"I've seen as many as 250,000 geese on the refuge during a hard winter," says Dr. Will Wyatt, a member of the Oklahoma City Sportsman's Club. Dr. Wyatt frequently hunts geese on club property bordering the refuge.

Most hunting land in the area is leased either by individuals or by sportsmen's clubs. However, some blinds can rented for day-hunting at reasonable rates. I've hunted the fields adjacent to the refuge on numerous occasions and taken many lesser Canada geese.

The typical goose killed at Salt Plains weighs between 4 and 6 pounds. DeWayne Orr, a hunting companion of Dr. Wyatt's, once took a Salt Plains thumper that tipped the scales at 13 pounds, 11 ounces.

FORT COBB WMA
If you can find hunting access, Fort Cobb Lake is a great spot to take a limit of Canada geese. The lake's migrating geese use the local feed fields with such regularity that you can almost set your watch by them.

The WMA is located in Caddo County, southwest of Oklahoma City, and spans more than 3,500 acres fronting Fort Cobb Reservoir. These public lands are excellent for goose hunting, particularly in that most of the available private land in the area is leased.

Peanuts are the big draw in this area, and these feed fields receive considerable numbers of ducks and geese foraging on the high-protein fodder. Local geese also frequent the area's wheat fields, as you might expect.

During peak migration, this area holds as many as 20,000 Canadas, the majority lessers. Fort Cobb WMA also picks up a few white-fronted and snow geese.

Jeff Stewart logs many trips each season to Fort Cobb and says the area is phenomenal. "If you can find a peanut field that isn't already leased, you will almost be guaranteed some good goose shooting," he said. "Most farmers will be receptive to goose hunters if their property is not leased, because they hate the geese and want to get rid of them."

WASHITA NWR
One of the best places for Canada goose action is the Washita NWR, located two hours west of Oklahoma City near the town of Butler. Washita NWR is one of the premier Canada goose spots in Oklahoma.

The refuge is home to more than 100,000 Canadas at peak migration, and also holds 1,000 white-fronted, and 2,000 mixed snows, blues and Ross' geese.

Most goose hunting land in this area is leased, but permission can be obtained by talking to area landowners. I've obtained permission relatively easily by knocking on a few doors and inquiring at local restaurants and convenience stores.

Another option -- and probably the best bet for a quality Canada goose hunt there -- is to contact Refuge Manager David Maple at (580) 664-2206 and inquire about the refuge hunts. The refuge personnel conduct computer drawings for weekend hunts throughout goose season.