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Shoot the 3rd Bird

March 26, 2017 / galen / Duck Hunting, Goose Hunting, Hunting

Spring Snow Goose season is not far away.  Technically the season is already open as of March 15th but the snow geese do not pay attention to the hunting season regulations and they don’t start their journey north to the arctic breeding grounds until there is enough open water and open fields to sustain their multiple thousand bird flocks.  That usually means 2nd to 3rd week of April before we see any good numbers here in Central Saskatchewan.  But with what seems like an early spring this year, we are getting the blinds and decoys organized and guns inspected and oiled.  Oh yeah, stocking up on ammo as well.  Prepping for spring hunting always gets my running through some mental images of what it is like sitting in the blind, watching the geese drop their feet, and then the adrenaline rush at the call of “Take ‘Em! Take ‘Em! Take ‘Em!”.

I’ve had the chance to hunt with few of the most respected waterfowlers in North America.  Snow Goose hunting legends such as Jim Jones and Waterfowl hunting show hosts such as Jared Brown (DU TV), Mike Checkett (DU TV), Buck McNeely (The Outdoorsman), and Chris Dorsey (Orion Media) .  I have also hunted with some great hunters, some great shooters, who aren’t famous but can knock down geese and ducks with anyone.  One thing I have learned is to not try to act like you know everything about hunting when in the presence of the masters.  That doesn’t mean play stupid, it means don’t try to be the expert. Instead, listen, watch and learn.

snow goose flock shooting

We don’t often get this many choices.

A couple of observations come to mind from hunting with Jim Jones and Jared Brown.  It has to do with selection of birds to shoot when there are multiple targets.  Every now and then I like to set the gun aside and take out my video camera.  While doing so I noticed that often when there are multiple bird kills, it’s the close bird that dies last.  Especially with 4 or 5 guns in the blinds, I’ve noticed this to be a trend.

How to Shoot a Triple

To shoot a triple, meaning one hunter kills 3 birds, takes some quick decision making, proper choices, and ultimately excellent shooting.  I have shot a few triples myself, doing it the hard way.  After learning the right way to do it, my multiple bird shoots have increased.  My approach used to be to make sure I got one (like the front end of a double play in baseball) by shooting the easiest to kill bird first then get another by shooting the next and then hoping to drop a third at 80 yards while it’s hightailing it away from the gun blasts.  My success rate on the first bird is pretty good but the second and third attempts drop off quickly.  Part of the issue I like to shoot my old Browning pump shot gun so I am slower to cycle to the second and third shots than when I shoot my Beretta semi-auto.  Don’t ask me to justify that choice.  I guess i just like the pump action and the extra half a second it forces you to prepare for the next shot.

Snow Goose Hunting

Shoot the third bird to shoot a triple.

But now the new method of shooting a triple goose or duck kill.  Start by shooting the third bird closest to you, then shoot the second then the close bird.  On average, the shot length will be shorter, which drastically increases your chances of dropping three birds.  Let’s say you pull on the group of birds when the lead bird is 35 yards out, a comfortable shooting distance for many of us waterfowl hunters.  With normal spacing in a group of birds, the third bird is going to be about 40 to 45 yards out, still a very make able shot, especially if the birds are still in landing mode, wings cupped, feet dragging.  One the first shot, birds flare and try to climb and accelerate away from danger, putting shot number two at about 50 yards, the 40 yards it was at when you shot bird number one, plus 10 yards of get away flight. That should put the final bird at approximately 55 to 60 yards.  Tougher shot, especially when it’s tail feathers may be facing you now, but definitely in killable range.  Contrast this with where the third bird would be, adding roughly 20 to 25 yards to where it was on the first shot, and that puts the last shot at 75 to 80 yards.

A Good Day of Goose Shooting

A Good Day of Goose Shooting

Learning from the Wisdom of Others

Something else I have learned from Jim Jones is the answer to the question how big can a snow goose spread be?  The answer has more to do with the size and capacity of your trailer.  With enough hunters, Jim will empty the trailer meaning there will be up to 1500 decoys on the ground, stretching a few hundred yards.  At first I thought that Jim was insane.  Turns out that might be a little bit true as well, but mostly Jim is cunning.  The monster spread proved it worth that day in Central Saskatchewan as we had 4 snow goose tornadoes over our heads.

Saskatchewan Goose Hunting

January 26, 2017 / galen / Duck Hunting, Goose Hunting, Hunting

Saskatchewan Goose Hunting is a new web service matching avid Goose hunters to Saskatchewan Goose hunting Outfitters.  The service is 100% Free for Hunters to use.  This new website uses a network of Approved Outfitters who have joined the program and matches them to the hunter’s requirements for number of hunters, dates, as well as other criteria.

See more at SaskatchewanGooseHunting.com

Spotting for Duck Hunting

August 26, 2015 / galen / Duck Hunting, Hunting

The key to success in waterfowl hunting, especially in unfamiliar territory, is often in the preparation before the hunt. In duck hunting, this means locating the right spot. Sure, you need the right gear, decoys, calls, camo, guns and ammo, but all of that is useless if you don’t have the bird numbers to put a bead on. Follow these 3 steps for more duck hunting success.

1 scouting = driving (windshield time)
2 checking = get your feet dirty
3 permission = door knocking

Scouting helps you know the fields and water around you. Where are the ducks feeding? What is their flight path? What other water is around? Is this a roost pond or a day use pond? Sometimes you just don’t need to spot as much. If you know the lay of the land extremely well, and the number of local birds is high, then your regular spots are likely good to go. Spend some windshield time driving the area. Try to follow the routine of the ducks from water to field to water.

Check the spot you want hunt at the same time of day you want to hunt. Get out and take a walk around where you want to hunt. Do you have cover for all wind directions? Take note of the species of birds that frequent the spot. If you want to shoot mallards, and you see plenty in your spotting runs, then be prepared to wait for the mallard to show. If you have picked a good spot and you are set up with a good decoy spread, give the mallard’s time. Don’t fire off a volley of shots at the first flock of pintails or teal to buzz your decoys. The mallards may not be far behind and a few shotgun blasts can be enough to send them searching for a new pothole. If you are not particular about species (know your limits) then be selective about the flocks that are in the air and what’s over your decoys. If you have a flock of 50 ducks approaching, you might want to let the three in range pass through.

Gaining access to land is usually an easy task, as long as you politely ask for permission. My experience has been that most landowners will grant you permission as long as you respect their land, their crops, their livestock.

Spotting gives you a better opportunity for a better hunt. Once you have done your preparation, then it’s time for your shooting skills to take over.

 

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