How Do You Identify Different Goose Subspecies While in Flight?
North American waterfowl hunting consists primarily of ducks and geese that migrate from the north to south in August and return throughout the spring. Within the geese species, there are three primary subspecies that are hunted during this southern migration: Canadian geese, Cackling geese, and Snow geese. Identifying goose subspecies while in flight is a skill that all waterfowl hunters should learn, and it is crucial to hunting and successfully harvesting the target subspecies.
Canadian Geese
Starting with Canadian geese, this is the most commonly hunted goose and can be identified while in flight in many ways. Starting with vocals, a goose can be heard from miles away, so this is the first way to know what subspecies is in flight before you have a visual. Canadian geese are often referred to as honkers, making a honking noise that starts out slower and gradually gains an increase in honks from start to finish, allowing waterfowlers to get an audio confirmation on the geese at hand. Once the flock is in a hunter’s eye range, the second step of identification can occur. Canadians fly in a large V shape consisting of 30-100 birds; this is a different pattern than the other subspecies, so once the flock can be seen, you can check off confirmation two. Lastly, once the flock is within 500 feet, you can begin to look at the color and characteristics of the birds. Canadian geese have black heads and necks with white cheeks that wrap around the chin, and a paler brown breast that fades into their white underside.
Cackling Geese
Closest to the Canadian goose is the Cackling goose, which has a very similar feather pattern to the standard Canadian goose. Visually, a hunter needs to look at its other characteristics to differentiate it from its counterpart. Starting again with audible cues, the Cackling goose makes a much different sound than the Canadian, producing a high-pitched yelp that can also be heard from miles away and can be used by the waterfowl huntsman to pick up that a Cackling goose is within the area. Once this species’ flock can be seen, a second difference can be identified: Cacklers fly in a much smaller V of just 10-15 birds. These two distinctions are the main factors in differentiating this subspecies. If this is not enough to be sure, the hunter must begin looking at the size of the bird once it is in harvesting distance. Cacklers have much shorter necks than their counterparts and more rounded head features.
Snow Geese
Lastly, the Snow Goose stands out the most from the other geese and can be easily identified throughout its flight at farther distances. Starting again with the differing sounds, these geese make honking sounds similar to the Canadian goose but shorter; for this reason, they may be harder to identify without any visual. The Snow Goose flocks are where the first major difference from the Canadians, and especially the Cackling geese, can be seen: this subspecies flies in flocks of 5,000 plus and travels in a “snow storm” formation. Along with the flock, from the moment you get a visual on these birds, you can see the distinct all-over white feathers and black wing tips.
Conclusion
By paying attention to vocalizations, flock sizes, and physical characteristics, hunters can confidently distinguish between Canadian, Cackling, and Snow geese. Each subspecies has unique traits that can be observed from a distance, aiding in successful harvesting. This skill not only enhances the hunting experience but also ensures ethical practices by targeting the correct species. Knowing these distinctions contributes to the success and enjoyment of waterfowl hunting. Ready, Aim, Fire!
