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December 15, 2020
By Josh Boyd
Here’s a quick look at four hot spots for Canada geese in the Eastern U.S.:
Maryland’s Eastern Shore If you’re fanatical about honkers, Maryland’s Eastern Shore is a bucket-list destination. Blinds on Deal Island are awarded by lottery for early-season hunts, and on first-come-first-serve basis during the late season. Wye Island issues pit blind access under a lottery system. Certain areas and units feature minimum distance requirements. Be sure to consult all regulations.
Susquehanna River Haldeman Island, north of Harrisburg, Pa., holds excellent potential, and can be accessed from Route 22 by bridge or by boat from the west-shore ramp at New Buffalo. Penns Creek, a tributary of the Susquehanna, offers outstanding hunting for resident geese, much of which can be found within Pennsylvania’s Bald Eagle State Forest.
Montezuma Wetlands Complex New York’s Montezuma Wetlands Complex offers goose hunters thousands of acres to explore and hosts more than 100,000 Canadas annually. Montezuma NWR is open to the public on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Blind reservations are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. Northern Montezuma WMA is open daily.
Bombay Hook NWR Delaware’s Bombay Hook NWR offers nearly 16,000 acres of prime goose hunting. This wetland largely consists of vast expanses of tidal salt marsh and serves as a significant stopover point for wintering waterfowl. Bombay Hook NWR is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Hunters must obtain a Harvest Information Program number each year. Certain units feature distance regulations regarding encroachment on established blinds.
