Know-How: Snow Buddies

by
posted on March 1, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
snow_buddies_f.jpg

To the uninitiated, spring snow goose hunting might just seem like another corner of the waterfowl world. It’s not—and it’s not for the faint of heart, either. No matter how hard you try, success often boils down to being at the right spot at the right time. Here are two types of people who can help you make that happen.

Landowners
Introduce yourself to as many local farmers and landowners as possible, and stay in touch with them about where the birds are—or if they’re around at all. Start the conversation and secure hunting permission before the season so you’ll be set when the geese arrive. When you locate birds, be prepared to hunt them all day. Snows move at all hours during the reverse migration, and you need to be ready when they decide it’s time to land. You can’t shoot triple-digit bags from your couch.

Outfitters
Get to know the outfitters in your area—or those 1,000 miles away, if you’d prefer. Call them, talk shop, share stories—they’re hunters, too, and are usually pretty friendly. Let them know you’d love to kill some snow geese. Every year, outfitters across the nation have dropouts and cancellations, sometimes just when the birds are ready to work. If you hit it off with an outfitter, he may drop you a line when he has a spot or two open up at the last minute. Sure it’ll cost you a few bucks and you’ll have to move quickly, but if you can afford to be on call, it’s the best chance you’ll have to hit the snow goose lottery. Indecisive types need not apply.

Trust me—when it's good, it's great. Get more information on that here.

Latest

LEDE Western Grill Bundle
LEDE Western Grill Bundle

Independence Day Deal: Hi Mountain Seasonings' Western Grill Bundle

This Independence Day, Hi Mountain Seasonings is helping outdoor cooks elevate their holiday menus with the Western Grill Bundle, available for just $54.39.

Range Review: Rossi R95 Triple Black Pistol .454 Casull

Hold on tight because this lever-action pistol is an adventure to shoot! Check out the Rossi R95 Triple Black Pistol, chambered in .454 Casull.

Forest Service Signs MOU Advancing Wildlife-based Access

The U.S. Forest Service and the Boone and Crockett Club signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in late May that underscores the importance of sustaining outdoor recreation opportunities.

Henry Honors America's 250th with Collector-Grade Rifles

Henry Repeating Arms is now shipping the America's 250th Anniversary Tribute Edition Collection: three collector-grade lever-action rifles to mark the nation's 250th anniversary of independence.

Behind the Bullet: The .500-416 Nitro Express

When discussing the Nitro Express cartridges, my mind is immediately drawn to East Africa in the first few decades of the 20th century, but there are modern developments which fill a niche. One such is the .500/416 3 ¼-inch Nitro Express developed by Kreighoff at the end of the 20th century. Let's look at the history and characteristics of the .500-416 Nitro Express.

New for 2026: Bear Creek Arsenal .30-30 Uppers

Bear Creek Arsenal is expanding its lineup with new .30-30 Winchester rifle and upper options, bringing one of America's most recognized hunting calibers into modern sporting rifle configurations.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.