Do you remember back in the day when you saw a flock of Canadian geese fly over it was an exciting sight, not to mention a good indicator that the seasons were changing? Of course, a telephone was something that hung on the wall or sat on an end table back then as well. So, times change, and so do wildlife populations.
Here in New York, Canadian geese have become as common as seagulls, and we now have so many resident geese that the DEC allows an early hunting season for them. New York State’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) estimates there are roughly 250,000 resident geese that are now living here year-round. They do not migrate. They nest and raise their young here, who then, in turn, imprint on this area, continuing the cycle. All the local geese need is open water to roost on at night, and they will stay all year, never migrating at all. They love to hang out and feed on new grass shoots that grow on school sports fields, golf courses, mall medians, and almost every housing track with a pond. Wherever they hang, they leave their nasty calling card in a size that would make a Chihuahua proud.
The DEC recognizes the problem and has lifted many of the restrictions that are mandatory for the regular goose season. This year the season runs from September 1 to September 25. During the September goose season in Western New York, hunters are allowed to harvest up to 15 Canada geese per day. In addition to the higher bag limit, shooting hours are extended to one-half hour after sunset instead of the usual closing at sunset. Hunters are now allowed to use electronic calling devices to help entice geese within shooting range, plus use shotguns capable of holding more than three shells at a time, but no more than seven.
To participate in the September Canada goose hunting season, hunters must have a new 2020-21 hunting license with small game hunting privileges. Remember that under the new license structure, your license year starts on September 1, not October 1. Also, you need a new Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP) number. HIP registrations expire on June 30 annually, so all hunters must register now to hunt during September. To register in HIP, call toll-free 1-888-427-5447 (1-888-4 ASK HIP) or visit the New York’s Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program website.
Hunters 16 years of age or older must also have a new federal duck stamp to hunt during the September goose season. Federal duck stamps cost $25 and are available at most post offices and some sporting goods stores. Stamps must be signed across the face by the hunter before they become valid, but they do not have to be attached to the hunting license.
As far as having success hunting early geese, the first thing you need to do is scout for birds. It is extremely important to know where the honkers are hanging out daily. Don’t expect to just put your decoys out in a field because there are geese in the area and assume you’ll do well. You need to be where they want to be. At this time of year, geese can be found feeding in recently cut wheat stubble or freshly cut hay fields. They love the new shoots of grasses that pop up.
Once you find a field or pond that these geese are using, you need to get permission from the landowners. The tricky part here is finding out who owns the property. There is a fantastic smart app out now, ONX Hunt maps. For $30 a year, it not only shows you the property borders, but it will also tell you who owns that block of land and provide the property owner’s address. Getting permission to hunt nuisance geese is much easier than getting permission to hunt deer or turkeys. Most everyone recognizes there are too many of the flying manure machines.
Surprisingly the local geese can be harder to hunt than their migrating cousins. The reason for this is the birds have spent the summer in the area and know every detail of these locations. If something looks out of the norm, they will just find another field to feed in.
Lay-out blinds are usually the best way to hide. Most geese will decoy much better to the middle of a field rather than close to hedgerows of wood lines, and the coffin-like lay-out blinds work best for this. I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to be completely hidden. Chances are good that the geese have been feeding in the field for a few weeks, and they will spot anything out of order.
One nice thing about hunting these nuisance geese is the temperatures are much friendlier than hunting late-season migrating geese. Just remember to bring bug spray as there will still be many mosquitoes looking for blood.
The only negative about an early goose season is that it is an indicator that the summer is slipping away. That is a thought I refuse to ponder.
