2006 Spring Snow Goose Migration Reports

[Chris Hustad]

Well, it's early...but it's been another mild winter overall. There are snows scattered all over from the coast and even some are reported as far north as SD (don't worry, it's still far away from time up there). There's bunches of snow geese as far north as Nebraska currently.

So with that being said I'm starting the reports a bit earlier this year.

PLEASE KEEP THIS THREAD FOR REPORTS ONLY. If you want to talk about something other than a report, please start a new one. Any posts taking the reports off course will be removed, I hope everyone understands that it's needed to keep this for what it's intended.

Good luck this spring! Eye's to the sky...

Click here for the 2005 spring snow goose report archive.

[Chris Schulz]

This is so early, it makes me sick. come on blizzards!

[Top Flight Waterfowling]

We need a snow storm!!! I hope I can get off work if they come early, buddy that lives Yankton SD saw a small flock fly over his house last weekend.....

Adam Toboyek
Central Wisconsin
Top Flight Waterfowling

[jb]

good amount of birds in Mo right now CO starts on the 30th in the north zone should be a good opener unless they move north before then

[prince]

shot snows in junction city Kansas last weekend, dates 01/21/06 and 01/22/06, seen many big flocks down there

[huntngear]

There are some birds in NE and we will be chasing them on the Feb1 opener! More birds will come in the next week with the south winds.

[jkern]

I was in the rainwater basins in Nebraska from 11 til 3:30 yesterday getting the blind ready and saw 1 flock of about 300. Did some driving around and didnt see squat, ducks or geese. Really suprised me we didnt see abunch of ducks, everything was open.

Im lookin to go down and hunt in about 2 weeks. Unless we get some crappy weather.

[Ridge Nelson]

i just checked the sqauw creek national wildlife refuge website, reports are there that around 52,000 birds are on the refuge

[Ridge Nelson]

the website is http://www.squawcreek.org/cgi-bin/sightings.cgi

[deafishunt]

You can check this website about where are they now. Waterfowler.com

[djleye]

It has been a fe wyears since I looked at the waterfowler.com tracker but back then it was way too unreliable. There were reports of snows in ND in January!!!! I'll stick to Nodak!!

[Chris Hustad]

You can check this website about where are they now. Waterfowler.com

The concept is there, but like djleye stated, the map is always full of bogus reports. I guess you take it with a grain of salt like any report.

[lynxx69]

I don't know for sure if my information is accurate or not but I have got word that there are about 50,000 in NE right now, but you never know what they will do with 40 mph south winds... It has been said everything is open as far as water so they may be getting ready to move into NE within the next 10 days.... Anyone have any more info?

[GooseBuster3]

Just got of the phone with a contact from SD. Said there are acouple hundred sitting on a lake in SD, nothing major.
Once I hear 50K then my blood will get a flowing.

[deafishunt]

The concept is there, but like djleye stated, the map is always full of bogus reports. I guess you take it with a grain of salt like any report.[/quote]

yeah, I like to hold my pant up and look forward from people's rumors.
I was superised snow geese fly to North this early Season. I suspect that odd weather changed than past. I hope cold air push down make snow geese stay in North Dakota for few months. [/quote]

[ToPe]

Seen about 500 snows on a pond by seward, ne today. That's all that I've seen around here so far.

[tombuddy_90]

seen 1 flock of 50 or so snows here in central iowa along the missouri river.

lets get some more replys going here so we know where the birds are.

tom

[jb]

still a bunch in Mo have not see many moving in the last few days I will have a better report on the 1st plan to stop a few from going up north

[billr64]

Seen about 500 snows on a pond by seward, ne today. That's all that I've seen around here so far.

Hi ToPe was reading your post Iwas in the fairbury Neb area around middle of march and no birds around. Iam planing to try for feb 9th to 12th this year. Do you think this is to early.A nd should still wait till march this is my second year for snows .I am a big time drak goose and duck hunter. Any info would be helpful thanks again. GOOD LUCK WITH THE SNOWS.

[jkern]

Here is a link to NEXRAD in NE Kansas. There are a pile of geese in this area with birds comming from Squaw to join em.

[Ridge Nelson]

still a big number of snows around squaw creek. around 50k

[ToPe]

billr64, I would say that's a safe bet around middle of feb. I don't think you will have to wait till march this year. I'll keep giving posts if i see some.

[gasburner70]

hey guys freshly back from the rain water basin in the suton and clay center area went out there this weekend to get the hunting trailer setup and ready for the big push which i am sure isnt going to be for atleast 10-15 days but hey there are a good # of birds there as we speak i saw lots of flocks on the ground and alot moving in, if i had to say how many were around at this time i would have to say around the 50-60 thousand range and i think that is a understatment we saw alot of birds, and they are pumping the refuges and there were alot more birds there today than on sat. the weather looks good so i am thinking around the 10th in that area if the weather keeps up. here are a few photos of some groups i took today... spring pics

[fishunt]

at Kanansa snow geese open on Feb 13 but I will be there on Feb 16 , so do you think I will have a change to get them or they left already when I arrives? My friends asked me to come down and get together to get them down!! I was alike not too sure if I would go because I think by the time I arrive and all gone? thanks

[lynxx69]

I'm sorry I don't understand about half of that to be honest with you... ^ Anyways I have been hearing reports of snow in Western ND is this true? Also the rain water basin is going to be in the upper 40's and 50's I am heading out there about the 12th... I am ready for another great year hopefully...


Hunting is not only a passion or a love its a neccessity!!!!

[GooseBuster3]

Its doesnt matter if there is snow in Western ND or not, that is completely out of the migration path. As for a snowline there isnt much, but thre hasnt been a decent snowline for the past 4 years. Its the same thing every year.

[jb]

Just got off the phone with a farmer around where I hunt in Mo and he tells me they still have a bunch I will find out first hand tomorrow and give full report on Thurs looks to be a good day have not seen many moving from the south in the last few days however

[snowsforlife]

with all this talk what are people thinking the main migration date will be for ND? My hockey is done March 17 so i am hoping it is after right around there. What are you opinions?

[Chris Hustad]

Too far out to tell, nobody knows what mother nature has in store. But TYPICALLY late March is a safe bet for a push.

[jdas53]

My little bro just got back from duck hunting in Ark this part week 25th to 29th. He said there were still lots of snows there-tons. Am curious though-always lots of questions this time of year-Where will the birds be on these dates??? I could give you an estimate-3rd week of march southern SD to Northern ND. Go to the birds

[maple lake duck slayer]

SD put their first report onto the Sand Lake Hotline today. Not a whole lot to report, but several small flocks have been seen around Sioux Falls. Just enough to make it harder to sleep at night and get through my classes.

[MnDiver]

There has been no spring migration activity on the Refuge. There have been some reports of very small flocks (150 birds) of snow geese near the Sioux Falls area and near Lake Thompson, Lake Preston, and Lake Whitewood in Kingsbury county. Normal peak for snow geese on Sand Lake Refuge is late March.

[Gary Bottger]

I saw two groups heading north last night in north east nebraska. We just might actually shoot some geese this weekend.

[billr64]

billr64, I would say that's a safe bet around middle of feb. I don't think you will have to wait till march this year. I'll keep giving posts if i see some.

Thank you ToPe for the info starting to get the dogs and equipment ready for next thurs start killing friday. If all goes well weather and bird s if you know what I mean If you are hunting now good luck.

[Greg_4242]

In ND if its not posted you can hunt it and there is also a lot of land that is just not posted.

How does it work in SD? Is it hard to find land to hunt. I'm more a of fall duck hunter and I figure more people will view this forum this time of year that the duck on. Next fall if I get the draw and go to SD is it hard to find bodies of wetlands and other bodies of water to hunt around Souix Falls and alittle farther north and west?

[Travery]

PLEASE KEEP THIS THREAD FOR REPORTS ONLY. If you want to talk about something other than a report, please start a new one.

[Ridge Nelson]

i dont know how accurate the squaw creek NWR website is but the reports are on it are around 80,000 snows on the refuge.

[kaiserduckhelm]

They showed up in force today in the basins. Non-stop flights all morning.

[sstripsky]

I am going to hunt in South dakota, the march 23 thru the 28. I am wondering if you guys think I will be late?

[damon]

where exactly is the rain water basin