Early goose

[Dahitman44]

I can't wait for early goose season. Those geese are sooooo dumb that you can actually get a few.

I used BBB or BB shot -- is that what you guys use?

Also I usually set up decoys in a "w" pattern with a few stray "families" off to the side. That seems to work for me.

What do you guys do?

[Quackaddict9]

I am going to disagree with that, maybe a few are that dumb. But talk about other game, they can be dumb too.

Anyways I am pumped for the early goose. I shoot 3 1/2 BB most of times. My group will put out from 2-5 dozen full bodies, depending on situtation. U pattern, family groups is how we do it.

will be hunting near Thief River Falls, MN

[Finlander]

I'm pumped and ready to go for sure!

We're gonna have around 200 decoys half full bodies, half magnum shells, with a few windsocks and some decoys on motion stakes! We all have layout blinds, there are 6 of us this year!

Should be fun for sure! Two years ago we had 10-12 hunters out for opening weekend of early goose and our total was 58 Canada Geese! This was here in Minnesota (secret spot) and this was better than North Dakota or Canada hunts that i've been on!

[Fish'n guy]

I am really excited as well. Some of those new birds are really dumb, but there are also a few of those "veteran" birds that can taunt and tease a hunter all they want, but never get shot. I'm thinking if you are on the "X" where the birds were the night before, then you are pretty much going to kill some birds the next day. Just remember to "get down cover up and come gettcha some"!

[Roosterslayer05]

Im going to pass shoot with 5 buddies. We just use our calls in the middle of a grass field and they turn our way! Ha no decoys, no food, no water! It only works early season!

[Dahitman44]

I hate pass shooting -- it seems like they are always just out of range.

I think they are dumb or they get decoy shy later -- one of the two. Maybe both.

[Fish&Fowl]

Pumped early goose is finally upon us. Going to be hunting Canada a lot this year though so don't know how much I'll be on our side for early goose. I like setting up small family groups this time of year, seems that's how I see the majority of the flocks sitting.

[Gordie]

do any of you guys hunt water for early goose? I have on the river, miss and minn and typically do the"v" patternn and strys on the sand bars have done quite well in the past but I think we lost some areas to hunt because of the water rule. 3inch triple talk and BB

[MuskyBug85]

in response to the shot size i have to go against the grain on this on i prefer to shoot 2's and 4's in 3" 1 1/4 loads due in large part to the fact that the birds dont tend to have a lot of fall fat on yet and they are usaully within 20 yards or we dont shoot. just my 2 cents Jonah

[Roosterslayer05]

Dude pass shooting between the roost and a field that they feed in is a great technique early season. The geese im shooting at are only 20-40 yards high. You just got to know where to sit.

[Nova]

Oh heck yeah, pass shooting can be a blast! I love to pass shoot, just have to be able to judge distance well and know your range. Oh and yeah, you have to be in the right spot, but it always seems that the other guy is in that spot(grass is always greener).

[IceHawk]

Well the tables have been set and were ready to go. Our fields are holding anywhere from 30-200 plus geese and if everything holds we should be haveing a good shoot. I am a little nervous that with the recent rains some of our oats fields are starting to green with the alfalfa starting to pop up. I prefer to hunt short terrain but as long as the geese keep comeing we'll be in buisness.

[Dahitman44]

Thanks.

Hitman

[eyepatrol]

I wish I were on your guys' same wavelength, but I'm not nearly as pumped this year as in the past. Don't know why, just been too busy and such.

I haven't even picked up a set of regs or anything. So, can anyone tell me when the opening of early goose is? Are there new regs for hunting on public waters? Any other changes from last year?

I might get out one or two days during the early goose, but that will be it at best.

[tearin' lips]

Basscatcher,

Sorry to hear that you are not pumped up for early goose. I have had a countdown going on for over a month now!! three days, twelve hours, and forty minutes left till shooting hours. Anyhow, the opener is on the second, and as far as I can tell, there have been no new regs, with the exception of the western zone being updated to a two bird limit, with possession of four. As stated last year and in this years regs, a person may not hunt geese within 100 yards of surface water in the following areas:

Northwest and Southeast zones, Metro Goose Zone, Carlos Avery WMA, and Swan Lake Area. This doesn't include temporary flooded areas.

Hope this helps and hope ya get out there!

Oh and by the way, three days, twelve hours, and thrity six minutes till shooting hours.

[eyepatrol]

Thanks TL. Looks like there aren't any changes for my zone. I'll miss the opener for sure (kids b-days and relatives coming), but maybe I'll get out on Sunday or perhaps that Monday, weather permitting. Eventually my blood will get flowing, it just hasn't yet. I'll probably get all worked up when I hear shots ringing out over the lake I live next to. Good lake/area for goose hunting.

Thanks for the info. Good luck!

[buckpredator]

Can't wait, the geese have been scouted, the decoys prepared and the gun has been oiled. And to top it all off, It sounds like it won't be 80 or 90 degrees this weekend, awesome.

[fishhead20]

does anyone know if you can hunt on water in grand rapids

i checked the dnrs HSOforum and couldnt find that

Thank you

[gorrilla]

yep, you can...

[USPENAMC]

basscatcher,

nice to see someone from Gaylord area I live in Eden Prairie but my dad has a house in Gaylord that he rents out cause he actually lives in minneapolis but we might head to those areas to check out doves and geese maybe later on for deer too. any hints or suggestions would be appreciated.