Reports

How Weather Affects Snow Goose Hunting

It might be of interest to you to know how weather influences decoying snow geese in a field. There are three conditions that are very detrimental: calm, sunshine, and frost. We are always hoping not to have to deal with all three the same morning.

I consider what is happening with the wind to be the most significant weather factor in field decoying. Dead calm is bad news. A breeze that stops and then changes direction is a real nightmare. On the other hand, if there is too much wind the birds will “hang up” at the downwind end of the spread. This can be remedied in part by having the right kind of wind socks that don't trash around in high wind. If the wind is strong enough one ends up chasing their decoys across the field. Snow geese are very active when feeding so a consistent breeze (ideally 10-12 mph) is very helpful because it creates movement in the decoys and allows the guide to anticipate where the birds will try to land.

When it is sunny the birds see too well and anything that is shiny becomes very visible. Further, the shadows created by the sun give the birds a better 3D view. Clouds encourage the birds to fly lower. Bad weather makes them want to get on the field to start eating as soon as possible.

Frost on the stubble gets knocked off while setting the decoys. That makes the tracks become very visible from the air. Also, once the warmer decoys are set out they gather frost so when the sun hits them they get wet and shiny.

That’s why a cloudy, mild morning with a consistent breeze puts a smile on the face of a goose outfitter.
 
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