YARD HOPPERS season 8
Contributors to this thread:Small Game
From: Paul@thefort
08-Dec-18
Season Eight is about to start as I just obtained permission from the land owner. December 16th will be the start date to manage the local goose population. I will only have ten days to hunt geese as I will be heading down to Arizona on Dec. 27 to Coues deer hunting. Stay tuned as Chase and I anticipate killing a few of the local yard hopper geese as they are now feeding in the local area and the larger migratory flocks are starting to pile into the area.
From: Paul@thefort
08-Dec-18
From: t-roy
08-Dec-18
Best wishes to you and Chase, Paul! Those flying carp are in big trouble!
From: BigOk
08-Dec-18
Cant wait to read this one!!!
From: HUNT MAN
08-Dec-18
Count me in for this one! Hunt
From: Ambush
08-Dec-18
The only goose hunting I watch. "Dead Goose Waddling", directed and executed by Paul@thefort. Knock'em dead Paul!
From: Ucsdryder
08-Dec-18
I love this thread Paul! The geese have been thick this year around Thornton!
From: BC173
08-Dec-18
I’m all ears Paul
From: BC173
08-Dec-18
I’m all ears Paul
From: Beav
08-Dec-18
Can’t wait Paul!
From: T Mac
08-Dec-18
I always enjoy this thread.....good luck Paul and Chase.
From: Surfbow
08-Dec-18
This thread is great every year, go get 'em Paul!
From: Paul@thefort
08-Dec-18
So lets do some recapping over the last 7 years, especially for those first timers to this post.
I am hunting on 10 acres of private property just north of Ft. Collins Co. and across the road from a large lake. There are other similar "yards" near by. The vast majority of the geese I am hunting are local geese ( with some migratory geese mixed in) that were born in the area and mostly will die in the area. They do not migrate a lot, well maybe in very bad weather, with snow and ice they might travel within a 50 miles radius but it seems there is enough food around to them to get by on. Through out the winter, the local geese seem to be on the green grass of the golf course, pastures, parks, open space, and curbside around town, anywhere there is some grass to munch on. This is why I call them Yard Hoppers. Even though the migratory geese come by the hundreds, they seem to feed outside of town on the cut corn fields, etc. in much larger flocks. There are many large and small lakes in the area and in some cases, the geese keep the water open for a water source.
From: Paul@thefort
08-Dec-18
So around this time, mid December, I check with the land owner for permission and when granted, I start preparing. While the neighbors do not might me hunting, I usually wait until they leave for the winter, (this year December 15th) when I start to set up the blind and decoys 200 yards from the house and in the back of the pasture/yard. I have used both Double Bull blinds but also just a camo netting to hide me and Chase.
From: GLP
08-Dec-18
One of my favorite threads. This is one I will keep an eye on. Greg
From: spike78
08-Dec-18
Damn that time again already? Awesome Paul!
From: INbowdude
08-Dec-18
Been waiting for this thread to start. Best of luck.
From: Paul@thefort
08-Dec-18
Big Foot goose decoys work well and I place out two groups of eight to the front right and front left of the blind and usually no farther than 20 yards out. I try to get the geese to land in between the two groups and ideally, within 20 yards although I have killed a few out to 30 yards. I take the legs off of half of the decoys and bed them down for a more relaxing presentation.
From: Paul@thefort
08-Dec-18
Wind Drifter Decoys added motion
Wind Drifter Decoys added motion
Last year Ultimate Predator Decoys gave be a dozen of the Wind Drifter goose decoys to try and did they make a nice difference to the realism of the goose decoy spread. I mixed in one of the Wind Drifter decoy with three Big Foot decoys and that added motion really help with a slight wind.
From: Paul@thefort
08-Dec-18
recurve bow with fixed BHs
recurve bow with fixed BHs
and the compound bow with mechanical BH.
and the compound bow with mechanical BH.
single pin sight with added separate range finder to determine distance.
single pin sight with added separate range finder to determine distance.
Equipment used, ie, bows, arrows and broad heads.
I use the same compound and recurve bow I use for all of big game and turkeys. I do use mechanical broad heads for geese and well and for turkeys with the compound but use fixed BH with the recurve bow.
From: Paul@thefort
08-Dec-18
My hunting partner, Chase the wonder dog. Chase will be 10 years next Feb. on Valentines Day but he still have the drive of a your experienced young pup. He is my duck, pheasant and goose dog and surely part of the family. As many of you will understand, a good dog on the hunt makes the hunt. And some of us might not hunt fowl and upland game with out a dog.
From: Paul@thefort
09-Dec-18
and I better bring a lot of dog treats
and I better bring a lot of dog treats
From: spike78
09-Dec-18
My dog couldn’t sit still enough for geese to come in Chase is well trained!
From: Bowboy
09-Dec-18
Congrats Paul. I'm sure Chase is having a grand time retrieving your birds.
From: Paul@thefort
09-Dec-18
in the past some of you have asked, "are you concerned about the dog retrieving the goose with a sharp BH in the goose"? Yes, very much so. I make sure the arrow has cleared the goose, (pass through) before I send the dog. If the arrow is still in the goose, I exit the blind, take the arrow out of the goose, replant the goose and send the dog on a "blind retrieve". No issues.
From: standswittaknife
09-Dec-18
Get em paul..
From: midwest
09-Dec-18
"Dead Goose Waddling"
lol....good luck, Paul!
From: Inshart
09-Dec-18
Yup..... love this thread, look forward to it. Soooooo bring on the BBQ'd, bacon wrapped goose treats.
From: JCarrowthem
09-Dec-18
Love this one keep it up Paul.
From: drycreek
09-Dec-18
Anticipating as always Paul, go get 'em !
From: 3arrows
09-Dec-18
Got room for me, im in.
From: Paul@thefort
09-Dec-18
almost a daily limit of 5 geese
almost a daily limit of 5 geese
I started this yard hopper goose hunt 7 years ago and killed 3-4 geese that first year and then added a few more each year. I improved my decoy set up and my goose calling improved and I learned a lot about the local geese and the times the flew. I did all of the hunting in the AM and most of the hunts were over by 10 am. Prior to last year I killed 12 that season, but that was topped off with 14 kills last year, for a 7 year total of 54 geese. The daily limit is 5 dark geese and while I never did limit out, I did have three days where I killed 4 geese. No doubt this place where I hunt is very unique but I am sure there are similar places across the country where one can bow hunt geese. Check out Youtube -- bow hunting geese, to see more ideas. Unlike using a shotgun, a quite bow does not usually scare off the geese so most often I might get a second shot or even a second goose. Last year I did killed two geese with one arrow. I have only lost one goose and it made it across the highway, landed and died on the lake ice. The next day an eagle found it and ate it. When a few of the wounded geese made to to the local ice covered pond, If safe, Chase was able to retrieve them. One time last year, I use my spinning rod and a large bass plug to snag one and slide it to hand when the ice was thin.
From: Paul@thefort
09-Dec-18
So there is the recap of the past seasons. I will return to the property on Dec 15, set up the blind and be ready to do some goose management on Dec 16 with bow and arrow in hand. OH, I had better some dog treats in hand also!
Thank you for following along and the encouragements. Chase and I both appreciate that. See you on Dec 16th, in the goose field. my best, Paul
From: JRABQ
09-Dec-18
Looking forward to your season!
From: PoudreCanyon
09-Dec-18
I was thinking of you today Paul when I saw a big flock getting up off of City Park lake:) Lots of birds around town right now - hope you really smack ‘em! Poudre
From: TD
10-Dec-18
Thanks Paul!
Dec.15th......it's a date!
From: njbuck
10-Dec-18
Best of luck this season Paul, I always enjoy following this thread.
From: Southern draw
10-Dec-18
Bring on the 2018 yard hopper season ..
From: SlipShot
10-Dec-18
YES! Following!
From: Fauntleroy
10-Dec-18
Sweet!
From: KSBOW
10-Dec-18
Love this hunt every year good luck Paul!!!
From: Wayniac
10-Dec-18
Great thread every year....
From: Duke
10-Dec-18
Never gets old, Paul! It is a true holiday classic. The commentary is what really makes this thread! Get after those dirty birds!
From: paul@thefort
10-Dec-18
Taking along the camera allows me to get lots of goose pictures, BUT, there are other critters roaming around the area that provide excellent photo opportunities.
From: paul@thefort
10-Dec-18
young coyote
young coyote
From: paul@thefort
10-Dec-18
From: Paul@thefort
13-Dec-18
lost goosed, eagle fed
lost goosed, eagle fed
The neighborhood eagle just flew by and landed in a large tree in my back yard. This is the same eagle I had a conversation with two years ago concerning the presents of geese in the area and the same eagle that finished off the lost goose that landed and then died on the lake across the highway from my goose hunting area.
"Hey Paul, I like this arrangement when you lose one or two" stated the eagle. " I will tell you what", he stated, "I will fly low over the flocks to get them up and to fly over to where you are. Try to just wound one or two. Deal?"
Well,, I stated, I usually do not miss and Chase the wonder dog does a great job of tracking them down, but, if I do lose one you are welcome to it"
"OK" stated the eagle as he flew off". "By the way, when will you be hunting them"?
I stated, "Sunday the 16th for sure". He disappeared over the trees heading for the lake.
From: Brotsky
13-Dec-18
Always one of my favorite threads of the year Paul. Best of luck to you and Chase. I know my yellow lab Buck would love to be in the blind with you guys but we've got some pheasants to hunt! Enjoy your hunt!
From: GhostBird
13-Dec-18
Go get 'em Paul & Chase.
From: tobinsghost
13-Dec-18
I might be more excited for Chase than Paul! Good luck to you both!
From: Wideone
13-Dec-18
Love this thread each year! How do you use the meat? I have found goose to be well not so good. . .
From: rattles33
13-Dec-18
Great pic of smart looking fox.
From: Huntcell
13-Dec-18
What are some of your favorite ways to make goose? Goose fajitas , flying goose in cream sauce, waddle burgers or would it be goose liver pate?
From: t-roy
13-Dec-18
Looked like that coyote pup needs to see a dermatologist! Do you ever get any ducks within range, Paul?
From: Paul@thefort
13-Dec-18
Mark and Doug, most of the goose meat is turned into jerky. And then some grilled (I cut the breasts into two or three layers depending of the thickness prior to grilling.)
From: Dale06
13-Dec-18
Very interesting hunt. I’m pretty new here but for sure will keep an eye on this thread.
From: Paul@thefort
14-Dec-18
Sunrise over the goose field. A good time of day to be alive!
Sunrise over the goose field. A good time of day to be alive!
The kick off for the yard hopper goose season is fast approaching, ie, Sunday Dec 16th. I drove past the hunting area this late morning and there were 200 geese on the ground and in the area. Geese being geese, they can be else where but I hope a few will come within bow range on Sunday morning.
I will head out tomorrow and set up the blind at the top of the hill. Stay tuned for my action.
Always fun anticipating the coming hunt.
My best, Paul
From: Iowa_Archer
14-Dec-18
YES! Glad to see the tradition continued. Have a great season and thanks in advance for sharing it with us as you do.
From: Mark Watkins
14-Dec-18
A Bowsite Classic!
Thanks for bringing us along Paul (and Chase)!
Mark
From: Paul@thefort
15-Dec-18
Blind is ready and Chase is ready. Oh, I am ready
Blind is ready and Chase is ready. Oh, I am ready
Yard Hoppers on the next door yard as I drove off the property
Yard Hoppers on the next door yard as I drove off the property
,more geese across the road and on the lake
,more geese across the road and on the lake
Came home and shot the bow at 20 yards. No reason to miss, ALMOST! Tomorrow morning, the real deal.
Came home and shot the bow at 20 yards. No reason to miss, ALMOST! Tomorrow morning, the real deal.
OK Mark, here we go, setting up the blind the day before. Tomorrow, Sunday is the first day of the 8th season.
From: INbowdude
15-Dec-18
Best of luck!
From: Chief 419
15-Dec-18
I look forward to this thread every year. Can’t wait for the next report. Good luck Paul!
From: midwest
15-Dec-18
Good luck in the a.m. Paul!
From: Paul@thefort
16-Dec-18
Continued post, Hunt 1 hoppers
