Pratt ? On Monday, Wildlife and Parks will implement the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s snow goose conservation order in Kansas.

The conservation order addresses concerns about overpopulation of snow geese in North America. The order extends the snow goose season statewide through April 30.

During this period, special regulations apply.

There are no bag or possession limits and hunters may use electronic calls and unplugged shotguns. Shooting hours are a half-hour before sunrise and a half-hour after sunset.

Perry Lake is one of the favorite loafing sites for late-season snow geese.

Thousands of snows cross into Kansas from refuges in Missouri. Flocks in northern Leavenworth, northeast Jefferson, central and eastern Atchison and southern Doniphan counties are usually abundant.

Snow geese are typically hunted when they fly to corn fields to feed. Veteran snow goose hunters normally spend a day scouting to spot where flocks are feeding and then acquire permission to hunt.

Almost all hunting opportunities are on private land, so acquiring permission is a must. Typically, white rag decoys are spread in a corn field, and hunters dressed in white or cornstalk camouflage lie among the rags.

No. 2 steel shot is preferred when hunting snow geese. No lead shot may be in possession.

Calling geese is an art. Going out with experienced callers and buying instructional tapes will help the novice hunter. Snow geese communicate with various high-pitched barks and soft grunts and are fairly easy to imitate.

Hunters must also remember to dress for extremely cold weather, wearing several layers of clothing. In Kansas, mild weather can rapidly become severe.