Author Topic: Early season goose is open (Read 817 times)

Nixter · « **on:** September 04, 2005, 02:25:46 PM »

Well we got our early season for goose started today. The season opened on the 1st but we didn't get out until today. Jon and I were at the field before daylight to asses our fields and set our decoys.

Standing corn overlooking a small hayfield with a small knoll right at half of the long side of the field. We chose the knoll so as to give the geese a beeter view of our small spread. We used a dozen Big-Foot full body decoys. They were set in what might resemble two small family groups that were mingling and feeding together.

As daylight approached it was time to head for the corn and load and wait... My Benelli was fresh from a cleaning and once over last night as was Jons' Charles Dlay. I dropped one in the chamber and released the bolt with a sure sounding kerchunk. The next two went into the mag, the second of those went in real far as I sent it home...? That's odd. Why did it go in so far? My heart jumped.

MAG-PLUG!!!

I un-loaded the Benelli and removed the mag cap. Curses no plug!! I hed forgotten to re-install it the night before. Cased the gun and humped it back to the truck before a warden could show up.

No back-up gun either. Not a good start for the season.

Nixter

Nixter · « **Reply #1 on:** September 04, 2005, 02:43:39 PM »

Well, were here and a back-up gun is too far to go and get so we'll just make do with what we got. One caller, Jon, one flagger,Me, and a shooter. Whoever gets to Jons' gun first.

The birds weren't real active this morning, first small flock in the distance about two hours after we set up. No response to our attempts at getting them to our spread. Lots of Sandhill Cranes were in the air and those are always cool to hear and see. Purple Martins were doing their amazing acrobatics catching bugs in the field before us. Mourning doves and pidgeons added to the avian activity as well as the noisy and nosy crows.

Wait, here'em? GEESE!

Snap too Jon, get on that flute and make some goosey noises. I grabbed the flag and started waving like a madman but I couldn't see the birds. Jon yelled for the flag and told me to grab his gun.

Ok, here they come heart pounding with the first flight of the season approaching our spread. They came from our left and from behind us. Passed over and turned back to set into the wind.

Get ready Jon yells. I step to the first row of corn as the birds made their way noisily down.

Take'em!! I drew a bead on one and held it for what seemed forever before I squeezed of the shot. Boom. As the goose folded at the shot my heart raced wildly as I drew a bead on another one. Rushed both of the next two shots and missed both birds by a mile.

One bird out of a flight of twelve. Elated at the one bird we took I was also disappointed that because of my mistake Jon didn't get a chance to shoot. We could have had quite a few more birds.

Better hunting tomorrow as we will take Jons' two step-sons and his wife as well. Hope to see some more big honkers.

Nixter

jh45gun · « **Reply #2 on:** September 04, 2005, 11:04:17 PM »

Hey Nixter a mag block does not have to be fancy! A short piece of stick or branch or even in your case a small piece of corn stalk 6 to 8 inches long or what ever it takes for 3 shells would have worked until you got the regular one. I found myself with out a plug on my 870 a few years ago. A piece of fiberglass fishing rod was put in the gun and it is still there. It is still in good shape too so no need to replace it with a dowl or plastic plug. Too bad it screwed up your hunt good luck for the rest of the hunt. Jim

Nixter · « **Reply #3 on:** September 06, 2005, 09:40:46 AM »

Hey Jim, just didn't want to take any chances with the Warden stopping by and busting my chops. Doubtful they would even know we were there until we started shooting but I really like to stay on the good side of the law.

Talked to the landowner after the hunt and was informed we must start hunting coyotes on his land. He's lost all of his chickens and ducks in the last few weeks. My guess is coyote but acording to him, he's seen some awful big cat tracks on his land as well. This might be good for a new topic here in the Wisconsin section. I couldn't call a coyote with a cell phone much less a predator call but we'll give it a try. :wink:

Good luck to all in Wisconsin hunting and fishing in the coming weeks, and be safe.

Nixter

jh45gun · « **Reply #4 on:** September 06, 2005, 10:33:44 PM »

I understand Nixter but it would have not have had to been a factory plug just anything that blocked the shells from going over 3. I would bet that most wardens would shuck out the shells and put them back in to see if they held just 3 and even if they took the gun apart as long as it had a plug no matter what it was it would be legal. The law states you have to have a plug it does not say it has to be made out of a certain material or factory made. Lots of older shotguns had wood dowls or carved sticks in them for plugs. Jim

jh45gun · « **Reply #5 on:** September 06, 2005, 10:35:44 PM »

Cabelas has a cheap hand help electric preditor call that all you do is push buttons. I think it is around 30 bucks.

myronman3 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 07, 2005, 12:19:56 PM »

buying plugs is for suckers. i use a dowel rod and in a pinch did exactly as you stated- used a piece of stick. so long as it only holds 3, your in the clear.

Nixter · « **Reply #7 on:** September 12, 2005, 10:32:08 AM »

Point taken guys. Adapt and overcome.

I do have a strange aversion to messing with the law.

My one meeting with a local warden wasn't a real positive experience. Not entirely bad but not real encouraging either. We will interpret the law as we see fit seemed to be his attitude.

Hope this thread won't turn into warden stories...

Early season goose stories are fine.

Nixter

myronman3 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 12, 2005, 02:32:44 PM »

Quote

I do have a strange aversion to messing with the law.

i am with you.

some wardens are @$$#%$$, but when you stop to consider what they witness folks doing every day, sometimes their attitude makes a bit more sense.

i see both sides. :wink:

jh45gun · « **Reply #9 on:** September 13, 2005, 06:29:02 AM »

Wardens are like any other LEO group there are some good ones and bad ones I would suppose though I never met one I could not get along with. I have only met good ones. :grin: My Brother is a retired WI game warden and I have met some of the guys he worked with and as a group they all seemed to be a good group of fellows. In every group there is a bad apple or two and yea some of the crap they see and put up with may give them a jaded outlook plus not only that but dealing with the State as your boss is no bargain either. :roll:

Nixter · « **Reply #10 on:** September 14, 2005, 09:07:52 AM »

Well guys, early season ended for me today. Have to go back to work tonight effectively ending the season.

Was a darn nice morning though. Cooler temps and a bit of a storm yesterday brought the birds up. Lots of Sandhills squaking and flying low over our spread.

Geese were out in good numbers but were very high and seemed to be on a mission. They really didn't like the bit of flagging I did. Must have seen that trick before...

Looking foward to regular season and duck season. Not like we saw a lot of ducks but we did meet another hunter that invited us to hunt with him on new land that he has taken both geese and ducks on. Lots of ducks by his accounts. If anything it's a chance to hear new hunting stories and build new friendships in the hunting fields.

Hope you all had a good early season.

Luck for the regular season.

Nixter

jh45gun · « **Reply #11 on:** September 15, 2005, 12:52:18 AM »

Bought my Duck Stamps and Reg Exterior Goose permit Yesterday. Going Trout Fishing on Sat and will take the scatter gun incase we see a RARE grouse or maybe a Goose. :grin: Will take the Xbow for deer in the evening. Glad the Hunting Season is here finally. Just wish Gas was cheaper so I could go out more.