Hunting Reports Week 2/21 - 2/27

[Rauly]

Okay boys were getting down to the nitty gritty.
Hunting - geese and elk?
Or target practice - dogs and rats.

I like them both. Lets here some reports.

Rauly

[skein]

Do coyotes count?

I went hunting last Thursday and had a glorious time. The 'yotes were really getting vocal, and on almost every stand I got an answer, sometimes from two or even three groups. I managed to call in five, got busted a few times, and even saw tracks where some had come in to my calls that I never saw.

But the best moment of the day was when I was on a stand in some rocks and I saw a raven coming toward me from a long way off. He had me locked in, and was on a PERFECT glide path that would have landed him on my nose. I watched as he got closer and closer, and realized it didn't quite look like a raven. Besides, he hadn't so much as moved a feather. His approach was perfect (did I say that already?) and he had me nailed. At about thirty yards he flaired and, yep, it was a golden eagle. He went by on my right side about 12 feet off the ground. I'll never forget that sequence.

Oh, yeah, there was a coyote coming in right behind him, and the dog was looking off to the right in the same direction the eagle had flaired. He had been watching the eagle and figured the prey had moved off in that direction. It gave me a nice broadside shot. :grin:

What a day!

Skein

[ 02-23-2004, 07:49 AM: Message edited by: skein ]

[Gooseman]

Went out to chase geese on Sunday. After setting up and changing our layout 4 or 5 times, we had a great shoot. The 3 of us limited on big geese by COB.

[ 02-24-2004, 05:45 PM: Message edited by: Gooseman ]

[Labsforme]

It was one of those days that you want to remember.Geese in the decoys before shooting time.Covered up with groups flying every which way at 7:30 and 3 shots later,nada.Oops.Well 15 minutes later another huge group of 150-200 birds dropping in and around and 3 shots and 3 Tavs on the ground.The 3rd bird sailed a little and dropped about 100 yards next to a berry covered fence line and behind it 30-40 feet of berries and roses going to a slough.Dog picked up the first 2 and then sent her for the 3rd.It had scooted and she kept smelling scent.I took her behind the fence and we hunted for 45 minutes with her (at 9 years old) diving and going into the berries at least 30 feet at a time.Never did produce it,I hate losing birds like that but what can you do?The birds continued to work and we were done by 8:30 with 3 Tavs and a Lesser.We sat back and watched them work for a while before picking up.They really like the new HC Lessers,even mixed with Carry-lites and Greenhead Gear feeders.My "garage sale" spread
I'll try to post pictures later.

[ 02-26-2004, 07:00 AM: Message edited by: Labsforme ]

[Gooseman]

Ok, so how much easier does it get? Gotta luv the late season for big geese.
Wednesday, I headed out by my self, and it took me longer to set up & tear down, than it did to take my 4 birds.
5 shots within the first 25 minutes, and I was pickin' up the mess.