GOOSE TIME 2015
Small Game
Contributors to this thread:
While I was taking the dog for a walk last night I could hear a hooting noise from a nearby tree.
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.
Here we go!
Good luck and get after them Paul!
Mark
Ahh, this should be good. Go get them Paul!
Well, later that night, Chase rose from his dog bed, crossed the living room and sat near my feet.
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.
Later that evening while Chase was lying on his mat, he began to whine and twitch,i.e, dreaming in his sleep. I knew what he was dreaming about.
He was dreaming of goose hunting and retrieving
Tomorrow we would be assess the goose situation, their availability to hunt, and then plan our options and timing.
I checked the local Ft Collins weather. Cold this morning but warming towards the end of the week.
We waited for the sun to come up and headed out to scout.
Was the wise old owl just hooting at us, or was he telling us the truth?
Nearing the interstate, east two miles from the house, I spotted dark spots in the field the owl had directed us to. At first they just looked like clumps of dirt in the field.
As we got closer, the clumps took form
Paul, there are a bunch at City Park lake, and that recurve is, you know, pretty quiet....
:-)
Keep us posted!
They all took flight with a loud rush of wings and noise
but then landed at the other end of the field.
If you like goose hunting, a sight like that surely gets your blood flowing.
the next scouting stop was closer to where I actually hunted. A few geese on the ice waiting for the snow to melt some.
The temperature will be in the low to mid 40s by mid week so I will set up the blind in the next day or so. and try the first goose hunt of the year with bow in hand.
Keep tuned.
My best, Paul
Been looking forward to this !!
One of my favorites!! Thanks Paul...
thanks for posting all your stories... i miss some im sure but when i find them i am ecstatic to follow along. i feel like i learn something just from reading them.
thank you
Hey Paul. If you happen to run into that owl again, can you ask him "how many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop"!!
Good luck to you & Chase!
Keep it coming, not for me but for Chase!!
Looks promising Paul! Looking forward to following along on your hunt again this year. Good luck to you and Chase!
So yesterday I did some more local scouting just to get a feel of that the goose situations was.
As with all scouting, the patterns can change from year to year be it, big game or waterfowl.
The local lakes was starting to fill up.
but many of these geese were heading out near the interstate where I had seen so many the day before.
I drove out there and there they were in one large group.
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.
So with the scouting completed and the weather clearing, I had a good feeling that this might be a good year.
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.
When we arrived at the "honey hole" there were 11 geese at the north field near the highway and 2 in the back field.
Things were shaping up.
this year I decided to set up 100 ft east of there I had been placing the blind. More in the shade of the trees.
It was easy to pop up the blind and anchor it down.
I added some leaf cut camo to the roof to help dull the blind.
and also to the sides of the blind.
end results and ready to go. If needed I also have some cut leaf snow camo netting I will apply to the roof.
last item to accomplish was to unload the decoys and cover them up. Keeps the snow and frost off of them.
We are ready to go and the first bow hunt for geese with be Wed morning.
the setup looks good from afar.
What the incoming geese might or might not see.
16 big foot goose decoys should make a difference.
I will post the results of the Wed hunt asap.
my best, Paul
Good luck, Paul! Lots of them in the neighborhood, quite a few on the pond just north of you this morning. You should have some shooting Wednesday!
Nice setup Paul, and Chase is handsome as ever. Best of luck Wednesday. Looking forward to reading more!
Awesome! Can't wait to follow along again. Good luck. Kevin
Good luck Paul! The set-up looks great. I'm thinking Chase will be a busy dog on Wednesday morning!
Equipment ready for the hunt. The range finder comes in handy and while most shots are 20 yards and under, I will shoot out to 30 if I know the range.
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.
I have been using NAP Shockforce mech BH for turkeys and geese with great results. They are only $20 for three and most often, I can resharpen and use again.
NAP did change the configuration of the head to a more tapered head, (both shown) but the results should be the same.
Lets see if we can paint the snow red come Wed.
My best, Paul
Go get 'em Paul (and Chase)!!!
A Bowsite Classic for sure!
Mark
Paul,
As tomorrow is Wednesday...you and the pooch get to bed early so we all have a good hunt in the AM!
Mark
The stage is set Mark and the Yard Hoppers are in the area.
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
Good luck Paul, & keep an eye out for that owl too!
Good luck Paul. Give Chase some work!
This is great! Thanks for sharing, Paul!
6:15 am. Looks like a good day to kill a goose.
Out the door at 6:30. Sunrise is 7:01am.
Anticipation is high.
Chase is up and ready.
My best, Paul
Get 'em! Quite a few in the neighborhood last few days.
Good luck Paul! I'm sure we will see some trophy goose photos in short order.
Good luck out there! I'd much rather be chasing geese than working so enjoy your opportunity.
Best of luck today Paul! Hopefully we have our Christmas goose already!
One of my fav threads of the year!
Paul I didn't see the deer you shot. Mind posting it again?
Paul, if you have a four wheeler handy you can spin around and kick dirt up, then set decoys, very good attractant for geese and doves. Forrest
And?? The suspense is killing me. Haha.
Went ice fishing this morning, here on the lake and need a bow-fix!!
sun up decoys out and ready
Chase certainly has his game face on!
Mark
light wind. first flock of the morning
local yard hoppers buzzed the decoys but continued to fly by and land on the highway side of the property.
a little later, another flock can off the lake but had other areas on their minds
a few more but high and away
Chase is getting bored. Light action this morning. None in the decoys.
The only thing Chase got to retrieve was the newspaper when we got home but he did a great job doing so.
Will try tomorrow or the follow day.
Thanks for coming along.
My best, Paul
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
Rick, these are the same arrows I use for big game and turkeys, with vanes. I wait for the geese to land in the decoys and then shoot them on the ground. I aim for the body and not the head.
This goose hunt is a lot like hunting turkeys from a blind
Paul
Keep after 'em Paul. Chase is counting on some action!
You hunting yard hoppers this AM Paul?
Mark
DAY 2.
One can always count on the sun coming up. Sometimes more spectacular than the day before.
As usual, Chase was ready for duty.
another predator like myself, looking for prey.
a few early morning geese but high fliers. Very calm and the geese did not fly until the sun was up, but not unlike geese.
Around 8:30 this small flock of Yard Hoppers landed 100 yards away in the middle of the field.
They sat there for 10 minutes and I knew they would not come to the decoys.
This one kept close watch
the last thing I needed was live decoys and out of range so I released Chase to scare them away.
a few more high flyers and the flight was coming to a close.
Good time to leave and try another day as the neighbor was having their trees trimmed.
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 was not hunting these large migratory flocks"
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....
Let the goose times roll! -Always a fan of your late season goose hunts, Paul. Thanks for sharing and looking forward to hear and see more of the future chase for our downed friends.
Hey Paul. Second limb up on left in the cottonwood. Looks like a feeder bigfoot! Keep at it
Yep, keeping after them this morning, Day 3
Another great sun rise but within minutes, very cloudy. Sun did not melt the heavy frost until 9 am.
a few fliers early but slow and no yard hoppers
these two crows were just taking it all in and waiting for something to show up on their dinner plate.
I wonder where this west bound plane is heading
I had set up my other blind near the barn where I had seen 8 yard hoppers feeding the day before.
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
Ok, Sunday Dec 6th. Just did a drive by to check out the availability of any Yard Hoppers. Seem to be a lot around, next door and on the property I have to hunt.
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
Maybe tomorrow AM will be the time
Paul
Keep at 'em Paul, it is bound to work out here sooner or later.
Day 4.
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 seeing geese and, that is surely an important part of the hunt. Just needed the right geese to come over low.
I was starting to feel the rhythm of the flight and the hunt.
around 8:45, a small flock came over the house.
Yard Hoppers????
I gave out a few goose honks and they responded and circled around behind the blind and out of sight.
With a rush of wing noise just over head, one dropped into the decoys when the remaining birds landed to the left 50 yards away.
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.
I figured just over 25 yards, placed the 20 yards pin slightly higher and let the arrow go.
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.
I stayed until 10 am and then heading home. As I pasted by this open field on the way to my house, a flock of yard hoppers were having a good breakfast and enjoying the sun.
Maybe tomorrow morning.......................
Stay tuned.
my best, Paul
"Endeavor to persevere" Paul!
great stuff!
Mark
It is just a matter of time. Bet Chase is ready ! Good luck . Hunt
So close!
Gotta stay on it..... for Chase's sake ya know..... =D
(picture from last year)
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
this evening geese back to roost
Saw you taking photos by the lake tonight. Those geese didn't look too scared to me!
Keep after it!
Lou, little do they know that the Hammer is just across the highway.
"scared" they hid it well.
my best, Paul
Holy cow!, tropical heat wave this morning.
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
Dear Chase,
Sssshhhhhhhh! Easy boy.
Rich
Paul you'll get it done today! It's seriously windy in Cheyenne this am.
Bowboy, same here this morning. Got tired of re-standing up the blown over decoys. Every time I went out there seemed to be geese overhead.
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
When I left the house at o'dark thirty, I though maybe the moon and the stars were lined up to create a good goose hunt.
even before the sun was up the geese were up and flying, well trying to fly in somewhat in a format.
the flocks were being torn apart by the gusting winds from the west, blowing up to 38mph.
even this hawk was being blown around
this flock of yard hoppers came from behind and almost landed but the property owner's dog spooked them.
the wind did not slow down and was blowing over the decoys. After resetting them 6 times I gave up for the morning.
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
Funny that with most of the big lake blown open, all the geese were on the little bit of ice down in the corner tonight. The good news for you is that they can walk across the road, up the driveway, and into your dekes..
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.
Hunt 6.
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
Hunt 7. Can't wait until the weekend so here we go again this Friday morning.
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
Keep after it Paul! I hope today is the day.
Paul- hard to believe it is taking so long, especially with the awesome season you had last year. My shotgun buddies hunting around your town are having the same success as you. Lots of scenery and birds, but no geese are accepting their invite to dinner.
Bowcrazy, I have killed 21 geese off this property in the past 4 years. The best year was 14, two years ago and 5 last year.
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.
later they flew to the highway side of the property
Even Chase was thinking, "what the hell is going on". and "if you want me to come along, you better bring more dog treats".
I was picking up at 10 am when this flock came over high
but then headed for the corner lot field
as I rounded the corner and headed for home, there they were, safe and fat and sassy.
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
Fun stuff Paul.. Enjoying this!
Thanks
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
Good luck, Paul. You need some new geese in the area with a little weather to change things up. Keep us updated on Project Gander "Down".
Duke, the "new" geese in the area are the local yard hoppers that are always here. They may chance locations/lakes around the area and concentrate here and there but in the long run, these local yard hoppers are the ones I am hunting and are use to the area. I am not hunting the 100s/1000s of migratory geese that pass through every year.
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
Ok here we go again, December 23, o'dark thirty. Returned from a visit to California yesterday so now it the time to bow hunt geese again.
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.
geese should fly later today
by 8:15 the geese started to fly as the fog burned off for the day.
9:10 low fliers. Looks promising.
Chase hears the commotion out side and starts to whine. The geese are on alert. I put the camera down, pick up the bow and send an arrow on its way at the closes goose 22 yards way.
Seems like a miss! But not. The goose to the right is hit but I did not know it.
Now the other geese are on high alert.
Annnnnd..... Paul shoots one of his own decoys?
I range finder the one to the left, 32.7 yards.
Arrow on its way!
You sir, are having too much fun. If I lived down there, you'd have a new friend. All I'm seeing today is a snow storm.
the arrow is clear and I send Chase out to retrieve my first goose of the hunt. eight days trying.
Chase looks up and " I am trying, hold on, give me a break", you try it, wet feathers, and blood".
Atta boy Paul! Looks like Christmas will have its goose after all. Congrats!
Merry Christmas to you and your family! God bless!
as Chase is bring back the dead goose, I catch a movement to my right.(the rest of the flock headed out as soon as I released the dog) but the first goose I shot at was hit and had a broken wing. It was heading for the tall grass and frozen pond.
I send Chase in to the tall grass but then I see the goose out on the ice heading away. I took a while to get Chase lined up as he was having a hard time finding me for hand signals.
With a few corrections, he finds the goose.
he had to bull his way through the marsh grass and willows.
a few shakes and he was ready to go, good as new.
The value of a well trained retriever---enough said!
this morning I opened up the goose spread, showing a few pairs of geese as then are starting to pair up.
Looks more inviting and relaxed.
Yep, two Christmas geese and just in time.
Chase as usual, a real charger who loves what he was born and trained for.
Well, that was fun.
Thanks for following along.
Merry Christmas and happy New Year.
My best, Paul
Yea buddy!! I suspected you'd have a good day today
Will, it must have been the "perky" gals at Hooters, as encouragement.
Great stuff, love it. It sounds like you are having a blast.
Great job Paul. Nothing like a well trained Lab
Dave
Good job! Knew you'd get your birds!
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.
Good stuff Paul, congrats!
Way to go, Paul! Those Hooters brought us good luck today. I fished for a little over two hours and caught one big walleye, three smallies, a rock bass, and 26 perch.
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...
Way to stick with it Paul !!
Thanks, i am glad I have the time to "stick with it". I will wait a few days and give it another go. Another local Bowsiter wants to try.
Paul
Congrats to both you and Chase. It seems like you both truly enjoy to do what you are wired to do!!
Hey Rich, True, hunters come in all sizes, two and four legged. Wired? You bet. And more important, we both enjoy it.
I guess, the hunt in never over for many of us.
My best, Paul
Congratulations Sir!!!
Janez
Congrats Paul! Hope you had a Merry Christmas!
Thanks for sharing your hunt Paul!
I was looking forward to this thread! Excellent documentary and pictures!
Awesome!
CD
"baby its cold outside". It will be 0-4 degrees in the morning but OTCWill and I will give it a try.
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
Great thread Paul. Grats on your geese.
Congrats, I enjoyed following along very much. I can tell you already know but you have a very good looking and apparently well-trained dog.
Hey Beav, thanks for the reply. I am looking forward to your annual duck hunt.
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.
Congrats Paul and thanks for sharing!
Thanks Ron, I was just in southern California visiting my sister near San Diego. Weather, beautiful as usual.
Ron, you are welcome. I just looked at your photo gallery. Elk seem to be your thing. Nice. Better than nice. GREAT
Cris, not Ron, I was just.......
Had a Chessie that whined just like your "Chase" Paul, but she too was a machine! Congrats on the birds, but moreso on the hunt.
Have a great time out there gentlemen! Stay warm and good luck.
Paul the ducks are stacked up in my bow spots but the season is closed until Jan 7th and then open until the 24th so hope they stick around.
Hunt 9.
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.
we were in the blind before sun up. I had the Heater Buddy going so that cut down the chill of the morning.
not many geese flying until 10 am but as the sun warmed things up, some took flight.
and then more geese started to fly our way, BUT they landed in the field behind us.
They have never landed there before. I geese, geese will be geese.
a little later, WAIT, here come some headed our way!
just outside of the decoy spread at 25 yards and to the far right.
they moved towards the decoys but then sat down but were blocked by the decoys.
A few minutes later, two moved into shoot range without obstruction.
otcWill shoots a 72# bow so it does not take long for the arrow to reach the target.
A perfect double wing butt shot which anchored this goose down without a twitch.
We continued to hunt without retrieving the dead goose. These 4 landed out of range but then left after 10 minutes to join the geese behind us.
during the next hour, more geese joined the flock behind us. Time to scare them away.
Will took up the challenge and I do say, did a great job.
I was so happy, as he was, that he killed a goose, so lets show the hero shot again. Good going Will.
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
Congrats, Will!
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?
Nicely done Will!
We look forward to #10!!!
Mark
A shot of the goose whisperer sweet talkin em into bow range
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
Atta way to go guys!
Where were the Hooters girls? :)
Way to go Will! Two great Bowsiters getting it done!
Who was better at deciphering hand signals...Will or Chase?
Great thread Paul! Thanks for taking the time to post! What happened to Chases' eye?
Hi Steve. Chase's eye???
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
Ok, tomorrow is NEW Year Eve and I have the urge to go goose hunting again with my hunting partner Chase the lab.
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
Get em boys! I'll never look at a goose the same. Too much fun!!
Ya know Will, when I look at any animal, my eyes drift to the 12 ring just by habit.
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
Here we go again, Hunt 10
Waited until the sun was up and warmer a few degrees.
drove past the local goose pond 1/4 mile away to see what was happening
a few geese hunkered down
some in the water but most on the ice. Ready for a new day.
Flight time around 9:30am
by 9am I had the decoys out and shoveled grass openings hoping to intice the geese
Chase said, "lets do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
geese started to fly at 9:30 but most headed south
a few buzzed the decoys but landed near the highway
but they veered off and joined their buddies near the front of the property
one last goose of the day and the hunt was over by 11 am.
As with any hunt, a new day and a new opportunity tomorrow.
My best, Paul
Great story & pics like always Paul! Congrats to Will as well!
I'm with cnelk....where's the Hooters girls pics!
GOOSE HUNT 11
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
Pretty cool guys! Congrats your first bird Will!
Hunt # 12, 8am, 15 degrees, light wind. Sunny. Fingers crossed.
Being patient and active might be the answer to kill a few more geese with the stick. I have not hunted for a couple of days and the weather has turned nice so maybe a few geese will fly my way.
I know Chase wants to go, so lets do it!
I had just entered the blind when I hear a lone goose flying above and circling, giving the decoys a hard look.
A few welcoming cluck on the call....goose on the ground
well within bow range, ie, 16 yards
in a blink of an eye, the arrow was on its way
I cleared the arrow and then released Chase for the retrieve. Happy dog.
A half hour later, more "yard hoppers" were heading our way.
right over head and looking
well, nice buck for someone else. Do not know who this is.
Back to goose hunting. Right over head and looking
within seconds, two geese landed just outside of the decoys but in good range
they both moved towards the decoys and then bedded down in the snow at 28 yards. Should be a chip-shot. Arrow in its way.
the goose gained its feet
but Chase was on him in a second
my good hunting partner for sure.
What a great way to spend the "off-season" with bow in hand, a hard charging lab at your side, and two geese on the ground.
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 Paul. That's the way to stay after them!!!
Great stuff...as always! Congrats on the two honkers!!
Awesome Paul, there is no off-season! :) Kevin
One of my favorites every year!!
Thanks for sharing. Nothing better than hunting with a lab.
Atta Boy Chase! And Paul, many thanks for taking the time to share your goose hunting stories and photos with us.
GhostBird, when one only lives a mile away, there hardly is an excuse not to go.
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.
Thanks for taking us along on the hunt, enjoyed it!
Thanks JR. Hunt # 13 will be in the morning and this one will be the last bow goose hunt of this season.
my best, Paul
Here we go again, o'dark thirty. Will be heading out shortly after a hot bowl of oatmeal and a cup of hot chocolate.
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
Living the dream! Glad to see Chase get some work. Good luck today and thanks for taking the time to bring us along.
Ok, back at the house. Very slow morning with less than 30 geese in the air and only two over the property.
Storm coming in, still air, very overcast.
So I took down both blinds and gathered up the decoys.
While doing so, I noticed some movement behind the pond. Turns out to be two local mule deer bucks.
This one had lost one antler
and the other one still had his head gear.
as I drove off the property and down the driveway, the two geese that had flown over the blind two hours before, were feeding near the highway.
they gained their winds and headed away
Great thread, Paul! Thanks for sharing with us. excellent job with the photo-essay.
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".
Seems like a fitting picture of two geese heading away, at the end of my goose hunt for the year.
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
Great story. Another successful season.
Hey Rick, thanks
Jerry, good year for sure. but 2016 we start all over again
Lou. heck yes, fishing
Great job Paul and thanks so much for taking the time to allow us to follow along!
Beav, fun stuff for sure. I am waiting for a mallard duck wacking from you.
Paul
Thanks for putting the time in to share with all of us. I really enjoyed this thread, and I really want to try this sometime!
Cheers
Thanks for taking us along Paul. I looked forward for any new updates the last few weeks! A great way to fill the down time.
Brad, the third week in March can not come fast enough:)..Gobble, gobble.
Ben, just have to find the right spot. Hope you do.
Paul
I was going to ask if Chase ever got cut by a broadhead, but I think you addressed my concern.....if you don't get a pass thru, do you leave Chase in the blind, go remove the arrow from the bird, return to the blind, and then let him retrieve? If the bird is alive, but still has the arrow in him, what do you do?
Jake, NO never has been cut. Yes, if I do not get a pass through, I do keep Chase at the blind, remove the arrow, return and release the dog. Sometimes I replant the goose farther so the dog has a longer retrieve or a "blind" retrieve, ie, a hidden bird directed to by using hand signals.
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
arrow removed, Chase retrieved safely.
Paul
Nicely done Paul!!!
An annual favorite thread for sure!
Thanks for taking us on your hunts.
Mark
Thanks Mark, how is the winter treating you so far?
Glad you are along for the trip.
My best, Paul
Hey John, send me all of you decoys for free and I will include them in next years goose hunt so at least you know they still work. :)
my best, Paul
Paul, i be happy jump on a plane with my lab and we use them together. Never against making new friends and having some laughs.Jon
Great hunts! Thanks so much for sharing them with us!
CD
CD, I pulled my blind and decoys last week thinking the season was over, but as I left the house to drive down to the Denver Sportsman show today, there were 100 geese right across the street and behind the house that has a big pasture.
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
Well, as much as I would have like to goose bow hunt again, I looked over the pasture across the street.
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
If I am noT going to shoot them with an arrow, I might as well shoot them with the camera.
There must be 400 geese feeding on the local yards, within A bow shot of my house.
Hard to pass up the SHOT.
GEESE RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET.
Last picture until next season.
my best, Paul
Paul. As an avid waterfowl hunter......I AM LOVING THESE THREADS! I'd love to get one of the local golf courses or farms that are covered with local geese to allow this and you might have just convinced me to start asking. I gotta ask though. Have you ever had a goose in your dekes that was sporting "Bling"? I have shot a lot of geese in my life, but dang this looks fun and I'd be trying like heck to find some bands if a big group landed....LOL.
Hi Scott, no I have not acquired any leg bands--- from the geese here in Colorado, or ducks.
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
OK, OK,Ok, you know the saying, "it ain't over until the fat lady sings"
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.
I move the blind to a new location nearer to the pond and actually changed blinds to my older model, the T-2 double bull.
Chase was ready and able.
and so was the goose whisperer.
Paul, have you ever tried the bullhead? I often think of lopping heads in neighborhoods and golf courses.
Mad, no I have not on geese or turkeys. I like taking pictures of the birds and do not want to "duck tape" the heads back on for the pic. While I try to shoot a close as possible, the average shot on a goose in the decoys is 20 yards, some out to 30 at the most. Paul
Well, ten dayS ago I THOUGHT I would end the goose hunt but then, I started to see geese in the neighborhood and it was more than I could take so, as the previous pictures show , I reset the blind and gave it another shot. JUST ONE MORE GOOSE, JUST ON MORE GOOSE.
I was anxious to try out my new single pin Montana Gold sight.
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.
When I woke up this morning the local temperture was 47 degrees at 6 am. Wow, Jan 29!!! and the wind was to gust up to 30 mph from the NW. A winter storm was being predicted for sunday.
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.
the stage was set for a new day and maybe with the high winds predicted, the geese might be off their flight patterns and be more likely to seek protection other than more open fields.
Time will tell as the sun rose and the geese started to fly.
paul
The weather man was right about the winds gusting to 20 plus and the geese were flying early in the warmer morning. I had geese fly over, looking and straining their necks to check out the area I was hunting.
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.
more geese flying and they looked like they would land in range
but again, these also landed in the field but out of range. Out goes Chase again. I did not need live decoys to compete with.
later I hear a lone goose above and sending out a series of single honks. THis is goose pairing time and some time when a pair loses it mate, it flys around looking, and sometimes looking for a new mate.
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.
Case knew something was up and started to whine. The goose went on alert. I grabbed the bow, drew back the arrow but the goose started to move to the right and out of my shooting window. Luckly it only flew another 6 yards and landed back in the decoys.
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.
Chase doing what he is good at
Not a bull elk or a 5x5 deer but still an archery trophy and I am still hunting. Number 29
My best, Paul