January 2023 - 42

Canada geese are commonly sighted throughout Wyoming. (Photo by Troy Powell)
" They are less closely tied to
open water than other waterfowl.
Feed is the most important
thing for Canada geese.
They are big and require a lot
of food. " - Brian Jensen
CANADA GEESE
These birds are large, considerably larger
than a mallard. This goose has a black head and
neck with white cheeks. The back is brown and
the chest is tan. They can be seen throughout
Wyoming, even in towns when a food source
is available.
" They are less closely tied to open water
than other waterfowl, " Jensen said. " Feed is the
most important thing for Canada geese. They
are big and require a lot of food. "
The most successful hunts for Canada
geese this time of year occur in fields where
the geese are feeding. Geese generally require
more decoys than ducks, and that can be especially
true of late-season geese.
" Geese are usually a little older than the
ducks we see, so they get really smart and see
a lot of decoy spreads, " Jensen said.
He recommends using a large spread of
decoys in the field, especially if it's a larger
group of birds.
Hunting Canada geese over water can bring
harvest success, but it can be tricky. It is more
difficult to bring them in where you want them
42 | January 2023
with decoys over water. They usually focus on
larger bodies of water like bigger rivers, lakes
and wetlands.
Finding a pattern in their behavior will
increase the likelihood of success, so scouting
and planning is important.
" That time of year they're waiting things
out, so they think about food and water and
keep to the pattern, " Jensen said. " As long as
those two things are met, they will keep doing
what they're doing and will move on if those
things aren't met anymore. "
Canadas are larger birds, so they usually
require more firepower. Although some people
hunt them with a 20-gauge shotgun and even a
28-gauge, that requires accuracy with the shot
to take the goose down. Jensen recommends
a 12-gauge shotgun with a 3-inch round as a
minimum if you're heading out specifically
looking for Canada geese. If using a smaller
shotgun, use one you know you can place a
proficient shot with to prevent injuring a bird.
Cover and camo can help to increase the
success of hunting Canada geese whether over
water or in fields.

January 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of January 2023

January 2023 - 1
January 2023 - 2
January 2023 - 3
January 2023 - 4
January 2023 - 5
January 2023 - 6
January 2023 - 7
January 2023 - 8
January 2023 - 9
January 2023 - 10
January 2023 - 11
January 2023 - 12
January 2023 - 13
January 2023 - 14
January 2023 - 15
January 2023 - 16
January 2023 - 17
January 2023 - 18
January 2023 - 19
January 2023 - 20
January 2023 - 21
January 2023 - 22
January 2023 - 23
January 2023 - 24
January 2023 - 25
January 2023 - 26
January 2023 - 27
January 2023 - 28
January 2023 - 29
January 2023 - 30
January 2023 - 31
January 2023 - 32
January 2023 - 33
January 2023 - 34
January 2023 - 35
January 2023 - 36
January 2023 - 37
January 2023 - 38
January 2023 - 39
January 2023 - 40
January 2023 - 41
January 2023 - 42
January 2023 - 43
January 2023 - 44
January 2023 - 45
January 2023 - 46
January 2023 - 47
January 2023 - 48
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/january-2025
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/december-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/october-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/september-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/august-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/july-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/june-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/wyoming-wildlife-may-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/april-2024-e-edition
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https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/february-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/january-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/december-2023
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https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/dec-2021
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https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/september-2021
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https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/January2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/December2020
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