Cackling Canada Goose Hunting
CACKLING CANADA GOOSE
Branta Hutchinsiiis
Lifespan: 24 years on average (Adult)
Higher Classification: Anserinae
Wingspan: 24-43 in (Adult)
Length: 21.7-29.5 in (Adult)
Avg Weight: M 3.4-5.7 lbs, F 2.1-5.3 lbs
RELATED NAMES
- Cackler
- Cackling Goose
- Honker
- Canada
CACKLING CANADA GEESE THAT FALL UNDER THIS CATEGORY
- Aleutian Canada Goose
- Minimia Canada Goose
- Richardson Canada Goose
- Taverner’s Canada Goose
NOTE- Canada Goose and Cackling Canada Goose – Due to the fact that there are 7 different sub species of Canada Geese and 4 different sub species of Cackling Canada Geese, we have elected to simplify these into two categories- Canada Geese and Cackling Canada Geese. To distinguish the difference between the two, there is two different criteria to go off of. Any Canada Goose weighing more than 6 pounds will fall under the Canada Goose species. Any Canada Goose weighing under 6 pounds will fall under the Cackling Canada Goose species. The second criteria is the goose’s bill. A Cackling Canada Goose will have a short triangular bill while a Canada Goose will have a more elongated bill.
LOOKING TO BOOK A WORLD CLASS CACKLING CANADA GOOSE HUNTING ADVENTURE?
DESTINATION #3:
SASKATCHEWAN GEESE & CRANES
Location: WESTERN, SASKATCHEWAN
Hunt Package: Click here for pricing
Featured Waterfowl Species: SANDHILL CRANES, SPECKS, SNOWS, HONKERS, MALLARDS
Possession Limits: 8 DUCKS, 8 DARK GEESE, 5 CRANES, 20 SNOWS / POSS: 3 X’S DAILY
HUNTING TIPS & TACTICS
Although there are technically four separate sub species of the Lesser Canada Goose found across North America, they act very similar in how they react to decoys and calling- which is VERY different then what you would expect from Greater Canada Geese.
The first major difference is that Greater and Lesser Canada Geese rarely intermix during migration or breeding. In addition, their feeding patterns are different, thus hunting tactics need to be altered when hunting the Lesser Canada Goose species versus the Greater Canada Goose species. In fact hunters are more apt to decoy the Lesser Canada’s into a large spread of Snow Goose decoys than a smaller spread of standard Canada Goose decoys.
When targeting the Lesser Canada Goose in a field hunting situation in most instances, the flock sizes are much larger than one would normally find with the family groups of Greater Canada Geese.
Therefore the decoy spread size must follow suit. Typically when hunting the smaller birds, decoy spread sizes of 6–10+ dozen decoys are the norm. In addition, the set of the field spread also makes a big difference. Most Canada Goose hunters are familiar with setting their decoys about 2 – 3 feet apart and often will place small groups together as “family groups.” When setting a spread for Lesser’s, pack the decoys as close together as possible can make a world of difference in getting the Lesser Canada Geese to finish on your spread, thus emulating their feeding patterns.
Calling the Lesser Canada Goose is also a different ball game. In fact their sound is actually higher pitched than even a Snow goose. Thus using a standard short reed or flute Canada Goose call will not cut it. Several call companies offer a Canada Goose call specifically for the Lesser Canada Goose and when calling these birds using a rapid calling cadence is much more effective.
Bottom line, when questions arise on how to hunt these little birds, one would be better off hunting the Lesser Canada Goose more similar to how they would hunt Snow geese versus Greater Canada Geese. For those hunters on a “decoy budget” that don’t want to invest in a larger spread of Lesser Canada Goose decoys, keep an eye out the next time you are hunting Snow Geese in the fall – add 1 or 2 dozen Canada Goose decoys off to the side of your Snow Goose spread in a tight group and you may experience a nice combo hunt for both species.
UWC OFFICIAL NORTH AMERICAN WATERFOWL SPECIES POSTER
$17.99
The UWC has put together a beautiful 19″ x 27″ Official North American Waterfowl Species laminated poster that showcases all 41 of the different waterfowl species that inhabit the lands and waters of North America!
Each waterfowl species listed in The UWC Waterfowl Species Poster comes with the common and scientific name for proper waterfowl identification.
RECOMMENDED DECOYS
UWC OFFICIAL SPECIES LIST
CACKLING CANADA GOOSE
Branta Hutchinsiiis
Lifespan: 24 years on average (Adult)
Higher Classification: Anserinae
Wingspan: 24-43 in (Adult)
Length: 21.7-29.5 in (Adult)
Avg Weight: M 3.4-5.7 lbs, F 2.1-5.3 lbs
RELATED NAMES
- Cackler
- Cackling Goose
- Honker
- Canada
CACKLING CANADA GEESE THAT FALL UNDER THIS CATEGORY
- Aleutian Canada Goose
- Minimia Canada Goose
- Richardson Canada Goose
- Taverner’s Canada Goose
NOTE- Canada Goose and Cackling Canada Goose – Due to the fact that there are 7 different sub species of Canada Geese and 4 different sub species of Cackling Canada Geese, we have elected to simplify these into two categories- Canada Geese and Cackling Canada Geese. To distinguish the difference between the two, there is two different criteria to go off of. Any Canada Goose weighing more than 6 pounds will fall under the Canada Goose species. Any Canada Goose weighing under 6 pounds will fall under the Cackling Canada Goose species. The second criteria is the goose’s bill. A Cackling Canada Goose will have a short triangular bill while a Canada Goose will have a more elongated bill.
LOOKING TO BOOK A WORLD CLASS CACKLING CANADA GOOSE HUNTING ADVENTURE?
DESTINATION #3:
SASKATCHEWAN GEESE & CRANES
Location: WESTERN, SASKATCHEWAN
Hunt Package: Click here for pricing
Featured Waterfowl Species: SANDHILL CRANES, SPECKS, SNOWS, HONKERS, MALLARDS
Possession Limits: 8 DUCKS, 8 DARK GEESE, 5 CRANES, 20 SNOWS / POSS: 3 X’S DAILY
HUNTING TIPS & TACTICS
Although there are technically four separate sub species of the Lesser Canada Goose found across North America, they act very similar in how they react to decoys and calling- which is VERY different then what you would expect from Greater Canada Geese.
The first major difference is that Greater and Lesser Canada Geese rarely intermix during migration or breeding. In addition, their feeding patterns are different, thus hunting tactics need to be altered when hunting the Lesser Canada Goose species versus the Greater Canada Goose species. In fact hunters are more apt to decoy the Lesser Canada’s into a large spread of Snow Goose decoys than a smaller spread of standard Canada Goose decoys.
When targeting the Lesser Canada Goose in a field hunting situation in most instances, the flock sizes are much larger than one would normally find with the family groups of Greater Canada Geese.
Therefore the decoy spread size must follow suit. Typically when hunting the smaller birds, decoy spread sizes of 6–10+ dozen decoys are the norm. In addition, the set of the field spread also makes a big difference. Most Canada Goose hunters are familiar with setting their decoys about 2 – 3 feet apart and often will place small groups together as “family groups.” When setting a spread for Lesser’s, pack the decoys as close together as possible can make a world of difference in getting the Lesser Canada Geese to finish on your spread, thus emulating their feeding patterns.
Calling the Lesser Canada Goose is also a different ball game. In fact their sound is actually higher pitched than even a Snow goose. Thus using a standard short reed or flute Canada Goose call will not cut it. Several call companies offer a Canada Goose call specifically for the Lesser Canada Goose and when calling these birds using a rapid calling cadence is much more effective.
Bottom line, when questions arise on how to hunt these little birds, one would be better off hunting the Lesser Canada Goose more similar to how they would hunt Snow geese versus Greater Canada Geese. For those hunters on a “decoy budget” that don’t want to invest in a larger spread of Lesser Canada Goose decoys, keep an eye out the next time you are hunting Snow Geese in the fall – add 1 or 2 dozen Canada Goose decoys off to the side of your Snow Goose spread in a tight group and you may experience a nice combo hunt for both species.
UWC OFFICIAL NORTH AMERICAN WATERFOWL SPECIES POSTER
$17.99
The UWC has put together a beautiful 19″ x 27″ Official North American Waterfowl Species laminated poster that showcases all 41 of the different waterfowl species that inhabit the lands and waters of North America!
Each waterfowl species listed in The UWC Waterfowl Species Poster comes with the common and scientific name for proper waterfowl identification.