Snow Goose Conservation Order Hunting Reports
Note:
- These reports are completed during the Conservation Order and are updated only when bird numbers or other conditions change significantly.
- During the Conservation Order, residents and nonresidents age 16 years and older need only a Conservation Order permit..
| Area Light Goose Population | none |
|---|---|
| Off-Area Light Goose Population | none |
| Hunting Pressure | none |
| Hunter Success | none |
| Pools/Units Open for Hunting | Entire Area |
| Area Hunt Procedures | Hunters must follow area regulations posted on the information boards and contained in the area brochure. There are no other, area specific, special regulations for snow goose hunting. Hunters do not need to fill out "Daily Hunter Record Cards". |
| Comments (Migrations, etc.) |
No future reports will be given until the ice on the pools is gone and snow geese return to the county in significant numbers. 100% of the area's wetland pools are covered in ice at this time. |
| Area Light Goose Population | none |
|---|---|
| Off-Area Light Goose Population | none |
| Hunting Pressure | none |
| Hunter Success | none |
| Pools/Units Open for Hunting | Entire area except for the Sanctuary Pool |
| Area Hunt Procedures | Hunters must follow area regulations posted on the information boards and contained in the area brochure. There are no other, area specific, special regulations for snow goose hunting. Hunters do not need to fill out "Daily Hunter Record Cards". |
| Comments (Migrations, etc.) |
No future reports will be given until the ice on the pools is gone and snow geese return to the county in significant numbers. 100% of the area's wetland pools are covered in ice at this time. |
| Area Light Goose Population | None on area |
|---|---|
| Off-Area Light Goose Population | None reported. |
| Hunting Pressure | Unknown |
| Hunter Success | Unknown |
| Pools/Units Open for Hunting | Area wide; No refuge. |
| Area Hunt Procedures | State Wide Regulations. Waterfowl hunting is prohibited after 1:00 p.m. |
| Comments (Migrations, etc.) |
Main lake body is about 1/3 open with all arms of the lake and wetland frozen. About 4,000 Canada geese on lake this morning but no snow geese. |
| Area Light Goose Population | Have seen no snow geese on the area. |
|---|---|
| Off-Area Light Goose Population | Have seen no snow geese in the vicinity. |
| Hunting Pressure | None |
| Hunter Success | None |
| Pools/Units Open for Hunting | The East Side refuge, West Side refuge, and the two fields on either side of the entrance road, north of the old railroad bed, are closed to light goose hunting. The remainder of the area is open to light goose hunting; however, the H and J Pool area may close to public access if conditions become suitable for construction activities. |
| Area Hunt Procedures | All hunters must check in prior to hunting and check out at the conclusion of their hunt through the Hunter Checkin Room located on the west end of the area shop building. |
| Comments (Migrations, etc.) |
New Conservation Order Permit is required. Flood waters have receeded, pools near normal levels. |
| Area Light Goose Population | 0 |
|---|---|
| Off-Area Light Goose Population | 0 |
| Hunting Pressure | None |
| Hunter Success | None |
| Pools/Units Open for Hunting | 3, 4, 5, 5W,TIII |
| Area Hunt Procedures | Hunters must self check in at the foyer located on the north side of the headquarters building before and at the completion of their hunt. Pools 1,2,6,7,8 and 9 are waterfowl refuge. |
| Comments (Migrations, etc.) |
No snow geese at this time. |
| Area Light Goose Population | No birds as of February 2. The refuge wetlands are still locked in ice. |
|---|---|
| Off-Area Light Goose Population | See Bob Brown and Nodaway Valley |
| Hunting Pressure | |
| Hunter Success | |
| Pools/Units Open for Hunting | Guided Hunting Only |
| Area Hunt Procedures | Contact area manager at 660-442-5754 for information regarding hunting on the refuge |
| Comments (Migrations, etc.) |
Go to http://www.fws.gov/midwest/SquawCreek/waterfowl_surveys.html for details |
| Area Light Goose Population | Updated on Website every weekday beginning on Feb 1. www.fws.gov/midwest/swanlake/count.html |
|---|---|
| Off-Area Light Goose Population | - |
| Hunting Pressure | Low |
| Hunter Success | Low |
| Pools/Units Open for Hunting | R1, R4, N4, N2, A3, B4, G2, H2 |
| Area Hunt Procedures | Open Days of Snow Goose Hunting on Swan Lake NWR are as follows: February 1, 2010 - April 30, 2010 7 Days a week Only 4 Hunters to a Unit *Make sure you have the MISSOURI SPRING CONSERVATION ORDER PERMIT WHILE HUNTING…. Read through the Hunting Brochure, it will answer most of your questions for specific regulation. Please disregard closed days and specifics to Canada Goose Hunting in the brochure but all other regulations apply. During the Conservation Order Snow Goose season hunters may use electronic calls, unplugged shotguns and the shooting hours are ½ hour before Official Sunrise to ½ after Official Sunset. Non-toxic shot is required. *All Goose Hunters must follow the self check in guidelines posted at the Hunting Headquarters at Swan Lake NWR before hunting each day. Call 660-856-3323 ext 10 if you have any questions. *Good luck, have a safe and fun hunt, and enjoy your visit to Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge! |
| Comments (Migrations, etc.) |
Units R1, and R4 are closed on Saturday Feb 27th for a managed Youth Snow Goose Hunt. |
| Area Light Goose Population | none |
|---|---|
| Off-Area Light Goose Population | -- |
| Hunting Pressure | light |
| Hunter Success | poor |
| Pools/Units Open for Hunting | all |
| Area Hunt Procedures | Public hunting lands are open. All statewide regulations apply, no check in required. |
| Comments (Migrations, etc.) |
The ice is mostly off the lake except for protected coves. |
| Area Light Goose Population | 40,000 |
|---|---|
| Off-Area Light Goose Population | 10,000 |
| Hunting Pressure | Light |
| Hunter Success | Poor |
| Pools/Units Open for Hunting | 29 spots including lake blinds and fields. |
| Area Hunt Procedures | Self check-in starts at 4AM daily at area headquarters front porch. Fill out green card and put top half in a slot indicating which unit you are hunting. Hunting allowed 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. All hunters must check out at the end of each day's hunt by filling out the green card and depositing in the slot. |
| Comments (Migrations, etc.) |
Several inches of snow fell Friday 1/29. Some melting occuring today 2/1/10 |
| Area Light Goose Population | 0 |
|---|---|
| Off-Area Light Goose Population | 0 |
| Hunting Pressure | Light |
| Hunter Success | Poor |
| Pools/Units Open for Hunting | Regular hunt units. No activities allowed in refuge units. |
| Area Hunt Procedures | No activities allowed in the refuge. all hunters must check in prior to hunting. maximum of 4 people per party, one party per unit. hunters may not check into a unit until 4 am. all goose hunting info is posted at the headquarters building. |
| Comments (Migrations, etc.) |
All snow geese have moved north at this time. Goose numbers are changing daily. Call area phone numbers for up-to-date info. 573-649-2770. |
| Area Light Goose Population | 0 |
|---|---|
| Off-Area Light Goose Population | 2500 |
| Hunting Pressure | 0 |
| Hunter Success | 0 |
| Pools/Units Open for Hunting | Unit A & B; Dark Cypress Swamp |
| Area Hunt Procedures | Self Check at Duck Creek HQ or Dark Cypress Swamp. See posted information for details or call 573-222-3337 |
| Comments (Migrations, etc.) |
Small scattered groups have been using Pool 1 refuge. |
| Area Light Goose Population | 1,000 |
|---|---|
| Off-Area Light Goose Population | unknown |
| Hunting Pressure | none |
| Hunter Success | none |
| Pools/Units Open for Hunting | Refuge Pools in effect Until Feb 15th. |
| Area Hunt Procedures | Each hunter must register prior to hunting by filling out the Daily Waterfowl Hunting Tag and must report their harvest by returning the bottom portion of the card. This applies even if no birds were harvested or if the hunter chose not to hunt. Tags for Units 1 & 2 are found at the area headquarters and tags for Units 3 & 4 are found in the respective parking areas. |
| Comments (Migrations, etc.) |
Several inches of snow as of Monday, February 1 and most of marshes are frozen at this time. Snow and ice should diminish as the week goes on. |
| Area Light Goose Population | 300 |
|---|---|
| Off-Area Light Goose Population | very few |
| Hunting Pressure | Light |
| Hunter Success | ununknown |
| Pools/Units Open for Hunting | entire area except closed hunting zone and refuge areas |
| Area Hunt Procedures | Hunters are required to self register at the area headquarters by completing the daily permit/green card and return the completed report portion of the permit immedialtely following completion of the hunt. Hunters are not restricted to blinds but must not enter the waterfowl refuges or no hunting zone. |
| Comments (Migrations, etc.) |
For the past several years very few light geese have used this area diring the spring migration. Best information seems to suggest that they have shifted their migration route westward into Kansas. |
| Area Light Goose Population | 5000 |
|---|---|
| Off-Area Light Goose Population | 1000 |
| Hunting Pressure | none |
| Hunter Success | 0 |
| Pools/Units Open for Hunting | A,B,C,F,G & H pools |
| Area Hunt Procedures | Light goose hunters are required to check in/out at the area headquarters by filling out a daily WATERFOWL HUNTING CARD and report their kill by returning the bottom portion after their hunt, even if they harvested no geese. Maps with the hunting areas outlined are posted on the bulletin board at the headquarters. |
| Comments (Migrations, etc.) |
Call 417-432-3414 with any questions or for more information. |
| Area Light Goose Population | 0 |
|---|---|
| Off-Area Light Goose Population | 100 |
| Hunting Pressure | None |
| Hunter Success | Poor |
| Pools/Units Open for Hunting | All pools after January 31 |
| Area Hunt Procedures | Self check at the area HQ. Hunters also need to check out after they are finished hunting. |
| Comments (Migrations, etc.) |
There are no geese using the area at this time. We will update this information as we start getting spring migration activity. |
| Area Light Goose Population | 0 |
|---|---|
| Off-Area Light Goose Population | unknown |
| Hunting Pressure | moderate |
| Hunter Success | unknown |
| Pools/Units Open for Hunting | Entire area is open to hunting except pool 1-5 which is refuge until after February 15. |
| Area Hunt Procedures | All waterfowl hunters must self register at designated parking lots prior to and immediately after completing the hunt. |
| Comments (Migrations, etc.) |
Will update as conditions change. For questions about Settles' Ford call (816) 862-6488. |
| Area Light Goose Population | None |
|---|---|
| Off-Area Light Goose Population | Very few |
| Hunting Pressure | Light |
| Hunter Success | Poor |
| Pools/Units Open for Hunting | Entire area open except the refuge. Refuge will open February 15th |
| Area Hunt Procedures | Fill out hunter survey cards located in the parking lots and return to drop box at conclusion of hunt. |
| Comments (Migrations, etc.) |
Last migration seen was during the week of January 25th. |