YARD HOPPER HUNT 4 AND 5 :) :)
Contributors to this thread:Small Game
From: Paul@thefort
31-Dec-23
Lots of new geese in the air and coming off the big lake across the hwy. The big lake is still mostly frozen over.
Lots of new geese in the air and coming off the big lake across the hwy. The big lake is still mostly frozen over.
but as hard as I tried, no geese showed any interest in the pasture of the goose decoys. I was home my 9 am. A good try and Teal got his early morning outing. Paul got a little work out!
but as hard as I tried, no geese showed any interest in the pasture of the goose decoys. I was home my 9 am. A good try and Teal got his early morning outing. Paul got a little work out!
Saturday December 30. I had the choice to sleep in, go to the gym, or go goose hunting. I fingered I had had enough sleep and I could get a work out by going goose hunting and pulling back the bow a few times. So I went goose hunting. This time I set up my other blind near the house looking east. I wanted to change up the location and the decoy set up to "fool" the geese.
From: Paul@thefort
31-Dec-23
Ok, Sunday, December 30, New Years eve. Well the saying is " if you do not succeed, try, try again". So up and at them at 7 am, geese start flying at 7:30. I decided to go back to the other blind that is 120 yards away and that looks west towards the lake. I like this blind as I can see geese coming off the lake and other places to the north and west, plus the sun is behind the blind.
From: Paul@thefort
31-Dec-23
Wait, two low fliers coming in. I give out a few greeting calls. They see the decoys. Feet down, wings locked
Wait, two low fliers coming in. I give out a few greeting calls. They see the decoys. Feet down, wings locked
on the ground and within bow range. They were to the far left of the shooting window so I had to squeeze over to my right to make room for the shot. I lined up and took the shot.
on the ground and within bow range. They were to the far left of the shooting window so I had to squeeze over to my right to make room for the shot. I lined up and took the shot.
and right on cue, there they come starting at 7:30. Calm morning, 22 degrees, sun just peeked over the horizon.
From: Paul@thefort
31-Dec-23
I lined up and took the shot but only sent "a warning shot over its bow". The two geese gained flight in a hurry not really knowing what had just happened.
From: Paul@thefort
31-Dec-23
The larger higher flocks continued off and on for the next half hour. Not even 8 am yet.
Oh wait, I grab the camera just in time to swing up and take this picture. Four geese about to land in bow range, and right in the decoys
From: Paul@thefort
31-Dec-23
Teal is looking out the window and is about to go nuts at the sight of these geese.
From: Paul@thefort
31-Dec-23
and land they do, one in the decoys only 15 yards distant. Teal can not take it, and he lets out a bark. The nearest goose goes on alert and moves off five yards. I am at full draw when it stops.
From: Paul@thefort
31-Dec-23
good hit! down and out!
From: Paul@thefort
31-Dec-23
The remaining geese are nervous but do not take flight giving me time to mount another arrow. Range 30 yards, arrow gone, low hit, all geese take flight, including wounded goose but this goose is flying close to the ground and straight away to 100 yards. Teal is watching and I sent him out through the shooting window in chase. Teal catches up and tackles it and tries to pick the goose up but still does not have the experiences to do so.
From: Paul@thefort
31-Dec-23
ANOTHER GOOD DAY
ANOTHER GOOD DAY
well I started out the morning with four arrows, shot three of them, killed two geese, one arrow left for another day.
From: TMac
31-Dec-23
Well done and a happy healthy new year Paul, Teal and family!
From: INbowdude
31-Dec-23
Congrats, Paul & Teal! Happy New Year!
From: drycreek
31-Dec-23
Hey Paul, two out of three ain’t bad ! :-))
From: Stoneman
31-Dec-23
Congrats Paul and Teal - Happy New Year! Is the count 3 geese going into the new year?
From: Paul@thefort
31-Dec-23
Stone, actually, 5
From: JTreeman
31-Dec-23
Heck of a way to bid 2023 farewell! Congrats and keep at em!
—Jim
From: fastflight
31-Dec-23
More fun hunts. Congrats!!
From: Paul@thefort
01-Jan-24
Interesting, at the start of the season and even checking the local adjacent yards where I usually historically see geese during the late summer and early Fall, I did not expect to see much action. Even based on last year, when the geese did not cooperate much. I never did see one goose on this property during the summer and now I have had some good action with five geese killed and one miss. This property is Under Contract now for sale, with closing the end of January so this just might be the end (most likely) of the Yard Hopper Series. It has been 13 years with over 100 geese killed by arrow so good memories for sure and both Chase the Wonder Dog and now Teal both benefit from the experiences. I am grateful for the experience also. My best, Paul
From: bowhunter24
01-Jan-24
The class act of you and Teal could win over the new land owner! Let's hope for someone conservative!
From: Lewis
01-Jan-24
Great hunt Paul thanks for sharing and btw Happy New Year Lewis
From: stringgunner
02-Jan-24
Nice work! What a fun way to hunt geese. Hopefully you and Teal will find another “yard” to continue the adventures.
From: BOWNBIRDHNTR
02-Jan-24
Congrats to you and Teal, great way to wrap up 2023! Deca and I made out New Year's Day and got a limit of pheasants...with the 20 ga. Happy New Year Paul.
From: SlipShot
02-Jan-24
Nice!
From: Supernaut
03-Jan-24
Way to go Paul and Teal!
Outstanding all the way around. Great pics and thanks for taking us along!
From: BigOk
03-Jan-24
Thanks for sharing!!! You and Teals adventures are just beginning.
From: BigOk
03-Jan-24
Thanks for sharing!!! You and Teals adventures are just beginning.
From: Paul@thefort
03-Jan-24
Thanks all. Teal and I plan on being in the goose blind tomorrow morn, ie, Thursday. Stay tuned for the next report.. Has been cold here in Ft. Collins over night and many of the lakes and ponds are iced over but some geese are still around. Just needs two of three to land in the morning and within bow range and maybe in my yard as these two did last year.
From: deerhunter72
04-Jan-24
Great job guys! Hope we get another good report today.
From: Paul@thefort
04-Jan-24
New report now being posted. Ie, Hunt 6
From: Mark Watkins
06-Jan-24
Nice work (as usual) Paul and Teal!!
Mark
From: Paul@thefort
26-Dec-24
Ok guys, December 26th, 2024. The new owner of the property, Nate, a bow hunter will allow me to Yard Hopper Goose hunt, so Season 14 is coming shortly when more geese show up. Much too warm. I will set up the blind next week. It has been a very slow duck season so far out east of here I hunt on the river and res. but hoping for the best in the coming weeks for duck. The goose season continues until mid Feb. and while there are a few, very few, local geese around and feeding on the adjacent yards and pastures, time will tell if we will be successful. Keep tuned in. The pictures are from last year at the end of December so we will hope for the best in the coming weeks. My best, Paul and Teal
From: sitO
26-Dec-24
Was wondering about you, looking forward to it!
From: Dale06
26-Dec-24
I look forward to following this hunt, again.
From: milnrick
26-Dec-24
We always enjoy this thread. Thank you and Teal for keeping the tradition going.
From: Bou'bound
26-Dec-24
Annual classic. Thanks for sharing.
From: grizzly
26-Dec-24
Tell Nate we all said thanks.
From: Supernaut
27-Dec-24
Looking forward to it Paul!
From: Mark Watkins
27-Dec-24
Been waiting for this Paul!!!
Bring it on!!!
Mark
From: Lewis
27-Dec-24
Cool pun intended can’t wait Lewis
From: Vonfoust
27-Dec-24
Ah man! I saw "Yardhopper hunt 4 and 5" and started wondering how I missed 1, 2 and 3! Look forward to this every year and thank Nate for us.
From: SlipShot
27-Dec-24
Vonfoust, I was wondering the same! Glad I didn't miss them.
From: njbuck
27-Dec-24
Good luck Paul, I hope the geese show up for you.
From: BigStriper1
27-Dec-24
As usual Paul, good luck my friend. Always enjoy your posts no matter what your hunting,good luck to you and Teal this season and Happy Holidays. Kurt
From: tobywon
27-Dec-24
Well done Paul and Teal!!
From: BOWNBIRDHNTR
27-Dec-24
I too saw "4 and 5" so I did a search to make sure I didn't miss 1, 2 and 3 before opening this one. Looking forward to following you and Teal again this year!
From: deerhunter72
27-Dec-24
Can’t wait!!
From: fastflight
27-Dec-24
Looking forward to it!!
From: t-roy
27-Dec-24
Hope you start 2025 out with a bang, errr, thumps, Paul!
From: hawkeye in PA
28-Dec-24
Waiting..............come on geese!
From: Beav
28-Dec-24
Looking forward to it Paul!
From: Altitude Sickness
28-Dec-24
Great post. Love reading the adventures of Teal
From: Chief 419
28-Dec-24
I look forward to this thread every year. Good luck Paul!
From: Paul@thefort
28-Dec-24
Ok guys, just a slight delay. Nate's wife is expecting their second child in the next few days so I will not be over there until the baby is born. Hang in there. Best of luck to the parents. My best, Paul
From: jons
28-Dec-24
Always enjoy the show. keep it going Paul.
From: HUNT MAN
28-Dec-24
Always a Bowsite treat !! Best of luck .
From: JB
29-Dec-24
Thank you Paul! Always look forward to your adventures!!
From: elkmtngear
29-Dec-24
Nice work Paul and Teal !
Good luck on the next round!
From: Percy
29-Dec-24
Been waiting for it to start. Good luck.
From: Mark Watkins
30-Dec-24
Paul, Keep us posted on the new baby and the Yard Hoppers!!!
Mark
From: Vonfoust
30-Dec-24
Will be waiting Paul. In the meantime if you could explain to Nate how to avoid this delay in the future we'd appreciate it:)
From: Paul@thefort
30-Dec-24
Hey Chris, this will make two boys, maybe a girl in the future. Paul
From: Inshart
01-Jan-25
Ha, like the others, looked for 1, 2, & 3. Then opened this one. Bring it Paul.
From: bowhunter24
01-Jan-25
Best wishes to Nate and his wife but Yard Hoppers won't wait forever!
From: Paul@thefort
01-Jan-25
I am counting the days! Goose season over mid Feb. Should get in a month of yard hopper action by then.
