One big change coming that is fairly predictable is the allocation of geese to the state's three major quota zones. Over the years, many misconceptions have arisen among hunters as to just how the DNR honchos arrive at these figures. Suspicious by nature, waterfowl hunters often suspect the numbers are subjected to political manipulation, rather than the result of sound resource management decisions. And in years gone by, they were probably correct in their assumptions, more often than not. But things have changed.

About 10 years ago, then-DNR Director Brent Manning authorized his waterfowl managers to come up with an allocation formula that would give each zone a fair share of our state's goose allocation. He wanted it done in such a way that the public could understand the mechanics of the system, and in so doing, take politics out of the process. While the new system the DNR came up with has worked wonderfully, it is still not clearly understood by many hunters, so let's go over it again, and then at least you will know what is going on. Current DNR Director Joel Brunsvold has declared his intention to continue using the allocation system as it stands.

The allocation system works around the seasonal average number of geese killed in the past three years in the state, and then in each quota zone. By using a rolling three-year average, the results are kept current, and exceptionally good or bad seasons will not unduly skew the numbers.

In August, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service assesses the MVP, and allocates to each state in the Mississippi Valley Flyway the number of migratory birds it may kill from that flock. For example, let's say Illinois is allocated 50,000 MVP, or wild geese. To that is added the resident, or non-MVP, geese that make up 54 percent of Illinois' total harvest, bringing the total Illinois goose allocation, or quota, up to 108,700. Remember, these numbers are examples, not this year's actual bag limits. Next, the total goose harvest in each quota zone for each of the previous three years is added together, and that figure is divided by three to obtain the yearly average kill. Then, the average number of MVP and non-MVP geese killed in each zone is determined.

The waterfowl managers now know the average percentage of the statewide harvest of MVP and non-MVP geese in each zone over a three-year period, and based on this they distribute each year's allocation among the state's quota zones and non-quota zones.

What has dismayed many hunters, especially in the North Zone, is the great disparity between the allocations assigned to their area, as opposed to the number of geese allocated to the South Zone. From the first year the new system was put into effect, the south has often received double the number of birds assigned to the North Zone.

In view of the fact that the North Zone usually shot its quota and was closed early while the South Zone regularly struggled to bring down even one third of its allocated number of geese, it is understandable that northern hunters would become suspicious of the system. But actually, the system was working as it should, and reflected the fact that every so often a series of major snowstorms would drive hundreds of thousands of geese into the southern refuges, and their success ratio soared, taking their yearly average up with it.

But this year, the last of the big yearly harvests (2000-01) dropped out of the South Zone's equation, and a major restructuring of the allocation numbers seems assured. Predictions are the South Zone will lose a large number of geese, and the North Zone will gain them. The Central Zone, based on three straight years of nearly constant results, should stay just about the same.

This might sound like bad news for South Zone hunting, but don't fret. After all, last year South Zone hunters brought down only 9,000 out of an allocated 28,600 geese, just about 25 percent. Accordingly, they could stand the loss of a lot of birds and still enjoy hunting on a par with recent years. And, they would leave fewer birds on the table at the season's end.

Where, you may ask, is this excellent goose hunting taking place? Based on last year's results, here is the answer. Most South Zone goose hunting is done on commercial clubs, but there is some public hunting available on the refuges. Since the clubs are clustered around the refuges, we will deal with each of them separately.

At Horseshoe Lake, Billings Hunting Club (314-892-1439) led the pack with a hunter success ratio of 1.07 geese per hunter per day. Also scoring well were Black Creek Hunting Club (309-443-5285), Carter's Guide Service (270-554-3870), Miller Brothers (618-776-5901), Renaud Hunting Club (573-683-3049), Willis Hunting Club (270-753-6773), and Worthington Hunting Club (618-776-5333). The public hunting area on the refuge isn't worth your trouble, since 277 hunters bagged only 43 geese.

At Union County, Grassy Lake Hunting Club (618-833-7890) at the north end of the refuge produced an eye-popping 824 geese for a hunter success average of .80 per day. Other clubs with respectable kill numbers were Clear Creek (618-833-5992), Northfield Duck Club (618-833-6515) and The Flyway (618-833-3377). The Union County public hunting area on the refuge hosted 1,281 hunters, who took down 229 geese. Contact the DNR for permit applications.

At Crab Orchard Refuge near Marion, Crab Orchard Hunting Club (1-800-934-3373) harvested the most geese, 1,045, for an average of .69 per hunter. Based on hunter success percentages, some other clubs did quite well also. Try Bleyer Farms (618-997-1331), Burns Hunting Club (618-964-1806), Country Kitchen (618-997-3344), D&M (618-925-0545), Falmier Hunting Club (618-985-4561), Ferrell's Hunting Club (618-985-4561), Ferrell's Northwinds Goose Club No. 2 (815-438-3798), Fox's Hunting Club (618-997-4039), L&D Goose Club (270-826-4364), Grafton Hunting Club (618-964-1335), Honker's Corner (618-985-6542), Honker's Haven (618-964-1382), Jake & Norb's (812-838-5732) and Shirley Farms Hunt Club (618-987-2706).

The Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge provides both water and land blinds on a daily draw. Last season, 827 hunters took home 227 geese from this public hunting area. For full information on this facility, call 618-997-3344, extension 334.

While goose hunting in southern Illinois cannot be said to be what it once was, it remains a fine place to pursue the big honkers. Most of the clubs are first-rate, and the guides they provide are some of the best goose callers to be found anywhere. Actually, the major difference between now and 20 years ago is the timing required.

It used to be that the first flocks of migrating geese settled into the refuges in mid-September, and their numbers grew almost daily. When the hunting season opened, then in early November, 100,000 geese were already on hand. Good hunting began at once, with as many as 5,000 birds falling on opening weekend. Today, the season doesn't even get started until Thanksgiving, with the best hunting developing in January.

Still, it is goose hunting at a time when most other options have run out. The South Zone is a place where goose hunting is a way of life, a great place to learn and a great place to enjoy traditional waterfowl hunting that most folks only read about. For a great late-season hunting experience, head on down south.