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9 Tips For Snow Goose Hunting

Updated: Jul 1


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Snow geese are notorious for being challenging birds to hunt. But that's part of the fun. Each year, many hunters look forward with great anticipation to the start of snow goose hunting season outfitted in their best gear, ready to take on the challenge.


If you are a fellow lover of the hunt, recognize that you have your work cut out for you. Not to worry with these nine tips, you'll be tackling snow goose hunting head-on with the hopes of bagging your limit.


How Weather Can Make or Break Your Goose Hunt?

Snow geese are highly migratory and very sensitive to changing weather conditions. Their flight paths, feeding patterns, and overall movement are directly tied to what the sky is doing that day, so checking the forecast before you head out is just part of good planning.

The sweet spot for snow goose hunting is usually a clear day around 45 degrees, with a steady south wind between 10 and 20 miles per hour. That wind helps keep your decoys moving, which creates the kind of natural motion that attracts birds from a distance. Bright sunlight also makes white decoys more visible and realistic.

Cloudy days can still be productive, but you'll likely see smaller groups rather than large flocks. Snow geese tend to spread out more in overcast conditions, so it helps to adjust your decoy spread to reflect that behavior.


Gear Up with the Right Shotgun and Ammo for Snow Geese


Start with your shotgun. A 12 gauge is the most popular choice for snow goose hunting because it offers power, range, and versatility. For ammo, 3.5-inch shells loaded with BB shot are a solid option, especially when you're dealing with wind or longer shots. The heavier payload gives you more pellets in the air and more knockdown power when it counts.


It’s also worth keeping your gear in top shape. Dirty barrels, poor patterning, or using the wrong choke can all lead to missed chances. Pattern your gun before the season, and test different loads to see what works best with your setup.

Why Scouting Snow Geese Pays Off Big?


Unlike pass shooting or blind luck, effective scouting puts you where the birds already want to be and that makes all the difference.


Snow geese tend to feed heavily in agricultural fields, especially those recently harvested. Keep an eye out for cut wheat, barley, corn, or pea fields. These spots offer the high-calorie food snow geese need to fuel their migration, and once they start feeding in a field, they’ll often return to it for several days.


The goal is to find where the geese are actively feeding and set up nearby before they return. Watch from a distance, take notes on flight patterns, and make sure you’re not pushing birds out too early. Once you’ve identified a consistent spot, secure permission if it’s private land, set up your spread with good concealment, and be ready at first light.



Location Matters

Not all snow goose hunts are created equal and where you hunt can make a big difference. Snow goose populations are high in Saskatchewan, Canada as it's the migratory pit stop for snow geese. With all the rich agricultural fields, Saskatchewan offers snow geese a large amount of area to roost. Once you have set up in a high-traffic area, you can hunt snow geese that are coming in to feed and those migrating overhead.

Hire Expert Snow Goose Hunting Guides

While scouting and finding the right location is important, having an expert snow goose hunting guide by your side during the hunt can make all the difference. Snow goose hunting guides have extensive knowledge of snow goose behavior and will know exactly when and where to set up your hunt for the best chance of success. They will also have the right equipment, decoys, and calling techniques to help you bag your limit.


Snow Goose Hunting Dogs Are Different From Duck Hunting Dogs

If you are used to duck hunting, you may think that any dog can be used for snow goose hunting. However, that is not the case. Snow goose hunting dogs are special and are trained specifically for this type of hunting. The sheer excitement of having hundreds of snow geese barrelling down on them can result in an untrained dog being spooked and running off. Snow goose hunting dogs need to be calm, yet excited, and able to handle the sights and sounds of a thrilling snow goose hunt.

Be Able To Move

Once we shout "they're coming!", you need to be prepared to move. Snow geese are constantly on the move, so being able to quickly and quietly relocate is a must. Hunters will often use sleds or carts to help with this, as it can be difficult (and noisy) to move all your gear by hand.

Decoys Are The Key To The Goose Hunt

While we could go on and on about the importance of decoys, we'll just say this: if you want to be successful in snow goose hunting, you need to use decoys. Snow geese are social birds and are attracted to the sights and sounds of other geese. By using decoys, you can create the illusion of a large flock of birds and lure the snow geese in for a closer look. Naturally, you have to set your decoys based on the weather, time of day, and feed.

Learn How To Call Snow Geese

In addition to using decoys, you'll also need to learn how to call snow geese. Electronic calls are the best way to go, as they can replicate the sound of the geese. Just ensure that you are using the right call and the volume is set at a level that won't scare the birds away.

Ready To Go Snow Goose Hunting in Saskatchewan, Canada?

Now that you know a thing or two about snow goose hunting, it's time to put your skills to the test. And there's no better place to do that than in Saskatchewan, Canada. With its large population of snow geese and vast agricultural fields, Saskatchewan is the perfect place to go snow goose hunting. Plus, snow goose hunting is a great way to spend time with friends or family, and it's an adventure that you'll never forget.


So what are you waiting for? Book your trip today!






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