Snow geese nest in the far reaches of the Arctic, and the time it takes them annually to initiate a nest, hatch goslings, and rear them until fledged is a race against Mother Nature. The circle of life drives the species to return to their historic nesting grounds as early as possible each spring. However, the weather, moon phase, and timing make them unpredictable.

The first snow geese to return to Alberta each year are adults who know the importance of being early. Most years, there are some of these early birds when the season opens on March 15. However, they are only in the lower reaches of the province, where milder weather and available food and water allow them to return.

By early April, central Alberta starts to see an influx of white geese. It seems late compared to local Canada geese that may have already initiated nesting and incubation. Most of these birds will be solid white, indicating that they are primarily adults. Deciphering adults from juveniles is important, as the mature birds have seen several hunting seasons and tend to be naturally wary. The juveniles are excited to be part of their first migration back to the north, and often respond to decoys and calls. Grey or dark feathers and darker feet distinguish juveniles from the pink bills and feet of adults.

Late April is usually the best time to target migrating snow geese staged throughout the province’s agricultural areas. White geese push hard to get north but have a keen sense of when to make the big jump from the last agricultural, high-protein food sources to an ice-bound tundra where food is meager. Nests need to be initiated in May to fledge goslings by early fall when the migration south starts.

Snow goose hunting can be good in early May, but it is weather dependent, and years with warm temperatures and little snow will see the snow and Ross’ geese migrate through faster. Spring snowstorms can slow the migration and push birds back to the snow line in the south. Snow geese are highly mobile and used to inclement weather. The species adapts to conditions and often travels east or west to look for a window in the weather to push farther north.

Understanding what snow geese need in the spring is critical to finding them in concentration.

Food and Water

Agricultural fields with good cover, stubble, pea straw, or sprouting green vegetation are the identifiable food sources. Sheet water, which is melt water for the snowpack that holds in the fields due to frost in the ground, is another big factor for birds to stage or linger in one area. Large wetlands can hold birds, but the sheet water is what they prefer. It could be related to the habitat conditions they experience in the north on the tundra. Food and water are what the birds look for and need to build reserves before heading north, where nesting activities deplete body reserves and fat. The spring geese are much fatter than in the fall, which explains why birds are focused on what they need to nest and raise young.

Tracking

Keep a diary or make notes in a hunting app about where you find snow and Ross’ geese in the spring. Adults are habitual and often stage and feed in the same areas yearly. If habitat conditions allow, the migration and staging often repeat historical patterns, allowing hunters to predict movements and timing.

Snow geese can bounce north at a steady pace. If you find them in an area only to have them disappear overnight, look 10 to 20 kilometres to the north, and you are likely to find them. The steady bounce is predictable, and the good news is there are usually more to follow that use the same water sources and fields to feed.

Social Media

Several social media groups watch and post about the snow goose migration. It can be a window of information to help plan, prepare, and know when to start looking.

Find the spring staging areas, make notes, and enjoy the spring conservation season to harvest birds for the freezer and help the species whose flourishing populations impact northern habitats.