We specialize in hunts in Mound City, Missouri because it is a major staging area for snow geese in the spring as they continue their migration back north. The area is like a funnel in the flyway meaning the biggest numbers of snows migrating come through that area and stage on the refuge. Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge. (www.squawcreek.org) which at times will hold up to 2 million snow geese at once. We have seen times when there was somewhere between 2-3 million birds in the area at once. Last season for instance there was probably somewhere in that vicinity of birds in the area. There was a day when birds that migrated north migrated back to the area from the north due to weather and birds from the south migrated north to the refuge. Needless to say we had one field that harvested 168 snows and one field that harvested 72. There were as many birds in the area as I ‘ve seen in the past 7 years of hunting in Mound City. The area is one that we have found through experience will hold the greatest number of birds for the longest period of time. That is why we specialize our hunts in this area. We do however continue to follow the migration north into the Dakotas usually mid to late March.
The dates every year that we hunt in Mound City usually are the same unless there is some sort of major winter storm or freezing temperatures. During the past 7 years the hunting has always been between Feb 15-20 that the refuge will begin to see birds migrating in and staging. As the first week of March has usually been when the refuge has peaked out at its highest numbers of snow geese. We usually hunt the area until March 20th. The hunting is usually extremely good during these times so you should book your hunt somewhere between Feb 15th and the end of the March 20.
Field Locations from Refuge
Hunting around the refuge is great however we only hunt fields the birds use, we do not usually hunt just any field just because its by the refuge. We hunt where the birds are is all I can say. Normally we will hunt in a corn field or bean field that had feeding birds in it the previously, other times we will hunt over water set-ups on ponds or small lakes where we catch birds migrating through not stopping at the refuge or birds coming back from feeding that are really thirsting or need to cool down. We also hunt man-made set-ups such as flooded corn fields with pit blinds however we only do that depending on special conditions or circumstances. We have scouts chase the birds every day and find new fields to stay on top of them. You can expect to hunt wherever we have found the birds want to be. We do use some set ups that will stay in the same location that are placed where snow goose traffic is extremely high and decoy the birds as they feed or migrate away from refuges and roosts. However like I’ve said we want to hunt the fields the birds want to be in as much as possible.
We normally run somewhere in the vicinity of 1700-2500 snow goose decoys per set-up. The decoys we will run in that set-up are top of the line decoys. We use custom northwinds, sillo socks, deadlies, shells, and fullbodies. We believe in large amounts of decoys so that we can have the best chance of decoying the most birds in close. That would normally be the decoys we would use for a cornfield set up however at times when we hunt over water our set up will change. At times we will run floaters and all full body decoys and shells which has proven to be unbelievable hunting given the right conditions as well as the other set up. Depending on the field we change the amount of decoys and types of decoys we use as well as rotary flying machines, sillo sock flyers, and other flying decoys or aerials. We hunt over what gives us the best chance of decoying the most birds . We use the highest of quality electronic callers which gives us the ability to turn gigantic flocks of snow geese miles away. The volume and quality of sound our callers use is very unique. Its unbelievable the amount of birds you can turn at the distance, simply put is you have to see it to believe it. We utilize several speakers and callers per field, that also allows us to have flexibility to find the volume and sounds that the snow geese like the most. You can expect to be hunting out of finisher blinds which are very comfortable and keep you out of the elements for the most part when out in the field. They also conceal you from the birds which is extremely critical. If the birds see anything that isn’t a snow goose say good bye. These birds are extremely wary and concealment is the difference in shooting the birds at 20 or 30 yards instead of 40 or 50. Overall we also use other equipment to bring lots of snow geese in close and provide you comfort while in the field however these are the main things. We provide all the equipment but as hunters you may be asked to help move some decoys and that is required at times during special circumstances.
On your hunt with us you should expect to shoot between 10-50 snow geese per day. We average around 20-25 birds per field per day however there are days where we will shoot more and days where we have shot none out of a field in the past. I cannot however remember the last time that we have not shot any but you never know for sure hunting is hunting and there isn’t a guarantee when you are hunting wild birds. With that being said however last season was great. Our clients shot just over 3000 snow geese last spring in Missouri and the Dakotas. Our best day was 168 snows out of 1 field and our worst day was 5 or 6. We averaged about 35 birds per field however last season. The conditions were great for hunting the entire spring for the most part, good as to be expected I will say. Most of our clients hunt with us between 2-5 days giving them more opportunity for a big shoot, one of those 50-100 bird days or maybe even a day over the century mark which can be unbelievable. I would say you want to hunt at least 3 to 4 days however. Given the right weather conditions and birds you never know what could happen, last season our 168 bird day proved that. The hunting can be legendary with the population exploding the way it has. Its an opportunity that you don’t want to miss because when its all over said and done there will never probably be another opportunity in our lifetimes to see such an unbelievable sight of seeing thousand upon thousands of birds. To see thousands of birds above you spiraling down killing altitude to beat each other to the ground is quite the sight. To look up and see thousand s of birds stacked as far and high as you can see, to see the amount of birds coming that close, and the sound they make when they are decoying down to you. I’m sure you have heard of it…it’s the white tornado and you need to experience it. Given the right conditions during peak migration times you could have that opportunity. To see something like that is unbelievable not to mention after the smoke clears you see 15-20 birds falling. We had a 27 bird rainout last spring that was crazy and spectacular in every way. However the majority of your shots will most likely be at the flocks of snows that reach close gun range anywhere between 5 and 30 birds. The last thing I will say is you can expect anything when you hunt these magnificent birds.
At least 2 boxes of shells per day you hunt I would recommend unless you shoot a gun with an ext tube. I shoot 12 ga 3-½ BBB with a pattern master choke tube which is lethal. I would recommend shooting 12 ga 3in or 3-½ however between the sizes of steel 1 or 2s to BB, BBB, or even T’s. Whatever you like to shoot its your choice just be sure its non-toxic boys. I would definitely bring some thing so that you are able to clean out your shotgun after each days hunt. The wind and dirt gets inside the gun and the next time a flock of snows comes in feet down your gun jams.. Its not a good feeling and we clean our shotguns regularly to avoid catastrophe like that. Camo warm waterproof clothes, gloves, facemask, and boots is absolutely critical, it could be 50 degrees or it could be 10 degrees. It can get extremely muddy at times so prepare accordingly for that because normally the mud isn’t good if you’ re not prepared for it. At times waders is the easiest however you will not need them necessarily depending on the amount of mud. Being able to take your waders off and be clean underneath can be the best way to go. You may want to bring some food and snacks to the field with you its your choice. Normally we do not leave the field for lunch however it is your choice to go grab some food or stay. Bringing a camera is a great idea also, we want you to take back plenty of pictures of your hunt however if for some reason you forget one we can send you the pictures. We also recommend you get your license online to avoid any hassles morning of the hunt, get your license ahead of time. You will need a cooler to keep the birds from spoiling and getting bad. We do clean birds and the fee is not included in the basic hunt package, We charge $3 per bird to clean them for you.
$180.00 per hunter per day
Food and Lodging Available also please contact us for more info
Your deposit of 50% is required after booking the hunt to reserve your spot. The remaining balance is do 30 days before the hunt. The money you have paid is not refunded for any reason. If you have to cancel the trip then you will lose the deposit unless someone takes your place. If you paid the entire amount of the money we will give you back 50% or apply to a future hunt. All of your payments made to us are for expenses we must pay before your trip is even started. So we must have this money beforehand. If there are no birds in the area due to horrible weather conditions or the conditions or un-huntable we will push back the hunt or reschedule it. When you send us the money for the hunt you are saying that you understand the way this works and are considered to have understood these policies that we have.
The license is $40 dollars if you are a non-resident. You will need a small game license and the $6 migratory bird stamp. Born after Jan. 1, 1967 you will need a Hunter Safety Certificate to get a license. If you were born after that date and do not have a safety certificate then you can purchase the Apprentice License for 2 years without having the safety certificate but the you have to get one after that two years of hunting is over. The Apprentice License is $10 and allows you to purchase the license so it would be $50 total if you don’t have Hunter Certificate.