Hunt One, Yard Hoppers :)
Contributors to this thread:Small Game
From: Paul@thefort
18-Dec-23
The stars must have been lined up correctly this morning on the first Yard Hopper archery goose hunt of this year, December 18th.. Yea, the 13th year of the series. Two days ago I went to he goose field and set up the blind and stacked up a few decoys. Hard to tell if Teal had any idea what to expect in the coming days ahead. He had already finished 4 field trials as a young pup, retrieved two Sage Hens, ducks and a pheasant here in Colorado. This would be his first time in the enclosed blind and trying to be calm, and just listen to the sounds of geese and me calling.
Soon after I left the house at 7 am and made the turn on the hwy to the goose field, there were three bunches of geese on the big lake. A good sign but one never knows what the geese will do and if they will decoy or just seek greener pastures elsewhere.
We were set up and ready when the first geese started to fly at 7:30.
From: Huntcell
18-Dec-23
I can just about hear Teal whimpering with anticipation in the blind. Looking up at you….come on come on shoot….
From: Bow Bullet
18-Dec-23
I predict a Christmas goose for Paul and Tricia and a first retrieve for Teal!
From: BOWNBIRDHNTR
18-Dec-23
Bow Bullet you beat me to it! Good luck Paul and Teal. Looking forward to season long updates!!
From: drycreek
18-Dec-23
Go Teal !
From: Paul@thefort
18-Dec-23
b
From: Paul@thefort
18-Dec-23
unable to attach picture, wait until I can, per Bowsite.com
From: Wv hillbilly
18-Dec-23
Good luck Paul! Can’t wait to see how it plays out this year
From: sitO
18-Dec-23
Looking forward to following along once again, thanks for bring this gem to us Paul!
From: Paul@thefort
18-Dec-23
Teal states, OK dad let the show begin.
Teal states, OK dad let the show begin.
From: Paul@thefort
18-Dec-23
7:30 am, geese start flying. Looking good but need a few low flying flocks
7:30 am, geese start flying. Looking good but need a few low flying flocks
These two came in so low one can hardly see them against the tree line, but passed on
These two came in so low one can hardly see them against the tree line, but passed on
Now 8:15 and the flights were slowing down. I was happy to see as many geese this morning. All of a sudden, these 4 geese showed up,
Now 8:15 and the flights were slowing down. I was happy to see as many geese this morning. All of a sudden, these 4 geese showed up,
From: Paul@thefort
18-Dec-23
A surprising good morning in the goose field. Not expected at all but Teal and I will take it. Yea, a goose for Teal as planned.
A surprising good morning in the goose field. Not expected at all but Teal and I will take it. Yea, a goose for Teal as planned.
I called and they circled once and dropped in to 25-30 yards. I scrambled to get ready, to keep Teal calm as I knew he heard them fly in and land. The range finder indicated the closest one was 25 yards. I adjusted the one pin sight to 25 yards, drew and released. WHACK!. Pass through, the goose was dead in a second. The other geese wandered away and then took flight.
From: Mpdh
18-Dec-23
You left us hanging Paul! We can all see the dead goose!
From: Paul@thefort
18-Dec-23
Surprise! not a small duck but a large heavy goose. Now what to do. He was not sure so he started to grab feathers, more and more and just could not figure out how to carry it.
Surprise! not a small duck but a large heavy goose. Now what to do. He was not sure so he started to grab feathers, more and more and just could not figure out how to carry it.
With a lot of prodding, he got the goose close
With a lot of prodding, he got the goose close
Well, that is going to take more practice but good enough for the first day and first goose.
Well, that is going to take more practice but good enough for the first day and first goose.
So now Teal has a job to do but he has not had a large goose to retrieve before. A Mallard duck might weigh 2-3 pound but a mature goose, at least 10-12 pounds. A mouth full for sure. I lined him up on the downed goose.
From: Paul@thefort
18-Dec-23
Well, there you have the rest of the story. First day, first goose in the 2023 Yard Hopper series, and Teal's first goose retrieve. I stopped counting how many geese I have killed off this field but it is over 100 during the past 12 years, and how year 13, yea. more to come.
From: Paul@thefort
18-Dec-23
Well give the field a rest for the remainder of the week as we will go duck hunting again mid week. Stay tuned for more action to come. Our best, Paul and Teal
PS, Yea, Teal got two treats.
From: Zbone
18-Dec-23
Christmas Goose Paul?
From: drycreek
18-Dec-23
Good show Paul and Teal !
From: Paul@thefort
18-Dec-23
No, but roasted Colorado pheasant and Mallard duck for Christmas dinner.
From: deerhunter72
18-Dec-23
This is just fantastic! Great work by both of you. Now that Teal has some experience with a goose, it won’t take him long to get into the full swing of things. Thanks so much for keeping up the tradition and sharing it all with us. Always the best thread of the year for me! And glad Teal got a few treats for his efforts:)
From: Paul@thefort
18-Dec-23
Thanks Greg. One thing I did before leaving the field was to have Teal hold the goose by the neck. I then told him to "hold" and then walked away. He followed dragging the goose a few yards. Yep, Learning for sure.
From: deerhunter72
18-Dec-23
Good deal! That is a huge difference in weight, he’ll get there.
From: t-roy
18-Dec-23
Not a bad start for Teal Team 6! Good stuff as usual, Paul!
From: Supernaut
19-Dec-23
Outstanding hunt Paul and Teal!
Congrats on the first of the season and thanks for taking us along, great pictures as usual sir!
From: patience2spare
19-Dec-23
Congrats on a great hunt and Teal's first goose!!! Amazing how a hunt can change so quickly! Good luck with the ducks midweek. Pete
From: Bow Bullet
19-Dec-23
Congrats Paul and Teal!
From: Deebz
19-Dec-23
Very cool! I've always wanted to try to get a goose with my bow.
From: Beav
19-Dec-23
Great start! It will be fun following Teal's progression.
From: Genesis
19-Dec-23
Does Paul ever miss ? Great job!
From: Vonfoust
19-Dec-23
Fantastic! Way to go Paul and Teal!!
From: Genesis
19-Dec-23
Does Paul ever miss ? Great job!
From: sitO
19-Dec-23
Congrats Teal, my lab Chet got his first goose yesterday morning too. Keep it coming Paul!
From: scentman
19-Dec-23
Great thread Paul, years ago I trained my Chocolate Lab named "Gus"... I can't bring myself to getting another, that big fella knew just how to push my buttons and melt my heart at the same time... now I have 2 cats... they do the same;0) I don't now who the lucky one is... you or Teal? scentman
From: Genesis
19-Dec-23
double post
From: Paul@thefort
19-Dec-23
No doubt a goose is a mouth full for any retriever. Teal tried to grab the body but ended up with a few mouth full of feathers. Later I took the goose in hand and placed the goose's neck in Teal's mouth and told him to "hold". I then walked away a few yards and had him come forward, now dragging the goose by its neck. We did that a few times before heading back to the truck for a treat. We will do another goose hunt on Saturday or Sunday. My best, Paul and Teal. Thanks for following along.
From: Lewis
19-Dec-23
Great story as usual Paul really enjoyed it I trained a bunch of my own labs through 50 some years of hunting and their first few geese are always a memorable experience but it appears Teal is on the right course Good luck to many more hunts and Merry Christmas Lewis ps I could use a good pheasant recipe.
From: Percy
19-Dec-23
Congrats on a great hunt. Looking forward to future hunts, well done.
From: hawkeye in PA
19-Dec-23
Congratulations on your successful hunt Paul and Teal!
From: INbowdude
19-Dec-23
Atta boy, Paul, and Teal. Looking forward to more stories.
From: Jaquomo
19-Dec-23
Excellent! Great job Paul and Teal!
From: Iowa_Archer
20-Dec-23
LOVE this thread every year! WTG Paul and Teal!
From: Heat
20-Dec-23
Nice work Paul and Teal!
From: Bowboy
20-Dec-23
Great job Paul & Teal
From: BOWNBIRDHNTR
21-Dec-23
Great start to a long and prosperous career for Teal! Merry Christmas Paul.
From: midwest
21-Dec-23
Congrats Teal and dad!
From: badbull
21-Dec-23
Good work Paul and Teal. Looks pretty cold around there so I wonder how you stay warm during down time without a facemask?
From: Paul@thefort
22-Dec-23
Bob, I do wear a face mask when it is very cold and really bundle up. I have even lit the Heater Buddy a couple of times.
From: Ken
22-Dec-23
Congratulations on the goose. I enjoy reading this thread every year.
From: bowhunter24
22-Dec-23
A bag of Dot's and you are all set! Haha! Congrats to you both, thanks for bringing us along!
From: Scoot
22-Dec-23
Good job, Teal and Paul! Merry Christmas!
From: Paul@thefort
22-Dec-23
Go to Hunt Two now posted. :) :)
