Early Goose

[Duckslayer89]

I think I’m going for early goose this year, are there many local birds around the potholes that time of year?

[h2ofowlr]

A good hatch this year.  Get out and scout for them and don’t be surprised if you have multiple groups targeting the same flocks you have located.  It is typically a cluster in NW Wash for early goose.

[full choke]

Potholes/early goose/Labor Day weekend... have fun.

Not something I would put much effort in to.

[Duckslayer89]

Potholes/early goose/Labor Day weekend... have fun.

Not something I would put much effort in to.

The Labor Day weekend thing has me rethinking plans

[pickardjw]

Picked up the 21-22 regs to add dates to my calendar and I don't see the Goose ID test requirement anymore...did that go away?

[MonstroMuley]

Picked up the 21-22 regs to add dates to my calendar and I don't see the Goose ID test requirement anymore...did that go away?

Assuming referring to SW WA GMA2:

WDFW - "Washington State Game Bird and Small Game Hunting Regulations 2021"
[Effective July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022] [Pg 28] "Goose Mgmt Area 2"

CHECKLIST: Requirements to hunt geese in GMA2
 Step  1:  Review  Goose  Identification  testing materials  at:
  https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/ requirements/goose-identification-testing
 Step  2:  Take  and  complete  identification  test online at:
  https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/requirements/goose-identification-testing
 Step 3: ...

Logging onto one's WDFW WildID Account also indicates Goose ID Info and Test still available ...
Mandatory Species Identification Tests:  {Southwest Canada Goose Test}

Note: Talked to ODFW last year on possible Sauvie Island WaterFowl Hunt and they informed me
ONLY "White Geese" Allowed on Island, to simplify Hunter Goose ID. Too many Dusky's being shot ... found that interesting.

Perhaps a trend for WDFW GMA2?

[pickardjw]

Looked back at last year and it was the same. Me and my buddies were all confused about it...tried to take the test and the videos were so poor I could barely tell there were geese in the video much less what species. So we just didn't shoot at any all season lol.

Seems clear now but we were new to waterfowl last year so maybe just info overload.

[Pac_NW]

Looked back at last year and it was the same. Me and my buddies were all confused about it...tried to take the test and the videos were so poor I could barely tell there were geese in the video much less what species. So we just didn't shoot at any all season lol.

Seems clear now but we were new to waterfowl last year so maybe just info overload.

The test and video is pretty bad, would be nice if they put some effort to putting in better images.

[goosegunner]

https://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/hunting/waterfowl/goose-permits/docs/Goosefieldguide_2ndEdition_final.pdf
 
Use Oregons  site and there test material.

[livin4fishin]

I tried studying the link provided to the Oregon study guide. My brain now hurts. Props to you goose hunters.

[metlhead]

Really simple actually. If you are near the coast and they readily come in, they are all dusky.😆 Serious though, they are very dark. See one and it will be easy to tell. Almost look solid dark bronze.