September Goose

Don’t worry, your not alone. Every time a string passes over a hunter the same thought process goes through their mind. Some will admit it, some won’t but the idea is there. With the September goose season only a few weeks away, the fix for the autumn itch that is festering under your skin becomes obvious.

There are a few different ways to take on Canada geese here in Western New York. In September however the open water hunt is both risky and difficult with the boating season that is still in full swing. So where do you go?

While there is a large population of geese throughout all the Western New York counties, the north seems to have the edge. It is hard to match the numbers of geese that are found in the northern counties (Niagara, Orleans) in our area. Orleans county and it’s neighbor to the south Wyoming county, are host to some of the best goose hunting in the state. With the Iroquois, Tonawanda, and Oak Orchard wildlife refuges that are located there, the hunting can be something right out of Field and Stream TV, once you get through the regulations and ID courses that are required to hunt on federal land. The other way to get in on some of the northern geese is to get aquainted with some of the farmers in the area. You would be surprised how many of them are open minded to goose hunting as opposed to deer hunting. Further, all you need to hunt private property is permission and last years waterfowl stamp. No ID course is required on private land.

One of the biggest differences between open water goose hunting and heading up to the northern fields is the type of decoys you will be using. The floaters you use in the river won’t cut it in the fields. Fortunately shells are not that expensive to you can get a few dozen of them at a fairly reasonable price. Your blind and setup is another difference. When you’re hunting the middle of a huge field, birds can be coming in from any direction. More then likely full cover blinds are going to have to be used in place of a stand up front blind. One bonus to field hunting is retrieving. No boats or cold water retrieves required. Other then those differences, the type of shot (non-toxic), guns, dogs, and calling techniques are pretty much the same.

Depending whom you are taking to, preferences between open water and field hunting for geese can vary. One thing for certain is that field hunting during the early goose season is much less of a hassle. To get involved with it check in with your local DEC office for regulations and talk with someone who has experience in it. September can be an exciting month leading into the fall with this resource.