In the Northeast Goose Zone, where Cave Run Lake is located, be sure you understand that special season dates apply. Shooting hours are different than for the rest of the Eastern Goose Zone. This area is usually open in late December into early January, then again toward the end of January for a few days.

The flock in the Cave Run Lake area is regulated pretty closely to try to ensure a continuing supply of birds, since this particular flock can't withstand the pressure of the full goose-hunting season. Other close-by areas to hunt geese are very limited. To have any success at all, everybody around would wind up hunting these birds, which sooner or later could knock their number down too low to recover in a year.

Another couple of lakes to check outs include Grayson and Yatesville. Both waters have local goose flocks, as well as birds in the surrounding area. There aren't thousands of geese around, but according to Pritchert, flocks are slowly increasing. There's just less habitat in the eastern end of the state than elsewhere, but where it does occur, you can find isolated groups of birds Even some reclaimed mines will draw flocks of geese. Growing flocks of geese is like anything else -- it takes time.

When the surface of the little waters freezes, outlying birds will go to the big lakes. If you're on these big waters when it happens, you will at least be located where the biggest number of geese should be at one time. Just watch the weather and do a drive-by along roads close to these lakes. If geese are there, you ought to get an eyeball on them somewhere.

Late-season goose hunting in Kentucky can be truly superb or absolutely terrible. It's the nature of the beast. The areas we've highlighted and suggestions we've made will help you maximize your hunts when the weather cooperates.

Concentrate on finding some local birds to keep you busy while waiting for the wave of migrants to show up when it gets cold. Be mobile, scout and get a couple of options available so that you can react to what the weather forces the birds do.

For more information on waterfowl seasons, boat access to various waterways and contact information for Kentucky's WMAs, log on to fw.ky.gov, the agency Web site, or call 1-800-858-1549 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time.