Geese Galore

[Kyle]

A buddy and I went goose hunting in central Missouri yesterday for the first time. Neither of us had been field hunting before and were both excited and somewhat skeptical. I had bought a layout blind, 4 dozen shells, 6 super mag shells, and a dozen full bodys from a neighbor in the spring for a great deal and decided it was something I may like to get in to. So we load up the trailer with all of the supplies and the dog and get to the field at about 2. Seeing how it windy it was made us a little worried but we figured what the heck. We set up in a U shape with the wind to our backs and wait. After about an hour with nothing in sight ones mind starts to wander so I though it best to keep sanity by playing some games on the cell phone. I am very taken by a game and just happen too look to the right and here is a flock of about 30-35 birds coming right for our spread. We do a few light calls and they come in low and probably would have landed had I not yelled " take'em". We spring up and shoot like crazy. I dropped one. The dog goes to get it and we were very excited, but didn't have time to celebrate. Another huge flock was about 300 yards out. We call the dog back and get down. These birds take almost the exact same route as the first flock and when we shoot this time 2 fall from the sky. Well I am done with my 2 birds, but my buddy still has one to get and it looks as it there are 3 or 4 more good size flocks coming right for us. Well 2 of them flare so we decide we need to get the birds we had down already. (The dog didn't know what to do since it was the first time she had ever seen a goose.) We pick them up, but the rest of the flocks we see don't seem to want to work as good. A couple land in the same field about 50 yards away and some fly over for a look, my friend shoots a few more times but to no avail. We should have had 4 birds but we were very pleased with our trip anyway. I am now definately addicted to this field hunting and can't wait for next weekend.

Sorry so long, but I wanted to tell the story to people who would appreciate it. Thank for reading.

Kyle

[jdmidwest]

Sounds like a good hunt. This system should freeze them out up north and the next few weeks should be grand. I bank alot of my time off till the last few weeks of the year and it is not because I like to spend time with the family during the holidays!

[bigredbirdfan]

Small Geese or Big Geese?

[Kyle]

Not real sure what is a small one or a big one, but I would say they were all between 10-12 pounds. Is that big or not? Also is it just me or is the 2 goose limit kinda crappy? I mean you spend an hour driving to the spot, an hour setting up, who knows how long waiting, an hour putting everything away and only like 10 min actually working and shooting birds.

Also wondered if anyone has or knows anything about the "Carry-Lite Full Body Flying Canada Goose Decoy"? I got one with the the gear I bought, but have not really messed with it and was curious if anyone has any experience with them. Do they work? Do they flare birds? Are they just a waste of time? How far off of the ground should they be? Any information or opions would be appreicated.

Kyle

[jdmidwest]

The limits are 2 Canadas, 2 White Fronts, 1 Brant, and 20 Snow Geese. You could have stayed out longer and waited for others to come thru. White Fronts decoy to Canada decoys or Snow decoys. They are good to eat also and come to a call pretty good. Snows are a different story, you would have probably have to put out a bigger spread for them.

[bigredbirdfan]

Kyle: I meant breed of geese. What did you shoot? Canadians I am guessing.

[bigredbirdfan]

The limits are 2 Canadas, 2 White Fronts, 1 Brant, and 20 Snow Geese. You could have stayed out longer and waited for others to come thru. White Fronts decoy to Canada decoys or Snow decoys. They are good to eat also and come to a call pretty good. Snows are a different story, you would have probably have to put out a bigger spread for them.

JD with those limits you better have someone with a gun and license close or only pull the trigger once at two geese. Ha

[Kyle]

Sorry I misunderstood the question. Yes they were Canadians, however I don't know how to tell the difference between the greater and lesser canada goose.

[jdmidwest]

BRB, that is a major challenge on a day when birds are flying good. Early morning and on dark days, it is really hard to tell the difference in the drakes and the hens. All species have limits so you really need to pick your shots carefully. Mallards can only be 2 hens, 2 wood ducks, no canvasbacks, and one scaup. Most hunts that are good leave you to have to pick and choose to carefully fill your limit. I made an amazing shot on a flock of 30 teal before deer season. The crossed the decoys in a tight flock and I shot one time and missed. I could only kill one more and I was done so I was aiming at a low single and not the flock....I missed the whole flock luckily!

[duckydoty]

They raised the limits on woodies this year to 3.

Mallards is 4 but no more than 2 hens

Mottled ducks is 3

redheads is 2

hooded mergansers is 2

black duck is 1

pintail is 1

Early season Canada geese is 3 per day

Duck and goose identification is all part of the fun!

That must be done before you pull the trigger.

duckydoty