Surrounded by the North Zone, the SJBP Zone is spread out over several counties. The SJBP Zone consists of LaGrange, Steuben, Starke, Elkhart, Jasper and LaPorte counties, along with the Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area (FWA).

The SJBP of geese originates in the Hudson Bay lowlands and Akimiski Island, which are both located near James Bay. James Bay is a big extension of Hudson Bay. Akimiski Island is a huge island consisting of 1,159 square miles. It is perfect for waterfowl like Canada geese. The eastern half of the island is a migratory bird sanctuary.

The lowlands contain over 140,000 square miles, and constitute a huge region for geese to thrive in during spring and summer. When you think of a perfect place for waterfowl to thrive, this area of the world certainly qualifies!

The South Zone runs from the "bottom" of the North Zone almost all the way to the south end of the state. The South Zone takes up about two-thirds of the state, and it is twice as big as the North Zone; it is the biggest of all of Indiana's four zones.

The Ohio River Zone, as its name implies, is geographically oriented in proximity to the Ohio River. This zone consists of counties whose southern borders follow the path of the Ohio River as it winds its way toward the Mississippi River. A unique characteristic of these counties is that a small portion of their northern area is in the South Zone and a larger portion is in the Ohio River Zone. Because freeze-up will most likely have occurred in the North Zone by late December, waterfowl hunters can set up a strategy to head to the South Zone or the Ohio River Zone at this time of year, and take advantage of the season staying open (typically) until the end of January.

This will involve a "road trip" for Hoosier hunters who live in the North Zone. But for waterfowl hunters in the northern tier of the state, who are willing to put in the miles, this strategy will extend their season for about another month.

In terms of an overall where-to-go strategy for late-season hunting, hunters pinpointing where the geese will be should consider three very important factors. The first factor is: season dates. The second is: weather-related environmental conditions. And the third is: the status of food sources that are available to the geese.

Let's explore a possible scenario that takes into account all three of these factors. Say, for example, you live in the North Zone and it is closed. You then decide you're willing to drive to a location in the South or the Ohio River Zone because you're hooked on goose hunting and putting in the miles is no big deal.