Whitetail101
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Thursday, February 28, 2008 9:20 PM
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#1 )
For the most part the early goose season is hunted primarily in cut grain fields, as the birds move in to feed in the mornings and remain there until they leave for their evening open water roosts. You don’t need many decoys for the early season as you do later in the year. For the most part geese at this time of year are still in their “family” groups; however, flocks of several hundred are not unheard of. To be successful at this time of year, you will need to spend hours and many miles of scouting, in order to locate the feeding areas. When you are looking for these areas concentrate on grain fields that have been cut within the last two weeks, as these fields will still contain grain seeds and will be low enough in height to allow the geese to feel comfortable. The goose’s main defense is its keen eyesight. Arms, Ammunition and Choke The weapon of choice will be a shotgun in either the 3 ½ inch or 3 inch chambering. Ideally you will want to use a 10 gauge or 12 gauge. I prefer to use a 12 gauge in 3 inch. The action, whether it be pump, semi-auto, double or single shot(yes I have seen guys using single shots while goose hunting), is a personal preference. I use a pump action, as there are less moving parts to malfunction while hunting. As for ammunition, non-toxic shot is required for all waterfowl hunting. There are several non-toxic shot materials being offered today. You have Steel, Bismuth, Tungsten-Iron, Heavy Shot and several others available to use. I use steel for all my waterfowl hunting. Recommended shot size for Goose is BB through T (largest shot size allowed). I, myself, use BBB while hunting goose. The key to which shot size, is what you prefer and what patterns best in your shotgun with the selected choke constriction. When selecting a choke, make certain it is one designed for non-toxic shot. Shotguns made with fixed chokes are not recommended for today’s waterfowl hunting. Select a choke that patterns well for the load you have chosen to use, and the distances you may be shooting. During the early part of the early season shots will be in close until the flocks become more educated as the season progresses. Shot on average will be 25 to 45 yds early on and extending out to 60 yds later in the season. I prefer to use a modified choke early on then later in the season switch to full for the longer shots encountered. Setting Up You don’t need a spread of hundreds of decoys for the early season, 6 to 12 will do nicely; however, the size of your spread will be dictated by the size of the flock you find during your scouting trips. The larger the flock the larger your spread needs to be. Below is a diagram of a typical field setup. You want to setup a few decoys 40 yds in front of your blinds, to make it look like a group of geese has just landed and are feeding their way towards the group. This 40 yd space is where you hope the incoming geese will attempt to land giving you good shooting opportunities. Ideally you will want to have at least one sentry decoy
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Todd Segner
PSE Field Staff, TRU Ball Releases Shooting Staff,
HIPS Targets Pro Staff, Any Budget Outdoors Writer,
Rage Broadheads Pro Staff, On Target2 Shooting Staff
badandy970
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Joined: 2/20/2008 Location: Clearwater FL
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Thursday, February 28, 2008 10:12 PM
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#2 )
I have always like the J pattern or the hook with the wind at my back. Great info though, are you making the diagrams or where are you finind them.
Semper Paratus
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Whitetail101
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Thursday, February 28, 2008 10:23 PM
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#3 )
all diagrams and/or drawings are of my creation
Yes, I do have a lot of time on my hands
Todd Segner
PSE Field Staff, TRU Ball Releases Shooting Staff,
HIPS Targets Pro Staff, Any Budget Outdoors Writer,
Rage Broadheads Pro Staff, On Target2 Shooting Staff
badandy970
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Friday, February 29, 2008 5:03 PM
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#4 )
Well I like them and keep em coming.
Semper Paratus
Final Approach Pro-Staff
Foiles Migrators Pro-Staff
Rig'Em Right Pro-Staff
Duck Junkies Pro-Staff
Clearwater Fl. Ducks Unlimited Committee Member
TEAM TRIPPLE H
TEAM BUSH QUACKED
