Early Goose Season Plan?

[Go Big Red!]

So what have you been doing to get ready?  Where are you heading?  What decoy spread will you be using?

[Tyler Rother]

I had plans, and now canceled... Looking for something else now..

Was gonna hunt a fresh cut oat field right off water north of Cleveland.

Been shooting clays regularly the last month out at the farm.
Got all  my camo out washed and hanging in the garage.

[Cody Gruchow]

i havent done much, the club that leases the open areas out to the nieghbors for hay, this year the neighbors planted corn instead, and there is a heavy drainage there so it holds water, so ill be hitting that as soon as they take it down. but i will be on the water for opener i think, if work allows. putting out 2 dozen big foot floaters,(great decoys) dont do much other than shoot sporting clays

[HUNTER2]

We have them fly right over our camper at the lake. Do you think I could wack a few without the neighbors complaining? Can you hunt them over water the first weekend? I have 4 floater's and 2 butt's

[Cody Gruchow]

certain areas of the state you can and certain areas you cant, metro just finally changed that last year, otherwise you couldnt hunt them within 100 feet of the water. were abouts do you hunt? or which area you asking about?

[Go Big Red!]

Right around the corner!!!!!!!!!!!

[HD]

Slow morning.....only got 2 

Hopefully this evening we will pick up some more.

[snow]

Cody,you mean 100yds~ 100ft would'nt make much difference

Was'nt expecting much as we really don't have many geese in my hunting area,but was pleasently surprised to see geese flying every which direction once the shooting started in the distance.

Put out a handful of dekes, shot 6 birds and  sailed one,so 7 total,shoulda limited easy but the birds came in low over my buddy,so he was the shooter over the dekes.

Got them babies breasted and soaking in coke over night,they'll be ready for the grill and football tomorrow,nothing better than bacon wrapped goose kabobs in the fall~

[FireRanger]

Any of you whistler whackers know if Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge is open for early goose??

[HD]

only 2 more for the evening hunt....had 60 birds fly though 2 minutes after shooting time...  I wonder if them buggers can tell time?

[mncowboy]

sherburne national refuge is  CLOSED FOR EALY SEASON GOOSE

[FireRanger]

Shanks Cowboy!!

[Cody Gruchow]

well hunted hay feilds yesterday evening with no luck until the last 4 minutes of shooting light when a single came over but wouldnt come down, so yesterday was a bust shooting wise but weather wise it was excellent

[Go Big Red!]

I shot the lone solo as he flew into the spread.  Approx 10 yards out when he got steeled.

Set up using 2 1/2 doz. mag shells and 2 doz. full body flocked heads.  Kept them in a "V" shape, grouped mostly in small family pairs.  6-8 per family.

[Cody Gruchow]

sat on the water yesterday morning did a runway only had one pair way wide of use that had no interest in turning and that was it. i havent seen anything close to the numbers i did last year, not even around town, im starting to think this cold weather has started to push them south already

[HD]

Dunno, the cut wheat and oat fields around here don't have the numbers we had last year. We only got 5 for the weekend. Maybe with the colder weather they will be moving?

[Tyler Rother]

I see plenty moving in city limits in Lakeville as well as Lonsdale areas, but, it is right at sunset.
I see them as well all over Flying Cloud Airport on my way to work, seen a lot trying to fly around the Bloomington area as well, just locals, nothing from the North yet, But I agree with all you guys, not the same early numbers as last year.

[NephronRacing]

Didn't make it out yet.  Shot some clays, got some additional decoys for this year.

I agree and haven't seen big numbers flying yet but think the super warm weather we had a few weeks back they're staying put for now.  I think the cold weather we're seeing now will get them moving.

[Go Big Red!]

Dunno, the cut wheat and oat fields around here don't have the numbers we had last year. We only got 5 for the weekend. Maybe with the colder weather they will be moving?

And there isn't much cut down.  If it is, the numbers in the NW metro have been good.  One of my senior students went out on a cut corn field near Pelican and they hammered 63 geese in one day.  The other, a sophomore, said they shot 43 in a cut wheat field in the Dayton/Champlin area.

The birds are there but I still think it's too early for good numbers.

[Cody Gruchow]

i have a feild that was just cut(corn) i have to try to figure out how to set-up without ticking off the neighboors

[HD]

We got 2 more tonight, so, we are up to 7

[Cody Gruchow]

well hunter im up to 0 havent fired a shot or shouldered the gun yet... rub it in 

[HD]

Well....get out there Cody!



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[Go Big Red!]

i have a feild that was just cut(corn) i have to try to figure out how to set-up without ticking off the neighboors

 

[snow]

Cody,

As long as your legal (100yds away from a dwelling) not much to worry about,or ya could buy that extended barrel from hastings they call the "metro barrel" does'nt even make a pop.

Tom Knapp using one~




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[HUNTER2]

Haven't made it out, don't think I will tell opener.

[Tyler Rother]

With that NW wind I am seeing a lot of big birds hanging around football fields and golf courses.

This weekend should be better.

[guythathunts]

We got 8 last weekend and hunted hard. 2 on the water, 6 in the field. Maybe tomorrow will be the day to turn up the heat! I'll let y'all know.

[FireRanger]

Red and I are heading out tomorrow morning on the water. One of those just gotta get out trips. Made some goose decoys outta stuff layin' around the house ........better then nothing. Sucks when your waterfowl hunting buddy moves up to Grand Rapids and takes all 130 decoys with him!! Note to self......keep a few bags of geese down here for next season!! At least I won't have to truck them all up their when the real season starts!

[Cody Gruchow]

well i been out as much as i can HD lol. the feild is past 100 yards from the houses(2) we just dont want to make them mad, so im just going to keep to the water. ill be on the marsh the next 2 mornings hoping to see the ever so elusive canada goose.