Spring Snow Geese Hunting
Spring snow goose hunting on the central flyway is becoming a major attraction in South Dakota. Every year we have hundreds of thousands of snows and blues come through this area on their annual migration north and south. The geese make their way through the James (Jim) River Valley usually in February, March, April, and May. We hunt them by decoying them into grain fields, jumpshooting them off of water or fields, and pass shooting them between fields. The legal use of electronic calls is a great asset to the spring season. The most exciting shoots take place over decoys but I try not to limit myself by committing to one specific method of hunting. I hunt on thousands of acres of land and feel that is one of the keys to getting clients in on some great shooting. I have dogs or you can bring your own. The package includes lodging, meals, guide, dogs, etc. You can find pictures of my headquarters here on my website. Layout blinds conceal the hunters in most cases. Safety is always number one on the priority list with having fun a very close second.
Out of state spring goose hunters DO NOT need to draw a license by lottery. It is very simple to go to our state website and obtain the proper licensing for your hunt. The cost for your licensing is $45 for adult and $25 for youth hunters (16 and younger). The license allows the hunter to shoot up to 20 snows, blues, and Ross geese and have an unlimited number of geese in possession.
When researching a hunt, you should ask to speak with ALL of the clients who hunted the same time you are considering hunting the previous year. It is foolish to consider booking a hunt with an outfitter before you speak with hunters who have hunted the same time and place during the previous season. It is important to know ahead of time what you are getting for your money. About 30% of my current business is repeat business and each year repeat business grows. This is because I show my clients a great time. I am proud of the attention I give each client before, during, and after the hunt. Most importantly, DON'T CONSIDER BOOKING A HUNT WITH ANYONE THAT IS NOT WILLING TO GIVE YOU PHONE NUMBERS AND/OR EMAIL ADDRESSES OF ALL OF THEIR CLIENTS FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
To maximize your chance at great goose hunting, I feel it is necessary to have hunters on an "on-call" basis. I will sell hunts for specific calander days if the client wants but by doing this, you are counting on Mother Nature to be consistant. Therefore, my method of booking SPRING GOOSE hunters is to take a REFUNDABLE down payment of only 25%. This down payment puts your name on the list of clients to call when the hunting gets good. The clients are put on the list in the order their deposit is received. As the geese start moving into the area, I will start notifying hunters on the list and you will have a few days to commit to the days. If the first hunters pass, I will then contact the next name on the list and so on. The first hunters to commit to the days will get them. This gives everybody a fair chance to hunt with me. Be ready when you arrive to have a lot of fun.
The package price is $309/person/day and includes lodging, meals, dogs, guide, etc. You should plan to arrive after 5:00 p.m. the evening prior to your hunting days and you are welcome to stay the night after your last hunting day.
A 50% non-refundable deposit will reserve your hunt. For more information or to set up a great "off-season" hunt, give us a call at 605-887-3561 or e-mail us through this website.
Contact Information
Please call or e-mail with any questions.Jim River Guide Service
Willie Dvorak
432 Railway Avenue
Mellette, SD 57461
Phone: 605-887-3561
E-mail: wdvorak@nvc.net