Early Snow Goose hunts?

[Benny]

Who is planning thier early snow goose hunts?

We are going to South Dakota as soon as they start to filter in, have a guide lined up who last year got us into a couple thousand geese.

Unbelievable how one shot can drop three geese, and then add in 5 other guns all empting thier magazines.

Looked like it was snowing feathers and geese.

Benny

[GRIZ]

Some buddies and I are talking about it. Not exactly what they will be yet. They went last yr.

[Bufflehead]

Go to South Dakota every year for the spring hunt.

 Looking forward to going again this year

 We have met some great people from there and have had several fishing and hunting trips with each other back and fourth

[Bosco]

I have not planned but now that you mentioned it I am thinking about it

[h2ofwlr]

I always go for the S&Bs over the decoys.   

Last year


2 years ago

[Bufflehead]

Great photos Alan, looks like the new pup is working out great

[guythathunts]

How many snow decoys do you need for the spring hunt?

[Bufflehead]

Quote
"How many snow decoys do you need for the spring hunt?"

--------------------------------

 If your wife's asking, because you need to go to a sport shop and buy some....a Doz. Dear! LOL

 Really though...more the better...4-500 is a start.

 These birds are hunted about 9 months a year at least. They are by far the smartest waterfowl out there.

 I hunt with some folks from South Dakota. We pretty much Jump Shoot and pass shoot them. Too many outfitters with huge spreads of a 1000 or more decoys to compete with.

 

[h2ofwlr]

That is not at all true that you need that many decoys.  Pure myth.  It is like saying you have to have $20,000 boat rig to catch walleyes, pure BS.  A $2000 rig and you can indeed catch 'Eyes as many know.

In both pics I had out less than 100 decoys. 

But I know how to hunt S&Bs, I learned the trade so to speak over the years.   Just like fishing, it is knowing whem, how, and where to go and use the right presentation for the circumstances.

[Bufflehead]

::) Opinion's very..do what works for you.

 Be mobile...Snow geese habits and feeding patterns change daylee. Being stuck in one place with a truck load of decoys to pickup to be able to move just SUCKS!

 Myself, I have seen way to many hunters come back empty handed with a small spread of decoys.

 It's a long ways to drive with gas prices and motel bills and come home with nothing.

 If this is your first hunt for the spring season Snows. I would save your money you would have spent on decoys and go chasing. Find where their resting, when they get up to go to feed, follow them and try and get permition to sneak on them, where they decide to feed. Get a little experience under your wing and then see if it's worth all the extra cash for the equipment.

 My family has hunted the spring season for about 5 years. We don't own a single decoy and have had some great hunts.

[guythathunts]

Do you think there will be enough birds in the area for us to find and jump them? I was thinking about going to the Pipestone area.

[Bufflehead]

Again, the weather and snow cover can dictate just how many geese there are, where they are,  how long they stay and what flight path they take north.

 Thats why I wouldn't spend a great deal of money on decoys for now. Save that money for gas and lodging. Keep a eye on the inter-net hunting sites. Ask around on the net for information, sitings, success, Etc.

 Check South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri DNR sites for bird numbers on refuges, lakes and reservoir's

[guythathunts]

My brother called me today because he saw a flock of snows in Rogers! Has anyone else heard of any snows around?

[vickieschessies]

Here is a video clip of the snows on a lake in SD. It may take a minute or 2 to download if you have dial up. Make sure you have volume!!!!

<embed width="430" height="389" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://s129.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid129.photobucket.com/albums/p219/vickieschessies/100_0997.flv"></embed>

[JD]

Very cool Vickie, that video reminds me of hunting snows in Missouri.  I'm headed down there in a couple of weeks.  We set up around 250 deeks and lay in coffin blinds in the middle of a field.  Nothing better than watching them tornado down over you, just waitin for them to get in shooting distance.

[ChrisWallace]

I am thinking I am heading out with the guys from Border Patrol this spring, I just picked up 12 dozen shells, and 2 dozen full bodies.

[JohnWester]

that how it is in canada.

[kenhuntin]

I was in St. Boni' Thursday morn and saw four trumpeters. does any one know if any of them winter in MN?

[h2ofwlr]

1st I heard of the Trumpeters being up here so early, I figured the snow would have pushed them back south like the Honkers.

The S&Bs are just starting to head into NW MO and SE NE the last few days, should be there full force later this week.

[guythathunts]

What do you guys think? I will be going snow goose hunting for the first time this month. Should I go with a bunch of cheap decoys ie. Texas rags, or a small amount of better decoys ie. shells wind socks fullbodies... Money is an option so I won't be able to have a monster spread either way, but I don't really know much about what I "need". I want to hunt them traditionally for the most part (not jump them unless the opportunity is obvious) so I am going to buy decoys, but really don't know what my best options are. Any suggestions are welcome.

[Benny]

Well unless your the type that just has to do it the hard way like Tred Barta, I would suggest spending a couple hundread ucks to hire a guide and see how they do it before buying up a couple hundread decoys, layout blinds, electric calls,a dog, and expensive mouth call.

Then if you really like it you have a good idea of what it will take to get going.

My group decided to hire Top Gun this year for the spring snows, that way we just show up with our gun,ammo and warm cloths.

No messing around setting out a thousand and one decoys, no carting heavy blinds through the South Dakota quick sand mud.


As for the Snow, they are in the Southern part of Mossuri now by Sqaw Creek area by the thousands.

Not the real big group yet though, they are just starting flock up now.

I think it will be a few more weeks before they reach huntable numbers in the Dakota's.

Benny

[JD]

The S&Bs are just starting to head into NW MO and SE NE the last few days, should be there full force later this week.

They've been shooting them in central and southen Missouri for about a month now. 

[guythathunts]

I have lay out blinds - I have a dog - I have electronic calls - I have a place to stay. I just want some advice on decoys so I don't waist my money if I don't have to. Killing a thousand birds is not important to me. Don't get me wrong, I would love to bag a bunch of birds, but It's not the main thing. On the flipside I am not going to lay face up in a manure covered corn field for two days just for the view. I just want to know what my best option is for decoys for s&b's to be somewhat affective. I am just starting out and could use some usefull advice. I don't want to get a guide. It is expensive and the money that 4 guys spend on a hunting guide would be better spent, for us, on equipment that will be ours forever. If I need to spend the money I will (minimum $amount$ is the best obviously). Decoys will be purchased. With that in mind does anyone have any advice? Thanks a bunch! ~ Greg

[DaveO]

Greg, I don't know that much about either, But since no body relay has answered your question.

I have heard allot of good from those Texas Rags there cheap and easy to carry.

It's my understanding that guys will even go out with a bunch of news papers because the snows just are not picky.

I may be all wrong but this is just what I have heard.

[Benny]

guythathunts, I mis understood your post then.It sounded like you were just starting out and wanted to buy all the gear.

If your already set up to hunt, then go with the mid priced shells, some wind soc's, the Texas rags work to if it isn't windy as hell.

The full body decoys are a good choice but most are going to be expensive and for Snows it really doesn't matter about the look.

The amount of decoys you put out is more important for the Snow Geese, as just a few here and there won't even make a large flock take a look at your spread.


The Silohete style are a great choice as well, they take up very little space and you can carry 4 dozen out to the field with out an ATV to do it.

Benny

[kenhuntin]

Light geese aren't picky you could fasion your own up with a stick and a hunk of white sheet to get by cheap.but a doz. or so shells in close  in addition to your rags will help alot. (even right next to you) if your lucky you'll get a really windy day because thats when they come in the best for ya. And I have never found one that tastes  palatable unless you puree the breasts and make a seasoned patee of the worthless birds.  specs taste about as good as it gets and ross are also good  I won't shoot snows or blues nor a merganser or spoonbill because I don't like the taste of them. Some people do but they must smother them with pepper or something.
 Don't be discouraged from going out into the field by someone that says you need to spend a ton of money right away. It is just that mentality that I have better decoys than you so I am a better man.

[guythathunts]

Thanks guys! Anyone else have any thoughts?

[h2ofwlr]

Light geese aren't picky you could fasion your own up with a stick and a hunk of white sheet to get by cheap.

I have never found one that tastes  palatable unless you puree the breasts and make a seasoned patee of the worthless birds.

They are the wisest and wariest waterfowl there is to hunt.  So go ahead and use a stick and KKK sheet, and you'll get skunked 95% of the time.  Us guys that know what we are doing will be hunting the S&Bs with good decoys and will be doing great and at least 2/3 of the days with be getting into them big time.

And they taste great IF you know how to prepare them, which obviuously you do not.

So they are "worthless" eh?   So why do you bother to hunt them then?  My impression based upon your comment is that we do do need shooters like you in this sport that disrespect the resource, which obviously you have no respect for.




 

guythathunts = Anyone else have any thoughts?

Your problem right now is lack of time to obtain decoys. Basically you need them by end of  this week.  Thus not enough time to put them together, etc..like economy Sillsocks or TX rags-as both require assembly. 

So chose reg SS (you still have to glue the stake in) and shells or Full Bodies.

Full bodies are great--except there are bulky and you need a trailer and if the field is muddy, a real pain to get them into a field.

Avery FBs and SS will hold the best resale value if it turns out you do not really like S&B hunting.

One other option is to check NoDak Outdoors and maybe be able to pick up some used TX Ras for cheap.  SSs are scarcer than a snowball in July.    Cabela's MIGHT have some S&Bs FBs in stock. ($20 a piece).  New SSs are $5 each.  Used socks on metal stakes go for $2 ea.

Good luck finding what you will need on short notice, as you'll need it.

[JohnWester]

I agree... the snow geese have got real smart over the past 5 years.  and they are considered one of the better eating geese.  Specs of course being the best.

 

go with shell decoys. about 5 - 6 dozen to start with. wind sock decoys work out too mixed in to add a little motion

 

[Benny]

I have to say that any waterfowl if not prepared well can have a bad taste, I like to crock pot my waterfowl and use a waterfowl seasoning.

If you want to cover up any wild taste they might have just soak the meat in milke over night then crock pot them with tons of your favorite cream soup.

As for smart birds, yep they can be one of the toughist to hunt, if for no oher reason but they tend to like LARGE groups to fel safe.

Like the canada's though, the inmature younger birds will decoy readly if there isn't an old gander out front leading them away from that bright smiling face she saw down below.


Latest update from Waterfowler.com is that the southern part of SD has a large migration going right now.

Many reports of large flocks headed North with this warm weather pushing them up.



Benny