South Dakota goose hunting seasons occur twice a year, with the spring or light goose hunting season typically running from the first part of February through to the first part of May. South Dakota goose hunting for light geese includes only specific varieties including blues, snow geese and Ross’s geese.

There is often a rather high day limit on these smaller species with limits per day up to 20, with unlimited possession restrictions.

South Dakota goose hunting regulations allow for hunters with a day hunting licenses and with a migratory bird stamp to hunt light geese. In addition youth over the age of 12 may purchase their own hunting license and may hunt light geese, although those under 15 must also have taken an approved Hunter Safety course and must carry their Hunter Safety card at all times.

The South Dakota goose hunting season in the fall opens up all species except the light geese and white-fronted geese. The accepted species include Canada geese and brant, but proper identification of geese is critical as shooting a species that is excluded from the season is illegal. Fall goose hunting season in the state is different depending on which of the four zones you wish to hunt in.

Each zone has its own specific dates, and there may be protected areas such as wildlife or migratory bird refuges within each zone. Closely monitor the hunting regulations each season to ensure that the area you are hunting has not been excluded from the allowed hunting zones.

Throughout the states of South Dakota, goose hunting is allowed between one-half hour before sunlight through to the close of the hunting day at sunset.

Shooting outside of these hours is illegal and will result in prosecution. Wildlife officers will actively patrol all zones and areas, so it is important to always have your hunting license and identification available.

In addition it is important to only use what is considered nontoxic shot during the South Dakota goose hunting season.

The shot that is considered acceptable includes:

* steel shot
* bismuth-tin
* tungsten-polymer
* tungsten-matrix
* combinations of shot including tungsten-iron-nickel-tin-copper-bismuth

Nontoxic shot will prevent any poisoning of birds that have been hit with shot but not seriously. Previously toxic shot would eventually lead to the death of these birds, thereby depleting the population outside of the hunting season.

South Dakota goose hunting also offers opportunities for youth to get involved in the sport.

During the youth season adults may supervise and be present, but they may not actually hunt in the pre-season one day youth hunt.

Free online goose hunting games are fun for the whole family, plus are a great way to keep your reflexes in top response times for the start of the hunting season. Most of the free online goose hunting games requires some type of membership to the website or club sponsoring the game, but usually this membership just includes providing and email address and signing up.

Some of the most popular free online goose hunting games also have additional hunting features such as big game hunting, duck hunting or even hunting on safari. For a number of the free online versions there is limited access to all of the features, but is it still fun and entertaining to play the online versions, even without all the frills and extras. There are also some of the free online goose hunting games that offer actual full downloads for a very minimal price that allow you to compete against other online hunters around the world, send chat and messages to others playing the game, or even have your name entered in the games hall of fame for high scores.

Most of the online games now have an amazing level of detail in graphics, sound effects, attention to detail and lifelike hunting experiences. Some of the games even allow you to earn points to buy a dog, get decoys, callers, or even buy an ATV to allow you to move quickly from hunting spot to hunting spot. Of course most of the free online goose hunting games have realistic weather conditions including rain, sleet and snow as well as beautiful sunny days where the geese are able to see you even under your blind.

Some of the free online goose hunting games are easy to locate in a general search engine using the exact terms “free online goose hunting games”, while others may be found by searching for hunting games or shooter games. As with any type of download or online activity it is important to run a virus scan when downloading as well as monitoring the site, especially if your kids enjoy playing the game when you are not around to supervise.

Online games are often a child’s first introduction to hunting, and can help them learn about the sport even when they are still a bit too young to head out into the field.

Many of the online goose hunting games provide information on safe hunting tips, conservation of geese and waterfowl as well as hunting etiquette. These free online goose hunting games can be educational as well as fun, and are a great way to get kids interested in goose hunting as well as providing information.