Snow Geese Arriving

Snow geese are starting to move into portions of northern North Dakota, but the weekly report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service adds that other parts of the state have not experienced much change in waterfowl populations.

A few more snow geese have reached J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge in north-central North Dakota. Project leader Bob Howard says the Westhope area is holding about 40,000 snow geese, groups of 20 to 300 lesser Canada geese are being seen up and down the refuge, and some greater Canada geese remain. He adds that the refuge's duck population may be down a little from last week, but some diving ducks are moving in. Howard reports a large number of tundra swans throughout the area, and quite a few sandhill cranes southwest of Kramer.

The waterfowl migration is just beginning in northeastern North Dakota. Biologist Mark Fisher of the Devils Lake Wetland Management District says snow geese and ducks are just starting to move in, but he doesn't expect any big movement until the weather changes. Fisher notes that public lands have been getting heavy hunting pressure, ducks are becoming decoy shy and scouting is mandatory. He suggests hunters try the Lake Alice and Lakota areas, as well as Petersburg, where there has been less pressure and a good mallard population. However, Fisher adds that motorized boats are not allowed on Lake Alice.

About 500 snow geese have arrived at Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge northwest of Minot. Refuge spokesperson Darla Leslie says there has been very little waterfowl movement, with about 5,000 Canada geese between Grano and the headquarters, up to 10,000 ducks scattered throughout the refuge, and some sandhill cranes.

At Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge near Kenmare, a few more waterfowl have moved in, but populations are still low. Refuge manager Dan Severson estimated 5,000 snow geese at mid-week, along with 2,000 Canada geese and 5,000 ducks spread out on the refuge. He adds that some migrating diving ducks are showing up, and tundra swans have begun to arrive.

A few more migrating Canada geese and sandhill cranes have reached Mountrail County. Todd Frerichs of the Lostwood Wetland Management District says the duck population is still not very good and few snow geese have been spotted.

The already low waterfowl numbers in northwestern North Dakota have declined even more. Tim Kessler of the Crosby Wetland Management District says a few small flocks of Canada geese and a few sandhill cranes remain, but some of the ducks have left and he has seen some high migration of ducks, Canada geese and snow geese.

Public lands in central North Dakota are seeing fairly heavy hunting pressure. Audubon National Wildlife Refuge project leader Mike McEnroe says the refuge has about 5,000 Canada geese, lots of ducks, but virtually no snow geese. He reports the Washburn area is holding quite a few Canada geese.

Very little migration has taken place at Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge near Moffit. Deputy refuge manager Tomi Buskness reports the refuge is still holding about 1,500 Canada geese, up to 5,500 sandhill cranes and large numbers of shovelers and gadwalls. She says they have been joined this week by some small flocks of white-fronted geese. The best hunting opportunities are in northern Burleigh and Kidder counties, where water
conditions are better.

For more North Dakot waterfowl reports see the Fishing Buddy Outdoors ND Waterfowl report pages.

Homepage photo provided by Keith S., a Fishing Buddy Outdoors member. See the fullsize Photo of Keith's 2003 early season hunt in the FBO Photo Gallery.