It's time for the conservation season to begin for light geese: Snow/Blue/Ross species. We are hosting a number of hunts this season (Feb-early April) in central Nebraska near the Platte river basin. Cost is $100 per gun, per day (best price I know of anywhere). Local motels/restaurants are very reasonable and the birds are plentiful. My friend Travis Pool has been hunting waterfowl for 20 years and has large spreads of quality decoys, layout blinds and plenty of private farms to host us on.
Hunts are recommended for a group of 5-6 but 8 hunters each day are the limit. Deposits are 50% of your hunting days. Freezers are available to hold your trophy birds and birds not taken by you will be given to needy families. 1700 geese were already taken during regular waterfowl season. However, there is no limit during the conservation season. You may remove the plug from your shotgun or add an extension magazine. Electronic callers are allowed and we will use them. Dates are already filling up fast, so contact me for more details or to book your hunt. This is one of the largest staging areas in the US for these birds. Note: those that want to fly in, Lincoln, NE is the closest airport. You can rent a vehicle and drive an hour and 10 minutes to the staging area. Hope to see you there, LDK

and they are really needy families to eat a bunch of snows

I eat snow's all the time, feeding on rice and soybeans they are as good as a mallard Locals make jerky, sausage or put on the grill. Many years ago, people referred to them as "Sky Carp" claiming the were terrible table fare. As with most waterfowl, knowing how to prepare ducks & geese is paramount to good taste. Truth be told, not many hunters are good at killing snow geese. For me it's a passion, and I'm quite good at killin' whitey goose

I've been fortunate to hunt many places for all manner of game....but if you have never been in a layout blind with thousands of snows over head, you are missing out on one of the finest hunting experiences around.

To finish off a flock of educated birds that have seen countless spreads is tops IMO...

I typically go to Nodak every spring for the Conservation hunt....if you have never done this and like waterfowling give it a try, you'll be hooked!

quote:

Originally posted by L. David Keith:
I eat snow's all the time, feeding on rice and soybeans they are as good as a mallard Locals make jerky, sausage or put on the grill. Many years ago, people referred to them as "Sky Carp" claiming the were terrible table fare. As with most waterfowl, knowing how to prepare ducks & geese is paramount to good taste. Truth be told, not many hunters are good at killing snow geese. For me it's a passion, and I'm quite good at killin' whitey goose

We used to shoot and eat seagulls!

I bet these geese are not any worse

As mentioned, they are excellent eating. I rank them as good as any Canada or Speckle belly goose (White Front). I plan on adding a stockpile to my freezers.

I prefer the light geese over Canadians any time!!

Damn good eating!

Put them in a Korean BBQ marinade over night and then on the BBQ. Tast great!

I was told for years that snows were terrible tasting. Then I shot a few and tried them. I find them better than Canada geese. I hunt them in the conservation season in Delaware and Maryland. When you get into them, there is nothing like it. And they are fine eating as well.

Do you have facilities for cleaning the birds, plucking, etc, or is it just cut the breast out?

Never hunted them before, so just asking.

Usually they just breast them. We don't see many guys out hunting or get much interest in the spring conservation season up here any more.

When the snows are in the shooting can be spectacular. Something everyone should experience at some point.

larrys, no one in the area has caught onto the bird cleaning business. Other than freezing trophy birds for you, the cleaning is up to you unless you wish to give away your surplus birds. I'd think it would benefit someone to offer a plucking service but none exist at this time. LDK
PS: This hunt is a special price for this Spring only. During next year's regular duck/goose season, hunts are $175 per day (early Teal season is $125 per day) and you can have your limit of birds cleaned for a small fee. We are taking bookings now for the 2016-2017 season. If you've never hunted the Central flyway in the Platte river basin, you don't know what your missing.

Just FYI: unlike AR that doesn't require anything other than a free conservation number, Nebraska requires full licensing to hunt light geese during the conservation season:
Nonresident
•Hunt (small game) permit or Hunt/fish combo: $82 or 2-day small game hunt for $57
•Habitat stamp $20
•Nebraska waterfowl stamp $5.50
•Federal duck stamp $25
•Harvest Information Program (HIP) registration number (free but you must have it on your regular license or add it when buying a non-resident lic.

quote:

Travis Pool

I would like to do this whats the next step

Just drop me an email or give me a call. I have one block of dates left. Thanks, David

frank_stradling@yahoo.com

email sent Frank

I guided in North Dakota for years and one spring we shot over 1800 geese. They can be a lot of fun when you get in the right spot. I would run about 1000 windsocks and about 30 flyers for a good time

Just FYI: we have a deal with Travel Inn & Suites in Henderson, NE. $55 + tax. 2 Queen beds, WiFi, Cable TV, microwave/mini fridge, restaurant next door, guest laundry/kitchen, etc. Hunters welcome. You must state you are part of our group. Contact me for details. It's close to our guide.

We are sold out for this season. Thanks to those I'll be seeing soon and apologies to those I can't host. If your interested in this hunt, I'll post a report in mid March. You will be allowed to book for next seasons hunts: regular duck & goose season and the late conservation season. I will be looking for other guides over the weekend to help us but I don't expect getting the special price I gave on this hunt. Will advise.

We had to move some dates around to fit schedule changes so that reopens several dates as follows:
March 5th: we can add 2 hunters
March 6th-11th: we can add 5 hunters
March 13-15 we can add 6 hunters
March 14th we can add 5 hunters.
Currently, no other dates are open. Geese are beginning to move slowly north and good bunches are being taken daily. By the first part of March they should be mainlining north. A banded Ross was taken today. Banded in Nunavut, James Bay, Canada. Several bands have been taken off Snow's this week including one snow with black bars on his neck. Contact me soon if your interested in joining this year or you want to come duck/goose hunt this coming Fall. LDK

Took 68 this morning over decoys

up

Damn David, I wanted to go but I am just too damn busy.

David,
I sent you an email....it's fairly important you respond to it!

Forrest Matti

I'll be in Grand Island the weekend of the 12-13 th

I can easily be available for one or more days of hunting if that's possible.

Please send PM

vapodog, received & replied. rolltop, give me a call and I'll set it up. We have new accommodations set up.

My family is going to be right there nearby in Nebraska. But unfortunately I had other commitments here and can't get away. Darn it.

But please post a Hunt Report as I sure have to get in on this next year. And the next. And . . .

Here in Texas I have had a few big days on snows. But that has been a while now.