Hopper hunt 6 and 7, LAST HUNT
Small Game
Contributors to this thread:
OK guys and "follow- a- longers, I just finished the last hunt of the year this Sunday morning and two days before Christmas. And depending how well and how fast I do in AZ on the Coues deer archery hunt, this might be the last goose hunt for the season.
Ya, ya I know but a guy needs some variety in life, you know spice, lots of spice. So here we go detailing the last two days goose hunts with bow and arrow in hand. Yea, Chase was there too!
Saturday morning, Dec. 22. TEMP 28 DEGREES, AND LIGHT WINDS. Usually the geese starting flying around 7:45 to 8 am but his morning they flew at 7:15 and were finished by 8:10am. GO FIGURE. No geese landed within 1/2 mile of me it seemed, and I was home by 9am.
The day before I had killed # 59 and I had high hopes # 60 would be in range and offer a good shot. Did not happen. End of story. but wait...................................
Sunday morning, Dec 23. Temp 15 degrees , light winds from the NW.
What a difference a day makes! Sound like the words from a song.
Since the geese flew early the day before I was set up by 7:10 just prior to sun up.
the full moon was heading down and the sun was coming up
the full moon was heading down and the sun was coming up
a few geese started flying early but more to come much latter around 9 am
a few geese started flying early but more to come much latter around 9 am
at 9:10 these 8 geese hit the field at 35 yards away. I waited for a few to stand up for a better target.
at 9:10 these 8 geese hit the field at 35 yards away. I waited for a few to stand up for a better target.
picked out the closest one at 34 yards. set the single pin sight, drew, release, arrow on its way.
picked out the closest one at 34 yards. set the single pin sight, drew, release, arrow on its way.
Wack! don't you just love that sound? Goose # 60
Wack! don't you just love that sound? Goose # 60
7 geese leaving the field, less one
7 geese leaving the field, less one
This is so cool. Nice wirk.sixty geese is amazing. Thanks for keeping us entertained..good luck in Az.
Congrats, good luck in AZ!!
Paul, big congrats on SMOKING #60!! Thanks for the entertainment for us seasonally sidelined sportsmen.
I'd wish you luck on the Coues hunt, but obviously luck has nothing to do with your successes.
eager for the retrieve as he races past
eager for the retrieve as he races past
and out towards the fallen goose 100 yards away.
and out towards the fallen goose 100 yards away.
that might mean a treat
that might mean a treat
BUT WAIT THERE IS MORE TO COME! Sense the arrow stayed in the goose, I did not send Chase out for the retrieve but pulled the arrow and reset the goose out in the field so he could still retrieve it.
GOOD BOY!
GOOD BOY!
IT AIN'T OVER UNTIL THE FAT LADY SINGS. MORE TO COME
I do not know if some of you guys have ever hunted geese. It seems that they can be predictable when they show up and sometime, not. Today was one of those days as in the past, the hunt was usually over by 9:30. Did I say USUALLY!
So at 10 am I am out side of the blind and starting to gather up my hunting equipment from inside of the blind. my bow, my seat, my backpack is out side and I was just about to gather up the decoys when HERE THEY COME RIGHT OVER THE BARN.
I grab the bow and send Chase into the blind. I dive in behind him.
pass through
pass through
the other goose is standing behind a decoy. It steps out, I shoot and only get feathers. GO FIGURE. OH, well, # 61 down
the other goose is standing behind a decoy. It steps out, I shoot and only get feathers. GO FIGURE. OH, well, # 61 down
These two break out of the flock and land just 15 yards from the blind. No time to take a picture and Chase is whining his head off. I shoot the one at 15 yards with a pass through arrow
I line Chase up for an easy retrieve
I line Chase up for an easy retrieve
and back in a few moments
and back in a few moments
packing up
packing up
and about to head home
and about to head home
Heading home, I get within a block of my house and see these mule deer on the side of the road
Heading home, I get within a block of my house and see these mule deer on the side of the road
I pull up close and see this other buck within 5 yards of the truck. The buck states, "I hear you are heading for AZ to hunt deer" Yes, I said. The buck looks back over its shoulder, GOOD!
I pull up close and see this other buck within 5 yards of the truck. The buck states, "I hear you are heading for AZ to hunt deer" Yes, I said. The buck looks back over its shoulder, GOOD!
Merry Christmas Paul. Have fun down south . Hunt
Great stuff Paul! Happy Holidays good luck in AZ.
Congrats on your goose hunting success, and thanks for taking us along! Good luck in AZ.
You do so good keeping Chase engaged while at all times looking out for his safety. Takes a patient man to pull that off. Hope you tag early for coues, we're not done watching these hunts.
Great hunt Paul. Congrats on 60+. Good luck on your coues hunt.
Great hunt as usual. Good luck in AZ.
As far as I know this one is still down there somewhere!
As far as I know this one is still down there somewhere!
Merry Christmas Paul. Best of luck in Arizona.
sort of like this one
sort of like this one
Jeff, I know where that rock outcropping is. Thanks. my best, Paul
Awesome, thanks for posting!
Good stuff Paul, along with good shooting! Have a great Christmas!
Merry Christmas Paul And good luck in AZ.
Thanks for sharing your goose hunt Paul!
Rosie O'Donnell eventually starts howling. Glad she stayed away for #61! Merry Christmas!
Good luck Paul and great job on the geese!
Awesome recaps, Paul. Hope you had a Merry Christmas and good luck in AZ!
Always enjoy this thread each year Paul
Thanks for sharing again with us
Travel safe and smart to Az and be safe
Good luck, Robb
Yep, packing up for AZ. (including the 9mm). Be leaving tomorrow O Dark 30. I am sure there will be a story in the near future. Thanks for the good wishes. my best, Paul
Well done Paul! Enjoy your time in AZ, already looking forward to the follow-up story! Hope you had a Merry Christmas and have a happy new year chasing deer!
Great job on the geese again Paul, good luck and also looking forward to hearing about your hunt down south!
Thanks guys. Was going to leave tomorrow--all packed and ready to go , ie, Thursday, but major snow/road issues north of Albuquerque New Mex today, so I will leave Friday instead after I-25 has been cleared. The season starts Jan 1 so I will still have a few days prior to set up as I will be there by Sunday.
Drive safe and best of luck to you Paul.
Great job Paul, thanks much for takin' us along. Look forward to this hunt every year.
Good luck in AZ and fare well....
Congrats on #61 Paul. Safe travels and good luck in Arizona.