MD Early Honker Season

With Marylands Resident Goose season at t-minus 17 days the anticipation is starting to get overwhelming. Last years head count for resident Canada Geese was over 86,000 in the state of MD. With these numbers steadily on the rise the DNR has allowed special early season regulations to help the hunters manage this population. For resident goose season only, hunters will now be allowed to use unplugged guns. Shooting hours have also been extended to 1 half hour before sunrise and 1 half hour after sunset. I agree with the shooting hour extension and I think it will be the reason alot of guys, including my self will get a limit. The unplugged guns may help, but I fear it will only help people wound more birds. Being able to hold 5 shells in your gun is going to allow hunters to shoot those 4th and 5th shots at birds that are leaving the scene and may be out of a good kill range. Hopefully this will not be the case.

A few things to keep in mind when hitting the field this September.

1. Stick to small family groups of decoys. If you are watching the birds in the fields you will see these types of groups feeding. No need to haul out your whole spread in September. It will only keep birds out of your spot and make you break a sweat more than you need to. Only use enough decoys to direct the birds to your kill hole.

2. Tempatures here in MD have been in the 90's and have hit 100 on occasion. Chances are come September 1st it isnt going to be much cooler. Dont kill yourself. If you are hunting from a layout blind or a good pit there is no reason why you cant go out in the field in shorts and a t-shirt. I know everyone swears up and down about good camo and being concealed and I do agree in most circumstance's but its not worth getting heat exhaustion. Make sure you bring plenty of water for yourself and just as importantly your dog. You have to remember dogs have a year round coat on and with them doing most of the real work while out in the field we owe it to them to keep them as comfortable as possible.

3. When calling early season geese you have to remember that alot of these birds are still youngsters and have not had any trips up and down the flyway. If you are working a flock of birds to your spread and you shoot half of the flock and the rest take off. Stay in your blind and continue to call those birds that just left. You may be surprised to see them turn right around and come back to you again. Thats the cool thing about early season geese. They have never heard a goose call, they have never seen a decoy, and they have never been shot at. Use this to your advantage.

Good luck this early season and be safe!

Cory Dukehart