Snow, blue, and ross' geese are considered white geese that can be hunted during the fall, and the spring conservation white goose hunts to try to control growing populations. White geese offer the most hunting opportunities of any waterfowl.

Shotguns are used to hunt waterfowl, and in Alberta, hunters can use a 10-, 12-, 16-, 20-, or 28-gauge. There is a .410 gauge, but it is not legal for use for migratory waterfowl in Alberta. The lower the gauge number, the bigger the payload, with more weight and recoil. Most goose hunters in Alberta use a 12- or 20-gauge shotgun to optimize shot pattern. Due to supply and demand, the two gauges are more economical for ammunition purchase.

Gauge your control

A shotgun should be comfortable to lift, shoulder, and shoot. A well-fitted shotgun is essential for consistent accuracy and comfort in the field. Unlike a rifle, which is aimed, a shotgun is pointed, meaning your eye acts as the rear sight. If your shotgun fits correctly and you can mount it consistently, your shots will naturally align with where you're looking.

Key factors like length of pull, drop at the comb, and heel influence fit, but you don't need to know precise measurements to get it right. The most important thing is ensuring that when you mount your shotgun, your eye looks straight down the barrel, allowing you to see the bead but not the barrel's or rib's top surface. Many modern shotguns come with spacer kits and adjustable combs to help fine-tune the fit to your body. Aftermarket stocks are available to customize to fit any individual.

If a shotgun is uncomfortable, consider using a lighter gauge to reduce overall weight and recoil. You can also use standard shotshells instead of magnum loads.

You can refine your accuracy when your shotgun shoots where you look by selecting the right choke tubes for different shooting situations. Investing time in getting the right fit will increase your comfort, confidence, and overall success in the field.

Load them up

A significant consideration for hunters is how many shotshells can be loaded to shoot during an opportunity when geese are in range. Many first-time hunters are encouraged to use a single shot or load only one shotshell into a shotgun at a time. A single opportunity forces the shooter to slow down, take their time, and make each shot count. Taking away the temptation to have multiple trigger pulls can fine-tune your shooting. When a hunter starts to connect with regularity, a second shotshell can be considered.

Besides a single shot, there are side-by-side and over-and-under shotguns with two barrels to load and shoot. All three styles of shotguns use a break-action for loading and unloading. The two-barreled shotguns will always be heavier and have more steel and barrels. There are single- barrel shotguns with a magazine tube for loading more shotshells chambered by working a pump action or with a self-loading semi-automatic action. A semi-automatic gun can offer some advantages, such as quick loading and reduced recoil, as the gun's recoil is used to help cycle the shotshells.

Pattern your shotgun

Patterning your shotgun is one of the most critical steps to ensure consistent accuracy and effectiveness in the field, regardless of gauge or action. By understanding how your pellets spread at different distances, you can fine-tune your setup for optimal performance.

To properly pattern your shotgun, shoot at a pattern board in five-meter intervals from 20 to 60 meters. Most patterning targets feature a 30-inch circle, representing the critical kill zone. The goal is to achieve even pellet distribution within this circle, ensuring maximum effectiveness when shooting live game.

For hunters who have already mastered shooting steel, fine-tuning your setup can further enhance your results. Adjusting your loads and experimenting with pellet density can increase your effectiveness in the field.

Don't overlook these crucial steps of making adjustments for proper fit, being able to manage weight and recoil, spending some time on the range, patterning your gun, and setting yourself up for success.