Goose hunting basics
There are goose hunters and then there are goose hunting experts. The latter are die-hards who live, breath and sleep the sport. They're the ones who always know where the big flocks are, where they go, and how and when to hunt them. Their gear is top notch; they've got great decoy spreads; they have the skills know the rules and have the experience to consistently put goose breasts on the grill. Before I go to far one thing that every good goose hunter knows is the rules and regulations of were he is hunting. I bring this up cause I have had hunts ruined by a wildlife officer walking into the field because the hunter on the other side of the field didn't know or was not following the state regulations. The hunting regulations vary from state to state  sometimes the hunting rules change from area to area so make yourself aware.
Goose calling
There’s actually a technique to proper calling for duck and goose hunting. The first rule is you should actually listen to ducks and geese. You’ll never hear them call the way many hunters blow on those duck calls. Ducks and geese make very short and simple sounds unlike the trumpeting whale people seem to produce on their calls. Get your hunting information from listening to geese not from the video that came with your call.
It’s important to practice and when practicing try to emulate the sounds that you hear the birds making. Thinking that perhaps you’ll call louder and longer than an actual bird to get their attention isn’t going to help you. You will get their attention and tell them that there’s not a duck or goose where you are. Listen to the short and choppy quacks and honks that these animals make and practice mimicking those.
Canada geese use a wide variety of habitats, everything from small ponds, big rivers and reservoirs to open agricultural fields and city parks. If you own property where geese come to feed or rest, you can study the birds' habits, determine what areas they are using when, and be hunting in just days. Otherwise, you'll need to check with your state wildlife agency for information on public grounds that offer good shooting, or visit with landowners to ask for hunting permission on private lands where you find geese during preseason scouting. If possible, have several alternative hunting sites you can visit in case birds move or wise up.
canadian goose Hunting Tips
Elaborate goose hunting blinds are nice but not necessary because the typical goose field probably will produce only one or two good shoots before the birds move elsewhere. Many hunters simply lie on their backs in the decoys and wear camouflage clothing that blends well with their surroundings. Pit blinds, portable blinds and makeshift blinds made from natural materials on-site also can be used, depending on where you hunt.
The most important thing hunters should remember is to remain well hidden and absolutely motionless until birds are well within shooting range. Canada geese are extremely wary, and if they see or hear anything out of place, they'll avoid it. If approaching birds seem reluctant to land, flare off at the last minute or land consistently outside the decoys, chances are the birds are spotting the blind, hunter movement or something else that makes them nervous. Don't hesitate to move a blind or decoys if necessary to lure birds well within shotgun range.
When everything comes together just right and the moment of truth is at hand, avoid the temptation to shoot when the first birds start dropping into your set-up. Veteran water fowlers hold off until the lead geese are touching down and geese in the rear of the flock are well within gun range before making their move.
Of course, all these things require knowledge, time and hard work. You need to scout, set up realistic decoy spreads in key locations, be well camouflaged, know how to call and be creative. If you're not up to these tasks, consider hiring a guide. These guys can show you the ins and outs of goose hunting, and after you've experienced a hunt first-hand, you'll know whether you really want to make the required investment in time and equipment to hunt on your own. Best of all, guides do all the work. The hunter need not spend hours scouting, gaining hunting permission and setting and retrieving decoys. For a reasonable fee, reputable guides do all this and clean and pack your birds, too.
Snow Goose
When we think of snow goose hunting, the first thing that comes to mind is what we see on TV: thousands of geese piling into a field at the same time, being shot by the dozens when they finally decide to land. Although those types of hunts sometimes take place in locations like Texas, most snow goose hunting isn't that easy. Harvesting dozens of birds isn't out of the question, but things must be done right.
Snow geese are often hunted hard in the spring as they head north along rivers like the Missouri. Chances are you will find a spread of decoys everywhere you find a field along the flyway. With that much hunting pressure, you need to do everything you can to pull the birds out of the sky and within shotgun range.
Keith Collins of Nebraska has mastered the game of hunting snow geese. He says guys who want to start snow geese hunting need to forget about the tactics they use to call in other types of waterfowl like Mallards or Canadian geese. "Snows are a different bird. If a hunter is hunting for mallards, a dozen or two decoys will do the job and he will probably harvest plenty of birds. With snow geese, you need hundreds of decoys; otherwise, you are wasting your time," Collins explained. One of the biggest mistakes goose hunters make is not having enough decoys. "I have seen geese fly over a few dozen decoys and pay no attention to them. The only time small numbers work f you've never tried snow goose hunting, realize that it is a lot of work. Setting out a thousand decoys takes time. Whether you make your own decoys or buy them, a major investment of time or money is needed. However, if you pay close attention to the details and do your homework by scouting and learning the habits of snow geese, chances are you will have a sore shoulder on opening day. Most states don't have a limit on snow geese. when they aren't decoys; they are actually live birds.
Make sure before you head out on your next goose hunt you stop in at huntnfishregs.com were you can get the official hunting rules and regulations for all 50 states and the lower Canadian providences. A one stop shop including goose hunting maps local contacts and more. happy goose hunting