end of the magazine for that gun that either has the swivel or doesn't have the swivel, which ever isn't on there now... for a sling.  I'll give that to you.  I sw it the other day in the garage with some old hunting shells... I'll look for it and set it aside in my gun cabinet so I don't lose it.

[mncowboy]

sounds good john!


monty

[guythathunts]

The suspence is killing me. I leave in 6days And could be going to any of 4 different sates. Leaving after work on Thursday. I think the weather will be telling here in the next few days. Still I dont know what my best bet would be..... If you were leaving on Thursday, what would you do?

[snow]

Get ready boyz,"cocked locked and ready to ROCK doc~





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[Cody Gruchow]

ready!!! TAKEM!!!!