Aerial goose spotting

astraflyr · 02-10-2009, 08:16 AM

As you probably have read, I'm new to the goose scene and am trying to get the best idea of what people mean by goose spotting. Do you just drive around for hours looking for flocks? Is morning best for seeing flocks airborne? And then the biggest question, with me being a pilot, do you think it would be beneficial to use an airplane instead of just driving around? Thanks for any advice.

tony9741 · 02-10-2009, 09:23 AM

You may want to give "Sully" a call before buzzing through the goose flocks.

Chesapeake · 02-10-2009, 09:31 AM

They drive around looking for geese on the ground. They learn what fields they are using and either ask permission to hunt, or already have permission and are just trying to pattern the geese unsing the fields.

I'm guessing an airplane would work, but it may make the whole stop and ask permission part a little difficult. If you already had fields lined up I guess you could fly over to check them out.

Dave Smith · 02-10-2009, 09:41 AM

I'll tel you everything I know about goose hunting in exchange for you taking me up into the Nat'l Forest for some deer scouting/ aerial photo taking. What do ya say???!!

Dave

Old Guys Rule · 02-10-2009, 10:18 AM

Flying is a great way to spot birds and look for new habitat as water comes and goes. When I was current I went up every Friday at lunch to plan the weekend hunt. You still have to follow up with legwork on the ground, driving around and asking permission but if you are a private pilot then you understand all the hidden areas you see might that the average ground pounder will never know about.

astraflyr · 02-10-2009, 10:29 AM

Hey thanks guys. Pm sent dave. Hey old guy. Did you have your own plane or just rent? I used to have a taildragger called an arctic tern. It was like a super cub. Day trips to the owyhee for quail were common. Price per pound was high though.

Old Guys Rule · 02-10-2009, 01:20 PM

I just rented out of Salem Flying Club - Cessna 152, 172 and Cherokee 180. I fly with a freind who has homebuild Beade taildragger now. It is a blast just to expensive for me to stay current so now I beg trips and split gas with friends.

HuntNFishAddict · 02-10-2009, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Smith

I'll tel you everything I know about goose hunting in exchange for you taking me up into the Nat'l Forest for some deer scouting/ aerial photo taking. What do ya say???!!

Dave

This would be an offer I would not turn down. I wish I had my pilots license.

astraflyr · 02-11-2009, 08:11 AM

New avatar test. My uncle's Grumman goose. Still waiting for a response from my PM, Dave. Possibly get you a ride in it.

Dave Smith · 02-11-2009, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astraflyr

New avatar test. My uncle's Grumman goose. Still waiting for a response from my PM, Dave. Possibly get you a ride in it.

Grumman Goose!?? That was the airplane that Robert Smith used on all his research trips for writing Native Trout of North America (great book). He had alot of close calls in that plane! he he. I'll check my pm's right now...