Post by bsutravis on Jan 24, 2007 14:03:01 GMT -5
Shootsa410 and I went out into the crisp air this morning for a goose hunt. Knowing that the previous hunt that Art was on he got his limit, and my previous hunt also resulted limits for all involved, the pressure was on to keep the streak alive! Art instructed me to NOT shoot the banded geese, since this was my first time at one of his honey holes, and in turn he promised to let me see some real live geese with real bands after the hunt was over. Never being one to question the word of a waterfowling legend, I agreed to the terms.
The daylight was on us quick this morning! We had barely got the 8 dozen full bodies out when we realized that it was bright outside. It wasn't but a few minutes before the first flocks arrived at the secret refuge. I could go on and on telling the details of the hunt, but I'll cut to the chase and tell you that we saw probably 200-250 geese throughout the morning. They were very finicky, causing us to readjust the dekes constantly. They just were very timid at committing to our spread. Art bagged his limit on a pair that came in by themselves. I never took at shot as I knew that Art had them covered.... It took a bit longer for me to connect........finally dropping 2 out of a group of 4 that were coaxed into range by the mellow tones of Art's best impersonation of a lonely goose wanting some company. I was happy to keep the "limit" streak alive as we both claimed our Canadians.
After the hunt we went on a drive......Art stopped the vehicle and blindfolded me for the remainder of the 10 minute drive. He's very secretive about his banded goose farm, so I complied to his request for the blindfold. After a short drive Art stopped the vehicle, and told me to remove the blindfold. Before me were a pair of large geese....both had jewelry dangling from their legs. It was amazing! Now, I don't know exactly where we were, but I did manage to leave a trail of bread crumbs from a peanut-butter -n- jelly sandwich that I found in my coat pocket that was left over from Early Archery season. I've got to go out later and see if I can't pick up the trail.......if the geese don't ingest the bread crumbs first! Following the sighting of the banded geese, he took me to another one of his waterfowl-pens, he said that all the ducks and geese in these pictures are still being trained for next season...... It's nice to know that Art is always thinking about the conservation side of waterfowling! Anyway......it was a great hunt as always! Thanks for the hunt Art... it would have been worth the trip even if we hadn't seen a thing all morning!
The daylight was on us quick this morning! We had barely got the 8 dozen full bodies out when we realized that it was bright outside. It wasn't but a few minutes before the first flocks arrived at the secret refuge. I could go on and on telling the details of the hunt, but I'll cut to the chase and tell you that we saw probably 200-250 geese throughout the morning. They were very finicky, causing us to readjust the dekes constantly. They just were very timid at committing to our spread. Art bagged his limit on a pair that came in by themselves. I never took at shot as I knew that Art had them covered.... It took a bit longer for me to connect........finally dropping 2 out of a group of 4 that were coaxed into range by the mellow tones of Art's best impersonation of a lonely goose wanting some company. I was happy to keep the "limit" streak alive as we both claimed our Canadians.
After the hunt we went on a drive......Art stopped the vehicle and blindfolded me for the remainder of the 10 minute drive. He's very secretive about his banded goose farm, so I complied to his request for the blindfold. After a short drive Art stopped the vehicle, and told me to remove the blindfold. Before me were a pair of large geese....both had jewelry dangling from their legs. It was amazing! Now, I don't know exactly where we were, but I did manage to leave a trail of bread crumbs from a peanut-butter -n- jelly sandwich that I found in my coat pocket that was left over from Early Archery season. I've got to go out later and see if I can't pick up the trail.......if the geese don't ingest the bread crumbs first! Following the sighting of the banded geese, he took me to another one of his waterfowl-pens, he said that all the ducks and geese in these pictures are still being trained for next season...... It's nice to know that Art is always thinking about the conservation side of waterfowling! Anyway......it was a great hunt as always! Thanks for the hunt Art... it would have been worth the trip even if we hadn't seen a thing all morning!
