With the weather patterns we have been having this season, it has been a less than stellar year for me. This morning proved to be different.
I am usually froze off the river by now but the river is pretty much wide open, except in just a few back water spots, which have remained frozen. Normally I will be the only boat on the river this time of year, but arriving back at the ramp today I found six other rigs in the parking lot, all fishermen after winter Walleyes.
I put in well before dawn and motor upstream. Just before arriving at my spot, I hear the commotion. Geese are moving out ahead of me as I make my way upstream. I take this as a good sign, figuring they will filter back in over the course of the morning.
The river is low right now exposing a mud flat at a bend in the river. I could see plenty of goose sign indicating that they were using this mudflat to loaf the day away. I set up my spread. A dozen floaters out in front and a dozen full bodies on the shoreline. I position the boat and lean back to wait.
Tucked into a bay about 250 yards away, a few geese had remained and never left when I came thru to get to my spot. Those geese were now calling out to the geese filtering back in. Dang, the first few groups joined the live geese and I was beginning to have some doubts about any success for this hunt. Hard to compete with live birds.
Finally around 10:00am, a group of three geese circle my spread. They turn once more and float in over the tree tops. Wings set, honking to the decoys, on they come, ever closer to the water. Feet out and barely above the waters surface they are about set down, 20 yards out. I quickly sit forward and fire my gun three times.
All three birds lay in the water. One is trying to swim away so I reload to anchor him. Hot diggity dog, I just filled my limit. What a way to end my season, I am a happy camper.
Same birds different picture.
Our season ends Jan 4th but I most likely won't get out anymore before it ends. I am just happy to have ended with a great hunt.
I am usually froze off the river by now but the river is pretty much wide open, except in just a few back water spots, which have remained frozen. Normally I will be the only boat on the river this time of year, but arriving back at the ramp today I found six other rigs in the parking lot, all fishermen after winter Walleyes.
I put in well before dawn and motor upstream. Just before arriving at my spot, I hear the commotion. Geese are moving out ahead of me as I make my way upstream. I take this as a good sign, figuring they will filter back in over the course of the morning.
The river is low right now exposing a mud flat at a bend in the river. I could see plenty of goose sign indicating that they were using this mudflat to loaf the day away. I set up my spread. A dozen floaters out in front and a dozen full bodies on the shoreline. I position the boat and lean back to wait.
Tucked into a bay about 250 yards away, a few geese had remained and never left when I came thru to get to my spot. Those geese were now calling out to the geese filtering back in. Dang, the first few groups joined the live geese and I was beginning to have some doubts about any success for this hunt. Hard to compete with live birds.
Finally around 10:00am, a group of three geese circle my spread. They turn once more and float in over the tree tops. Wings set, honking to the decoys, on they come, ever closer to the water. Feet out and barely above the waters surface they are about set down, 20 yards out. I quickly sit forward and fire my gun three times.
All three birds lay in the water. One is trying to swim away so I reload to anchor him. Hot diggity dog, I just filled my limit. What a way to end my season, I am a happy camper.
Same birds different picture.
Our season ends Jan 4th but I most likely won't get out anymore before it ends. I am just happy to have ended with a great hunt.
