Doug Howlett

Seeing your first flock of snow geese dropping in on you is as grand a sight as the first pioneers felt gazing at huge herds of buffalo. Flocks of snows can grow into the tens of thousands and while spectacular to see, can be despised by farmers because these huge flocks also cause widespread damage to fields. Snow geese are notoriously wary, making the challenge of decoying massive flocks into range as exhilarating as it is maddening, but that’s exactly what keeps waterfowl hunters coming back to snow goose hunting year after year. With the spring Light Goose Conservation Order offering liberal bag limits — often unlimited — hunters have a rare chance to load up on snow geese while helping to control a population that poses a real threat to delicate habitats.  

Seasons run well into March across much of the Central and Mississippi Flyways, giving hunters ample time to get in on the action. But with the size of spreads required and the need for abundant land, this is a hunt best done through an outfitter. Here are five to consider: 

Five Great Snow Goose Hunting Hot Spots

Fowl Plains Outfitters – Great Bend, Kansas  

In the heart of the Central Flyway, Fowl Plains Outfitters specializes in guided hunts for snow geese, Canada geese, and ducks. Forget about the latter two this time of year: now is the time to go there for the massive flocks of snows, lesser and Ross geese. Kansas’ season runs through mid-March, and Fowl Plains leverages its prime location and seasoned guides to offer hunters top-tier experiences chasing dense flocks.  

I’ve hunted Fowl Plains the past two years — both times in December — and even then, the snow goose hunting has been amazing. Ask the guides and they’ll agree now is the time to be there. 

Salt Plains Outfitters – Anthony, Kansas  

With Kansas’ lengthy spring snow goose season, hunters have ample opportunities to chase large flocks as they migrate north. Salt Plains Outfitters, located near the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge in northern Oklahoma, provides premier hunts with expert guides. The refuge winters over 400,000 birds during peak migration, and with properties adjacent to the refuge, Salt Plains Outfitters has the inside track on flight patterns and feeding schedules. I’ve hunted here as well and experienced one of the most amazing days of goose hunting in my life. 

Whiteout Outfitters – Southeast Missouri  

Missouri’s snow goose season stretches into mid-to-late March and Whiteout Outfitters is well-known for its expertly-managed spring hunts. Their experienced guides and well-scouted locations across Northwest Missouri put hunters in the thick of the migration during peak season and with no limits on the number of geese they can take. 

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Leg Iron Outfitters – Northeast Arkansas  

Arkansas is known as the duck hunting destination of all duck hunting destinations, but the snow goose action this time of year is phenomenal as well. Northeast Arkansas becomes a snow goose hotspot during late winter and early spring, with the season running through late March. Leg Iron Outfitters offers well-organized hunts, capitalizing on the abundant flocks migrating through the region and providing hunters with high-success outings on their access to more than 90,000 acres. 

Longneck Outfitters – Lubbock, Texas  

Everything is bigger in Texas, and the same can be said about snow goose hunting. Here, hunters can pursue snow geese from mid-February to mid-March with Longneck Outfitters in Lubbock. Their guided conservation hunts take advantage of the southern Central Flyway’s busy migration corridor, providing thrilling hunts with knowledgeable guides and top-notch setups. 

Each of these outfitters provides access to prime hunting grounds, experienced guides and quality equipment, ensuring you make the most of the extended snow goose season and generous bag limits. Having helped set up more than a thousand decoys two hours before sunrise on snow goose hunts I’ve been on, this is not an easy do-it-yourself hunt unless you want to spend thousands on decoys and have at least 8–10 guys who want to come with you to help set the decoys out and pick them up afterwards; basically, a quality outfitter is definitely the way to go.  

If you’re into water fowling, you owe it to yourself to experience one of these hunts at least once in your lifetime. I know I haven’t been disappointed by them yet. 

Read more about snow goose hunting on iSportsmanUSA.