Snow geese are a species of goose that breed in the Arctic during the summer and migrate south to spend the winter in the United States and Mexico. They get their name from their white plumage. Snow geese populations have increased substantially in recent decades, leading to more liberal hunting regulations intended to control their numbers. This has made snow goose hunting a popular waterfowl hunting activity across parts of the United States. But which states see the highest snow goose harvests each year?
What are snow geese?
Snow geese (Anser caerulescens) are a species of goose commonly found in North America. They breed in the Arctic during the summer months, primarily on Baffin Island, Banks Island, Victoria Island, Wrangel Island, and other islands in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Their breeding habitat consists of lowland tundra near ponds, lakes, rivers or the coast.
In the fall, snow geese embark on migrations southwards through Canada and the United States to spend the winter along the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts, the Gulf Coast, interior farm lands and even down into central Mexico. Some populations, like the ones that breed in Wrangel Island in Russia, fly all the way across the Pacific Ocean to reach wintering grounds in Asia.
Snow geese get their name from the white color of their plumage. Their heads and necks are white with dark gray flecks. The feathers on their back and wings can range from very light gray to quite dark gray. Their legs and feet are a pinkish red color. They have black wing tips which can be seen while in flight.
Snow geese mate monogamously and females lay 3-5 eggs each year. The goslings hatch in early summer and quickly learn to feed on vegetation. By fall, the juveniles are able to make the long southward migration alongside their parents.
One unique aspect of snow geese is that they travel and migrate in very large flocks, sometimes numbering in the thousands or even tens of thousands of birds. Their loud, honking call gives away the presence of a snow goose flock before they even come into view.
Snow goose hunting
Since snow geese congregate in such large flocks and undertake lengthy migrations, they have long been a popular game bird among hunters in North America. Snow goose hunting occurs to some degree throughout their lower 48 contiguous states range. The timing corresponds with their fall and spring migrations.
Snow goose hunting regulations are set by individual states with frameworks established at the federal level by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Most hunting for snow geese occurs on public lands where special permits are obtained, as well as on private agricultural lands where snow geese forage extensively.
The USFWS has gradually liberalized snow goose hunting regulations since the 1990s due to booming snow goose populations. This has allowed states to permit practices like baiting snow geese, using electronic calls, and extending seasons and bag limits. Hunters have more tools available to them than ever before to harvest snow geese.
So which states shoot the highest number of snow geese each year?
Top 5 States for Snow Goose Harvest
The following table summarizes the 5 states with the highest estimated snow goose harvests over the past 5 years based on data from the USFWS.
| State | Average Annual Harvest |
|---|---|
| Arkansas | 417,632 |
| Louisiana | 204,895 |
| North Dakota | 122,803 |
| Texas | 112,328 |
| Missouri | 97,945 |
Based on this summary, Arkansas has the highest snow goose harvest, followed by Louisiana, North Dakota, Texas and Missouri to round out the top 5. On average, Arkansas shoots over 400,000 snow geese each year, substantially higher than the other leading states.
But a deeper look at each state provides more insight into the timing, location and methods used to hunt snow geese across their core range.
Arkansas
Arkansas overwhelmingly has the highest snow goose harvest each year. The state has ideal habitat conditions and hunting areas that are located right along major Mid-continent snow goose migratory flyways.
Snow goose hunting in Arkansas takes place in two main areas:
– The Arkansas River Valley in the western part of the state
– The White River, Cache River and Mississippi River Delta regions in eastern Arkansas
These areas contain flooded agricultural fields, moist soil management units, national wildlife refuges and wetland habitat that attract huge numbers of migrating and wintering snow geese each year. Snow goose hunting takes place from early in the season, when birds first arrive in October and November, through the end of the season in late February or March.
The majority of the harvest occurs on private farmlands where snow geese come to feed. Rice, soybean, corn and wheat fields provide ideal foraging habitat for the geese. Hunting methods include field blinds, electronic snow goose calls, decoys and unplugged shotguns. The liberal season length and bag limits allow Arkansas hunters abundant opportunities to pursue snow geese.
National Wildlife Refuges like Bald Knob NWR, Cache River NWR and Wapanocca NWR also allow public snow goose hunting and provide more opportunities to hunt these birds in the state.
So in summary, a combination of ideal habitat and migration timing, liberal hunting regulations and abundant private and public land access make Arkansas the top state for snow goose hunting opportunities and success. The state has held the #1 ranking for over a decade and will likely continue dominating the snow goose harvest category for years to come.
Louisiana
Louisiana comes in 2nd, averaging just over 200,000 snow geese shot per year statewide. The geography and habitat of coastal Louisiana lies directly in the path of Central Flyway snow goose migrations. Each winter, Mid-continent snow geese follow the Mississippi Flyway through the state to reach wintering grounds like Texas and Mexico.
The heaviest snow goose hunting pressure in Louisiana occurs in the southwest and south central regions where snow geese come to winter in agricultural habitats like rice and crawfish farms. Parishes like Acadia, Jefferson Davis, Evangeline and Calcasieu tend to have the highest snow goose harvests.
Public lands offering snow goose hunting opportunities include Rockefeller State Wildlife Refuge, Marsh Island State Wildlife Refuge and Sabine National Wildlife Refuge. Hunting regulations allow for liberal limits and extended season dates to maximize harvest opportunity.
While the snow goose numbers through Louisiana may not match states further north like Arkansas, the state still sees incredible migrations and provides excellent late season hunting from January through March. Coastal areas hold snow geese well into spring before their return migration north to Arctic breeding grounds.
Overall, Louisiana captures a high portion of the Central Flyway snow goose population each winter and hunting activity reflects this in the state’s #2 national ranking.
North Dakota
Moving farther north, North Dakota comes in 3rd with an average annual snow goose harvest around 125,000 birds. Snow goose hunting in North Dakota focuses on the early season migrations before the bulk of the birds have moved south into the central states.
The prime snow goose hunting period in North Dakota occurs from mid-September through the end of December. Hunting starts as early as the opening days of the season when snow geese stage in North Dakota after leaving northern breeding areas. Numbers peak during October and November as migration fully ramps up. By late December, most snow geese have departed the state.
Major snow goose hunting areas include the Missouri Coteau region which holds numerous wetlands, stock ponds and pothole lakes. The same is true of the Souris River Basin where birds stopover in counties like McHenry, Ward and Renville. Duck breeding grounds around Devils Lake also attract migrating snow geese in the fall.
North Dakota snow goose hunters utilize field blinds near small water bodies. Decoys, calls and unplugged shotguns all help hunters maximize their opportunities on the early flights. While the hunting is not as prolonged as southern states, the excellent early season migrations make North Dakota a consistent top state for snow goose harvest.
Texas
The Central Flyway continuing into Texas where an average of 112,000 snow geese are harvested each winter. Texas has a diversity of snow goose hunting opportunities due to its size and variety of habitat.
East Texas locations like Anahuac NWR, McFaddin NWR and Texas Pt. NWR lie directly in the path of the migrations through the Mississippi and Central flyways. Snow geese hunt these coastal prairies and marshlands from October through March. The middle Texas coast around Lavaca Bay and Matagorda Island also intercepts migrating geese.
Further south, interior Texas locations provide wintering habitat for snow geese that have reached the end of their southward migrations. Counties like Knox, Haskell and Jones harbor snow geese on fields of winter wheat and other small grains.
West Texas sees fewer migrating snow geese but still provides hunting on inland lakes and reservoirs that attract wintering birds. Counties like Lubbock, Crosby and Midland produce some harvest from local snow goose flocks.
So while no single region dominates the snow goose harvest like Arkansas and Louisiana, the combination of wintering and migrating snows across Texas habitats allow plenty of hunting opportunity and help rank it 4th nationally in the standings.
Missouri
Rounding out the top 5 snow goose harvesting states is Missouri with around 98,000 snow geese killed annually. The snow goose hunting season in Missouri runs from early November to late February.
During this period, Mid-continent Population (MCP) snow geese migrate through Missouri on their way south from Arctic breeding grounds to wintering grounds in the southern U.S. and Mexico. Snow geese follow the Mississippi Flyway through the state on this migration.
The highest snow goose harvests occur around shallow wetlands, crop fields and national wildlife refuges located in northern and central Missouri. Some key counties include Adair, Schuyler, Putnam, Sullivan and Ralls which see heavy snow goose migrations. Public hunting areas like Swan Lake NWR, Ten Mile Pond CA, Fountain Grove CA and Eagle Bluffs CA provide access and consistent concentrations of migrating snow geese.
Missouri doesn’t have the extreme season length or bag limits of states further south, but still provides excellent opportunities on Mid-continent snow goose migrations through the state each fall and early winter. The ample public land and ideal habitats keep Missouri consistently in the top tier of states for snow goose harvest.
Other Notable States
Beyond the top 5 states, several other states contribute significantly to the overall snow goose harvest across migrational corridors in the Pacific, Central and Mississippi Flyways. They may not make the top 5 in average harvest, but provide excellent snow goose hunting within their state boundaries.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma sees steady snow goose traffic in the early season through the Central Flyway along the Salt Plains NWR,OPTIMAJOU NWR, and Canton WRA areas. Annual harvest numbers are around 50,000 birds for the state.
South Dakota
South Dakota provides early season snow goose hunting on the Missouri Coteau and James River Valley. Lakes like Bitter Lake, Piyas Slough, and Huron Wetland Management District hold migrating snow geese. The state averages about 45,000 snow geese killed annually.
Nebraska
The Rainwater Basin region of Nebraska attracts snow geese to shallow lakes and wetlands along their Central Flyway migrations. Snow goose harvest averages 35-40,000 birds per year in the state.
Kansas
As snow geese exit Nebraska, they continue down the Central Flyway into Kansas. Public lands like Marais des Cygnes WA, Jamestown WA, and Flint Hills NWR provide snow goose hunting habitat and access. Annual snow goose harvest is around 30,000 birds in Kansas.
Wisconsin
Snow goose hunting in Wisconsin focuses on early migrations down the Mississippi Flyway as geese leave breeding grounds. Key sites include Horicon Marsh, Brillion Marsh, and Collins Marsh. Snow goose harvest is estimated at 25,000 per year in Wisconsin.
California
The West Coast sees snow geese migrating down the Pacific Flyway which passes right through California’s Central Valley. Snow goose hunting takes place near refuges like Sacramento NWR, Colusa NWR and Kern NWR. The state averages just under 20,000 snow geese shot annually.
Mississippi
The Mississippi Flyway brings snow geese directly through Mississippi where harvest averages between 15-20,000 snow geese annually. Leaf River WMA, Duck Lake WMA, Muscadine Farms WMA offer public hunting opportunities.
So while the top states account for the bulk of the US snow goose harvest, excellent hunting opportunities exist throughout their migratory ranges on both coasts. The popularity and liberalization of snow goose hunting will likely continue seeing high participation and harvest in the coming years.
Overall US Snow Goose Harvest Trends
Looking at the big picture, statewide snow goose harvest estimates have increased substantially over the past two decades. According to USFWS data, annual US snow goose harvest from 1999-2003 averaged around 787,000 birds. Fast forward to 2018-2022 and the yearly snow goose harvest has nearly doubled to over 1.5 million birds taken by hunters.
This increase mirrors the population explosion among Mid-continent snow geese. Winter counts of snow geese have more than quadrupled from under 1 million in the 1960s to over 5 million today. Hunting regulation changes have allowed hunters to take advantage of the growing populations to provide more hunting opportunity.
As Mid-continent snow goose numbers remain high, harvest will likely keep increasing as more states liberalize their hunting frameworks. The top 5 states may shift around yearly but will continue to account for the bulk of the US snow goose harvest due to their ideal locations along the major migration corridors. Overall, snow goose hunting opportunities across the US look excellent for the foreseeable future.
Conclusion
In summary, Arkansas clearly stands out as the top state for snow goose hunting by a wide margin based on average harvest data. The combination of massive flocks wintering and migrating through the state, ample private and public land access, and liberal season frameworks make Arkansas the snow goose hunting capital of North America.
Louisiana, North Dakota, Texas and Missouri round out the top 5 states. While their harvest numbers sit well below Arkansas, these states still see consistent snow goose traffic and provide excellent hunting opportunities. Beyond the top states, much of the snow goose’s migrational range offers seasonal hunting.
With Mid-continent snow goose numbers remaining high, hunting activity and harvest will likely keep increasing across their range. Overall, the proliferation of snow geese continent-wide is a boon for hunters looking target these birds across the US.
