Seeing Snows in Illinois...

[Max4Gooser]

I have been seeing a lot of snow geese the last few days, around the Springfield area, anybody alse been seeing them, or hunting them?
Just curious how many Canada goose hunters here hunt snows in the conservation season?

[Hecht08]

been hunting carlyle a lot and there all over in there. The survey said 35,000 snow/blues, if that tells ya anything.

[SMOKE]

the 2 days we hunted my corn field we saw maybe a couple flights but that was the last two days of canada season so maybe they are gettin down here. and maybe ill get to give the new finisher a whirl.

[Max4Gooser]

I might have to run down to carlyle this week, hows the Canada population down their are they killin any birds?

[DuckDog06]

There are not many canadians down there but tons of snows and ducks i will be down there to this weekend

[Trent-Hermsmeyer]

Boy's unless I'm mistaken, the ducks you heard were here are long gone. I was out 2 weekends ago, and couldn't keep the ducks off me, and then went out both days this weekend and didn't see a fraction of the ducks, not even near the refuge. Honestly, that warm weather and south wind pushed them out. Of course, we might just get a good migration this weekend due to the full moon.

[Max4Gooser]

Hopefully the Snows stay down their for a bit longer,if not I will have to head them off up here in the Springfield area.

[Trent-Hermsmeyer]

Well, as long as the weather stays like this they should stick around for awhile. If I only had the money for a decent decoy spread I could get on some superb snow goosing. But groundpounding's gonna have to do it for me this year.

[Max4Gooser]

I can relate, Maybe it is time to think about spending some money on a snow rig, need to sell a couple of buddies on the idea also. Rags, Silos, shells, and some full bodies and maybe one of those E-callers. Maybe one of those Magextensions for the Benelli. Good luck ground pounding.

yeah those ducks deffinitely moved on, i went friday morning and there was so many ducks there and they all wanted to work. My buddy went sat. and sun. and didnt see near the birds. He did kill some golden eyes though and said he seen a few groups....thats not good. But the snows are stacked in the refuge and when they get up they want down bad, my buddy got 4 of them w/ only 50 rags! we had them working us a little w/ just open water! its pretty crazy on how many there are but not near as many honkers. Goin out this weekend to see if them birds come down, hopefully.

[Hecht08]

that was me ^^^^^

[SMOKE]

Deer season is now over, nearly had a closing night kill but couldnt get a clear shot with the ol pse nova. SO BRING ON THE SNOWS!!!!

[shoe_]

all my friends have been seeing tons of snows all over by carlyle and surrounding areas... lots of specks too. but not very many canadians

[Max4Gooser]

I got a report from a buddy of mine that is at DNR that the Snows have left Carlyle, anyone know if this is true?

[Trent-Hermsmeyer]

I have to doubt that. I have lived very near the lake/refuge my entire life, and I know that the snows typically stick around until the first substantial spring weather. Even then, there are still snows in the area due to migration. Not to mention the fact that EVERY time I've been out this year, the sound of snow geese gets stuck in my head because I've heard them all morning.

[Max4Gooser]

Glad to hear that TH, I am considering making a quick trip down to Carlyle area, never hunted that lake, always did Rend and Crab. Thanks for info.

[Trent-Hermsmeyer]

Well if you come down on a weekend I'd be glad to show you around. Farmers in the area are usually more than happy to let you get the snows out of their fields. They can literally annihalate a winter wheat field in a few hours.