Connecticut’s winter waterfowling opportunities -- and regulations --are managed as two zones. The demarcation line for the North and South zones is Interstate Route 95, which conveniently separates inland areas from coastal salt marshes. The bonus season is open in the South Zone only. The 2007 South Zone late season runs from Jan. 15 to Feb. 15, with a daily bag limit of five Canada geese.

Charles Wheeler WMA
Connecticut’s goose numbers are highest in the southwestern corner of the state. Heading the list in that region is the Charles Wheeler Wildlife Management area, which features over 800 acres with the Housatonic River on the west side and Long Island Sound to the south. The Housatonic borders the towns of Milford and Stratford, with the bulk of the wetlands lying in Milford.

Charles Wheeler WMA, which features three main channels off the big river, is probably the most hunted goose location in the state and is often crowded with hunters. So be flexible in your planning -- and get there early!

One characteristic that makes the marsh so attractive to geese is its maze of cuts and minor channels, where it’s easy to become lost or stranded at low tide or after sunset.

In general, the farther you motor into the marsh away from the main river, the better the goose shooting, but the thinner the water. Novices should probably avoid this marsh in favor of other, smaller marshes to the east.

Access to “Knell’s Island,” as it’s called locally, is in Milford, one-half mile upriver from the marsh. Take I-95 to Exit 34 in Devon. Turn west on Route 1 and then north on Naugatuck Avenue. The launch is on the left. The large parking lot under I-95 is never full. (Continued)

Although the saltwater current in the main river runs strong, the ramp and marsh can freeze solid during prolonged periods of cold weather. This doesn’t normally occur until late this month or early next month. Check DeLorme’s Connecticut Atlas and Gazetteer, Map 59, for a detailed view of the area.

Less than a 30-minute drive to the east on I-95, the seaside town of Guilford offers two smaller WMAs that are sleepers at this time of year because they don’t receive the gunning pressure of the larger marshes. Small groups of Canadas often dump into these spots just before sunset, especially when the weather is raw.

Great Harbor WMA
Great Harbor WMA offers 188 acres of tidal marsh north of Sachem Head and south of Cockaponset State Forest. Access is via Exit 56 off I-95; then travel south on Leetes Island Road. Take a left onto Route 146 and travel several miles south on Sachem’s Head Road. Turn right onto Colonial Road and then right again onto the access road. You’ll find a parking area on the southwest corner of the marsh. The ramp here is small, and a 4WD vehicle can be helpful at low water.

East River Marsh
The East River marsh is another Guilford wetland that sees knots of birds moving in during cold spells. The marsh borders the towns of Guilford and Madison and totals 147 acres. The marsh proper may be viewed on Map 26 of DeLorme’s gazetteer.