I apologize for my column appearing so late. I have been intending to write about my ole buddy Cove (see “once-in-a-lifetime dog” from July 2021 at https://bit.ly/3qwq3l0) finally making his way to the happy hunting ground. As hard as I tried, I couldn’t bring myself to do it. My heart is still too tender to dwell on the topic for more than a few minutes. Maybe someday, but no time soon.
Well, there is some good news. The early goose season opened on September 1. As usual, the season runs from September 1 to September 25. When New York State’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) established its early goose season in the early 1990s, there were an estimated 130,000 resident geese in the state; now, there are over 250,000. These resident geese should be called American geese rather than Canadian geese because they are now living here year-round – no migrating for these squatters. 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 while depositing their goose berries on sports fields, golf courses, mall parking lots, and almost every housing track that has a retention pond. They are as common as seagulls.
I remember as a kid getting excited when we saw a flock of geese flying over because we knew it was a true indicator that the seasons were changing. Of course, back then, we also got excited when we got our first private phone line at the house – no more waiting for any of the dozen other households sharing that same phone line to hang up so we could make or receive a call. That’s how ancient I am.
The DEC recognized the problem and has lifted many of the restrictions that are mandatory for the regular goose season. 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 2022-23 hunting license with small game hunting privileges. Remember that under the current license structure, your license year starts on September 1, not October 1 anymore. Also, you need a new HIP number, Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP). HIP registrations expire on June 30 annually, so all hunters must register now to hunt during September. To register in HIP, call toll-free at 1-888-427-5447 (1-888-4 ASK HIP) or visit New York’s Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program website.
Hunters aged 16 years 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 mandatory to know where these honkers are feeding. You need to be where they want to be. At this time of year, it will be in recently cut wheat stubble or freshly cut hay fields.
Once you find a field or pond the 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; it shows you the property borders, tells who owns that block of land, and provides 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 spreaders.
The early goose season doesn’t demand huge decoy spreads like the regular goose season when you are trying to fool new geese migrating into the area. With resident geese, it is best to try and match the number of birds you see in the field while scouting. 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, so stubble up your blinds like you’re hiding from the police, and you will be OK.
Don’t forget that the DEC changed the license structure a few years back. It’s not what we’ve all been used to for many years. The license now runs from September 1 to August 31. You need a whole new small game license, HIP number, and duck stamp to chase these September geese.
September is a great time of year to be outdoors in Western New York, so go chase some honkers. Go fetch, Cove, ole buddy.
