Season 12, Yard Hopper hunt 2 and 3.
Contributors to this thread:Small Game
From: Paul@thefort
28-Dec-22
Hundreds of geese flew over the other day and my guest, Jerry, was in the blind with me. He was the shooter.
Hundreds of geese flew over the other day and my guest, Jerry, was in the blind with me. He was the shooter.
and with all of those geese in the air, one would have thought, at least one would have dropped in for a good look at the decoys and be within bow range.
and with all of those geese in the air, one would have thought, at least one would have dropped in for a good look at the decoys and be within bow range.
and for the next hour, the geese just kept filling past, some with in shotgun range but none dropped in.
and for the next hour, the geese just kept filling past, some with in shotgun range but none dropped in.
From: Paul@thefort
28-Dec-22
we stayed until 11 am but had a great time watching geese and catching up on life in general. Jerry could not hunt the next day, but I decided to do so. Teal was ready.
we stayed until 11 am but had a great time watching geese and catching up on life in general. Jerry could not hunt the next day, but I decided to do so. Teal was ready.
must to have had the wrong camera setting for motion.
must to have had the wrong camera setting for motion.
From: Paul@thefort
28-Dec-22
anyway, I am a morning person but this morning I woke up at 5 am. I don't know about you, but I get excited to go hunting even after all of these years, yea, 60 or more years.
Teal heard me moving around and he started to whine so I let him out to do his business and to be fed a little later. I put together a bowl of granola, banana and raisins, milk and wasted the next hour watching TV. Ok, 6:45 am, time to leave. Checked the outside temperature. Wow, 36 degrees, with a high of 52 predicted. Only a ten minute ride to the goose field. Still had to place out the decoys as I moved the blind to the east end of the goose field. Teal helped me as much as he could and then back in the truck for him as he is not mature enough, ie, 6.5 months old, to be steady in the blind. I could hear geese already on the frozen lake across the highway. I would expect so see as many as we did the day before. 7:10 am, the first geese are in the air.
From: Paul@thefort
28-Dec-22
Yep, a new day and the sky was filling up with geese.
Yep, a new day and the sky was filling up with geese.
From: Paul@thefort
28-Dec-22
without a sound except for wingbeats, the goose drops in at 18 yards. Yea, right in my lap and surely within bow range. I took my time and picked up the bow.
without a sound except for wingbeats, the goose drops in at 18 yards. Yea, right in my lap and surely within bow range. I took my time and picked up the bow.
My shot was good
My shot was good
Small goose but number 4 goose for this season.
Small goose but number 4 goose for this season.
By 8:15, the flights are mostly over with just an occasional goose in the air. Seemed like it was going to be another morning like the day before. Then I hear and then see a single goose in the air and nearby. I give out my best interpretation of a lonesome goose on the ground. Of all of the geese around, maybe, just maybe this will be the one that drops in. It flew right on past but gave the decoys a nod and a honk. I let out an other series of a lonesome goose as it passed behind the blind and out of sight.
From: Paul@thefort
28-Dec-22
I gathered up the goose and arrow and just returned to the blind when this group shows up.
I gathered up the goose and arrow and just returned to the blind when this group shows up.
As the flock swings away, this single drops in but lands 35 yards away.
As the flock swings away, this single drops in but lands 35 yards away.
The goose advances towards the decoys but stops 28 yards away. I have made longer shots; I adjust the single pin to 28 yards and draw back and then release.
The goose advances towards the decoys but stops 28 yards away. I have made longer shots; I adjust the single pin to 28 yards and draw back and then release.
Well, what can I say? The goose left his calling card, a pile of goose breast feathers. A miss, well , sort of, just a few inches higher, Oh well.
Well, what can I say? The goose left his calling card, a pile of goose breast feathers. A miss, well , sort of, just a few inches higher, Oh well.
From: Paul@thefort
28-Dec-22
9:15 am, time to get Teal from the truck
9:15 am, time to get Teal from the truck
From: Paul@thefort
28-Dec-22
Some training first. I used a goose wing at first to get him use to the goose feathers and smell. Small enough so he could pick up and retrieve it better.
Some training first. I used a goose wing at first to get him use to the goose feathers and smell. Small enough so he could pick up and retrieve it better.
OK, that is better and to hand. Still a pup and learning.
OK, that is better and to hand. Still a pup and learning.
So we head for the blind, pick up the goose and lets see how he handles this goose.
So we head for the blind, pick up the goose and lets see how he handles this goose.
well almost but not quite. Still too big for a pup. But he is learning .
well almost but not quite. Still too big for a pup. But he is learning .
From: Paul@thefort
28-Dec-22
The end to a great day in the field. Killed a goose. Teal received some good training. Until the next time and adventure. my best, Paul and Teal
The end to a great day in the field. Killed a goose. Teal received some good training. Until the next time and adventure. my best, Paul and Teal
From: hdaman
28-Dec-22
Thanks for taking the time to share your hunting and Teal's training! He's looking great!
From: drycreek
28-Dec-22
Thanks for taking us on your journey to making Teal another Wonder Dog ! Nothing is quite as satisfying as good dog work. I was privileged to have a great lab for a few years in the eighties. He failed to find one duck in four or five seasons, and he made some tough retrieves in that time. The year he died we had to start using steel shot and I lost the best place I ever hunted. I simply quit duck hunting and never fired another shot at a duck. Little Lucky Guy was his name.
From: TMac
28-Dec-22
Well done!
From: Ironbow
28-Dec-22
Thanks for taking the time to do these write ups Paul. Bowsite wouldn’t be the same!
From: midwest
29-Dec-22
A beautiful morning to be in the blind. How does Teal do when you leave him alone in the truck?
From: Paul@thefort
29-Dec-22
Nick, I put him in his truck kennel box. If not he might tear the truck bed apart. Lots of energy that needs to be harnessed.
From: Vonfoust
29-Dec-22
A great morning. Thank you for taking us along Paul.
From: bowhunter24
29-Dec-22
Thanks Paul for another great day starter!
From: BigStriper1
29-Dec-22
Paul another wonderful adventure, I enjoy all of your hunts, especially with your dogs. I’m pretty sure Teal got his Treat, it looks like he will be a good partner for some time. Keep bringing us the great pictures and stories, we really do appreciate them and good luck. Kurt
From: Big John
29-Dec-22
I always look forward to this yearly thread, we'll done Paul!!!
From: njbuck
29-Dec-22
Very cool, congrats!
From: deerhunter72
29-Dec-22
Paul, I bet you could earn some side money by allowing some lucky bowsiters to "sponsor" a yard hopper hunt for a seat in the blind with you! I jest, but these threads are always a highlight each year. Keep it up!
From: BigOk
29-Dec-22
Congrats! Thanks for sharing.
From: Bow Bullet
29-Dec-22
Teal will be carrying them to you pretty soon Paul. Keep on slaying!
From: Paul@thefort
29-Dec-22
Thanks guys, your comments and following along, makes me keep this series going. Stay turned for another hunt on Saturday. When I took Teal to the field this morning, just to run, there were 66 geese there within 50 yards of the blind. We left them there and exercised elsewhere. Paul
From: INbowdude
29-Dec-22
Thanks for another great story and hunt. Always fun to follow along.
From: BOWNBIRDHNTR
29-Dec-22
Congrats Paul. Always fun to see pup becoming a hunting dog! He's in the right hands for sure.
From: Paul@thefort
29-Dec-22
Jeff, Speaking of birds, how was the pheasant hunting this season in Iowa?
From: Beav
30-Dec-22
Thanks Paul! Have a Happy New Year!
From: BOWNBIRDHNTR
30-Dec-22
Paul, Pheasant hunting has been good in Iowa. I haven't gotten out quite as much as normal but each hunt has been fun and productive. I thought Breeze may have suffered a career ending injury on opening day but fortunately she is fine now. Happy New Year my friend!
From: Inshart
30-Dec-22
As you know Paul, I agree with the others. I enjoy reading and viewing your hunts. Bob
From: Altitude Sickness
30-Dec-22
A Great start for Teal. That’s a lot of bird for a pup. A live pheasant can be a little much.
Thanks for bringing us along.
From: Paul@thefort
31-Dec-22
Jeff, our dogs are special, glad Breeze is ok. Will postpone the Saturday hunt until Sunday morning. Got home late from ice fishing.
Yea, I agree, goose too big. I started training Teal with a Chucker and small ducks, works good, just the right size for a young dog.
Bob, Minn. is famous for Geese. I am sure their is one with your name on it.
Beav, I remember you and kids bow shooting ducks. What happened to that?
