Resident Goose Decoy Spreads

They foul manicured golf courses with droppings, haunt agricultural and suburban settings, and otherwise become nuisances. They’ve figured the deal out. Hang around and get a handout. Wildlife officials have ways of dealing with this challenge: special hunts. Got resident geese? Chances are you have an early season for them.

These pre-migration birds — and even non-migrating honkers — present a game management challenge. Good news for us waterfowlers is many states often afford opportunities for early season hunts. Haven’t tried it? You might want to after reading this. It’s the first crack many of us have at action.

Tactics follow for how to...