Utah provides excellent goose hunting opportunities across the state. With a variety of public and private land options, goose hunters can pursue light geese, dark geese, and other waterfowl species during Utah’s generous hunting seasons.
What are the goose hunting seasons in Utah?
Utah has both general waterfowl seasons that allow hunting of all common goose species, as well as special light goose seasons:
- General waterfowl season: Early October through January
- Light goose season: Varies by zone, generally February to March
During the general waterfowl season, hunters may harvest dark geese (Canada geese, cackling geese, white-fronted geese) and light geese (snow geese, Ross’s geese). The light goose season allows additional hunting opportunity focusing on snow/Ross’s geese when their numbers are high.
Daily bag and possession limits vary by species within these seasons. Consult the Utah waterfowl guidebook for specific season dates and limits.
Where are the best areas to hunt geese in Utah?
Some of Utah’s top public land areas for goose hunting include:
- Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
- Public Shooting Grounds Waterfowl Management Area
- Ogden Bay Waterfowl Management Area
- Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area
- Harold Crane Waterfowl Management Area
- Salt Creek Waterfowl Management Area
These WMAs provide excellent wetland habitat for migrating and wintering geese. Bear River Refuge in particular hosts huge numbers of light geese in spring.
The PSG, Ogden Bay, and Farmington Bay sites also see good concentrations of Canada geese and other dark goose species.
In addition to the WMAs, Utah’s Green River valleys hold excellent goose habitat on private agricultural fields and state lands. The Price and San Rafael areas are notable for Canada goose hunting.
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
Located on the northeast edge of the Great Salt Lake, Bear River Refuge provides a major migratory stopover for snow geese, Ross’s geese, and other waterfowl. During spring light goose season, snow goose hunts here can be spectacular.
Bear River is mostly open water and marsh. Hunters access sections of the WMA via dikes and gravel roads. Layout blinds set up in natural blinds along dikes can be very effective. Pit blinds may also be constructed.
Public Shooting Grounds
The Public Shooting Grounds WMA provides reservoirs, freshwater marsh, and extensive wetlands along the Great Salt Lake near Brigham City. It holds good numbers of nesting Canada geese and sees migrating snow geese.
Pit blinds in wetlands areas produce good goose hunting through the general waterfowl seasons. The diked impoundments also allow shoreline access for layout blinds and natural ground blinds.
Ogden Bay
Ogden Bay encompasses flooded wetlands and agricultural fields beneficial for Canada geese and other dark goose species. Early season provides the best opportunity for locally nesting birds. Late season sees increased numbers of migrating geese.
Hunting access is available along dikes and levees. Portable layout blinds set up in these locations can be very productive. Some more permanent pit blinds are also available.
Farmington Bay
As part of the Great Salt Lake ecosystem, Farmington Bay WMA hosts good populations of migrant geese utilizing the wetland and upland habitats. Canada geese are frequent targets here.
Layout blinds concealed along dikes provide good opportunity for working geese in close range. Natural marsh grasses also allow building ground blinds.
Green River Valleys
Agricultural areas of central and eastern Utah near the Green River provide excellent Canada goose hunting on private lands. Hunters should obtain permission for access to fields holding geese.
Croplands that have been harvested, wet meadows, and ponds attract local nesting geese as well as migrants. Hunting over decoy spreads from layout blinds in these areas can be very good.
What kind of license/permit is needed?
To hunt geese in Utah, you will need:
- A Utah hunting or combination license
- State duck stamp
- Harvest Information Program (HIP) registration
- Federal duck stamp (ages 16 and older)
Licenses can be purchased from DWR offices or online. State duck stamps and the federal duck stamp must be signed and carried with you while hunting.
What are the basic regulations?
When goose hunting in Utah, be sure to follow these general rules and regulations:
- Hunt only during legal seasons and hours
- Obey daily bag and possession limits for each species
- Use non-toxic shot when hunting waterfowl
- Leave at least one fully feathered wing attached to harvested geese for identification
- Have valid license/stamps on your person
- Do not hunt within 100 yards of roads, dwellings, etc. Obey all public land regulations
- Follow additional rules for motor vehicle use, boats, blinds, decoys, etc.
Consult the DWR waterfowl guidebook each season for complete listing of current regulations.
What kind of decoys and calls are effective?
Effective decoy strategies and calls can help draw geese into range during your hunts. Consider the following tips:
- Use large spreads of 100+ decoys for snow/Ross’s geese, 2-3 dozen for Canada geese
- Mix white-phase and blue-phase decoys when hunting snow geese
- Add a spinning-wing decoy and rags/flags for motion
- Set decoys in open fields or wetlands where geese are feeding
- Use decoys specific to subspecies (i.e. lessers, cacklers) if targeting those birds
- Flag aggressively when geese are distant, tone it down as they approach
- Use quality e-callers with multiple speakers for realism
- Match calling and flagging to actual goose behavior
What type of blinds are most effective?
Layout blinds and natural ground blinds allow concealment when geese are in close range. Considerations include:
- Layout blinds with stubble/grass mats hide you in open fields
- Blend layouts into dikes, levees for access to marshes
- Use natural vegetation in wetlands for ground blinds
- Pit blinds work well around water edges
- Brush blinds effective in uplands
- Conceal with surrounding vegetation
- Avoid unnecessary movement
What shot size is best?
For geese, larger steel shot works well. Consider the following dimensions:
- T, BBB, BB for snow geese
- BB, 2, 3 for large Canada geese
- 4, 5, 6 for small Canada geese and cackling geese
This helps match pellet density for sufficient energy and knockdown power. Be sure your firearm is compatible with the shell length of 3″ or 3.5″ magnum loads often used.
How can I find where geese are concentrating?
Locating goose feeding and roosting areas is key to consistent action. Scouting tips include:
- Watch for geese flying out from roost lakes early in the morning
- Follow them to find fields where they feed
- Check reservoirs, lakes and ponds for roosting flocks
- Look for goose tracks and droppings in fields
- Ask wetland managers and other hunters for recent sightings
- Drive country roads until you spot goose flocks
What time of day is best to hunt?
Early morning and late afternoon tend to be peak flight times when geese are most active. Ideal times include:
- Early pre-dawn to shoot birds leaving roosts
- Morning hours as geese return from feeding
- Mid-day lull around 10 AM to 2 PM when geese rest
- Late afternoon before flocks return to roost
After opening day, hunting pressure may make geese more cautious. Hunt during marginal times like midday or all-day snow/rain when other hunters are less active.
What weather conditions are best?
Certain weather factors can improve your odds for goose hunting success:
- Overcast days keep geese flying later
- Rain or snow limit visibility for geese
- Wind provides cover noise for decoy setup
- Cold fronts bring fresh flights of migrants
- South winds assist northbound migration
Pay attention to weather forecasts and radar to take advantage of these conditions. Be prepared with proper clothing as well.
What tips could improve my concealment?
Geese have sharp eyesight, so effective concealment is crucial. Useful tactics include:
- Cover any exposed skin
- Brush in blinds with natural vegetation
- Hide layout blinds in depressions
- Use mud or paint to reduce glare
- Avoid movement when geese are close
- Stay low and still when birds are overhead
- Conceal boats used to access marsh blinds
Spend time beforehand scouting the best blind locations so you are not visible to bird flight lines and landing zones.
What safety precautions should be taken?
When waterfowl hunting, following basic safety guidelines is important:
- Treat every gun as if it’s loaded
- Always control the muzzle direction
- Be sure of your target and what’s beyond
- Unload firearms when not in use
- Never shoot at duck decoys
- Keep fingers out of trigger guard until ready to shoot
- Wear blaze orange when moving between blinds
- Use caution and life jackets in boats
Hunt with experienced partners, keep safety your top priority, and avoid unnecessary risks. This will help ensure an enjoyable time afield.
How can I get permission to hunt private land?
Since much goose habitat is on private farmlands, getting access can improve success. Tips for obtaining permission include:
- Scout from roads/trails to locate promising fields
- Drive to houses associated with properties
- Introduce yourself to landowners and be polite
- Explain your interest in hunting geese on their land
- Offer to share harvested birds as a gesture of thanks
- Get their contact information to follow up next season
- Always respect land, livestock, equipment when on private property
Building relationships leads to continued access. Be sure to send a thank you and check in occasionally even during the off-season.
How can I learn to identify geese in flight?
Knowing goose species by silhouette and wingbeat can improve your hunting. Consider the following identification tips:
- Snow geese are bright white with black wingtips in flight
- Ross’s geese are smaller with faster wingbeats
- Canada geese have longer necks, brownish bodies, and slow wingbeats
- Cackling geese are smaller Canadas with rounded heads
- White-fronted geese display dark abdomen patches and bars on wings
- Listen for variation in goose calls
- Practice observing geese at wildlife refuges
Conclusion
Utah provides world-class goose hunting opportunities across the state. By utilizing public wildlife and waterfowl management areas, seeking private land access, scouting bird concentrations, and being prepared with effective gear and tactics, you can experience amazing goose hunting. Always put safety first and respect fellow hunters, landowners and wildlife. Apply for your Utah hunting license and start planning your next goose hunting adventure!