Tough Late Season Honkers..

[David Rearick]

2007 Hunting Journal Entries



DATE: 01-06-2007

LOCATION: Western PA

SUNRISE/SUNSET: 6:39 am

WEATHER: Overcast with rain

TEMPERATURE: 50’s

WIND: Moderate to Heavy

EQUIPMENT USED: Avery® Finisher Blind, Avery® Finisher Blind Bag, Avery® Mud Case, Avery® Camera Bag, Avery® Power Flag, Avery® 6 Pocket Decoy Bags, Avery® 12 slot FB Duck Decoy Bag, Avery® Skull Cap, Greenhead Gear® FFD Elite Decoys, Greenhead Gear® FB Mallard and Black Duck Decoys

HUNTERS: Erik Nilsson and Avery® Pro-Staffer David Rearick

JOURNAL NOTES:

With the last few weeks offering very little “hunting” weather, the forecast was looking much better for the next few days, but not by much. They were calling for some rain and overcast conditions, much more suitable than the current sunny and clear we had been seeing, so we knew it would be all they needed to stop eating grass and start hitting the good stuff. After some extensive scouting and road miles, the only decision to be made was which field to hunt. With 2 fields at 100 plus, things looked good for the next day.

We opted to hunt the field that we have had really good luck finishing birds at our feet. The setup in this field is optimal and puts the birds out front with little room for a over or under shot when coming in. The wind on the other hand was a little more than expected and from a quartering direction, but we had faith we could still put them in the hole. We got to the field early, unloaded the quad and headed out across the soy beans to our destination. We made quick work of setting up a dozen mallards and blacks and 5 dozen FFD’s. With plenty of time before legal hours, we grassed up the blinds with new wet cornstalks to better blend in the field. Once that the blinds we done, Erik headed back to the truck to make a quick coffee run. Just as he got out of earshot, I heard the first flock. They must have been kicked off the roost and were looking for somewhere to go. It was still pitch black out and they dumped into a pond about half mile away, setting them perfect for the morning feed.

As legal hours approached, we got all our gear in order and counted down the minutes. It wasn’t long after legal that we heard wings overhead. A few small flocks of mallards were already up and a pair quickly committed, working the spread perfect. The only thing that wasn’t perfect was the light and our shooting, so they both left unscathed. We blamed it on the darkness and kind of chuckled at each other for missing. Not long after, we got a chance for redemption and took another pair that worked the spread like the first. Erik had decided to rest Gauge for the day, so I was the only dog to be sent out this morning. After a quick look one of the birds was missing. Erik “claimed” to have stoned it, but after looking for 10 minutes and nothing I was starting to wonder. We got back in our blinds, but couldn’t keep the thought of losing the bird out of our heads. We made another check and found the hen on her back in the soy beans, 15 yards from the blinds. How we had missed her was beyond me, but we both felt much better after finding her and adding her to the bag.

With goose hour coming very quickly, we made our final adjustments to the spread and hunkered in for the duration. Just after getting back into the blinds they started. Just as quick as they came, they left and headed to an adjacent pond to loaf for the day or so they thought. We wanted none of this and after some hard calling and flagging the birds finally gave up, after 10-12 passes over the pond, swung right back at us and fought the wind towards the decoys. The geese maple leafed into the field and approached with the wind, but only feet off the ground. It was to pretty to pass up and after some much better shooting, four little guys were on the ground and one was sailing through the field. Erik claimed the sailed bird and went off after him. I elected to be his guide and stay at the blind. After some whistles, overs, and backs sent out to Erik, the nicest goose of the year was found dead in the field.

The geese tapered off and the wind started howling. We could see the rain coming, almost like a thick fog. I covered my blind opening with my jacket, and got down to wait out the rain. We knew once it passed, the game would be on…and so it was. Minutes after the rain quit the field lit up with geese. Small flocks, just how we like them, started heading our way. The first four made a few passes and finally committed. We took three before the last one could catch the wind and bug out. Erik had him dead to rights, but the gun jammed on his last shell. With two birds left in our limit things were looking good. We didn’t even have time to pick up birds and they were on us. The next flock approached and with some hard work and good reading of the birds, they approached at a quartering angle due to the shifting wind. I watched a pair as they split from the group and headed directly for my blind. As the right most honker glided in towards my blind and landed at 10 feet, I watched his open mouth voicing moans to the flock, and his pink tongue vibrating with his voice. It was a very cool sight and something I wish I had my camera for, not my Benelli. The shot was called and we finished our limit on the pair. After starting to pick up the birds, once again we had one missing. I knew we had knocked three out of the first flock, but could only find two. After a 400 yard walk and search Erik spotted him in the creek. This bird had really got out of their in a hurry and we had never seen it leave. That is why we just don’t like to let birds lay in the field, you never know when they are going to decide to wake up and run. We quickly corralled him and headed back to the blinds. Many more flocks wanted in and we wanted to save this field for later next week, as it is one of our favorites this time of year for running traffic, so we packed up and headed out as quick as possible. An overall great experience along with a great mix of subspecies. The late season is always my favorite goose hunting of the year.

[T.J. Owens]

David,

Very nice JE! Congrats on your hunt. See you soon in MD.

Best of luck,
T.J.

[Aaron Hitchins]

Awesome! Is your limit 5 per all year long?

Aaron

[Erik Nilsson]

Nice JE Dave, great time sharing the field with ya!

Aaron,
We are broken up into 4 zones for Canadas, aside from dates

Pymatuning 2 birds
Res pop 5 birds
Atlantic 3
S. James bay 2 then 5 for late

Early Resident is 8

controled areas like pymatuning and middlecreek are 1 bird

The nice thing is that our resident zone starts around the 15th of Nov thru the 15th of Feb with a 2 week break for deer season (duck time).
With different dates on seasons we're staying with them pretty good.

[Jason Mears]

Nice job guys, I know Im glad to see some of this miserable weather coming.

[David Rearick]

Slayer summed it up Aaron. Some areas is it is five all year long, and in other areas it changes depending on dates. Either way it can make for some great shoots!

[Fanatic]

Good job David!!!

[Jude St.John]

Nice story! It sounds like Erik handles well!

[Mike Bard]

Nice hunt guys...got to love those 5 bird limits! Lots of goose sticks!!!

[RICK MACFARLANE]

David,

Nice Je. Congrats