Answers about Arkansas’ Snow Goose Conservation Order
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission 01.31.13
After a brief halt Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 2-3, for the waterfowl youth hunt, the 2013 Snow Goose Conservation Order will again be in operation in Arkansas.
This is a continent-wide effort to reduce excessive populations of the geese that are prolific breeders in the far north. They are found in winter in large numbers in parts of Arkansas.
Here are answers to some frequent questions from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission:
- Registration for this special season is required, and it is free. Go online to www.agfc.com or phone toll free to (800) 364-GAME.
- Participants must carry current hunting licenses, but they can be from any state.
- Federal and state migratory waterfowl hunting stamps (duck stamps) are not required. Harvest Information Program (HIP) registration is not required.
- Shotguns may be unplugged, allowing them to hold more than three shells. Rifles of any caliber are not allowed.
- Steel shot is required.
- Electronic callers and decoys can be used.
- There are no bag limits.
- Snow geese can be dressed out in the field, but one wing or the head must remain attached to each bird for species identification.
- Shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. This is a change from regular waterfowl hunting that ends at sunset.
- Hunter education certification must be carried by all hunters born after Dec. 31, 1968.
To hunt snow geese on certain state wildlife management areas, the free Sweet Sixteen permits are required. Get them online at www.agfc.com, by toll free phone call to (800) 364-GAME or at any AGFC regional office.
The Snow Goose Conservation order runs through April 25 although nearly all the migrating birds will be gone from Arkansas by then.
