2019 Duck Geese Goose Waterfowl Opener (2018 Too)

[MJ1657 385]

Slow for us on Sunday but we shot a Golden Eye so that was kind of cool.

 

Not sure why it was hanging around Cambridge this time of year. 

[Wanderer 1,899]

Well we’re back home and tired!

 

We tried to get lost as best we could in the Itasca/Cass counties area.  Looking for carry in accesses to kayak into duck hunting heaven.   So was everyone else and they had jon boats with mud motors.

 

We had a great time despite some negative highlights that really affected everyone’s hunting.  We found a roost during scouting on Friday, along with a great campsite to stay.  The roost and campsite were 2 miles apart though.  We scoped out the closest spot we dared set up the following morning cuz, Don’t shoot the roost, right?  Paddling by 3:30 am we got our spot, not flushing too many birds out.  Sure enough a boat with 3 guys churns past us later and deep into the roost.  

 

Sure enough again, birds blow out but settle back down.  We still think we’re in a good intercept spot with a convincing decoy spread laid out.

 

Low and behold, 8 minutes before legal shooting hours the three guys open up a barrage of shots that starts scattering everything to the wind.  Birds are whizzing by us but we hold our shots.  5 minutes to go and they open up again.  At 2 minutes to go the rest of the groups in the area start popping off.  Everything is flying high now and showing NO interest in decoys.  We have birds going over us but too darn high.  Not for everyone else though, they’re blasting at birds higher than the tree tops.  Sigh...

 

The three guys churn back by us maybe an hour into the day - limited out I’m sure.  We were the last ones back to the “carry in” access and were greeted by a group of 4 with 2 boats that scouted Friday also.  We know where each other were hunting.  They had that look on their face like they were expecting some answers.  That was enough for us to say “It wasn’t us!”  

 

It was a civil conversation after that. Local guys, upset with the shenanigans as well.  Three groups were able to get just half a limit with the tough shooting after the blowout.  All pass shooting; nothing coming to the dekes.  Those birds are spooky and know their safe distances.  Such a difference than expected.

 

We put plenty of miles on the truck and about 15 miles paddling looking for Mecca.  It’s a tough game around there that needs some more time to figure out.  But it’s a fun area to look at.  Short of not coming back with limits of ducks, it was a good, long weekend.  

[leech~~ 1,098]

2 hours ago, Wanderer said:

Well we’re back home and tired!

 

We tried to get lost as best we could in the Itasca/Cass counties area.  Looking for carry in accesses to kayak into duck hunting heaven.   So was everyone else and they had jon boats with mud motors.

 

We had a great time despite some negative highlights that really affected everyone’s hunting.  We found a roost during scouting on Friday, along with a great campsite to stay.  The roost and campsite were 2 miles apart though.  We scoped out the closest spot we dared set up the following morning cuz, Don’t shoot the roost, right?  Paddling by 3:30 am we got our spot, not flushing too many birds out.  Sure enough a boat with 3 guys churns past us later and deep into the roost.

 

Sure enough again, birds blow out but settle back down.  We still think we’re in a good intercept spot with a convincing decoy spread laid out.

 

Low and behold, 8 minutes before legal shooting hours the three guys open up a barrage of shots that starts scattering everything to the wind.  Birds are whizzing by us but we hold our shots.  5 minutes to go and they open up again.  At 2 minutes to go the rest of the groups in the area start popping off.  Everything is flying high now and showing NO interest in decoys.  We have birds going over us but too darn high.  Not for everyone else though, they’re blasting at birds higher than the tree tops.  Sigh...

 

The three guys churn back by us maybe an hour into the day - limited out I’m sure.  We were the last ones back to the “carry in” access and were greeted by a group of 4 with 2 boats that scouted Friday also.  We know where each other were hunting.  They had that look on their face like they were expecting some answers.  That was enough for us to say “It wasn’t us!”

 

It was a civil conversation after that. Local guys, upset with the shenanigans as well.  Three groups were able to get just half a limit with the tough shooting after the blowout.  All pass shooting; nothing coming to the dekes.  Those birds are spooky and know their safe distances.  Such a difference than expected.

 

We put plenty of miles on the truck and about 15 miles paddling looking for Mecca.  It’s a tough game around there that needs some more time to figure out.  But it’s a fun area to look at.  Short of not coming back with limits of ducks, it was a good, long weekend.

 

Word, Yak Bowstring.

[Wanderer 1,899]

9 hours ago, leech~~ said:

 

Word, Yak Bowstring.

 

We checked there second - it was way too crowded for what we were looking for.

[gimruis 545]

This story is part of the reason I try to avoid public hunting areas.  Hunters showing up late, setting up nearby, shooting at birds out of range, etc just ruins the hunt.  Put it this way: if there is a chance other hunters will be around, I won't be.  You've got a good threshold of patience Wanderer.  Way more than I do for a situation like that.

Edited September 25, 2018 by gimruis

[leech~~ 1,098]

2 hours ago, gimruis said:

This story is part of the reason I try to avoid public hunting areas.  Hunters showing up late, setting up nearby, shooting at birds out of range, etc just ruins the hunt.  Put it this way: if there is a chance other hunters will be around, I won't be.  You've got a good threshold of patience Wanderer.  Way more than I do for a situation like that.

 

It would be nice to have a massive private slough or hunting woods but for the majority of us poor folks it's part of the game. Some days you win and some days the other guy does. Or you just sit home do nothing and play with yur doober! 

[Wanderer 1,899]

@gimruis

 

I’ve been accused of having too much patience many times.

 

My duck hunting buddy talked about people’s differing personalities and how we didn’t understand why fellow hunters weren’t more considerate.  We settled on the fact that we’ve been trained to be that naive from working in the hospitality/service industry too long! 

 

Still loving the hunting but have to change our expectations a bit

[leech~~ 1,098]

On Saturday, September 22, 2018 at 6:08 PM, pikeandchester said:

Good opener on the water in the Mankato area. 3 wood ducks and 2 geese. Little guy’s first opener, we left at 10:00 and he wanted to stay longer than I did!

 

pikeandchester, your kid is priceless!   You know that you wouldn't be going by your self much anymore-Right!

[MJ1657 385]

Fun shoot this morning. We had a first for the three of us. 

[Mike89 427]

congrats!!!!!!

[monstermoose78 2,416]

That’s awesome MJ!! Congrats to you mighty hunters!!

[Wanderer 1,899]

Blue wings and a snow... Not your typical waterfowl pairing. 

[MJ1657 385]

Pair of snows was flying with a half dozen honkers. Neat to see. 

[monstermoose78 2,416]

Going out in the morning. I hope I see some

[monstermoose78 2,416]

Ducks landing in front of me before shooting hours. The first shots of the morning came from the big pond in the refuge.

[monstermoose78 2,416]

Knocked down one wood duck down and took Finn over to find it. Finn chases that duck around an oxbow pond. My big white lab was black. Finn chased it into the river and it started diving and it must of grabbed a weed.

[MJ1657 385]

We had a decent morning. 

[gimruis 545]

What do ya'll do with those geese?  Pothole filler?  Shoe leather?  Fertilizer?

[MJ1657 385]

17 minutes ago, gimruis said:

What do ya'll do with those geese?  Pothole filler?  Shoe leather?  Fertilizer?

I'll take every one I can get. We mostly make jerky out of them. 

 

It's excellent. It's just like venison jerky only softer. I'm headed to Cabela's right now to get seasoning so we can get started. 

 

We also grill a couple. Marinate in italian dressing and diet Coke. Slice thin and grill them. 

[leech~~ 1,098]

37 minutes ago, gimruis said:

What do ya'll do with those geese?  Pothole filler?  Shoe leather?  Fertilizer?

 

Jerky or Crockpot um!  You throw enough potato's, onions and seasoning on dog meat it will taste good after 6-7hrs in the old crock! 

[Wanderer 1,899]

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

What do ya'll do with those geese?  Pothole filler?  Shoe leather?  Fertilizer?

 

I smoke the breasts.  When done right, cut about 1/8 inch slices cross grain and enjoy however you might use roast beef cooked MR.

[BeagleLab 20]

I registered awhile ago but posting for first time. Hello everyone! We took down a goose along with a few wood ducks this past weekend. Smoking, jerky and pepper sticks are all good options. For this weekend, I cut the breasts into thinner portions, used a meat tenderizer on them, then marinated overnight in olive oil, garlic, onions, and salt and pepper. No brining was performed. Cooked medium on a hot grill. Tastes just like sirloin.

[MJ1657 385]

22 minutes ago, BeagleLab said:

I registered awhile ago but posting for first time. Hello everyone! We took down a goose along with a few wood ducks this past weekend. Smoking, jerky and pepper sticks are all good options. For this weekend, I cut the breasts into thinner portions, used a meat tenderizer on them, then marinated overnight in olive oil, garlic, onions, and salt and pepper. No brining was performed. Cooked medium on a hot grill. Tastes just like sirloin.

Welcome to the site.  Pictures are always welcome.

[BeagleLab 20]

Thanks! Here are some pics. 

[monstermoose78 2,416]

7 hours ago, BeagleLab said:

Thanks! Here are some pics. 

Welcome to the site and thanks for posting!! 

[gimruis 545]

My uncle always said that there was only one way to cook a goose: bake it in the oven with cow sh** for a few hours.  When its done, throw away the goose and eat the sh**!

[leech~~ 1,098]

22 hours ago, BeagleLab said:

Thanks! Here are some pics. 

 

 

 

That looks great , BeagleLab.  Just missing the sauteed onions! 

[BeagleLab 20]

Thank you. Yes, I went with what I had. Forgot to save some onions from the marinade.

 

[BeagleLab 20]

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

My uncle always said that there was only one way to cook a goose: bake it in the oven with cow sh** for a few hours.  When its done, throw away the goose and eat the sh**!

 

My wife liked it. She thought it was a little tough, but likely because I cooked her's medium which is what she wanted. She liked the taste though and used the leftover steak in her lunch salads this week which I take as a compliment.

[leech~~ 1,098]

35 minutes ago, BeagleLab said:

 

My wife liked it. She thought it was a little tough, but likely because I cooked her's medium which is what she wanted. She liked the taste though and used the leftover steak in her lunch salads this week which I take as a compliment.

 

I picked up one of these Jaccard meat tenderizers which works pretty darn good for these more questionable tougher pieces of meat.  I use it on a lot of things like thick pork chops or loins before marinating to help get it in the meat more.