Spring Light Goose Update

April 15

The Game and Fish Department hasn’t received any reports over the past week as a number of people are battling flood conditions. However, mild temperatures and the lack of a snow line are allowing geese to push north, and birds will continue to make their way through the state over the next several days. Unless conditions dictate otherwise, this will be the last report for this spring.

April 9

Mild temperatures continue to bring snow geese into North Dakota. Several concentrations have been observed south of Interstate 94 with birds moving north into the central portion of the state. Several flocks have even been observed as far north as Devils Lake. The forecast calls for temperatures to reach 50 through the weekend. Hunters are reminded to be cognizant of road conditions, with many deemed impassible. It is important to maintain positive hunter-landowner relations by using proper discretion on suspect roadways.

April 6

Nothing significant happened during the past week with the snow goose migration in North Dakota. Smaller flocks have made their way into the southern portion of the state, but have returned south during evening hours. The migration will continue to increase in the number of flocks and size over the next week as the temperature is expected to reach 50 in portions of the state. There is still a significant amount of snow on the ground in most of North Dakota.

March 31

A spring snowstorm dropping up to 2 feet of snow across the southern portion of North Dakota most likely pushed the small number of snow geese that were in the state back into South Dakota. The forecast for the remainder of the week calls for highs around 30 and lows in the teens. This message will be updated once we receive reports of activity in North Dakota.

March 24

Snow geese had been making their way into the state, but blustery weather conditions are blanketing North Dakota and forecasters are predicting up to a foot of snow to fall in portions of the state. In addition, water issues dominate much of North Dakota as several areas are under a flood warning. The current weather system should make its way through the state by Thursday, but flooding will continue to be an immediate concern. What the current weather pattern will do to the migration is unknown at this time. After the system passes through, updated information will be posted prior to the weekend.

March 20

The first sightings of snow geese were observed in North Dakota this week. Small flocks were seen entering the south central and southeastern portions of the state, but turned back south during the evening. Hunters are reminded that early scouting birds are unpredictable and do have a tendency to move back south.

The bulk of the migration remains to the south. Temperatures in Bismarck are forecasted to be in the 50s through the weekend, with the potential for either a rain or snow storm early next week.

March 16

The spring light goose migration has made its way into South Dakota, and if the weather forecast holds true it shouldn’t be too long before some find their way into North Dakota. A sure indication of imminent snow geese arrival is the sign of Canada geese filling the sky, which happened frequently over the weekend.

Mild temperatures are forecasted for the next several days. The temperature in Bismarck reached the mid 40s over the weekend, and the upcoming 7-day forecast has highs remaining in the 40s through the week and reaching the 50s on the weekend. There is still a lot of snow covering much of North Dakota, but warm temperatures will cause snow to quickly dissipate in the south central portion of the state.

Feb. 23

North Dakota spring light goose hunters can track general locations of geese as birds make their way through the state during the upcoming spring season. Updates will be provided periodically during the week as migration events occur, until the season ends or geese have left the state.

Spring snow goose reports are intended to alert hunters when geese are in the state. It will not provide numbers or specific locations, but at the same time it will provide the general path they are taking through the state.

Snow geese tend to move through North Dakota fairly quickly in the spring, with arrival and duration in the state dependent on weather conditions. Snow geese generally start showing up in the southeast part of the state mid-to-late March, but huntable numbers usually aren’t around until the last week in March, or even the first week in April. Movements through the state are largely dependant on available roosting areas and the extent of the snow line.

Bird Identificaton

Hunters are reminded that species identification is extremely important because white-fronted (speckle-bellies) and Canada geese travel with light geese. The spring season is closed to white-fronts and Canada geese. Click here to see a photo of these species in flight.

Some Notes on the Spring Migration Route

Snow goose migration in spring tends to occur farther east than in the fall. Birds generally arrive in the southeastern corner of the state and spread north and northwest through the Valley City, Jamestown, Devils Lake, Rugby and Kenmare areas. However, scattered flocks may be found anywhere in the state during spring.

Birds normally move through the state quickly, their arrival and stay depending on weather and availability of open water and food.

Light Goose Hotline Provides Migration Updates

Migration updates available at 701-328-3697, until season ends or geese have left the state.

View 2009 Spring Light Goose Regulations

HIP (Harvest Information Program) registration is required of all migratory bird hunters. Hunters must register annually before hunting ducks, geese, swans, mergansers, coots, cranes, snipe, doves and woodcock. Note:  Save your HIP number and record it on your fall hunting license.

Register with HIP:

• By phone:  Before your license is legal you must register by calling toll free 1-888-634-4798. After answering a brief survey, you will receive a HIP registration number which must be recorded on your fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate
• On the Web:  Click here to check your number if you are already registered or click here to register.

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