Greater Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens
atlantica)
The marshland vegetation of Cap Tourmente attracts vast flocks
of Greater Snow Geese in spring and autumn. They are, in fact, part
of the only population of this subspecies in the world. Another
subspecies, the Lesser Snow Goose, is found mainly around Hudson
Bay.
These birds have long been a feature of Cap Tourmente. They are
mentioned in the travel accounts of Jacques Cartier, the
Jesuits and
Champlain. Their numbers have not always been as great, however. At
the beginning of this century there were only about 3,000 of them
on the verge of extinction. Effective protection measures have
increased their numbers to more about 1.4 million geese today.
In the fall, geese that did not nest are the first to arrive at
Cap Tourmente, followed by the family groups. By mid-October, most
of the geese will flock together much more densely than in the
spring. They stay mainly around the tidal marshes of Cap Tourmente
and Île aux Grues. They feed on the rhizomes of the American
bulrush to build up their fat reserves for the journey towards
their wintering grounds. When feeding in the marshes, the geese
stick their head and neck right into the mud to dig out the
nutrient-rich roots (rhizomes) of the bulrushes. The mud itself
contains traces of iron, which can give a reddish tint to the face
and neck feathers.They usually stay through the hunting season in
October.
Greater snow geese arrive in Québec again in April and May after
a 900-km, non-stop flight from the U.S. East Coast. They spend much
of their time feeding in the fields and marshes to build up the
reserves of fat they will need to supply the energy for their long
onward journey north. The increasing numbers of geese concern the
farmers whose fields they occupy. They still have some 3,000 km to
cover before reaching the breeding grounds. The geese set off again
in the third week of May and fly along a fairly well defined
migration corridor, possibly stopping on the Ungava Peninsula.
Greater snow geese are the northern-most breeding geese in the
world, and breed principally around Foxe Basin, northern Baffin,
Bylot, Axel Heiberg and the Ellesmere Islands located in Nunavut,
Canada, and in Greenland. They prefer to nest in colonies on
well-drained westward slopes or vegetated hilltops.
Occasionally an individual with a dark, bluish-grey body will be
spotted. However, its size, shape and the whiteness of its
head will be identical to the typical Greater Snow Goose. These are
not a different species, but merely a colour variant believed to be
more rare than even blue-phased Ross' geese. Average lifespan
among greater snow geese is 3 years, with some living into their
late-teens, and they about 30-40% larger in size than lesser snow
geese.
Related Links - Greater Snow Goose Hunting in
Canada
Quebec Canada Hunting Regulations
Canadian GST
Refunds for Visitors
Canadian
Inadmissability
Photo Gallery: Quebec Canada Snow Goose
Hunting (Spring)
Canadian Non-Resident Firearm
Declaration
Getting There - Greater Snow Goose Hunts in
Canada
Fly into Quebec Canada Airport (YQB) the afternoon preceding
your scheduled hunt date. You will be met by a representative
and transfered to the lodge a mere 30-45 minutes away.
Following the morning hunt of your final day and lunch, you will be
transfered to the airport or to your hotel in Quebec as your
schedule allows.
Itinerary - Greater Snow Goose Hunting in
Canada
Awake early to coffee, juice, toast and eggs cooked to
order. Legal shooting time is early, just past 5 a.m.
EST during the spring season. Snow goose hunts are twice
daily, morning and afternoon, with a chef-prepared lunch and
suggested nap in between. Driving distances to goose hunting
areas is brief, and optimal high tide times are known; there is
always a relaxed pace. Following your afternoon hunt, return
to the cottage for drinks, stories and an excellent dinner.
Bag Limits - Greater Snow Goose Hunting in
Quebec
- Snow Geese 20 per day (Spring and Fall)
- Canada Geese 5 per day (Fall only)
- Ducks 6 per day, no species restrictions (Fall only)
- Ruffed Grouse 5 per day (Fall only)
About the Area - Greater Snow Goose Hunting in
Canada
Many of
Canada's earliest settlements were established in Québec, in the
area now known as the St. Lawrence Valley. Located along the
shores of the St. Lawrence River and its tributaries, the area is
blessed with productive land. Every year, millions of
waterfowl travel the Atlantic Flyway. Québec's size and abundance
of diverse habitats attract countless waterfowl; the vast majority
of these waterfowl depend on the wetland habitats of the St.
Lawrence Valley to fulfill some aspect of their life-cycle
needs.
Greater snow goose hunting in Quebec was once the exclusive
purview of a few members of the Cap Tourmente Club de Chasse.
During fall migration in the 1950s, virtually the whole population
of only 12,000 birds stopped on the St. Lawrence River, near Quebec
City on property controlled by Le Club or on a nearby island,
Isle-aux-Grues. Wealthy sportsmen, politicians, and business
magnates were among the few who had the opportunity to harvest only
one bird per day in some years. Not surprisingly, unique hunting
lore and traditions are deeply entrenched in the local
community.
Greater snow populations have grown beyond 1 million, and
managers consider the birds on the verge of overpopulation. Liberal
bag limits in both the United States and Canada and a spring season
in Canada help maintain the population at sustainable levels. The
birds are no longer so restricted in distribution and have spread
to agricultural lands for miles up and down the St. Lawrence.
It is common for greater snow geese to be seen literally lining the
banks of the St. Lawrence River between Quebec and Cap Tourmente
during low tide, but high tides of 20 or more feet push the birds
inland from the river bank. The mighty St. Lawrence River and
its tides characterize greater snow goose hunting in Quebec.
Quebec has long struggled to retain its mother tongue and
clarify its relationship with the rest of Canada. More than
four-fifths of the population in this oldest and largest province
speaks French. But as their hospitality, their love for
excellent food and wines, and laughter among friends best
demonstrates, their heritage is evident in far more ways than in
their accents.
Contact us to discuss greater
snow goose hunting in Canada.