Greenheads & Geese!

[DDawg]

Well, that's the story I should be writing anyways!
Coulda/ shoulda/ woulda......... If we'd been on the ball, & had a little luck on our side today, Steve W. & I should have had plenty of both.
Started out with deciding that I was only hauling one gun out today, since we really haven't had a good shot at a duck yet, & there wasn't much reason for 2 guns. As slow as yesterday was, I wasn't sure there was a need to haul even 1 out there.
We made the walk to the blind, got everything set out, & got set up.
Not long after, we get a single greenhead to swing, & I'm able to work him back around........ as he comes across Steve's end of the blind at about 30 yds, I'm waiting for him to stand. He doesn't, & the bird sets about 50 yds out! Steve kept his head down, & didn't see the bird swing past, until he splashed down.
A while later, I see a group of 15+ geese going up the lake, looking like they're heading out........ I call, they keep going.
5 minutes later, I think the same group, comes across the back area, still looking like they're leaving, but this time they turn to my calling, & start talking back.
I work them across the pond, seeing that they aren't convinced, but hoping.
If only those 2 stragglers would pull in a bit closer, I'd call the shot. The whole flock goes past the blind, & turns into the dekes, with the 2 close ones passing at about 45 yds.......... all we need is for them to make a pass over the dekes, & it will rain geese!
They flared about 50 yds out, & went on their way to wherever they were heading.
We stood & BS'd for awhile, when I heard a drake quack, & looked up to see another greenhead swing the pond. I talk to him, he makes a couple of passes, & decides to lock up on my end of the blind.
To say he felt no pain is an understatement. He splashed down about 10 yds from the blind, & feathers rained for awhile.
More BS'ing, & something catches my eye. I turn to see 4 mallards locked up & coming hard. Problem is that my gun is behind me, & they are here now......... Steve & I never had time to grab our guns, before they swung past & sat down just out of range, then proceeded to swim down the pond.
We called at more geese, & BS'd more, with only one other threat....... another single greenhead bombed in on us, & I told Steve to take him. Steve pulled up, just as the bird did a touch & go about 25 yds away....... he jerked the trigger, nothing....... jerked the trigger again, & again nothing! Take your safety off Steve! I heard the safety click as I called "too far" Steve touched the trigger, hitting the bird, but not fataly....... he flew off just fine.
We stuck around until noon, without another threat, when we called it another succesful day.
Dave

[Sluester]

Hey, at least you had some oppertunities! Got some dinner out of it too.
What size shot ya busting those geese with? Tungsten, hevi-shot or just plain ol steel?

[DDawg]

I use the (Kent) Tungsten Matrix, in 3's & 1's.
The bird I sailed last week, was only the 2nd I've lost, out of 20+killed, since I started using it. I didn't have the 1's last week, & shouldn't have shot him with the 3's at the range he was.
Guys using steel are shooting BBB & T, though I've killed my share with #3 steel in close.
With honkers, bigger is better!

Dave

[TheShark]

Dave you should meet my friend Chad, he has a duck killing place near Roseville somewhere out in the middle of nowhere

They killed them hard this weekend!

So many birds so little time!

I hope you are have fun Sweetie!

[Kurt]

Originally Posted by DDawg

I use the (Kent) Tungsten Matrix, in 3's & 1's.
The bird I sailed last week, was only the 2nd I've lost, out of 20+killed, since I started using it. I didn't have the 1's last week, & shouldn't have shot him with the 3's at the range he was.
Guys using steel are shooting BBB & T, though I've killed my share with #3 steel in close.
With honkers, bigger is better!

Dave

How does Tungsten do on barrel wear?

[Genelie]

You Definently had more fun than I. Our Sat hunt was not worth mentioning. Nicely done.

[DDawg]

Originally Posted by Kurt

How does Tungsten do on barrel wear?

Kurt,
The Kent Tungsten Matrix, is a tungsten/polymer blend........ nearly the identical weight & density of lead.
It kills just like lead, the loads are almost identical(up to 1 3/4 oz. @ 1230 fps. in 3" 12 guage), & even the shot cups remind me of Winchester AA12 wads.
It's safe to shoot in any shotgun that you can shoot lead in. I even break out the old model 12 once in awhile, & it makes a 20 & 16 guage waterfowl rounds again.
At nearly $2.00 a shot, I only use them on geese, & the occasional greenhead. That's why I usually carry 2 guns to the blind, 1 with steel for the ducks, & the other loaded with the matrix for geese.
If you're worried about barrel wear on an older gun, DO NOT USE the tungsten iron rounds........ their shot cups are thicker than the ones used for steel, because it's harder.
Dave