December provides the backdrop for one of Pennsylvania's most exciting outdoor experiences. Daylight is just beginning to filter through thin gunmetal clouds. You're resting comfortably inside a coffin blind that protects you from the icy breeze that's keeping the windsock decoys flying.

Someone in the group utters a harsh, "Shhh! I think I heard a honk."

Instantly, the whole crew strains their ears for the telltale sound of approaching Canada geese. The next time a goose honks, everyone begins a visual search for the birds.

"There they are," someone calls out. "One o'clock!"

Sure enough, the flock appears -- an undulating, horizontal black line in the distance. The hunters quickly reach for their calls and strike up a raucous chorus of clucks and moans.

The birds draw closer, flapping their wings on the approach.

Eventually the flapping stops. The geese lock their wings in the shape of an inverted U. Their feet drop as they descend toward the decoys.

And finally, someone utters the magic words: "Take 'em!"

A BANNER YEAR
According to John Dunn, the Pennsylvania Game Commission's chief waterfowl biologist, Susquehanna River Valley goose hunters are in for a banner season -- because the Atlantic population of Canada geese had a good spring nesting season.

The Atlantic population is the migratory flock that wings through eastern the Keystone State each fall from Canada on its way to wintering grounds in southeastern Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware. This year's population estimate of 165,000 breeding pairs is similar to last year's and is a sharp increase from the estimated 29,000 breeding pairs that flew through the state only one decade ago.

Added to those birds are the roughly 300,000 resident Canadas that live in Pennsylvania year-round.

As of the writing of this article, the 2006-07 hunting seasons and bag limits for Canada geese were not yet set. But Dunn said that waterfowlers should expect this year's seasons and bag limits to be similar to last year's.

Before you go, be sure to check the Pennsylvania 2006-'07 Guide to Migratory Game Bird Hunting, issued wherever state migratory game bird licenses or federal duck stamps are sold. Hunters can also view the state's waterfowl regulations online at the Game Commission's Web site at www.pgc.state.pa.us.

In December, Susquehanna Valley hunters may hunt geese in either the Atlantic Population Zone or the Resident Population Zone. These two areas are designed to manage the different subspecies of Canada geese.

Last year, the Game Commission reduced the Atlantic Population Zone, which generally covers the extreme southeast corner of the state. Be sure to check the waterfowl regulations to see where the new boundaries lie.

In 2005, Canada goose hunting in the Atlantic Population Zone was allowed from Dec. 14 through Jan. 21, when hunters could take three geese per day. In the Resident Population Zone, the season ran from Dec. 9 through Feb. 15, and hunters could take five geese per day.

Here's a look at some good bets for Susquehanna Valley goose hunting this year.

WEST BRANCH SUSQUEHANNA RIVER
One of the most successful winter goose season tactics on a big river is drifting. Simply launch a boat and let the current carry you down into flocks of unsuspecting geese. Remember, it's illegal to use a motor to chase geese while hunting. Also, always wear your life vest. The Susquehanna in winter can be a dangerous place to fall into!