The archery deer season had ended for me the week before with a nice buck, so now I had a lot of time to walk the dog and do "honey do" items. I still had to clean up my equipment/garage from all of the hunts I had been on this year so the bow was still waiting to be cleaned up and put away for the season.
I was sort of having hunter's remorse with the end of the seasons.
As I passed by the tree where I had heard the noise coming from, I hear this, " Why so sad?". Astonished, I looked up to see a Great Horned owl, with bright yellow eyes staring at me, with a questioning expression on his face. "well, why so sad?" he stated again.
Not one to be un-polite, I told him of my situation just knowing and thinking, what the hell does he know about hunters remorse.
He responded, "Well sonny, I have been in that same situation before. When it gets cold out and the critters just do not move like is happening now, sometimes I have to fly to parts unknown to find prey. Some times I have to switch to new prey if they are available. I really prefer rabbits, mice, etc, but recently I have caught a few geese on the ground out near the interstate in that big grain field. Easy pickings if you know what you are doing.
"Do you think the geese are still there?", I stated.
"Well, there were last night", the owl blink with confidence. Go check for yourself"
It almost seemed like Chase the Lab, understood the conversation as he whimpered a few times like in agreement. I looked down to see his expression.
I glanced back to the tree, but the owl was gone. Not even a wing beat was heard.
Maybe, just maybe I would drive out to that field and see if the geese were still there. If there were, maybe it was time to start my late season goose hunt with bow and arrow in hand.
Good luck and get after them Paul!
Mark
He had that questioning expression on his face and in his eyes, an expression that stated, " WELL, are we going?"
"OK, OK," I stated, "tomorrow we will do some local goose scouting."
His tail thumped the floor with a rhythm of happiness.
Was the wise old owl just hooting at us, or was he telling us the truth?
As we got closer, the clumps took form
:-)
Keep us posted!
If you like goose hunting, a sight like that surely gets your blood flowing.
Keep tuned.
My best, Paul
thank you
Good luck to you & Chase!
As with all scouting, the patterns can change from year to year be it, big game or waterfowl.
As you may remember from last year's hunt I explained that I was not hunting these large migratory flocks but local geese. (I call them yard-hoppers) Geese that was born here and spend there live in the Ft Collins and surrounding areas.
Time to dig out the goose decoys, the Dark Horse blind, some camo netting, etc and load up the truck.
Chase was eager to help.
Things were shaping up.
It was easy to pop up the blind and anchor it down.
16 big foot goose decoys should make a difference.
I will post the results of the Wed hunt asap.
my best, Paul
Mathews bow set at 62 lbs, the same as I use for big game. I have thought about using the recurve bow but just can not bring myself up for the challenge. The last thing I want is a bad hit and a goose flying off with an arrow.
I place the decoys 15-20 yards out, in two groups, one to the left and one to the right with a landing place in between.
Some decoys I will detach the legs and just nest them down in the snow. Very natural and at rest.
NAP did change the configuration of the head to a more tapered head, (both shown) but the results should be the same.
My best, Paul
A Bowsite Classic for sure!
Mark
As tomorrow is Wednesday...you and the pooch get to bed early so we all have a good hunt in the AM!
Mark
Yea , AM for sure. Chase is at my feet now, catching up on ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZs.
Just came in from shooting the bow. Feels good.
Should be all set up by 7am. Good weather predicted with sun shine and low winds.
I will post the weather before I leave. Only 5 minutes from the house.
Paul
Out the door at 6:30. Sunrise is 7:01am.
Anticipation is high.
Chase is up and ready.
My best, Paul
Paul I didn't see the deer you shot. Mind posting it again?
Went ice fishing this morning, here on the lake and need a bow-fix!!
Mark
Will try tomorrow or the follow day.
Thanks for coming along.
My best, Paul
Are your arrows fletched with vanes, feathers, of configured with flu-flu?
Goose hunting with a bow is something Millie and I are interested in trying so I'm curious about your set up.
Thank you
This goose hunt is a lot like hunting turkeys from a blind
Paul
Mark
One can always count on the sun coming up. Sometimes more spectacular than the day before.
While having coffee at the house, 11 yards hoppers showed up behind the barn.
I set up my other blind there for another option.
Goose hunters know that one needs to set up where the geese what to go, for success.
Lets see if this works out tomorrow.
my best, Paul
I'm not picky enough to check their passports first, eh... =D
Look forward to this thread, love it. gettin' after stuff with sharp sticks....
This day, no action.
I leave at 9:30 for the mile drive home. Half way home, there is a field right off the road.
Yep, 22 yard hoppers there.
Sometimes one just can not out guess the geese.
I will give the place a rest until next week.
My best, Paul
Also on the lake across the road.
Will be there in the morning, ie, Monday, to see if I can be in the right spot at the right time.
My best, Paul
Paul
The goose flight this morning was worth the time just being there. When 100s of geese are in the air, wings flapping, and birds are making deafening noise.
The weather was very mild so the flight started before sunrise but around 8am a mass of bodies and wings took to the air from off the lake across the road.
I was starting to feel the rhythm of the flight and the hunt.
Yard Hoppers????
I gave out a few goose honks and they responded and circled around behind the blind and out of sight.
Chase was going craze as he knew that was up. As usual, he started to whine loudly.
I am trying to take this picture, keep him quite and then pick up the bow.
The goose heard the commotion in the blind and started to walk away.
The arrow was on the right track but just grazed the back of the goose, taking out 4 feathers.
The goose will live another day as he took flight and joined the rest of the flock.
I let Chase out of the blind to chase them away as I did not want live decoys our of range.
Maybe tomorrow morning.......................
Stay tuned.
my best, Paul
great stuff!
Mark
Gotta stay on it..... for Chase's sake ya know..... =D
The recent snow has now melted so I moved the blind back to where I had it last year, (pictured).
More centered on the east side of the pasture where the geese can see it better and are also able to glide in better.
See ya all in the morning.
my best, Paul
Keep after it!
"scared" they hid it well.
my best, Paul
Geese should be flying early.
Maybe this is the day for Chase to get his first retrieve of the hunt.
Stay tuned for Day 5.
my best, Paul
Sssshhhhhhhh! Easy boy.
Rich
I did find my arrow from yesterday's miss, in the tall grass. $15 saved is good.
Did have a flock of yard hoppers try to land but the property owner had let his dog out for a pee break, and the geese spooked.
The geese were flying before light and most were gone by 8am.
Tomorrow is another day.
my best, Paul
I purchased 2 doz 10inch spikes and will spike the decoys down in the morning as the wind is predicted to blow for the next few days.
I am ready to kill a goose. Maybe tomorrow.
my best, Paul
That is, if I don't run them over first!
Good luck tomorrow!
You may have seen that one of our big neighborhood muleys drowned in Richards Lake Sunday. Fell through the ice. Bummer.
Ok, time for a break in the hunt. This morning, calm winds,not many yard hoppers but high flyer lesser geese were in good numbers as usual. Put out 4 wind sock decoys hoping the wind would increase but it did not.
Had a flock actually lock their wings and feet down but then decided to go elsewhere. Hard to tell why.
Later, I exited the blind for a stretch, and within a few minutes of doing so, 4 yard hoppers came over quietly and saw me. Needless to say, they continued on.
All in all, just nice to be up early, the sun rise, and fresh air of the morning.
Will give the place a break until this weekend as a change of weather is predicted. Today the high will be in the mid 60s.
My best, Paul
Temp is 39 degrees this morning at 6am. Wind from the NE at 13. The wind sock decoys should work well so maybe some movement will help. Cold front coming tonight with the high tomorrow at 35 degrees.
It surely has been a challenge this year to attract the geese to land. Like any hunt, just a slight adjustment in the animal's pattern can change where they might end up and what property they will feed on.
There is a pond 1/3 mile to the north but the geese there are feeding around the pond. It looks like the fields have been cut there as in the past years, there was taller grass. The pond on this property where I hunt has been void of geese. In the past, some geese have always rested there, on water or ice. Not this year.
I only have two options to place a blind and I have covered both but can not be in both places.
I have not heard a lot of shotgun goose hunting. There is plenty of food for the geese to eat and place to go.
I will keep at it, until I get one. Chase is still happy to go along, goose or no goose. Well, as long as I take some Dog Cookies for him.
my best, Paul
Maybe they got my number! Some old gander who survived being shot at remembers all to well.
Where as I saw 100s of geese just three days ago, I only saw less than 200 this morning. The wind was gusting from the NW to 25mph and had the geese setting tight.
These geese were on the pond right next to the pasture I hunt.
This was hunt 7 and only one shot opportunity which was a miss.
I am glad I am only a mile from the house.
Until later, My best, Paul
Ps, Chase also
Maybe a Christmas goose when I return from a holiday visit to California on Dec. 21.
Currently we just had 7 inchs of snow and high winds descend on the area.
Not good for man or beast.
My best, Paul
This year the yard hoppers in the area seemed to have changed their patters slightly and are not relating to this hunting property as they have in the past.
I will hunt again after next week and see if one or two will decoy within bow range.
At this point, If I get one, the season will be successful but in the long term, just a lot of fun trying.
Pictured is the best day I had two years ago in the same yard. Almost limited out with 4 geese.
My best, Paul
Hunt 8, (so far only one shot = one miss.
Light winds but fog until 8 am. I have not hunted the property for a week.
Now the other geese are on high alert.
Arrow on its way!
Merry Christmas to you and your family! God bless!
With a few corrections, he finds the goose.
The value of a well trained retriever---enough said!
Looks more inviting and relaxed.
Chase as usual, a real charger who loves what he was born and trained for.
Thanks for following along.
Merry Christmas and happy New Year.
My best, Paul
Dave
Where I grew up we loved hunting foggy days, had to, sometimes the fog would hang for a week. You could hear em, and call em and then all the sudden they just appeared!
Cool stuff, thanks Paul.
Thought about you when the hoppers flew over me out in the ice, headed your way. We need to hit Hooters more often, it seems...
Paul
I guess, the hunt in never over for many of us.
My best, Paul
Janez
I was looking forward to this thread! Excellent documentary and pictures!
Awesome!
CD
Most of the big flocks have headed farther south as most of the lake, ponds are froze over and with 7 inch of snow, it is had for the geese to find food.
We will hunt some of the local yard hoppers that hang out on an local pond down the road.
Maybe a few will head our way when it warms up.
See ya in the morn with the next report.
My best, Paul
CD. I little slow this year, but half of the fun is just going!
Idy-----, two for three, not too bad so far. There might be one or two more to come.
Jacob, Yea, Chase is fun to have along. He keeps me young for sure.
Janez, thank you. it will be cold in the morning. This will be the first time I will take a HeaterBuddy along.
Ron, you are welcome. I just looked at your photo gallery. Elk seem to be your thing. Nice. Better than nice. GREAT
O'dark thirty. 1 below zero.
OTCWill will be at the house at 7 am as a first time goose hunter with bow and arrow in hand. We know he can kill elk.
Chase the wonder dog will get a day off.
They have never landed there before. I geese, geese will be geese.
A few minutes later, two moved into shoot range without obstruction.
Will took up the challenge and I do say, did a great job.
We put the decoys away, headed to my house for breakfast and a review of the good morning hunt we had just concluded.
Stay tuned for hunt 10 in the near future.
my best, Paul
But looks like some penetration problems. Hmmm.... You weren't using Rages, were you? Might need to build your goose arrows up to, say 900 grains, with maybe 40% FOC?
We look forward to #10!!!
Mark
Thanks again for having me, Paul! I consider myself very lucky to call you a friend. Had a heck of a good time!
Lou, a great bowhunter once said he prefers full penetration without a passthru :) I designed my settup with this in mind. 490grn arrow with a 3 blade Rocket Hammerhead 2 3/4" flying 290fps
Where were the Hooters girls? :)
three years ago, in the Spring, at the age of 3 yr, he chased a fox across the county rd in front of the house. On his way back and coming out of the road ditch, he was hit by a truck. A hard glancing blow to the head which damaged his left eye. There was a question would he lose that eye but after a few months, the vet, concluded it would be the best thing to do. We are thankful more damage was not had, or worse, killed.
The following duck season, he retrieved 7o ducks for us and has not missed a beat since then as you can tell.
Lots of grit and Sort of like a bull in the china shop, BUT, a trained one.
Thanks for the question.
Tobinsghost--- Will did a good job but I am afraid, Chase gets the thumbs up for hand signals. Maybe with a little more training, Will might move up in the rankings.:) but he is a great guy to share the goose blind with and he can shoot well.
Everyone else, thanks for following along and the good comments. Warming up some this weekend, so hunt 10 is coming up.
My best, Paul
He did not go the other day as it was really cold out (-4) and with OTC Will at 6ft ++++++++ there was not much room in the blind.
I checked the aerated pond 1/4 mile away, this mid morning and there were a few 100 geese on the pond and they started to fly around 10 am so there is no reason to get up and out a O'dark thirty, maybe around 9am with the sun up and slightly warmer. High tomorrow will be in the mid 20s. and around 4-5 degrees in the morning. Yea, refreshing for sure.
Most of the geese headed south to the large grain fields but a few dozen headed west and were on or near the property I have permission to hunt on.
I just put on a new bow sight, a single pin Montana Gold so I am anxious to try it out. I dialed it in at the local archery shop, --dead on. Also added a new biscuit for the BR.
Will report back after the hunt in the morning so stay tuned.
My (our) best, Paul and Chase
11 degrees warmer this morning than three days ago. Still in the PJs but will head out in a hour or so. Most of the geese flew right over your house yesterday. I bet you could build a roof platform...................just a thought!
My best, Paul
Waited until the sun was up and warmer a few degrees.
Flight time around 9:30am
As with any hunt, a new day and a new opportunity tomorrow.
My best, Paul
I'm with cnelk....where's the Hooters girls pics!
ZERO!
THEY ARE WISE TO ME AND MY SETUP. WILL TRY ONE MORE TIME NEXT WEEK AND THEN HANG IT UP FOR THE SEASON.
PAUL
I know Chase wants to go, so lets do it!
A few welcoming cluck on the call....goose on the ground
Back to goose hunting. Right over head and looking
Not too bad this season. These two geese make 4 for me and one for Will. I also missed one earlier.
Maybe I will hunt geese one more day on Thursday and then take the blind down.
Thanks for following along on this fun hunt. See you Thursday morning, goose or no goose.
my best, Paul
Thanks for sharing. Nothing better than hunting with a lab.
Iowa Archer, maybe more to come on Thursday, Check in.
Marty, A-men to that
LTG, Chase is my 6th lab so you know where my heart is.
Scrapwood, it is a challenge to take the pictures, pick up the bow and shoot, put the bow down and then grab the camera again. Fun sharing but a lot of pictures end up "on the floor". I really like taking pictures of the flying geese.
my best, Paul
Temp is 29 degrees, over cast, chance of light snow later in the morning.
Need to be set up my 8 am as the geese started to fly at 8:15 and I had my two geese down my 9 am.
Last goose hunt of the season so I will be breaking down the blind and packing up the decoys.
I will check back after today's hunt with the final results and story.
My best, Paul
Storm coming in, still air, very overcast.
So I took down both blinds and gathered up the decoys.
I figured they'd be on you this morning but I think most of them went northwest from the pond. Glad you whacked a few anyway!
See you Saturday at the BTB, and now maybe you can come fishing with me some afternoon at the other "Pond".
Not sure if they were "waving goodbye" or just getting the hell way.
All in all, a fun season with 5 geese down, and one miss. Good to have Will in the blind one day and to have killed his first goose. Chase always has a great time and sure did his job of retrieving and just being a good companion.
Thanks for following along. Can spring turkey season be very far to opening day?
My best, Paul
Jerry, good year for sure. but 2016 we start all over again
Lou. heck yes, fishing
Paul
Cheers
Ben, just have to find the right spot. Hope you do.
Paul
Same if the bird is still alive. I go up, kill the goose by hand/foot,remove arrow, return and release the dog. I have only had to run down a goose a few times as usually then are traumatized with the impact of the arrow and do not go far.
The first two geese I shot this year, the arrow impact broke a wing at the joint and the arrow traveled another 50 yards beyond. Both geese just flopped a few yards.
Last year I did have a goose fly away wounded but landed in an adjacent field 400 yards away. I circled around on the downwind side with Chase. Shortly he picked up the scent stream and found the goose, still alive, a 100 ft away.
Of the 25 geese that have been bow shot, I have not lost or wounded/lost any.
As you can see, the arrow still in this goose.
thanks for the question. Paul
Paul
An annual favorite thread for sure!
Thanks for taking us on your hunts.
Mark
Glad you are along for the trip.
My best, Paul
my best, Paul
CD
We have 6 inch of snow on the ground but the pasture is starting to melt. I might ask my neighbor if I can set up the blind/decoys next monday and try again.. If so I will post the hunt as it is only 600 yards from my house.---walking distant.
my best, Paul
The geese were there this morning.
Too many surrounding houses and not in the best interest of bow hunting to set up and shoot.
Just have to wait until next December to start all over again on the property I have.
Stay tuned and thanks for following along.
my best, Paul
PS, Chase also
There must be 400 geese feeding on the local yards, within A bow shot of my house.
Hard to pass up the SHOT.
my best, Paul
When I lived in Ohio on Lake Erie 25 years ago, it did happen more often as a lot of waterfowl banding was taking place in Michigan and Canada pre, 1990s.
Also in Ohio along the shore of Lake Erie, and just inland, on a few golf courses, they did allow some goose hunting on some days and early hours with shotguns.
Recently, when I leave the house early, the locals are still feeding around the houses and yards across the highway but not on the property I have permission.
Can not hurt to ask--good luck
Google, YouTube 'bow hunting for geese', and see what others have done with the bow and arrow.
Thanks for the reply. my best, Paul
Here in Colorado the Goose season is still on until Feb. 14.
So, when a hunting season is still on, it is hard to stay home.
The Geese are still around.
For three days, I tried but the local yard hopper geese had gotten very smart and they knew exactly where they wanted to feed.
Oh, they would fly over the decoys within shotgun range and give the decoy spread a good once over but then would continue on their way.
Two days in a row I had a single goose drop in and within range. I missed both shot but got feathers. Something seemed wrong.
Yesterday I headed for the city range and re sighted in the bow. I found out that at 20-30 yards, the arrow was hitting 3-4 inches to the left. Maybe that was the reason for the near misses and made the adjustment.
I backup out to 60 yards and with 4 arrows was within a pie plate. Seemed good to go.
The geese were starting to fly when I was loading up the truck at the house. I better get going but it was only 5 minutes to the field and I should have the decoys in plase within a half hour.
Time will tell as the sun rose and the geese started to fly.
paul
I even had three with their feet down and wings locks, but at the last second, flared away to join the rest of the flock that flew past.
Later, these geese landed out of range. I sent Chase out to scare them away.
I called back with single honks and welcoming sounds. THe goose circled above but I could not see it.
Suddenly, it landed 10 yards from the blind.
The arrow was on its way from the newly sighted in bow. Would it be a miss again?
The goose stood there looking like it was not hit but I noticed something red 10 yards behind the goose.
My best, Paul
