Iowa Goose Season Begins Saturday
by Lowell Washburn

CLEAR LAKE - The first, two-day segment of Iowa's split Canada goose season begins September 9. When waterfowl hunters take to field this weekend they can expect to encounter fair to good numbers of homegrown honkers, according to Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) state waterfowl biologist, Guy Zenner.

"Statewide Canada goose numbers should be similar to what hunters encountered last year," said Zenner. "For geese nesting along important river corridors there was some loss due to spring flooding. But for geese nesting away from those floodplains, production was generally favorable. All together, I'd say this year's goose hatch was about average."

One notable difference from last September is that hunters will find a lack of wetland habitat across much of the state. As ponds and potholes have receded or dried up, many goose flocks have been forced to relocate to more suitable habitats. Unless substantial rainfalls arrive, marshlands that produced good hunting last year may be totally abandoned by geese this fall.

"This is the second year that Iowa's early goose season will be allowed statewide," said Zenner. "Last year, the change seemed to spread hunters out and had the benefit of easing hunting pressure across northern Iowa. With people currently having reasonable opportunities within every county of the state they no longer need a travel in order to find good goose hunting."

CANADA GOOSE SEASON DATES: