Illinois Spring Snow Goose Hunting

My brother Rick with his first snow!

Illinois Spring Snow Goose Hunting

Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago there wasn't much talk about hunting snow geese. Every now and then we would see a small flock while in the blind but, that's it.  It wasn't until I moved to Central Illinois that I began hearing, learning and seeing snow geese.

With duck season in the  mirror and Canadian goose season quickly wrapping up, don't forget about snow goose season.

The spring migration of snow geese already has people talking.  Chasing these birds has become quite popular here in Illinois and stores like Presley's Outdoors in Bartonville have seen an influx of hunters buying decoys.  So much so that they've started an Annual Sale.  

Below are some things we've learned over our first few years of snow goose hunting that may help you in the field:

• First and foremost is to scout! Find out where the birds are at. They usually return to the same fields.  If you can find a place where they are landing and have access, hunt there!
• As public hunters you may not have the resources or ability to find a field where the birds are really working.  However, seeing if the birds are in the area of your blind or public hunting area will save you time and aggravation.

• Hunting snow geese is completely different then hunting Canadian geese. They are flock oriented birds.  I'm not talking about a dozen but rather hundreds to thousands in one flock.  People have told me if you don't have 300 decoys out, forget it.  "YIKES"

• If you can't afford hundreds of decoys, try making some silhouettes or spray painting some beat up Canadian decoys.  Make sure to spray paint an X on the back because remember, snow geese have black patches on their wings.  Making your own decoys does work, just not nearly as good as actual decoys.  

• Snow geese seem smarter or just more wary.  They notice things other waterfowls wouldn't, such as tire tracks, loose bags and even a car in the distance.  Take the time in the morning and make sure your area looks the best it can.  

The first time Capitol Outdoors went Snow Goose hunting we didn't have a good spread. We still don't!  It takes years and ample finances to acquire such a spread.  We did as much as we could to make everything perfect.  The hunt only lasted about  a half hour because of our decoy spread was not up to par.  The fact that we got out and saw a bunch of birds was still cool.

While many of them have already migrated south remember when your out snow goose hunting; don't shoot a swan!  Most of all make sure you know what is in season as well - Illinois Waterfowl Digest 2015 -2016