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Post by 10point on Dec 10, 2007 9:37:43 GMT -5
I just got my Son a new 20 gauge. He is 8 and I may take him out for geese. Just wondering what you all thought about letting him shoot them on the ground. Is that teaching him wrong? I plan to take him turkey hunting in the future and I thought this might be good practice for shooting at a turkey.
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Post by bschwein on Dec 10, 2007 9:56:39 GMT -5
Nothing wrong with that at all.
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Post by duff on Dec 10, 2007 10:00:02 GMT -5
One thing to think about is I believe it is a bit harder to kill a duck or goose that is on the water. The wings are folded against the body shielding the organs and the rest is against teh water or ground (especially on the water). Think about all the cripple shots a duck or goose has taken from close range in attempt to finish em.
I personally don't get fired up about people shooting ducks or geese that are on the ground or water. Shoot if you put dekes out to lure them in and they land in your decoys then you just accomplished the task you intended to do. I'd rather shoot them off the water or ground then pass shoot at 40+yrds anyday.
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Post by hountzmj on Dec 10, 2007 11:35:04 GMT -5
I don't get upset about shooting them on the ground (I've done it from time to time) but I think that it is more fun and more effective if they are in the air. They are just darn hard to kill on the ground for the reasons others have listed.
What I would suggest is that you start him out on some easy sporting clays. Once he gets used to busting them a goose will be no big deal since they are generally slower than a clay target.
--hountzmj
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Post by duff on Dec 10, 2007 11:41:53 GMT -5
I don't get upset about shooting them on the ground (I've done it from time to time) but I think that it is more fun and more effective if they are in the air. They are just darn hard to kill on the ground for the reasons others have listed. What I would suggest is that you start him out on some easy sporting clays. Once he gets used to busting them a goose will be no big deal since they are generally slower than a clay target. --hountzmj Size and speed of the target will never make up for the size of the shakes and speed of the heart on incoming game!!! Let him shoot whatever, in the air on the ground as long as it is in range. |
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Post by hoosierhunter2 on Dec 10, 2007 11:44:29 GMT -5
Some good points here....Taking your son out before season and practicing on some clay is definitely a great way to start them out!!! At this point he hasn't been able to do that I take it? I think it is a good idea to teach him the most sporting way of doing things, but also at an early age it is important to let him just enjoy it also! So shooting a goose, no matter how is a good idea to let him get excited about hunting. I would explain to him what is the right way of doing things, but also that you are going to let him shoot one on the ground and why you are, and then also explain that you and him can work on teaching him to be able to shoot them out of the air just like "Dad"  Make it fun for him, but also make sure and make it instructional as well, they are so open to instruction during those early years and that is the time to teach!! Good luck and I hope he gets one and make sure and take some pics to post up for us to see!! |
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Ozpa
Junior Member
Posts: 48
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Post by Ozpa on Dec 10, 2007 11:47:46 GMT -5
Ground swatting is generally fine---make sure to let him get the follow-up shots as the bird gets off of the ground.
I would caution that when shooting birds on the ground safety is paramount. Dogs and other hunters could easily get shot. He should also know that ground swatting is not always accepted with all hunters.
Todd
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Post by 10point on Dec 10, 2007 11:56:32 GMT -5
Ground swatting is generally fine---make sure to let him get the follow-up shots as the bird gets off of the ground. I would caution that when shooting birds on the ground safety is paramount. Dogs and other hunters could easily get shot. He should also know that ground swatting is not always accepted with all hunters. Todd You bring up a good point. I was thinking shooting on the ground would be safer but I guess there isn't much besides birds to hit in the air. I just don't want him swinging the gun around like Dick Cheney. ;D I have also seen my Dad shoot at ones on the ground and end up with holes in this decoys. My Son did shoot some doves on the ground this year with a .410 |
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Post by hountzmj on Dec 10, 2007 13:06:25 GMT -5
Size and speed of the target will never make up for the size of the shakes and speed of the heart on incoming game!!! I forgot about that part... The rush you get when a flock comes in with their gear down is awesome!!! --hountzmj |
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Post by Noblebowhunter on Dec 10, 2007 13:32:20 GMT -5
We use a slightly differnet term for this practice  .... but heck yes.. let em Rip!! Good luck on the bird!!! |
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Post by pigeonflier on Dec 10, 2007 16:00:21 GMT -5
You gents wouldnt like to hunt with me then,, cause I love to let them all get right down on the ground if thats what they are gonna do........ and then SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by indianagooseman on Dec 10, 2007 16:59:00 GMT -5
You gents wouldnt like to hunt with me then,, cause I love to let them all get right down on the ground if thats what they are gonna do........ and then SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm in the boat with you Pigeon! If it's a duck and I'm duck hunting...bang! There isn't a thing unsporting about calling them all the way down before you kill em. |
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Post by honkenbutch on Dec 10, 2007 18:34:21 GMT -5
Kids,,,,let em get the birds however they may. As Todd cautioned, safety,safety, and more safety. You work your butt off to make a hunt something to be remembered, sometimes the birds drop so fast that a young un can't keep up, put em on the ground and whack em, there will be fliers for him.
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Post by chicobrownbear on Dec 10, 2007 20:55:30 GMT -5
I hunted at a club in So. Ill. that actually wants the geese to land before shooting them. Its called Goosedown HC. Nothing wrong with a ground pound, you decoyed them as far as they could be decoyed.
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Post by firstwd on Dec 11, 2007 21:17:04 GMT -5
I fully agree that if you can get a bird on the ground or water then you have won the battle, go ahead and win the war. Flying, landed, or swimming in, if you can get them within range, take them.
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Post by bsutravis on Dec 12, 2007 9:23:41 GMT -5
To each their own...... but IMO if you have good goose/duck movement where you are seeing and working birds on a regular basis (ie., not sitting there for 3 hrs and seeing 2 birds) than there's no way I'd want to ground swat a goose or duck. A kid, I have no problem with it in ANY circumstance... but I get the rush from having to lead the bird, pick MY bird that I want to kill out of the flock that's thrown the breaks on when I've popped up from my blind, etc. etc.. If I want to shoot a stationary target, I'll go put up some paper targets of goose heads.
Like I said.......to each their own, but I like my geese to be on Final Approach about to touch down and then you get to see that, "OH CRAP!" look in their eyes as they start backpeddling.
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Post by hoosierhunter2 on Dec 12, 2007 10:04:41 GMT -5
Well stated Travis. I'm the same way, even if they do land in the decoys, come up let them get up and BOOM!! I love the thud on the ground or splash in the water!! ;D Those that do it their way and are within the bounds of what's legal, go for it!!! More hunters is good for the sport and what we need, no matter how they get it done! Ethics is the big one to maintain around other groups, and the only big no-no is skybusting and encroaching on someone else's setup. |
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Post by bschwein on Dec 12, 2007 10:27:37 GMT -5
All valid points, but this guy is asking about his Kid and if that would be OK. I'd say let your boy shoot them however he wanted.
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Post by 10point on Dec 12, 2007 10:35:42 GMT -5
A couple of years ago I set out my decoys went to park the car and a couple of geese had landed in my decoys. I was able to walk up close to them and I yelled at them to get up. I shot them as they were taking off. Sure was a short hunt that day.
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Post by choppy on Dec 12, 2007 22:54:30 GMT -5
To me, you're teaching the kid to be unethical right off the bat. I'm not saying I've never done any ground pounding or water swatting, but that's not the way to start off a youngster. Teach him the right way and birds will come.
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Make it fun for him, but also make sure and make it instructional as well, they are so open to instruction during those early years and that is the time to teach!! 
.... but heck yes.. let em Rip!! Good luck on the bird!!!
