Sunrises and Sky Pandas: Pennsylvania’s Early Goose Season

Each year, September 1 signifies the start of the wing shooting season.

For some its early Teal, others its Doves, but in Pennsylvania it’s the start of a 30 day stretch of early Goose season.

With crops starting to come off the fields, there is no shortage of waste sitting in the fields for these birds to feast on.  Crops range from soybeans, wheat, freshly mowed hay fields, and my personal favorite, fresh-cut corn fields. Birds start putting patterns down and allow themselves to become food-driven to the point they drop their guard and become oblivious to their surroundings.

Since early Goose Season may be a new adventure for you, I have compiled a small guide on the basics to help you make the most of it.

Gear Up for Success

Making the most of early goose season requires the proper tools for success:

• Decoys: Depending on the location of your hunt you may find yourself using a mix of floating or full-body decoys.  You may even have a couple dozen socks in your arsenal.  Your hunt location will determine this.  Try to space your decoys out to give the appearance of a larger flock.  Remember to set your decoys based on the wind and flight pattern you have observed.  Make sure you keep the kill hole!
• Calls: Invest in quality goose calls. It would help if you had been practicing your calling all summer and not right before the season starts; good calling can make for a great day, but bad calling can make for a terrible day.  Practice often!
• Camouflage: Early season often means dealing with sometimes still-green vegetation or fields with no cover. Choose camo that blends well with the late-summer landscape, and consider using blinds or natural cover to stay concealed.  You have a few options if you’re hunting a fresh-cut field.  Cover the blind with the crop that was present before the field was harvested or go with a layout blind.  Try to scrape up any remnants of the harvested crop from the field to “brush in” your hide.

Choosing the Right Spot

Location is key when hunting geese.

• Feeding Areas: Geese are often found in fields where they graze on crops like corn or wheat. Scout these areas in advance to find where geese are feeding.  If you have found a feeding location, remember they will move through a field and may not be in the same location the next time they visit.  Look for crops nearby that may soon be up for harvest and speak to the landowners.  A lot of times landowners will allow you to hunt after they are finished with their “chores”.  ALWAYS ASK for permission before you walk onto someone’s property.  They may already have given permission to someone else.  Don’t be that guy that tries to buy your way into someone’s spot.
• Water Sources: Ponds, lakes, and rivers can be great spots, especially if they’re near feeding areas. Geese use these for loafing areas.  Research the location to make sure you are allowed to be there.  Come prepared for the conditions.  I have hunted many early season days from a floating kayak while fishing.  Often, geese on these waterways are so accustomed to the presence of people that they don’t get up until it’s too late.  Make sure you watch out for other people on the water, especially public waterways and obey all laws in your state.  No goose is worth a ticket or jail sentence!
• Roosting Sites: Identifying where geese are roosting can help you position yourself effectively. Geese often return to the same roosting sites, so knowing their patterns can be helpful.  Roosting sites are controversial topics from time to time.  Some people choose to hunt roosting sites.  I don’t, as it causes the birds to change their patterns completely and can become an issue when the migrators show up later in the season.

Hunting Tips and Techniques

Here are a few tips to increase your chances of success.

• Arrive Early: Get to your spot well before dawn. Geese are often most active in the early morning hours.  If you have done your research you will know if the location you are hunting is an early shooter or later.  I typically like to arrive no less than 2 hours before the legal shooting light.  You find that you have more tasks to complete once you get there and may need some extra time to cut more cover!
• Be Patient: Geese can be wary and might take time to approach. Stay still and maintain your concealment.  It’s important to know when to call your shot as well.  If the birds seem leery of the spread you may need to call the shot on a pass instead of waiting for them to be feet down in the field.
• Adjust Your Spread: If geese are not responding as expected, don’t be afraid to adjust your decoys or calling strategy. Sometimes a slight change can make a big difference.  On our first day out this season, the first flock into the field went to a completely different location.  We realized quickly we were off the X and needed to move the entire spread and blind in a matter of moments before the rest of the birds started showing up.  Think on the fly and be decisive.  If you decide to move, move quickly!

Conservation and Etiquette

Respect the environment, property and your fellow hunters.

• Following Regulations: Always adhere to the bag limits and hunting laws. This helps maintain healthy wildlife populations and preserves hunting opportunities for future generations.  Overhunting and small populations can have negative effects next year.  It can lessen bag limits, shorten seasons, or restrict hunting in certain locations.
• Practicing Ethical Hunting: Ensure quick and humane kills. This includes using effective shots and dispatching wounded birds quickly.  We recommend a “Finisher” which you can learn more about in our waterfowl gear guide.
• Leaving No Trace: Clean up all equipment and trash. Leave your hunting area in the same or better condition than you found it.  If planning to hunt the same location again discuss the expectation with the land owner and adhere to their request.  Private land is hard to come by so respect it!

Understanding the Regulations

Before heading out, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the regulations. Pennsylvania’s Game Commission sets specific rules for early goose season.

• Dates: The season usually starts at the beginning of September and runs for about a month, though dates can vary by year and region.
• Bag Limits: Typically, hunters are allowed to harvest more geese per day during this period compared to the regular season. It’s important to check the latest regulations for exact limits.
• Licenses and Permits: Ensure you have a valid hunting license and any required permits. Some areas might have additional rules or restrictions, so always verify local regulations.

In conclusion,

As September unfolds and early goose season kicks off, Pennsylvania’s fields and waters become a haven for dedicated hunters eager to embrace the start of wing shooting. With a little preparation and attention to detail, this period offers a unique blend of excitement and challenge that can make for a memorable season.

By equipping yourself with the right gear, scouting effectively, and adhering to best practices for hunting and conservation, you can ensure that your experience is both successful and enjoyable.

So, gear up, respect the land and its rules, and savor every sunrise as you embark on this thrilling hunt.

Here’s to a great start to your hunting season—may it be filled with rewarding moments and unforgettable adventures.

Also don’t forget the Sheetz Breakfast….