TEXAS SNOW GOOSE HUNTING

Hunting the Third Coast

If you live in the northern portion of the country, there is a way to extend your waterfowling season. It's time to start exploring the Texas Gulf Coast. discover with us tips and products need to extend your water fowling season.

As the weather cools in the north country and the cold winds of autumn start to blow, it’s time to start planning your Texas Snow Goose Hunt.

Everyone has heard of the West Coast and everyone has heard of the East Coast, but if you are a serious water fowler it’s time you find out about the Third Coast. The Texas Gulf Coast is the Third Coast and its home to literally millions of migratory ducks and geese that come down the Central Flyway Zone. Because of the areas unique characteristics it has been a bird Mecca for hundreds of years, and it’s time that you discover all that the Third Coast has to offer.
Bag limits are liberal and the season is long, giving even the do it your self hunter ample opportunities to bag some birds. 

One hunt that has been gaining in popularity in recent years is the spring light (snow & blue) goose hunt.

Because of the destruction of critical nesting habitat in fragile arctic ecosystems by an over abundance of snow geese, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has called for a drastic reduction in snow goose population.

What does this mean for the waterfowler? Since the USFWS enacted a Conservation Order in 1998 hunters have been allowed to use unconventional methods to harvest light geese such as unplugged shotgun and electronic calls, and limits have been substantially increased. All of this means many more days in the field and the opportunity to chase geese from October through April.

When hunting light geese in the spring hunters look for sunny days with winds out of the south (just the opposite of fall hunting) to bring in new birds, on their way back to their arctic breeding grounds.
Decoying tactics in the spring differ slightly form the fall also. Hunters should look for roasting areas where a mixture of floating and field decoys can be employed. I have found that rag decoys work very well and offer the hunter the best of both a silhouette and wind sock decoy. Hunter Specialities Rag Decoys will give the full body appearance of a full body decoy along with the motion of a windsock.

Another great product for spring light goose hunting are electronic calls and callers. I have found the Snow Goose Slayer CD to be exceptional in its’ tone and volume.
Remember that hunting the late Texas Snow Goose season it is going to most likely be warm and wet, and you will have to take special precautions in getting in and out of fields with your decoys. Packing light and being able to move are a must.

I have developed two different styles of Goose Pit Covers. they are available for $10, to order a complete set of plans please e-mail us at support@huntingtip.net

I hope these hints have been helpful and you enjoy the extra days in the field participating in the Texas Snow Goose season.