Nebraska Hunting Company - Scott Croner

Merriam's Spring Turkey Hunts In Nebraska - Complete Your Grand Slam

2015-09-01T06:15:00.001-07:00

April - May
3 days / 3 nights per hunter:
$ 1495.00 Archery / Shotgun Package includes:
2 Tom Turkeys (third turkey $500.00)
All Inclusive (Food & Lodging)
Transportation once you arrive at NHC, Inc. Lodge (Uncle Bucks Lodge) in Brewster, NE
Permits (NOT included)
Game Cleaning (NOT included)

The New Turkey Guide is available Find information on the Spring and Fall seasons as well as permit pricing and youth hunting information. Download your copy today

MERRIAM'S WILD TURKEYS

The return of the wild turkey to Nebraska, other states that historically had turkey populations and to states outside the turkey's historic range is one of the great success stories of wildlife management.

The wild turkey was extirpated from Nebraska by about 1915. The modern history of wild turkeys in Nebraska began with releases in 1959. The population prospered, especially in the Merriams subspecies and hybrid birds, and the turkey's range now includes most major river drainages and the pine ridge. Small, isolated populations are found in appropriate habitat outside the primary

The wild turkey is the largest upland game bird in North America. Adult Merriam's toms taken in the fall season average 18 pounds and adult hens average 10 pounds. Hybrid birds can be heavier weighing more than 25 pounds.

Most of Nebraska's turkey hunting takes place on private land, and preseason scouting to establish and renew landowner contacts and locate flocks are the first steps to a successful hunt.

Squaw Creek Hunt Club / Fully Guided Duck Hunts / Waterfowl Lease - Memberships Available

2015-06-16T10:51:00.000-07:00

To Join or schedule a Visit Please Call 855-473-2875 or visit www.squawcreekhuntclub.com
Limited to 5 Memberships

The Squaw Creek Hunt Club headquarters is located less than one mile west of the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge near Mound City, Missouri and offers the following amenities to club members and their guests.

Memberships Includes Unlimited Use and Access to the Following:
Unlimited Fall Waterfowl Hunting
Locations Include:

pit blinds in Missouri River bottoms located less than 1 mile from Southwest corner of Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge

- blinds provided maybe - layout ground blinds, duck blinds, pit blinds
- field hunting (ducks, Canada geese, snow geese)
- all equipment provided - duck decoys, full body Canada decoys (Avery & Bigfoot)
- fully guided duck hunts

Locations Include:

pit blinds in Missouri River bottoms located less than 1 mile from Southwest corner of Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge

Lodging & Food
Lodging - Completely furnished five bedroom farm house, with spacious ( kitchen, dining room. living room)
Food - Breakfast, Dinner, Supper - (can be provided)

Merriam's Spring Turkey Hunt - Steve Schumacher

2013-12-18T07:50:00.000-08:00

I drove 1,200 miles from Ohio to hunt Merriam Turkeys in Nebraska with Scott Croner. The trip proved to be one of the best hunting decision I ever made.

I was able to arrive at Uncle Buck's Lodge by noon on the day before my scheduled three day hunt. Since the previous hunters had already tagged out and the weather forecast for the next few days wasn't good, Scott told me to grab my gear and off we went.   An hour later I had my trophy Merriam. Fortunately I have a good heart as this bird was taken at 6 yards.    The next day, in a snow blizzard and 30 mile per hour winds we navigated a long stalk on a trophy Rio Grand Turkey which I harvested at 35 yards.

Scott Croner is second to none, when it comes to turkey hunting.   If you listen to what he tells you in preparing for and during the hunt, you will kill birds. Croner enhances the hunt with his knowledge and enthusiasm for turkey hunting. He understands and shares in the excitement and the importance of your hunt.

With the pending bad weather, I was pleased to be tagged out on the first scheduled day of my hunt by 11:00 am, with two trophy birds.

Not only was it a great hunt, but the accommodations and hospitality at Uncle Bucks Lodge was first class.   The food was fabulous and I even got to check and feed cattle with (Walt) the owner of the ranch.

Not regrets on this trip! I highly recommended this hunt.

Go prepared and be ready! It can be fast and furious.

Steve Schumacher

Francis McLaughlin On HIs Way To A Grand Slam With A Merriam's Gobbler

2013-10-07T15:03:00.004-07:00

I would like to thank the Nebraska Hunting Company for his help in getting me a Merriam's turkey. Scott is totally committed to getting you a turkey. He is focused on hunting and will put you on birds. For me this is the third leg of a Grand slam, now only needing the Osceola. Another group hunting while I was in Nebraska completed 3 grand slams! One needed a Merriam's, the other two needed a Merriam's and a Rio!

Thanks to Nebraska Hunting Company for my Merriam's and awesome hunting memories. Thanks to Marilyn and Walt for the hospitality and wonderful accommodations at Uncle Buck's Lodge.

Frank McLaughlin
4/23/2013

Fully Guided Duck Hunts Available - $175 per hunter / per day - Squaw Creek Hunt Club - Canada Geese, Mallards, Gadwall, Widgeon, Teal, Wood Ducks

2012-10-24T09:01:00.002-07:00

Fully Guided Duck Hunts - Mound City, Missouri

$175 per hunter / per day
Daily Pit Blind Leases
October 29 - December 27
heated pit blinds
fully guided duck hunts
full day hunts
lodging available ($30 per hunter / per night)
Near Squaw Creek Refuge
Mound City, Missouri

“My father and I recently booked a hunt with Scott Croner in Mound City, MO., that was one of the best field hunts we have ever experienced. As avid water-fowlers, my father and I have hunted from Alaska to Texas and all flyways in between. This field hunt with Scott & Squaw Creek Hunt Club was one of the best hunts either of us have experienced. If you would like shooting greenheads at 15-25 yards in December, in the comforts of a heated pit blind I would call Scott. 1st class accommodations and guiding services by Scott and his organization.” Matt Sattersen

Snow Goose Guides – Fully Guided – $175 per hunter / per day – Call NOW Before We Are Booked! – Pit Blind Hunts $200 – Missouri Spring Snow Goose Conservation Season

2012-10-11T08:03:00.001-07:00

Snow Goose Guides - Mound City, Missouri - Specials

Weekday Specials

Fully Guided Hunts – $175 per hunter / per day

Pit Blind Hunts Available $200 per hunter / per day

Call NOW before we are booked!

855-473-2875

Guided Spring Snow Goose Hunts in Missouri from Grand Pass to Mound City.
Book Your Hunt Today $175 per hunter/ per day (week day specials)
Fully guided hunt in stalked cornfields with over 1000 decoys in each spread including Avery full body decoys, silo socks, flyers, E-callers
NO LIMITS, NO PLUGS
Visit Snow Goose Guides
Purchase Your Permit!

Dark Goose Season - Canada Goose Season

2012-10-05T10:14:00.001-07:00

Dark geese include Canada, brant and all other goose species, except white-fronted and light geese.

Season Dates: East Unit: Oct. 6-14 and Oct. 27 – Jan. 30, 2013 Niobrara Unit: Oct. 27 – Feb. 8, 2013 North Central Unit: Oct. 6 – Jan. 18, 2013 Panhandle Unit: Nov. 10 – Feb. 8, 2013 Platte River Unit: Oct. 27 – Feb. 8, 2013

Daily Bag Limit: 3 Possession Limit: 6

Shooting Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset

Open Area: Dark Goose Units

Legal Methods of Take:

Shotgun (10 gauge or smaller. All shotguns must be plugged. The combined capacity of the chamber and magazine is no more than three shells)

Bow and Arrow

Electronic calls are prohibited.

Shooting Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset

Requirements: Resident (16 years or older): Hunt permit Habitat Stamp Nebraska Waterfowl Stamp Federal Migratory Bird Stamp Harvest Information Program (HIP) registration Hunter Education

Nonresident: Hunt permit Habitat Stamp Nebraska Waterfowl Stamp Federal Migratory Bird Stamp Harvest Information Program (HIP) registration Hunter Education

Visit www.nebraskahunting.net or www.topgunhuntclub.com

Venison Pastrami - Whitetail Deer, Elk, Moose, Caribou

2012-10-03T10:04:00.001-07:00

The Cure:

• 5 tablespoons Tender Quick
• 4 tablespoons Dark Brown Sugar (packed)
• 3 Large Hole Dry Bay Leaves
• 1 teaspoon All Spice
• ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
• ½ teaspoon Anis Seeds
• 1 table spoon Montreal Steak season
• 2 tablespoons coarse ground pepper
• ½ teaspoon of Ground Clove

This is the “dry cure” step of the process.
Mix all of the ingredients of the cure in a blender or spice grinder making sure all of the ingredients are as close to the same size as possible. Coat all of the meat evenly, and rub it in. Place the meat in zip lock freezer bag and lay flat in a glass baking dish. Put it in the fridge. Rotate the meat twice a day, for a week. If you want stronger flavor go up to two weeks.

After the meat gets done with its “time out”, remove it from the bag and rinse it in a water bath for two hours at room temp. Pat it dry and put on the second rub. Again Blend spices to break up Mustard and Coriander but pulse to keep them coarse.

Final Crust Rub:

• 1 tablespoon Garlic Powder
• 2 tablespoons Coarse ground Pepper
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 1 tablespoon Mustard Seed (Whole)
• 1 tablespoon Coriander (Whole)
• 1 teaspoon Dark Brown Sugar

Into the smoker it goes for 3-4 hours at 200deg. You are looking for about 150 to 155 degree internal temp of the meat. I like to use a combination of Hickory and Apple or Hickory and Maple as my wood.

Remove the roasts from the smoker and let rest until they cool to room temp. Place in zip lock baggy or an air tight container and place it in the fridge overnight, 24hours if possible. This will let it firm up. Slice as thin as possible and enjoy.

Spring Turkey Hunting Tips - Merriam's Turkey Hunting

2012-10-02T14:56:00.001-07:00

Tips From A Turkey Guide

1) Don’t get too close. Set up a couple hundred yards from a gobbling turkey so you don’t risk spooking him.

2) Don’t call much. Use soft yelps and clucks to let the bird know where you are and then quit calling. If the bird gobbles then answer him with some soft yelps, purrs and clucks and go silent again.

3) Be ready. Have your shotgun shouldered and pointed in the direction of the last gobble. Once the bird is in sight you need to have your head down on the gun, safety off and be pointed in the right direction. Any movement at this point on your part is suspect to getting you busted by the bird’s amazing eyesight.

4) Let the turkey find you. If the tom is heading in your direction don’t call. Let him come find you.

5) Be Patient. Don’t be in a hurry to get up if your bird doesn’t gobble. Wait him out. If he ends up gobbling away from you and doesn’t come back after 40 minutes to an hour, pickup and move.

6) Listen. When you move to a new spot in the morning, listen for 5 to 10 minutes before calling. Many times if a hot bird is in the area he’ll gobble and you can pinpoint his location without announcing your presence.
If you’d like to gain an education in turkey hunting, then I highly recommend you spend three days with Terry Knight or any of the guides at Lifetime Hunts. For more information or to book your next hunt, visit www.merriamsturkey.com or call (402) 304-1192

Nebraska Waterfowl - Duck Seasons

2012-09-28T13:44:00.001-07:00

Squaw Creek Hunt Club & Guide Service - Mound City, Missouri

www.squawcreekhuntclub.com

Phone: 855-473-2875

Legal Methods of Take:

Shotgun (10 gauge or smaller. All shotguns must be plugged. The combined capacity of the chamber and magazine is no more than three shells)
Bow and Arrow
Electronic calls are prohibited.

Shooting Hours:
30 minutes before sunrise to sunset

Requirements:

Resident:	Nonresident:
Hunt Permit	Hunt Permit
Habitat Stamp	Habitat Stamp
Hunter Education	Hunter Education
Nebraska Waterfowl Stamp	Nebraska Waterfowl Stamp
Federal Migratory Bird Stamp	Federal Migratory Bird Stamp
HIP Registration	HIP Registration

Great Venison Dry Rub Recipe For The Grill

2012-09-28T08:14:00.001-07:00

Your Marinate Recipe

We want to prepare a great marinate recipe first.

In a gallon plastic zip-seal bag combine:

1/2 teaspoon powdered meat tenderizer

1 teaspoon liquid smoke

2 tablespoons concentrated lemon juice

1 cup water (a variation: use a can of coke instead of water)

Place your deer meat in the bag, close, and place in the refrigerator overnight to marinate.

Venison Dry Rub Seasoning Recipe

In a bowl combine these dry seasoning ingredients.

2 tablespoons salt

2 tablespoons course ground pepper

2 tablespoons paprika

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons granulated garlic

1 tablespoon onion powder

1 tablespoon crushed parsley flakes

1 teaspoon five spice powder

1 teaspoon celery seed

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/2 teaspoon hickory smoke salt

Mix these ingredients well.

Grilled Whitetail Venison

Drain the marinate off your venison meat. Blot off excess marinate with paper towels. Now, tenderize your meat with a multiple blade tenderizer (36 blade style works best, can be purchased at kitchen supply stores, Cabela’s, Kohl’s, etc.) or by piercing meat repeatedly with a fork to break down the venison muscle fibers. Sprinkle your dry rub recipe on both sides of venison and rub or massage into meat.

Grill over hot coals to medium rare to medium (be very careful not over cook and dry out your venison).

How to Serve

Brush with melted butter. Serve with your favorite steak sauce, grilled corn on the cob, baked potatoes & sour cream, fresh hot corn bread & butter, and a salad of greens.

Venison Stir Fry Ever!

2012-09-28T08:09:00.002-07:00

If you take your deer to a professional butcher, chances are, along with those steaks, backstraps, roasts and hamburger he gives you back some chops. Most people broil or grill their chops, and that’s a great way to do them up. But for a tasty oriental twist, try stir frying them.

How much meat you need is dependent upon how many people you’ll be feeding. I figure about a half pound of meat per person, with my chops about a 1/2- to 3/4-inch thick; the amount of vegetables you use is dependent upon how much your crew likes them. Then I get a whole bunch of fresh carrots, fresh bean sprouts, celery, broccoli, a red bell pepper, a handful of mushrooms, some unsalted peanuts, 1 medium yellow onion and 2 cloves of garlic. You’ll also need 1 tbsp. of crushed red pepper, 1 tsp. of ground cumin, a cup of soy sauce and a bit of canola oil.

The first step is to marinate the chops in soy sauce overnight in the refrigerator. Then comes the work—prepping the vegetables. That means peeling, then chunking, carrots, slicing celery, cutting broccoli and dicing the garlic and onion. I like to keep everything in separate small cups so it is all handy and easy to grab.

It is best to do the cooking in a large wok, but since I like to keep the bone in my chops I find a very large skillet works best for me. Get the skillet very, very hot, then coat it with just enough canola oil to keep everything from sticking. Cook the meat about 30 seconds per side, then add everything else, including the seasoning. Stir constantly, making sure everything hits the hot skillet and is coated with all the spices and oil. Do not overcook!

Serve with a side of fried rice and, if I am feeling like it, I’ll top the stir fry with some of those crunchy cooked noodles you can find in the oriental food section at the store. Wash it down with some icy Tsing Tao beer. This is a low-calorie, low-fat meal that doesn’t taste like it.

Grilled Venison Backstrap Supreme

2012-09-28T08:08:00.001-07:00

I covet venison backstrap as much as Ebenezer Scrooge coveted money. There is so much meat from a big deer and so little of those tender, tasty backstraps that one hates to cook them poorly.

In summer, we barbecue a lot, and backstraps on the grill are the centerpiece of one of our favorite meals. Here’s how we do it.

First, I soak the backstraps in salt water to get every iota of blood out of the meat. Once that’s done, I rinse them in cold fresh water and pat them dry. Then I trim all the viscera and fat away, leaving nothing but pure meat.

For this simple recipe you’ll need about 2 pounds of backstraps cut into thick little 2-inch chunks. You’ll also need a quart of sweet apple cider, 2 pounds of bacon, one large red onion and 24 ounces of your favorite barbecue sauce.

To start, place the venison chunks in a shallow baking dish wide enough to keep from having to pile them on top of each other. Pour the apple cider over them, cover and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, remove the chunks from the cider, pat them dry, and set them aside while you wash and dry the dish. Return the chunks to the dish and cover them with the barbecue sauce, then refrigerate until its time to cook them—at least 3 hours.

Before cooking, take the meat out of the refrigerator and let it warm up to room temperature. While you preheat the grill to high heat, wrap each meat chunk with a slice of bacon and a thin slice of onion, holding it all together with a wooden toothpick. Coat the grill with cooking spray or brush it with olive oil to keep the meat from sticking. Now place the meat onto the grill, making sure there is some air between each chunk. I keep a small squirt bottle of water handy and when the bacon drippings start kicking up flames, squirt them down without putting out my fire. Turn them occasionally until the bacon becomes a little burnt—usually about 20 minutes.

Remove and serve with a fresh salad, garlic toast, fresh asparagus and a chilled Merlot. Bon appetit!

Waterfowl Lease Memberships - Mound City, Missouri - Mallards, Gadwall, Widgeon, Teal, Canada Geese

2012-08-20T07:08:00.002-07:00

Waterfowl Hunting Lease Memberships

Fully Guided Duck Hunts - Mound City, Missouri

$175 per hunter / per day
Daily Pit Blind Leases
October 29 - December 27
heated pit blinds
fully guided duck hunts
full day hunts
lodging available ($30 per hunter / per night)
Near Squaw Creek Refuge
Mound City, Missouri

Fully Guided Duck Hunts - Mound City, Missouri

Trophy Whitetail Deer Hunts - Archery, Rifle, Muzzleloader

2012-06-30T11:22:00.001-07:00

Nebraska Deer Seasons Opening

Archery Season - September 15, 2012

Rifle Season - November 10, 2012

Muzzleloader Season - December 1, 2012

Book your Nebraska Trophy Whitetail deer hunt.

Merriam's SpringTurkey Hunting - Nebraska Hunting Company - Scott Croner

2012-06-04T07:07:00.000-07:00

Complete Your "Grand Slam" with a Merriam's Turkey

April - May

All Inclusive Guided

Merriam's Turkey Hunts

Call or Email Now To Book You Hunt

855-473-2875

$1495.00 - Two Gobblers

Merriam's Spring Turkey Hunting Brochure

Gary Walker Returns To Nebraska In 2012

2012-05-09T07:16:00.000-07:00

Hi every one. If you have read the blogs from Scott Croner's site you have read about my hunt last year. It was great. As you recall. I hunted last year in some of the worst weather you could imagine. 30 mile winds. rain and occasional snow flurries.Scott still got me my birds .Well, this year was about as 180 degrees the other way as you could imagine. We had sun, little wind and very dry. This was the problem all winter and spring. Hot weather started the birds early and they were about 3 to 4 weeks advanced. We were working birds that thought it was the third week in May not April. ( the last day I hunted It was 92 deg.). merriams turkey hunting, guided merriams turkey hunts, guided hunts, nebraska guided turkey hunts, scott croner, nebraska hunting, grand slam merriams turkey hunting,
All the Toms were bread out and didn't want to fight any more. (I guess getting beat up all spring takes a toll on you).. Every thing was advanced about three to four weeks because of the weather, Scott still took me out in these conditions and fond two birds that wanted to commit suicide. Between the two, total time was about 8 min. Now there was some scouting time, but the point is that Scott Croner and the Nebraska Hunting Company is the premier Turkey hunting organization I have found.,

I hope this blog helps every one understand that this year the weather has made things far more advanced then before. Scott will do everything that he can to get you your birds, he runs, watches and ;listens to what the turkeys are doing, Scott will get the birds for you, I have never been let down.

Scott Croner and the Nebraska Hunting Company, Is the only Outfitter I will ever hunt with in Nebraska.

The one thing I will say is that no matter how great Scott is, he still can not control the weather, i promise you, from a previous client, that Scott Will do all that is required to get the best birds possible

This is the best turkey hunting experience I will ever have. See you next year Scott (fan man). I have already re booked.

Uncle Bucks lodge is great. Marilyn and Walt are fantastic proprietors. It is a working ranch so you will meet a verity of people and conditions. The food is second to none and you can't ever get enough of the family atmosphere. If you need anything all you need to do is ask.

In summery, This is the most professional and personable outfit I have ever associated with. Scott will do all he can to make sure you have a great time/

See you there..

Gary Walker

Please call Scott and book the best turkey hunt you could ever imagine and I may see you there
http://www.merriamsturkey.com/

merriams turkey hunting, guided merriams turkey hunts, guided hunts, nebraska guided turkey hunts, scott croner, nebraska hunting, grand slam merriams turkey hunting,

Sis & Mel Score Mature Merriams Gobblers

2012-05-09T07:13:00.000-07:00

Sis & Mel from Illinios score 2 mature Merriam's gobblers.

Spring Turkey Opening In April

2012-03-21T14:49:00.000-07:00

Nebraska Spring turkey season opens Saturday Closest to April 15

Snow Goose Hunting Adventure - Part 2

2012-01-23T05:23:00.000-08:00

Snow Goose Calling

Dozens of good goose calls are available, all of which are effective in the hands of a good caller. It’s helpful to listen to wild birds and try to imitate them with your calls. There are no better teachers. But unless you have a friend who is a skilled caller who can teach you, you also should purchase an instructional CD, DVD or audiotape that will allow you to hear the actual sounds of geese and good calling by practiced goose hunters. Study this and try to duplicate the sounds used for various situations. After some practice, record yourself on a tape recorder and decide for yourself if you’re good enough to start calling in the field. Listen for weaknesses in your repertoire, then practice to improve them.

Snow Goose Hunting Tips

There’s no such thing as a casual snow goose hunt, one reason many waterfowlers don’t participate. This sport requires large goose decoy spreads and constant scouting.

First, you must study movement patterns of geese where you want to goose hunt, then secure permission to hunt where concentrations are located. (Most hunting is on private hunting lands.) When geese start using a field, they stay until the food supply is exhausted. Being there after they’ve started using the field and before they’ve eaten it out is the trick.

Elaborate ground blinds are nice but not necessary because a goose field usually produces only one or two good shoots before geese move elsewhere. Many goose hunters simply lie on their backs in the goose decoys and wear white or camouflage-pattern clothing. Pit ground blinds, portable ground blinds and makeshift ground blinds made from natural materials on-site also can be used, depending on where you hunt.

When it comes to snow goose decoy spreads, bigger usually is better. The decoys should be in place before sunrise to take advantage of the snow goose’s propensity for flying early.

The most important thing goose hunters should remember is to remain well hidden and motionless until birds are well within shooting range. Snow geese are wary, and if they see or hear anything out of place, they’ll avoid it. If approaching birds seem reluctant to land, flare off at the last minute or land consistently outside the decoys, chances are they are spotting the blind, hunter movement or something else that makes them nervous. Adjust as necessary.

Avoid the temptation to shoot when the first geese start dropping into your set-up. Veteran waterfowlers hold off until the lead geese are touching down and geese in the rear of the flock are well within gun range before making their move.

Remember this rule of thumb as well: If, when aiming, the end of your gun barrel covers more than half the bird, the goose is beyond 45 yards and is too far away for a clean kill.

If you’re not up to the tasks just outlined, consider hiring a hunting guide. These guys can show you the ins and outs of snow goose hunting, and after you’ve experienced a hunt first-hand, you’ll know whether you really want to make the required investment in time and hunting equipment to hunt on your own. Best of all, hunting guides do all the work. The hunter need not spend hours scouting, gaining hunting permission, and setting and retrieving goose decoys. For a reasonable fee, reputable hunting guides do all this and clean and pack your birds, too.

Snow Goose Hunting Conclusion

Snow goose hunting is challenging, for sure. Nevertheless, it’s a sport many of us find irresistibly attractive. Goose hunting allows us to perfect our skills with a shotgun and to go afield with men we enjoy and admire. Most of all, it gives us another excuse to be outdoors. Until you have sat in a goose spread and watched a fall or winter day unfold, develop and decline, you have missed one of life’s greatest pleasures.

Snow Goose Hunting Adventure - Part 1

2012-01-23T05:22:00.000-08:00

Several goose hunters waited in a winter wheat field, scanning the morning skies above a huge spread of goose decoys. All was quiet for many minutes, then in the distance, they heard the first melodic strains of flying geese.

It was hard to pinpoint them at first, but soon they could make out the first long skeins of birds, little snowflakes floating in an orange sunrise. They were coming their way.

Minutes passed like hours. The calls of the snow geese grew in volume. Their forms grew in size. The goose hunters could tell now there were a thousand or more—a hundred here, a hundred there, in long lines and V-shaped wedges. Some flocks flew north, away from their goose decoy spread. But one held a steady course that would soon take it over their heads.

Two goose hunters began goose calling. One waved a white flag fixed atop a long pole. Would it be enough to attract their attention? One goose hunter gripped his shotgun tightly and wondered.

The last five minutes seemed like an hour. Most of the flock broke off, turning toward a large flock of geese feeding in another field. Only two dozen remained, but these were convinced their goose decoy spread was real. At 100 yards out, they cupped their wings and began swinging back and forth in the air as they flexed their rudders and dropped their landing gear.

Too late the birds realized their ruse. As one goose hunter shot, then another, the geese tried to turn and gain altitude. One goose hunter swung on a white bird and fired, then swung again and shot a blue. They hit the ground with hard thumps as he tried unsuccessfully to get another bird in his sights.

When it was over, this goose hunter was shaking. Excitement does that to some hunters. And snow goose hunting is exciting!

Snow Goose Facts

The snow goose, Chen caerulescens, is one of the world’s most abundant waterfowl species. Each year, snow geese nest on the Arctic tundra and then travel to southern wintering grounds in very large, high-flying, noisy flocks. The swirling white of a descending flock suggests snowfall, but among the white birds are darker individuals. Until recently, these “blue geese,” as the dark birds are called, were considered a separate species. They are now recognized as merely a dark “morph,” or form, of the snow goose.

Adult snows are medium-sized (weighing 5 to 8 pounds) and have a pinkish bill with a black “grinning patch.” White morphs are white all over except for the black primaries on each wing. Blue morphs have a mostly white head and neck, a dark gray-brown body and black primary and secondary feathers on the wings.

Juvenile white morphs are gray above, white below and darker on the head and neck. The legs, feet and bill are gray, turning pink as the young birds age. Juvenile blues are mostly dark gray-brown with a lighter-colored belly and white under the tail. The wing linings are pale gray, contrasting with the dark body and black primaries in flight.

Biologists recognize three separate snow goose populations. The western population breeds in Alaska and Canada’s Yukon, Northwest and Nunavut territories and winters from Oregon south to Mexico, with concentrations in the central valleys of California. The midcontinent population breeds from Nunavut Territory east to Hudson Bay and winters in the U.S. Midwest south to Louisiana and Texas. The eastern population breeds on islands in the High Arctic, including Ellesmere and Baffin, then winters along the Atlantic Coast from Massachusetts to South Carolina, with concentrations in southeastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina.

In winter, snow geese are highly gregarious and often feed in flocks numbering thousands of individuals. Migrants follow all four major North American flyways. Migration north from wintering areas takes place from February to May. Snow geese depart from the northern breeding areas in September and arrive in wintering habitats in November and December.

Snow Goose Population

Around 1900, the snow goose population had ebbed to only 2,000 to 3,000 birds. But during the 20th century and into the 21st, the population burgeoned as snow geese took advantage of increased food supplies along migration routes and in wintering areas. In some areas, populations have increased as much as nine percent annually. Biologists estimate there are now 5 million to 6 million snow geese in North America, a population that may be too large to be environmentally sustainable.

Since 1998, goose hunters have harvested 1 to 1.5 million snow geese annually. Recent conservation hunts implemented in the U.S. and Canada have been successful in doubling harvest rates and reducing the population. When snow goose numbers are too large, the birds’ feeding can destroy their own habitat, which is also used by other species. Hunting provides the best means for keeping goose numbers in check.

Guns And Loads

Although they are big birds, snow geese have a relatively small kill zone. The total area in which pellets will kill a goose is just one-tenth the bird’s total size. To ensure your shots hit the vital zone with enough power, you need to pattern your guns and determine the correct loads.

Most goose hunters opt to use a 10-gauge or magnum 12-gauge with size BB, BBB or T shot. Nontoxic shot is mandatory everywhere. Because steel shot has a tighter pattern than lead does, the best chokes when using steel are modified and improved modified. However, each choke is unique, which is why goose hunters should pattern their guns before the season

Snow Goose Decoys

Snow goose decoys come in several styles: full-body, shell, floating, rags, silhouettes, magnums and specialty items such as goose flags and motion decoys. Ideally, the goose hunter should use some variety in the goose decoy spread and use goose decoys most suitable for the area being hunted. When goose hunting a big farm field, for example, you’ll probably want lots of inexpensive rag decoys with some full-bodied dekes mixed in and a flag to draw the birds’ attention. When goose hunting a river where geese go to rest at night, floating decoys will be wanted, along with a few standing decoys to place along the banks.

The number of goose decoys used depends largely on the goose hunter’s budget and the type area being hunted. But when goose hunting snows, one must never forget that bigger goose decoy spreads almost always are better. If possible, set out a few hundred at least, or better yet, a thousand or more

Remember these things regardless of the type or number of goose decoys used:

· Keep goose decoys well away from fence lines, overgrown ditches and other cover where geese may perceive a predator, or hunter, to be hiding.

· Set the goose decoys to take advantage of the goose’s tendency to land with the wind in their faces. Walking and swimming geese also prefer to be facing into the wind, so decoys should be positioned in this manner for realism.

· Don’t place goose decoys so close together it is difficult for geese to land among them. Leave an opening in the spread that invites birds to land there, and have that opening within range of your gun.

· Have all your goose decoys in place before sunrise so you’ll be ready when the birds arrive.

Except during late conservation seasons when electronic goose callers often are allowed, if you want to become a good goose hunter, you must become a good caller. This isn’t something you can learn the weekend prior to goose season. Start early and practice.

Snow Goose Calling

Snow Goose Hunting Tips

There’s no such thing as a casual snow goose hunt, one reason many waterfowlers don’t participate. This sport requires large goose decoy spreads and constant scouting.

When it comes to snow goose decoy spreads, bigger usually is better. The decoys should be in place before sunrise to take advantage of the snow goose’s propensity for flying early.

Remember this rule of thumb as well: If, when aiming, the end of your gun barrel covers more than half the bird, the goose is beyond 45 yards and is too far away for a clean kill.

Snow Goose Hunting Conclusion

Spring Snow Goose Season Will Begin February 1 in Missouri

2012-01-09T09:09:00.001-08:00

Well I would use alot of words to describe the picuture but i think that everyone can see it. Some of our days have been slow now doubt even a couple of one birds days. However, I can gurantee that the biggest days are still to come.www.snowgooseguides.com

Muzzlelaoader Trophy Whitetail 2011 - Mitchell Bodiford

2011-12-21T06:30:00.001-08:00

Mitchell Bodiford with his 2011 Nebraska muzzleloader trophy whitetail deer that will easily score in the 150's.

Johnny Hall Scores With 160 Archery Harvest

2011-12-07T08:11:00.001-08:00

Congratulation to Johnny on this great archery harvest the week before rifle.

I'd recommend Scott to anyone, his enthusiasm runs over, and rubs off onto the hunters. He does his home work and during the deer hunt for the wife and I we saw many 130-140" deer. We were able to bring a 160", 300 pound brute home and saw a couple even bigger, opportunities abound As with his turkey hunts, he gives his all for his hunter as well pushes you and will not let you lose confidence because he HAS done his home work for you. Great spirit, great attitude and great guy! Thanks Johnny & Teri

Nebraska Trophy Whitetails - Outfitters

2011-12-07T08:06:00.001-08:00

The 2011 whitetail deer season is a huge success.