This could only happen to the BilletHead's

[BilletHead]

    Well Tomorrow the sixth of February is the last day of dark goose season. We had decided this morning would be our last hunt. Again scouting found us a place to try. Did not care too much for limits but did have a number in mind for the day and season. We had already surpassed our best season. Had a number in mind to hit, well we hit that and chose another number. Ended up with that spot on today. Will not say that number only that we are very pleased. Had some of the best hunts we have ever had with friends and made more friends along the way. I have shared hunts with you all  here on OA but only a fraction that we have went. 

   Now to todays crazy events. Set up on a small pasture pond. Early birds came off a pond behind us flying real low and I mean low over us heading to a winter wheat field. There they pitched in to feed. Getting pretty frustrated flying to our right, left and some sneaking over the top only to be too far out and we detest shooting them in the rear end. Finally one split out and pitched in one shot, one down. More flying and over to the field. Soon the field was black with birds. By this time I told the Mrs. if one gives me a shot I would take a try. She would roll her head in the blind and look behind us once and a while. Then a pair was coming a bit higher but coming. I tried to roll looking to the left then the right as I heard wings. Feet got tangled in the bottom of the layout and took a stupid chancy shot and the bird folded up and crashed into the pond. It was close to a fence and pretty well hidden to other birds coming over. later more flyovers and the Mrs. got a couple giving us our number we wanted for the season. All canada geese made that number. We high bumped fists and decided to pick up. Now is when the crazy begins. As I get birds the one belly up next to the fence in the water is sporting a band! Our number hit and a band? Yowza. After picking up and heading down the road we checked a pond where we had seen in the distance many birds land on. Stopping on the road through the binoculars we could not believe what we had stumbled on . I counted, yes counted over a hundred geese, Speckle bellies whitefronts! A few snows in the mix. We pulled into the farmers driveway to get a closer look and maybe make a plan for a stalk. Farmers dog greeted us and we messed with him some. We left him and checked out the mass of birds. No way, too far and too open for a stalk. Got back in the truck and pulled the little decoy trailer home. Still smiling from the morning we began to unload the trailer. Pulled out three geese? Where ifs the forth? The one with the band? That bird was gone! You have to be kidding we said. Where could it be? Did not hit and bumps in the road and throw it out? We quickly unloaded the trailer and retraced our eight mile trip in reverse. Looking all the way and trying to figure where it had gone. Getting back towards farmer house it hit me, the dog was not where we left him by the truck when we left. Could he be the culprit? So as we looked towards the house in the back yard there was the dog goose laying below him in the grass . Big dog and he could of reached over and grabbed the bird and pulled him out. As I went over to get the bird the dog gave me a big bloody smile. He had eaten the breast and only the breast with the band still shining on the goose leg. Crisis averted and only lost the meat, dog happy and hunter happy. Things like this are really a normal occurrence for me and the Mrs.

   Came home and cleaned three, pried off the band on the forth. 

  Checked out the band info. Banded 6-26-2014 Hatched 2013 or earlier Male   Near where we live. Shot one last year and the band numbers were not too far off this one. Betting same banding time. Need to look back and see if the dates jive.

    The dogs work,

    A couple more pictures to share from today. Think this has been a good wing shooting season? Dove, duck and goose?

  Cleaned the grass off the blinds and proceeded to have the closing ceremony by burning the dried blind grass. The Mrs doing the deed and the burning!

    Sad to see it end but ready to start fishing . Thanks to the Mrs. for being the best help and working so hard helping. Thanks to the others that have went and assisted me on these goose hunts also. I can only do so much solo but with help we got some big spreads out to fool em,

BilletHead

[BilletHead]

           Looked back and the goose  I got today was banded the same day as the one I shot last season. Both 6-26-2014

BilletHead

[Nitro 750]

Thanks for the report Mr. Billethead, sounds like you guys had a great season, really enjoyed reading your reports!!!!!  I am already thinking about next season,  but it is time to start fishing!!!!

[Johnsfolly]

BH

Great end to your season. Congrats on your successful and memorable hunts! Thanks for bringing us along on several. Looking forward to next year. Now let's hear about some french fries.

[tho1mas]

B H - Don't let fishing make you forget your early garden. It is lettuce & onion planting time in 9 days.

Thanks for the good reports this season. DO IT WHILE YOU STILL CAN. From one  that has learned too late.

[BilletHead]

           Thanks fellows,

   tho1mas yep exactly what you say. I have to get more creative each time I do things like this. Slower each season too. Going to ride this train until someone has to take me. I believe we reap what we sow ans what we show others we comeback for they may help us. Yes to the garden. Never have tried to grow onions. Have bought some lettuce seed and will be starting some inside this week!

BilletHead

[tho1mas]

Onions are super easy (green onions) & they do not take up much room.

[jdmidwest]

But real onions take more effort.  It takes the right kind of soil.  Carrots are the same critter.

I fished my way thru waterfowl season this year.  Bringing back the old traditions that were before my buddy introduced me to watching the sky waiting for things to come down.  Before I started duck hunting in the 90's, I was a 12 month a year fisherman.  I am still trying to do that.  But with a splattering of ducks here and there to break up the routine.

[JohnP]

Awsome hunt and great write up as usual Marty.  I'm really bummed we couldn't make a hunt work out this year, hopefully next season the stars will align alil better for us.