Goose Pond FWA is located about two miles south of Linton in Greene County. The entire property covers around 8,000 acres with approximately 7,000 of those acres enrolled in the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP). This land is part of the land retirement program through the USDA and is dedicated as a permanent easement; it is guaranteed as a wetlands area forever.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are basically rebuilding the wetlands. The hope is to restore it as nearly as possible to its original grandeur. Much has already been done there, but the project will probably continue for at least the next four to five years before reaching completion.

When complete, the area will basically be one huge marsh and open wetlands. There will probably be close to 2,500 acres of moist soil units. The main pool area will encompass some 1,800 to 2,400 acres, which most likely will be divided into two different bodies of water.

Area manager Brad Feaster said the FWA is already great for waterfowl, but it “will be phenomenal when completed.” The shallow-water area will be tailor-made for puddle ducks; numerous ducks and geese are already using the area.

In the early part of the season, the FWA usually holds many wood ducks as well as blue-winged and green-winged teal. As the season progresses, mallards often show up in great quantities. By December, many other ducks use the area, including pintails, gadwalls, black ducks, American widgeon and others.

Goose Pond FWA is open for hunting even though the restoration project is not complete. However, there are some specific regulations for the area and they are subject to change due to the ongoing project. Some of the current regulations follow, but hunters should stay well informed of happenings at the FWA and know all up-to-date regulations before going hunting on this “new” property.

Currently, waterfowl hunting is allowed through pre-season and daily drawings. Hunting parties are limited to three persons and all three must be present to participate in the daily drawings. There is a shotshell regulation that limits each hunter to 15 shotgun shells per day while on the property. Trailered watercraft are not permitted, so hunters must hand-carry boats and other watercraft for use at the FWA. Trolling motors are permitted.

Hunting days and shooting times can be a bit confusing. Hunts are conducted in three segments weekly. There is a Monday-Tuesday hunt, a Wednesday-Thursday hunt and a Friday through Sunday hunt. Hunting will be allowed from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Hunting will be allowed from one-half hour before sunrise until 1 p.m. on all other days.

This area holds tremendous promise for not only this season but also way into the future. There are numerous ducks and geese already using the area and the number and diversity of species is only expected to increase. The area may, in time, even begin attracting more diving ducks, such as canvasbacks, redheads and scaup. There are numerous resident geese in the area and their numbers are increasing annually. Migrant geese are also expected to begin making Goose Pond FWA a yearly stopover spot as well.