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Canada goose season spans parts of five months in Kansas, providing waterfowlers with exciting
hunting prospects even close to urban areas. Canada geese readily winter in city situations,
roosting on urban ponds, fountains, rivers, and sandpits during winter freezeup. They
often fly to outlying crop areas to feed.
Marty Hoskinson is among the state’s ardent goose hunters who take advantage of the lengthy
season at every chance. His hunting spots on private property are often within sight
and sound of a busy city. He and his friends share the time and expense of setting large
decoy spreads to attract flying geese. And more often than not, the payoff results in
daily limits of three Canada geese for each hunter present.
But not always. Like all hunting, this has its ups and downs, and a recent, late season
outing had its frustrations. While thousands of birds worked over the decoys, and the hunters
hid in a natural blind, the cold hours were mostly quiet, bolstered by coffee and endless
joking that’s also an important part of Kansas hunting among friends.
As they did so, flight after flight passed without interest.
Just twice, a few Canadas broke off to join the decoys and provide close shots. Those
moments, though few on this trip, were as exciting as any. All of those birds were taken,
and a young retriever on its first goose hunt distinguished itself with a fine retrieve
– a memorable moment to set this hunt apart from others.
The hunters, surprised at the turnaround poor success compared to recent hunts at this same
location, finally blamed it on the calm winds and lack of realistic decoy motion. A feeding
flock of live Canadas is usually noisy and boisterous. Wary, late-season geese on final
approach are quick to break off, saying “No Thanks” to any suspicious setup.
Even so, it was worth the cold February outing. The hunters will try again this week and through
next weekend, enjoying Kansas Canada goose hunting until its last day, February 14. They’re
already talking about plans for next season. That’s the way it is with goose hunting
– it gets in your blood.
I’m Mike Blair for Kansas Wildlife and Parks.