2007 Spring Snow Goose Migration Reports

[Chris Hustad]

The Official 2007 Spring Snow Goose Migration Reports

Well it's that time of year again where we track the snow geese up the flyways in route to their nesting grounds.

The 2006 Snow Goose Migration Reports have over 113K views - so this is a highly read service and it depends on everyone working together to provide accurate, useful information.

Click Here to See the 2006 Snow Goose Reports

PLEASE KEEP THIS THREAD FOR REPORTS ONLY. If you want to talk about something other than a snow goose 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.

As of right now, it appears the migration has started but nothing too serious as of yet. Kansas had a big season for staging snow geese and it appears cold weather has taken it's toll and the birds held as long as they could. Missouri wasn't too bad this fall/winter season as well and there's birds present in some areas. There's been reports of birds moving into Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas this week, and I also know the birds have started moving off the wintering grounds in Louisiana and Texas. It's still early and the numbers moving are very light, but when the weather turns for warmer temps things should start happening.

If you'd like to track reports from the states, here are some links below:

Link to the Most Accurate Snow Map:
Snow Map

Kansas Snow Goose Migration Reports - Click Here
Missouri Snow Goose Migration Reports - Click Here
Arkansas Snow Goose Migration Reports - Click Here
Oklahoma Snow Goose Migration Reports - Click Here
Nebraska Snow Goose Migration Reports - Click Here
Nebraska Snow Goose Hunting Zones - Click Here
South Dakota Snow Goose Migration Reports - Click Here
North Dakota Snow Goose Migration Reports - Click Here

The states still not available (if anyone is aware of them coming up - please post up):
Kentucky Snow Goose Migration Reports
Illinois Snow Goose Migration Reports
Texas Snow Goose Migration Reports
Louisiana Snow Goose Migration Reports
Iowa Snow Goose Migration Reports

Good luck this spring and remember to hunt safe and respect other hunters.

[dangerousdave]

i have seen a few mixed with the canadas still heading south in central illinois

[Brad Harris]

No birds in SE kansas yet.

[jb]

numbers are groing in central mo they are still not much to talk about but we are picking up some birds

[the Bender]

Started to migrate into NE Arkansas yesterday. I wouldn't say it's a whole bunch, but they were back & forth from the south over the end of the week. Saturday was in the 20's down there. Rice fields were thawing out when we left. Hard to say where they'll be in 3 weeks? Lot's of Goose Chaser's around, but not like the Dakotas...

[snowhunter23]

Starting to warm up in sodak, won't be too long and things should be clearing up out their, Im thinking the geese should start to enter sodak around the first or second weekend of march

[IOWAFOWLER]

I highly doubt much will happen for the next 3 weeks. The midwest is supposed to get quite a bit of snow. Not sure about western Nebraska but the sqaw creek area will be getting some fresh powder, atleast it looks that way.


Hell went ice fishing this weekend and there was 18 inches of ice. That don't happen to much in central Iowa.

[Snowhunter07]

Snowing right now as we speak..pretty good gusts of wind to,might be a little while until they get here

[jkern]

Geese will be on the ground in the basins by the end of next week.

[diver_sniper]

Don't forget to use the migration map!

INTERACTIVE MIGRATION MAP!

Maybe add that to the first post Chris?

CHRIS RESPONSE: TOO UNRELIABLE - IF THAT WERE ACCURATE THAN NEBRASKA IS HOT RIGHT NOW. TOO MANY JOKERS PUTTING IN FALSE REPORTS

Diver Resonse: Sorry about that, I just sumbled upon it a while ago, guess I should have looked into it a little deeper before I put it in big bold font on the forum

[goosebusters]

How much snow is in South Dakota right now? Does the snow stay on the ground down there in Nebraska and Missouri? I just don't know how we can be talking about geese hitting 2 states below us in a week when it hasn't been above zero here for like a month.

[IOWAFOWLER]

I know there are small numbers close to sqaw creek. There is no way big numbers will be hitting the basins that soon. It has to be warm for a little bit first.

[northerngoosehunter]

Central South Dakota has decent snow cover now and so does the Aberdeen area, but sioux falls, brookings, watertown are all just a couple 40+ days from brown ground.

[jkern]

I know there are small numbers close to sqaw creek. There is no way big numbers will be hitting the basins that soon. It has to be warm for a little bit first.

Not all geese come from the direction of Squaw.

[USSapper]

Sunday is calling for temps in the 30s in ND so that should be a welcomed warm up, should melt the little bit of snow that is here in fargol

[lakerwaterfowler]

Here is a good website to watch the snow line. Its updated daily, and just enter the region and date.

http://www.nohrsc.nws.gov/nsa/index.html?region=Upper_Midwest&year=2007&month=2&day=14&units=e

[Snowhunter07]

They are talking upper 20's to lower 30's this weekend for Watertown.

[greenhead61]

Starting to get a few snows in central kansas. Seen about 10,000 last weekend. Looking forward to killin a few this last weekend of honker season. nothin like adding a few snows to the bag.

[Ty]

8 days in the 40s and 50s should send a few into the basins. Especially since the pumps have been rolling out 53 degree water for about a week now.

Its about go time!

[snowhunter16]

NOT TRYING TO SOUND LIKE A SMART @@@ BUT EVAN WHEN THE SNOW IS GONE IN SOUTH DAKOTA AND THEY GET HERE THEY WONT WANT TO GO ANY FARTHER CASUE THERES NO OPEN WATER I LIVE IN WINNER SD AND THERE DRIVING OUT ON THE LAKES AROUND HERE AND THEY HAVENT BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT FOR 5 YEARS NOW WE AHVE ABOUT 16 INCHS OF ICE THAT MEAN THAT LAKES IN EAST RIVER HAVE TO BE CLOSE TO 2FT BUT THEN AGAIN TEH GEESE ARE ONPRDICTABLE

[northerngoosehunter]

theres almost 30inch of ice on waubay, but the big lakes are always froze up when the geese push through. I have noticed that when the geese start comming we can usually still drive on waubay. Sheet water becomes more important than the big water sources in the spring. (By the way it was -30 in aberdeen this morning, I hope the geese dont know that.)

[sflem849]

Don't forget to use the migration map!

INTERACTIVE MIGRATION MAP!

Maybe add that to the first post Chris?

CHRIS RESPONSE: TOO UNRELIABLE - IF THAT WERE ACCURATE THAN NEBRASKA IS HOT RIGHT NOW. TOO MANY JOKERS PUTTING IN FALSE REPORTS

I agree that map is a joke!

More importantly. Is it me or were we hunting snows four weeks from now in NE SoDak? It seems to me I was there in the second week of March the last two years.

[beakbuster]

I just spoke with a guy from Maryville. They have 6 inches of snow on the ground and 1 foot of ice on most lakes. They are forcasting a warming trend for next week with high's in the lower 50's. If that comes true, 1st of March should be the start for NW Mo.

[Brad Harris]

First group of about 300 showed up in SE Kansas

[northerngoosehunter]

Don't forget to use the migration map!

INTERACTIVE MIGRATION MAP!


More importantly. Is it me or were we hunting snows four weeks from now in NE SoDak? It seems to me I was there in the second week of March the last two years.

Last year the birds came into southern Sodak early, but than stalled for a long time. Then when they did come there was a storm in mid march that pushed them back south again. We hunted snows tell april I in NE Sodak and I know guys who hunted snows in May in NE sodak.

[outside]

We killed a lot of geese in SW IA the last weekend in March 25-26th last year after they had been pushed back south by the big blizzard the week before. We could have killed more the very next weekend April 2-3rd when we were picking up decoys but we didn't have our guns.

[gandergrinder]

When you think about the migration don't worry about how much ice there is. There are really only three things you need to think about. Time of year, temperature and snow.

The geese know how far north they need to be based on the time of year. Most of the time they want to be in SD by mid march and moving into ND beginning the last week in March and into Canada by about April 10. The only reason they wouldn't be in those states by those dates is because there is 1) too much snow and they can't feed or 2) its still too cold. Once you hit 50 for a few days and you have no snow you can expect snow geese pretty soon. If they can splash in a puddle the size of your bathtub that won't freeze up at night they will be moving through.

If its April 1st and the geese are stalled in SD for whatever reason I know that the first time I see snow geese in any numbers they are going to be a mile high and headed towards Canada.

If they are really late for your area based on the average you have to figure they are going to over fly you.

[Takem1187]

Went to the bootheel of Mo today. Last year they were wrapped up here. Spent two hours watching the good fields. One bunch maybe 20 birds. I guess they are still South. Will report tommorow after looking all day.

[chester_mallard_molester]

How much snow is in South Dakota right now? Does the snow stay on the ground down there in Nebraska and Missouri? I just don't know how we can be talking about geese hitting 2 states below us in a week when it hasn't been above zero here for like a month.

In the Watertown area we just received another inch or 2 Friday..theres probably a foot or so on the ground in town so its most likely blowing around in the country with some bare spots here and there..high temps in the 30's this weekend so hopefully that stays true

[Goatnose07]

Good number of Snows remain in central Arkansas. Some have a yellow stain just above the bill on their "cheek" feathers. I have heard that this yellow stain is typical of returning marsh (Louisiana) birds, not sure though.

[Ridge Nelson]

Very few birds around Squaw Creek. Saw around 300 to 500. No open water. 4 days ago.

[mallard_molester]

we are suppose to see 50 degrees here in omaha this week, should bring the birds in a bit. Probably will check the basin's in a week or so if the weather stays up/

[Takem1187]

Drove 150 miles in South East Mo on Sat the 17th. Found approx 2000 birds feeding in a bean field Just North East Of Blythville ARK. Seen three or four smaller bunches in the Kennett area. Hopefully this weeks warm weather will start the migration. Good News---I seen more ducks in Southeast Mo than I have ever seen in one day. Every puddle had ducks in it and there are lots of puddles.

Mark

[possumfoot]

northern edge of the birds are in nw Tn.. most will not venture into Ky, and only a few are flying to Mo.. their are birds in places i have never seen them before... they are moving away from the big river and up some of the tributaries.. it is very strainge.

[Takem1187]

The Mississippi has a lot of ice here in St. Louis. Maybe that is the reason. This week things are changing. I can not wait for my first Tornado of the year.

[FowlWeather Friend]

Game on here in MOMO - lot's of birds on the move today!

[Brad Harris]

Major movement last 2 days. You boys in NE MO should get ready.

[Horker23]

big numbers are already that far?

[jb]

I seen some on the move today going north west over central mo so I know they are at least that far.

[FowlWeather Friend]

Claycrusher,

I don't have any reports from southeast MO but I do know that the birds were stacking up in the southwest corner of the state this past weekend. Talked to a couple hands that hunted there and they said they saw a ton of birds with lots of migrators coming in Sunday on the south winds.

With the snow line located just south of Kansas City the birds appeared to be staging somewhat in that area. With the warm temps we had yesterday coupled with the forecast for the rest of the week I'd say the snow will be gone today or tomorrow and it's time to get after them.

I live on the east side of the state and saw a significant number of both snows and specks flying over the house starting on Sunday night and it really picked up yesterday.

Good luck in Dexter - you ought to be hitting it about right!