OUTDOORSSnow goose hunting in ArkansasPaul A. SmithMilwaukee Journal SentinelA flock of snow geese and Ross's geese, collectively called light geese, fly over an agricultural field in northeastern Arkansas. The birds winter in the southern U.S. and breed in the Arctic region of Canada.Paul A. SmithPat Gerbensky of Genesee, Wisconsin (front) and Jake Lechner of East Troy, Wisconsin connect battery cables to a vortex decoy in a harvested rice field in northeastern Arkansas. The mechanical device spins white cloth decoys on long arms around a central pivot.Paul A. SmithA sign in Otter Slough Wildlife Area near Dexter, Missouri bears the name of a popular Remington shotgun model. Since 1937, an excise tax on firearms and ammunition has helped purchase wildlife habitat and fund wildlife management in the U.S.Paul A. SmithPat Gerbensky of Genesee, Wisconsin (foreground) and Adam Wisniewski of Dousman, Wisconsin scan the skies for geese just after sunrise in a harvested rice field in northeastern Arkansas. Wisniewski works as a hunting guide for Neu Outdoors for about two months of the year.Paul A. SmithSnow geese circle over a spread of decoys. The population of the birds has increased dramatically over the last four decades and has resulted in ecological damage to their Arctic breeding grounds. As a result, many states hold special hunts as part of a "conservation order" in an effort to reduce the number of the birds and help the Arctic ecosystem heal.Paul A. SmithThe group of Wisconsinites hunted in layout blinds set in a field of 2,200 decoys.Paul A. SmithThe geese are drawn to the rice fields by waste grain left after harvest.Paul A. SmithJake Lechner looks out from a layout blind shortly after sunrise.Paul A. SmithAdam Wisniewski retrieves geese taken on the hunt. Under terms of the conservation order, there is no daily bag limit and hunters are allowed to use unplugged shotguns and electronic calls.Paul A. SmithA snow goose (top) and Ross's goose are placed next to each other for comparison. The average snow goose weighs 5 pounds and has a 54 inch wingspan while the average Ross's goose weighs 3 pounds and has a 45 inch wingspan. Both species provide very good table fare.Paul A. SmithSnow geese come in white and blue color phases. This is a blue morph snow goose taken on the hunt in northeastern Arkansas.Paul A. SmithThe spread of decoys and photographer are reflected in sunglasses worn by Conner Shepardson of Kaukauna, Wisconsin.Paul A. SmithHunters watch as a flock of several thousand snow and Ross's geese shifts in an adjacent field. The birds gather in huge "feeds" each day in the agricultural fields on northeastern Arkansas. At frequent intervals the wary birds get alarmed and take flight, then often land again in the same field.Paul A. Smith