No Shortage of Geese in Iowa

Jake West and Drew McCombs show off some Iowa bred Canada Geese

Iowa’s North and South early goose seasons are now under way, and reports suggest many areas of the state have very healthy goose populations.  I have talked to several hunters who said they saw hundreds of geese during their hunts over this past weekend.  Most guys were hunting freshly picked corn fields, but some guys found great success hunting water as well.  I also heard of a couple groups who found some success hunting alfalfa fields.

 

I hunted 2 areas in Central and South Central Iowa this past weekend.  Both days we saw several hundred birds.  They were in several different flocks, but they all showed up at once.  At times it was chaotic.  I talked to several groups who experienced the same thing.  Once they start flying its fast and furious.

 

All of the geese we are seeing now are a part of Iowa’s resident goose population.  They make their nesting homes on our ponds, golf courses, and marshes.  This is as far North as they ever go, and some may never leave.  Our goose population continues to thrive due to quality nesting habitat and plenty of food.  As Iowan’s we are fortunate to have excellent goose hunting opportunities from the beginning to the end of each hunting season.  Unlike the periodic duck lulls, there always seems to be plenty of geese.