I dread it every year when the waterfowl season comes to an end. This time of the year I spend so many hours and days with so many different and wonderful people in different parts of North America chasing waterfowl I wish it would never end. Family traditions are honored in our slough together and new friends are made each season with the same compassion and love for chasing waterfowl. The weather conditions never keep me away or discourage me. My hopes are always bright for a successful day and just the opportunity to be out in nature is truly rewarding. Just to see the birds and geese up close is amazing. Soaking up the entire outdoors experience is what it is all about. When the season dwindles down I try to make the most of each day left. It's tough - it really is.

When someone falls into a lull of despair one may seek a certain particular type of therapy to get through it. Well I only need one therapy to get me though the off-season: Snow Goose Hunting. Theses beautiful and colonial migrating geese have a breeding population well-estimated at over 3 million. They are hunted annually from their migration down to the southern states and back up to their breeding grounds in the northern arctic regions. These birds are eating themselves literally out of house and home. The breeding grounds cannot sustain these astronomical numbers of birds. Back in 1999, a Conservation Order was put into place through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services for a liberal bag limit, unplugged shotguns, early shooting hours, and permission to use electronic callers. More than 20 states are participating to help aid in population management to help in the decreasing of their own habitat degradation.

This year I chased Snow Geese all over South Dakota . These birds usually have a push through in the Spring time for two to three weeks with some straggling smaller numbers at the end. You will usually see adults migrate first with more juveniles towards the end. Since these birds are hunted annually they are wiser and tougher to decoy. Weather plays a key role and at times, minimum and large numbers of decoys are very important. Electronic callers are now put on MP3 players with large speakers. Technology is really adding an interesting role in the use of them.

For information on Snow Goose hunting, check with your local DNR for rules and regulations. Snow Goose hunting is a great example of how we as hunters make a difference in the conservation management of the wildlife we love so much. And remember if you are down and out about the end of the waterfowl season take up Snow Goose hunting and you will be hooked. They are a bird all in their own with much to learn and master. They will really test your patience, knowledge and dedication to the love of waterfowling.