Ross's Goose hunting
View 5 hunts View all hunts5 hunting trips from 3 outfitters starting from $2,700
Where to hunt Ross's Goose
The Ross’s goose (Anser rossii) are the smallest of the so-called light geese, a group that also includes the greater and lesser white geese. These species breed in the Arctic tundra of North America. Ross’s geese are more concentrated in the Central Flyway, favoring agricultural fields, wetlands, and shallow bodies of water across the prairie pothole regions of Canada, North Dakota, and South Dakota during migration. Compared to snow geese, Ross’s geese are less likely to be found in expansive coastal marshes and instead prefer smaller wetlands and midcontinental habitats, as well as agricultural fields rich in leftover grain, where they can be found in smaller, more cohesive flocks compared to the massive aggregations of snow geese. During the winter, Ross’s geese settle primarily in the southern U.S., including Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, as well as California, which is often described as their “stronghold”.Their preference for in coastal zones.
Price distribution
Ross’s goose hunting is affordable and often paired with snow goose hunts due to their overlapping habitats and seasons. You can find a day’s guided hunt for $200 to $500, while multi-day hunts with accommodations and meals typically cost between $1,000 and $1,500 a hunter a day. Spring conservation hunts offer exceptional value, with liberal bag limits, extended shooting hours, and the use of electronic calls, allowing for high-volume shooting and an unforgettable experience.
White Alert: Light Geese Hunting in North America
If you’re intrigued by the excitement of hunting Ross’s geese and other light geese species, don’t miss our blog post. This comprehensive guide delves into the unique challenges and thrills of pursuing light geese, from understanding their migration patterns to mastering effective hunting techniques - and explains why the Spring Conservation Order is a necessity.
8 Feb 2018 White Alert: Light Geese Hunting in North AmericaWhen to hunt Ross's Goose?
The hunting seasons for Ross’s geese align with their migratory and wintering patterns, offering opportunities throughout the year. The fall migration takes place from September to November, when Ross’s geese can be hunted in Canada and northern U.S. states. From November to February, Ross’s geese concentrate in the southern U.S. Last but not the least, the Spring Conservation Season, from February to April, gives you an opportunity to hunt Ross’s geese as they return north.
Hunting methods
Ross’s geese are typically hunted along with other light geese, using similar methods, and are attracted by the greater snow geese decoys, which most guides use by default. However, a targeted strategy is necessary if you want to focus on Ross’s geese, or if they are the predominant species in the time and place of your hunt. Ross’s geese are more frequently found in agricultural fields than in expansive coastal wetlands, where snow geese dominate. They also have a different vocalisation, higher-pitched and less raucous than snow geese, so you want to get a specialized call check out our selection of waterfowl calls. Some hunters claim that in the areas where Ross’s geese and snow geese are present in equal numbers, the overall best approach is to combine great white decoys with Ross goose calling sounds. Ross geese smaller size and tightly knit flocks present a greater challenge when shooting - don’t forget that you need to abandon the idea of killing two birds with one charge, and focus on an individual target.
Why hunt Ross's Goose?
Hunting Ross’s geese offers a unique and rewarding experience for waterfowl enthusiasts. Unlike the larger and more widespread snow goose, Ross’s geese present a distinct challenge due to their smaller size, cohesive flock behavior, and habitat preferences. Their quick, erratic flight patterns and sharp eyesight add excitement and test the skills of even seasoned hunters. For an environmentally conscious hunter, hunting Ross’s geese as well as other light geese is almost a duty. We humans messed up with their populations, offering them much more food with our improved agricultural methods. That greatly improved winter survival chances, and led to overpopulation in the breeding grounds, where goose colonies exterminate highly sensitive tundra environments. The spring conservation order season is a necessity to control the populations, preserving the tundra not only for the geese, but also for the caribou, lemmings, and other species. In addition to the thrill of the hunt, Ross’s geese are prized for their tender, flavorful meat, which is excellent for grilling, roasting, or making sausage. Hunting these birds also takes place in diverse and picturesque landscapes, from the prairie potholes of Canada to the southern U.S.’s agricultural heartlands. Whether you’re pursuing them during the fall migration, wintering season, or high-volume spring conservation hunts, Ross’s geese offer an unforgettable waterfowl hunting adventure. Start planning your Ross’s goose hunt today!
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