Silly question: Anyone able to take me out snow goose hunting (Near Ottawa)?

emilio613

emilio613

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**** I KNOW, I know... people will critique me, but I am trying this anyway.

I am in Ottawa South. I know that Snow Goose season is now open in WMU 65, so within my neck of the woods.

I was wondering, since I have never had the chance to go goose hunting yet (land access/timing the last few years etc, living in the city, other excuses I could list - mainly my fault), is there any chance anyone around the Ottawa area could just let me tag along with them for one hunt, maybe try a few shots at some birds? (I have an over under, and am not a terrible shot)

IF NOT, does anyone have ideas for me, on how to get into it? (other than going around knocking on doors, etc).

REASON I am asking is because I do not possess any snow goos decoys/gear. I just want to see if I'd like it/what the chances of bagging snow geese are, since I have never seen any. I don't want to invest $$ into gear, if it's not for me, and to be honest, I just want to make some new hunting friends/have companions come fall time or whatnot!

If you have any tips for me, or if someone wants to let me be a hunting buddy one day, please comment/PM me!

Thank you!

PS Please don't flame me for posting this! The internet is now a great way to connect with people, and this forum has been VERY helpful in the past!
 
The season might be open but there is too much snow in the fields. Nothing seen in the air either. But this is a good time to keep beating the bushes (to use another hunting methaphor) for a hunting partner. There is a great little gunstore in Richmond (non sponsor) that might have a bulletin board for introductions.
 
Hey! Me and my buddies opened up our own guide service about 35 min out from montreal! I don't know if that's too far for ya but the birds should be here starting next week. We have guys out scouting right now. We have plenty of great spots pm me if it interests you and for pricing info!
-TeamGooseBand
 
Op, if I were you I would go with CottageCheese, guided waterfowl hunts are awesome for new comers. Guide is another word for Pro and not only will a guide put you on huge numbers of birds, they will also answer any questions you have regarding gear and tactics. I hunt Canadas like its my job, my first 2 years I had trouble getting on bird consistently...... then I met a good guide and went on a hunt. I asked hundreds of questions witch were all answered. I more than doubled my knowledge and vastly increased my success all thanks to a guided hunt. Think of it as goose school. Good luck!
 
cooey1981 said:
Op, if I were you I would go with CottageCheese, guided waterfowl hunts are awesome for new comers. Guide is another word for Pro and not only will a guide put you on huge numbers of birds, they will also answer any questions you have regarding gear and tactics. I hunt Canadas like its my job, my first 2 years I had trouble getting on bird consistently...... then I met a good guide and went on a hunt. I asked hundreds of questions witch were all answered. I more than doubled my knowledge and vastly increased my success all thanks to a guided hunt. Think of it as goose school. Good luck!
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Bingo. Hiring a guide is like jumping a few grades in "goose school".
 
I just looked up Team goose band google, found the facebook page and looked at the pic's. Looks like a great choice! Check out the pics OP and try not to drool on your pc lol
 
Whoa! Been away for the thread a bit and got all these replies now! haha. I will look into it! The only problem for me at the moment (and you guys will hate me for saying it) is budget (I am a young guy, finished school not too long ago, just pinching pennies), and would I not have to pay a LOT more for tags/licensing in Quebec to hunt migratory birds, being a non-resident?

jlovie said:
They are flying amd landing down my way, but youre lookin at a 10 hoir drive each way. I'll try to shoo em down to ya.
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PLEASE Do! hahaa I can just imagine you running through a field like a madman, screaming "Go to Ottawa!!! OTTTAWAAAA!!!"
 
emilio613 said:
Whoa! Been away for the thread a bit and got all these replies now! haha. I will look into it! The only problem for me at the moment (and you guys will hate me for saying it) is budget (I am a young guy, finished school not too long ago, just pinching pennies), and would I not have to pay a LOT more for tags/licensing in Quebec to hunt migratory birds, being a non-resident?



PLEASE Do! hahaa I can just imagine you running through a field like a madman, screaming "Go to Ottawa!!! OTTTAWAAAA!!!"
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Well, I've done it with cows. Might as well try it with snow geese!
 
cooey1981 said:
Op, if I were you I would go with CottageCheese, guided waterfowl hunts are awesome for new comers. Guide is another word for Pro and not only will a guide put you on huge numbers of birds, they will also answer any questions you have regarding gear and tactics. I hunt Canadas like its my job, my first 2 years I had trouble getting on bird consistently...... then I met a good guide and went on a hunt. I asked hundreds of questions witch were all answered. I more than doubled my knowledge and vastly increased my success all thanks to a guided hunt. Think of it as goose school. Good luck!
Click to expand...

Oh I know waterfowl hunting is one of the most stressful and time consuming, I'm relatively new at it going into my 5th season and every year I learn more and more. But my partners have been doing it since they were old enough to shoot a gun! Last year was our first year guiding and every group we brought out called us back for a second hunt! Including 40 honkers in 45 minutes! We have permission for countless fields and great spots on the water aswell


& for our site it's actually in the process of being made now by one of our teammates wife!
Follow our progress we plan on picking a few names out of a hat from some free hunts!
 
CottageCheese said:
Oh I know waterfowl hunting is one of the most stressful and time consuming, I'm relatively new at it going into my 5th season and every year I learn more and more. But my partners have been doing it since they were old enough to shoot a gun! Last year was our first year guiding and every group we brought out called us back for a second hunt! Including 40 honkers in 45 minutes! We have permission for countless fields and great spots on the water aswell


& for our site it's actually in the process of being made now by one of our teammates wife!
Follow our progress we plan on picking a few names out of a hat from some free hunts!
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Sounds promising! I look forward to the website! (and toss my name into that hat for the draw! hehe)

PS let me know about regulations for hunting in Quebec as an Ontarian, re: cost of the license, etc
 
The issue with the Spring season is that you need a large number of decoys and gear to successfully target snows. These birds have been shot at since september and are not going to decoy easily.

The only guys I know who are even moderately successful have access to literally thousands of acres and run tens of dozens of decoys. In the area you mention you will find that snows stick around for a short time and are sitting on sod which is fragile in the spring.Getting permission is pretty hard, I had permission for one of the larger farms, but it isn't worth keeping.

Also remember that the spring season is in agricultural fields only, not on water. I hunt waterfowl from the 138 West to Kingston and have been for 8 years, I would have a hard time tracking down tracking down a field or two for the season.

I hope you find someone to take you out but I wouldn't hold my breath.
 
Turkeyslayer 1300 said:
The issue with the Spring season is that you need a large number of decoys and gear to successfully target snows. These birds have been shot at since september and are not going to decoy easily.

The only guys I know who are even moderately successful have access to literally thousands of acres and run tens of dozens of decoys. In the area you mention you will find that snows stick around for a short time and are sitting on sod which is fragile in the spring.Getting permission is pretty hard, I had permission for one of the larger farms, but it isn't worth keeping.

Also remember that the spring season is in agricultural fields only, not on water. I hunt waterfowl from the 138 West to Kingston and have been for 8 years, I would have a hard time tracking down tracking down a field or two for the season.

I hope you find someone to take you out but I wouldn't hold my breath.
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Don't sweat it, that's been my approach the whole time. I don't expect this to be fruitful. I am hoping more so, that maybe someone will take me in the fall for Canada geese!

I have a dozen Canada Goose decoys (I know, a very laughable amount), but I have no land access. I have tried asking around, but mostly received "No, we don't support that" around here.
 
emilio613 said:
Don't sweat it, that's been my approach the whole time. I don't expect this to be fruitful. I am hoping more so, that maybe someone will take me in the fall for Canada geese!

I have a dozen Canada Goose decoys (I know, a very laughable amount), but I have no land access. I have tried asking around, but mostly received "No, we don't support that" around here.
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Don't take that to heart, that is code for "we are yuppies from the city".

Most farmers hate the geese, the deer and the turkeys and if they don't already have someone hunting they are often happy to let you hunt. Most of the places I have access to I have been hunting for many years.
 
Turkeyslayer 1300 said:
Don't take that to heart, that is code for "we are yuppies from the city".

Most farmers hate the geese, the deer and the turkeys and if they don't already have someone hunting they are often happy to let you hunt. Most of the places I have access to I have been hunting for many years.
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That's what I thought! I went around Greely, but I guess it's still too close to the city. A lot of "tree huggers" for some reason. They're just geese, guys. Over populated at some points, and destroyers of crops! haha (well, seedlings/sprouts from what i've been told)

I will try again, maybe during the summer. Drive around, ask whoever I can.
 
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