YARD HOPPER GOOSE HUNT THREE
Contributors to this thread:Small Game
From: Paul@thefort
29-Dec-23
Teal and I took a break from the goose hunt and headed out east to duck hunt along the South Platte River, planning two days. The high winds and a little snow the day before. pushed the ducks out of the area so the river hunt was a bust. I checked out the nearby reservoir and it was iced over also, another bust. Plan three!
From: Paul@thefort
29-Dec-23
Plan three: Two weeks ago, after duck hunting in the morning, Teal and I head out to find a pheasant. I checked out the State Walk In area where I had encountered some pheasants in the past but not in the last few years as the Colorado pheasant population is at an all time low. But luck would have it, we jumped one and had it along with a duck for Christmas dinner. So plan three was do head out in the same area, and with the snow on the ground, look for pheasant tracks on the roads adjacent of the State Walk I areas. I see tracks. Thee hundred yards from where I killed the first rooster weeks prior, this rooster runs across the road. We get out, jump the rooster, good shot, Teal retrieves the pheasant. Happy hunter, happy dog.
From: Paul@thefort
29-Dec-23
So now back home. Hey, there is hunting to be had and only a mile from home, so lets go goose hunting with the bow in hand.
Well, 20 degree cool morning, no wind, a few geese flying, the big lake across the highway has a skim on ice on it but some open area where the geese kept it from freezing. They started flying as soon as the sun was up at 7:35 am.
From: Bowboy
29-Dec-23
Good luck Paul & Teal
From: Chief 419
29-Dec-23
Teal is taking Paul hunting again. This sounds like trouble for the geese.
From: Paul@thefort
29-Dec-23
But most if not all were heading for greener pastures, UNTILL, these four geese flew very close but settled down 100 yards away. They looked over the decoy situation, and let out the few honks. I tried to answer back in goose talk, " come over here", but I do believe this small flock of 4 geese use to be a flock of six geese last week.
From: Paul@thefort
29-Dec-23
If you remember last week, these 6 local yard hoppers showed up and I was able to killed two of them. I can bet that the remaining four are the ones now on the ground, 100 yards distant. Some say an elephant's memory is forever. Well, how about a goose's memory.
From: Paul@thefort
29-Dec-23
you fooled us once but not twice, off they went
From: Paul@thefort
29-Dec-23
Working as planned
Working as planned
Well, that was sort of the end of the morning goose hunt, with no birds in the bag. But, time for some Labrador retriever training with my new and improved goose retrieving bumper. I tied together three rubber bumpers and they tied on a set of goose wing. This should add more weight and then the feel of a goose and more to grab on to. Also to teach Teal to drag sidewise the goose so he does not step on it on the way back.
From: Paul@thefort
29-Dec-23
Well, as the saying sometime goes. "the day was for the birds".
Until the next Yard Hopper hunt. Our best, Paul and Teal
From: deerhunter72
30-Dec-23
Can’t kill them if you don’t go! Keep after them.
From: Supernaut
30-Dec-23
Congrats on the rooster and thanks for taking us along on the goose hunt Paul and Teal. Great pics as usual.
It looks like you both had a good time even if you didn't kill any geese and Teal seems to be doing great with his retrieval skills.
Get em next time.
From: Lewis
30-Dec-23
Nice post sometimes you are the hammer and sometimes you are the nail.Good luck all Lewis
From: bowhunter24
30-Dec-23
Paul Thorn lyrics!
From: Bowboy
30-Dec-23
At least you were outside enjoying a nice day with Teal.
From: Paul@thefort
30-Dec-23
Paul Thorn lyrics . Yep - Too Blessed To Be Stressed-- an album
From: Mpdh
31-Dec-23
Doesn’t matter that the geese didn’t cooperate. Time spent with a good dog is a good time!
From: patience2spare
31-Dec-23
Good try Paul! Some reps for Teal with the bumper(s) and a beautiful sunrise... a good morning! Grace and I got blanked yesterday as well: The geese need a win some days as well I suppose! Fingers crossed for your next hunt! Pete
From: goelk
31-Dec-23
Thanks for sharing
From: BULELK1
01-Jan-24
Fun times for sure.
Good luck, Robb
From: Ksgobbler
01-Jan-24
Get Teal one of these
https://www.gundogsupply.com/dokkens-dead-fowl-canadian-goose.html
