Geese Galore

[bigredbirdfan]

The id is not so bad when hunting as a group, but when alone it is a challange. I had a friend call me about 10 years ago because they got to their lease and the lake was frozen up and there were about 1,000 snow geese in a water about the size of a swimming pool. The elected to pull the trigger on them out of two guns. Granted this was before the increased limits on snows. There were literally 50-75 dead birds. Many of which weren't even hit with shot, just dead from heart attacks or fright of some kind.

Kyle: Let me know how you cooked them and if you liked them.

[DoveTail]

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

I have not used the flying goose decoy but I have used Mojo decoys with ducks and doves. The Mojo decoys work great. The Carry-Lite looks like a good deal. I would try it.

I was playing around and put a duck decoy out while dove hunting. The duck decoy would flare doves. As far as putting the Carry-Lite in a height above the ground, you could probably put it at any height. Behind your spread, I would probably have it higher, but in the landing zones inside your spread just a few feet off the ground would be good.

Sounds like a fun hunt.

[jdmidwest]

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

I had not noticed the increase in the woodies, good thing to know as I am hunting timber at Duck Creek tomorrow. What exactly is a mottled duck anyway? Early season geese was over back in early October, now the bag limit is 2.

[Kyle]

JD,

I have never seen a white front or Bryant goose in my life, let alone out in the field. Is there a populatioin of theese in Central Missouri? Do they behave like Canadas?

Kyle

[jdmidwest]

White fronts have been pretty common this year, they will decoy to Canadas. They are also called Specs. They are not very vocal, I usually use a few calls from a snow goose call to get their attention. I have seen several flocks come thru back during deer season and they were pretty thick over in Union Cty Il Refuge last week when I went thru there. On my reservation back Dec. 1, there were several flocks of Specs using the refuge field next to ours but we were not able to get them across.

Winters have been so mild the last several years, we don't see many Canadas. Brant are a sea bird and fly the Pacific and Atlantic Flyways. Probably won't see many in the Mississippi Flyway.

I got out today, 3/4" sleet and ice on roads this morning going to Duck Creek, all gravel roads were Ice. Busted 1/2" ice to timber blind this morning, left at 9:00, no ducks. Nothing was flying the timber, all were using crop fields.

[Kyle]

My buddy and I got out again on Friday and did pretty well. We ended up with 3, could have had one more to make our limit real easy, but lacked in the shooting skills. Did not see as many birds on this outing as on the previous, but still had plenty to work. We set-up right on the edge of the corn and bean fields with most of the decoys being in the beans. The birds came very late like 4:50 and it was totally dark by 5:30. Over all a fun, but muddy day.

Here is a picture of the first hunt.