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2019 Duck Geese Goose Waterfowl Opener (2018 Too)


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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. 

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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.  

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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. ?

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9 hours ago, leech~~ said:

 

Word, Yak Bowstring. ?

 

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

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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.

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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!  ?

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@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

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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!

51EBB13E-493C-4154-8870-B7B180A9C323.jpeg

CC648F8B-D2AB-453A-BB2A-C1B5ED83BB2D.jpeg

 

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

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

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Going out in the morning. I hope I see some

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

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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.

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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. 

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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!  ?

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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.

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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.

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7 hours ago, BeagleLab said:

Thanks! Here are some pics. 

72331447-440A-408B-9C6C-9E6235B1B028.jpeg

9FBAAD59-58FC-450D-9F70-7A2686800A53.jpeg

BB0399E3-9056-4682-9485-2500AABEAD73.jpeg

Welcome to the site and thanks for posting!! 

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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**!

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22 hours ago, BeagleLab said:

Thanks! Here are some pics. 

 

9FBAAD59-58FC-450D-9F70-7A2686800A53.jpeg

 

 

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

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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.

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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. ?

91hXANse1HL._SL1500_.jpg

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • Kettle
      Walked today and yesterday, flushed 9, shot at two and got two. Hopefully next year I'll have a dog to hunt with. Still warm up here, skim of ice on ponds. Weather has been nice. Hopefully walk a bit more the next few weeks. Been pretty cautious walking for birds to not interfere with deer hunters. There sure are not the deer hunters there used to be 
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
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    • gimruis
      I hunt in the rifle zone so I don't have a need to use a shotgun to hunt deer, but I would be looking at this if there was ever a need to.   There could be state legislation introduced next summer that eliminates the shotgun zone completely.  It has bipartisan support.  Wisconsin removed theirs years ago and MN is usually later to follow.  They've tried to pass it more than once and it came up just short both times.  Probably just a matter of time.
    • Wanderer
      Oh, h e l l no! 
    • leech~~
      Screw that, here's whatch need!  😆   Power-Shok Rifled Slug 10 Gauge 766 Grain Grain Weight: 766 Shotshell Length: 3-1/2in / 89mm Muzzle Velocity: 1280
    • Wanderer
      20 ga has become a real popular deer round in the last 5 or so years.  The rifled barrels are zinging those sabot slugs with rifle like accuracy out to 100 yards easily.  Some go so far as dialing in for a 200 yard shot but really, by 150 they’re falling off pretty low.   I have a single shot Ultraslug in 20 ga that shoots really well at 100 yards.  Most everyone I know that has bought a slug gun lately has gotten the Savage 220 in 20ga.  Problem can be finding the shells you want.
    • leech~~
      My son always bugs me about getting a nice light over-under 20ga for grouse hunting.  I say Heck no, I'm getting a 3 1/2" 10ga so I can put as much lead in the air that I can!!     So, I'm keeping my 12ga.  
    • 11-87
      That’s almost exactly what I was thinking.  Have slug barrels for both   One for turkey and one for deer.      I have a 20ga mosseberg as well. (Combo came with the scope but never used.   I always liked the 12 better
    • leech~~
      Wanderer is right on the money and covered it well.  I was wondering too if you had a slug barrel for one of your guns?  If so you could make that your slug gun with a scope, and the other your turkey gun with the Red dot.  As you can afford it. 
    • Wanderer
      Kinda depends on if you want magnification or quick target acquisition.   More magnification options and better accuracy with a scope.  You get what you pay for too so get comfortable with a budget for one.  Tasco and Bushnell work but I find they lose their zero easier, have low contrast and don’t gather light well in low light conditions.  That said, I’m still using one I haven’t replaced yet.  Vortex has been the hot brand for the past several years for bang for the buck.  Good products.  Nothing beats Swarovski though.  Huge dough for those.  Burris is another decent option.   There are some specific models for shotgun/slug hunting in the economy brands and bullet drop compensation (BDC) reticles.  Based on experience I’d recommend not falling for that marketing ploy.   Red dots are usually lower magnification and easier to get on target.  Reasonably accurate but don’t do well with definition, like searching the brush for your target.  I put a HAWKE red dot on a .22 for squirrels and it’s been good.  For turkey, that’s probably the route I’d go.     If your slug shots are normally not too far and too brushy, I’d think a red dot could work there too if you’re only buying 1 scope.  You’ll be better off dimming the reticle to the lowest setting you can easily use to not over shine the target and get a finer aim point.   If you don’t have a slug barrel, you might appreciate one of those.  I had a browning with a smoothbore slug barrel that shot Brenneke 2-3/4 inch well.  The 11-87 would well fitted with a cantelever rifled barrel. 
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