Only geese and sandhill cranes (a free permit is required for the latter) are permitted as quarry on these hunts. Hunters are required to stay in their blinds until 11:30 a.m., even if they’ve killed their limit. I’ve hunted Washita NWR and found that a limit of geese is generally easy to take. Both the numbers and the diversity of species there are impressive.

On every hunt I’ve experienced on the refuge I was treated to an exceptional hunt that resulted in a mixed bag, and plenty of fond memories.

To inquire further about the refuge hunts, call refuge manager David Maple at Washita NWR headquarters, (580) 664-2206.

SOONER LAKE
Another smart choice for goose hunting this winter is the Sooner Lake area. Situated near Perry, Sooner Lake offers a chance at a true trophy Canada goose. Most of the geese in the Sooner Lake area are resident greater Canadas -- “maximas,” ardent goose chasers call them. As their name implies, they’re big, tough birds, and definitely daunting as quarry.

Biologists estimate that the number of geese in the Sooner Lake area is near 10,000, with the majority staying year ‘round. Quite a few of these geese are banded, offering lucky takers a bonus keepsake for the call lanyard.

The birds spread out from the Sooner Lake area and invade wheat fields within roughly a 60-mile radius. Most farmers regard the big birds as pests, owing to the toll taken on the crops by the geese’s feeding rampages. The Canadas can be particularly tough during the late season because of pressure in the area. Big spreads of decoys and fine-tuned concealment are mandatory.

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation conducts drawings for blinds on state lands on a first-come, first-served basis; no user fee is required to hunt. For more information, contact the ODWC at (405) 521-3851.

TISHOMINGO NWR
Lying two hours south of Oklahoma City, this refuge is home to a variety of migrating ducks and geese. During peak migration, the refuge is hosts an estimated 2,700 Canada geese as well as 19,000 snows and blues, plus 5,400 white-fronted geese. The Canada goose hunting can be spotty, as goose numbers fluctuate daily. Snow geese and blue geese are the headliners at Tish; serious Canada goose hunters might not deem this refuge to be the absolute best choice.

Tishomingo NWR is managed jointly by the ODWC and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Limited hunting is allowed in the 3,150-acre wildlife management unit, which is open to goose hunting and other waterfowling on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Hunters are required to register at the check station at 5 a.m. on the morning of the hunts to draw for the 27 pit blinds in winter wheat fields on the refuge. The hunts are filled, naturally, on a first-come, first-served basis; no user fee is required.

According to NWR biologist Jona Reasor, the refuge offers outstanding habitat and holds solid numbers of snow and blue geese, but normally no more than 2,000 Canadas. Even so, the hunting can be very serviceable indeed. “We have hunters from out of state who come to the refuge and claim the goose hunting is fantastic,” Reasor said.