Snow goose season typically runs from early in the fall on into late spring. That's not likely to change in 2005. According to Graber, there's a Conservation Order that will allow unlimited bag limits once the Canada season is closed. "Because of the damage they're doing to the Tundra, the order is likely to run into the spring again this year," he said.

And that's just the beginning. Owing to their migratory patterns, the hunting is best when they're returning north. Snow geese are legendary for their large flocks. It is not unusual to see thousands of them, all in tight groups, descending upon the Mississippi or Missouri rivers in the spring as they head towards home. That means plenty of fast action long after other hunting seasons have closed for the year.

"For some reason, they show up in heavy numbers on their way north around here - more so than when they're headed south in the fall or winter," remarked Garber by way of describing springtime snow goose hunting.

Despite the birds' high numbers, taking snow geese does require some effort. They can be a hit or miss proposition. They tend to fly in very narrow lanes and land in very specific spots. And of course, not every day shows large numbers. The flocks are big, but they don't necessarily show up every day. It may take several days of hunting, but when you catch them in the "on" mode, harvests of over 100 geese per day are not uncommon. (After the close of the Canada season there will most probably be no harvest limit on snow geese.)

Snow geese offer another important if little-discussed advantage for some sportsmen: Not all hunters are able to withstand the bitter cold, ice, snow, sharp winds and miserable conditions of winter. Snow geese are a welcome addition to their hunting schedules. The best hunting is during the milder weather of spring. This is wonderful for the elderly, the physically challenged and those who prefer the great indoors when the weather's inhospitable.

They also work well for youth hunts. For while not every day will provide heavy action, the days that do will allow youngsters to experience hunting like no other. That's a rarity should be taken advantage of at every opportunity. The memories will last a lifetime.

Currently, Columbia Bottom consists of more than six miles of river frontage, 800 acres of forest and over 3,000 acres of croplands.

The levee along the river offers an unobstructed view of the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. This alone is worth a visit. There are a number of hiking and biking trails that crisscross the acreage. The public boat ramp is excellent - one of the best in the metro area - although it can be somewhat crowded on weekends when the weather's good.

In summary, Columbia Bottom is a first class facility. It has something for everyone. And with construction not yet complete, it's only going to get better.

According to Leifield, resident biologist for the area, the goose population is not sufficient at this time for open public hunting. "Unfortunately, not many geese are using the area at this time - the habitat is not that desirable, the wetlands are not yet in place," is his assessment.

He has scheduled a couple of youth hunts, in years past, on those occasions when the geese have arrived. These hunts are generally scheduled on short notice, so you need to stay in touch. Call (314) 877-6014 for up to the minute information about what's going on.

Columbia Bottom's goose hunting future looks bright. In short order it may be one of the premier spots in the eastern half of the state. Plans have been finalized for an extensive artificial wetlands project. The pumps to flood the wetlands are being installed. Leifield hopes for a substantial and huntable waterfowl population in the near future. This could happen as early as the fall of 2005.

There doesn't seem to be anything standing in the way of Leifield's hope. Columbia Bottom is right under the Mississippi Flyway. There's plenty of cropland for food with plenty of open water for rest and safety nearby. And, once the pumps are operational, there'll be plenty of wetlands. It should attract good numbers of waterfowl, geese included. They'll certainly have everything they need.

Neither complete information on dates, bag and species limits nor updated rules and regulations were not available at the time of this writing. They change from year to year subject to bird counts, water conditions and other considerations. Some of those changes are within the control of the Missouri Department of Conservation; some are not. Check the Internet at http://mdc.mo.gov/hunt/ for current updates.

Booklets detailing up-to-date information will be available by the time this article is published. Call (636) 441-4554 for a copy or a location near you where one can be obtained.