a Canada goose in Texas’ Western Waterfowl Hunting Zone, where they have concentrated around urban areas. Frozen ponds and playa lakes in the area caused some to migrate more southerly. A map of the goose hunting zones is on page 62 of the TPW Outdoor Annual. (Photo by Vicky Jefferson)

by John Jefferson

This fall, Texas looked like a commercial created by the Florida Chamber of Commerce. As I sat in what I call my “Break Room” – one of the lawn chairs in our front yard that catch any sun that dares to shine – I wondered how much longer we would need to mow the grass in 2024. It was still green.

And more important to waterfowl hunters, I pondered how long it would be before it got cold enough in the north to send ducks and geese south to Texas shotgunners. Some who consider hunting web-footed fowl almost like a religion may have even prayed about it.

For anyone who prayed that prayer, last week’s ice and snow over all of Texas could be classed as answered- prayer-overkill. It reminded me of a man I worked for who took it upon himself to seed clouds with dry ice to make it rain during a drought. His efforts produced disastrous flooding and damage.

So, what effect did almost a week’s worth of sub-freezing nighttime temperatures have on wildlife?

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s waterfowl leader in the Panhandle, Kevin Kraai, responded to my inquiry although involved in waterfowl surveys and personally battling bronchitis when contacted. He’s a trooper!

Kraai’s comments were his conclusions after seeing the Klondike-like conditions himself and receiving reports from biologists throughout Texas. He told me the cold weather helped some species more than it hurt them.

He expects there were small numbers of birds affected by the cold but feels most survived. He hasn’t seen dead birds but has reports of losses around Abilene and Wichita Falls.

Kevin did, however, say that some light geese may have packed up and left for warmer climes in Mexico. The cold weather affects sick birds more than healthy ones. But after all, these birds are born, bred, and exist in colder weather than Texans are accustomed to. One human has already succumbed to the cold.

Kevin was concerned about heavy concentrations of Canada geese in the Panhandle and Rolling Plains – especially in urban areas. They have seemingly overtaken golf courses in some areas. They like the tender grass on the greens. Some have moved on since he reports that all ponds and playa lakes are frozen over. Abnormal rainfall filled the playas before the “deep freeze” made them inaccessible.

All duck and sandhill crane seasons are now closed, as is the goose season in the East Zone – Except for Light Geese (Snow geese, blue geese, and Ross’ geese). Light geese may still be hunted in the East Zone through February 14.

In the West Zone, Light Geese and Dark Geese including Canada and white-fronted geese may still be hunted through February 2.

The bag limit is five light geese and five dark geese in both zones, except in the Eastern Zone, where no more than two white-fronted geese may be included in the dark geese limit.

Quail season (all species) closes on February 23. Bag limit is 15.

Bundle up — but keep hunting!

JJ