20 Claim's 6 for 6

[6.5x55SE]

With a very strong WSW wind which was increasing also at times heavy rain my mind was being torn Sunday Roast or long rain soaked wind blown walk and a outside chance of a Pink.

With encouragement from the Wife stating " take your own advice you won't shoot nothing with your Butt parked on the Sofa " I did not need telling twice. A spot that held not only several thousand Pink's also attracted a Busy parking place. Selfish as this may seem I smiled as the place was empty. This flight was definitely going to be a roll of the Dice as I knew of possibly 200 tops 300 Pink's now using this area.

After a good 45 minute walk I settled in a small creek just able to hide my two lab's and myself. Drawing on 46 years Coastal Wildfowling experience I was the wind side of a small bay I knew the Pink's favoured my theory being if and a big if any Pink's came they would speed by lose height then battle the wind into the bay close to the green edge rather than the open Mud and ride a very rough tide in.

A few Duck offered shot's but I refused as I was concentrating on the Pink's hearing any coming on was no problem but I would have to use my eyes for them coming into the wind. Alerted by a Pink calling I turned to see a single go by like a rocket and disappear !!!!! Sure enough after what seemed a age the Pink with wings brushing the Mud crossed my creek into the bay landed yards off the green and promptly huddled down . Bingo a quick move the Single could have just gave me the information I needed . The sound of Pink's caused me to face the wind watching 7 Pink's follow a invisible vapour trail left by the Single Pink in spite of many many situations like I have been in over the years a touch of Goose fever crept in as my eyes strained in anticipation YES bang online 7 Pink's battled to join there mate as they crossed my creek 3-4 feet high 20 yards to my right a 1oz of Steel 2's found it's mark hardly lifting to my shot a 1oz of PWS 4 shot truly stuffed another remarkably the 5 remaining Pink's regrouped and went straight into the Single Pink.

Hardly had I settled the two lab's 28 Pink's followed the same line this time I honestly could have hit a Goose with my gun but two shot's two Pink's again they went into the other's.

Having bagged the Geese settled the lab's I was nearly caught out as 4 Pink's appeared feet high in front as they crossed my creek two of the four folded and swept back on the wind taking a Goose from each Lab I bagged them slipped my 20ga and started a long heavy walk into the wind several times I stopped as small Skeins sped over turned into the wind heading to there mate's in total definitely know more than 300 but as I've told many Fowlers you don't need Thousands of Geese to enjoy a flight of a life time.

Dog's fed Gun cleaned Sunday Roast now eaten six Pink's hanging in the shed for me Sunday afternoon/evening don't get better than that.

[Ttfjlc]

A lovely read, thankyou for sharing. A flight made even better considering you was in 2 minds about going!

Edited November 29, 2015 by Ttfjlc

[marsh man]

Could well be another first Boyd , 6 for 6 with a 20g at foreshore geese don't get any better than that , I would imagine it will stand unbeaten for quite a long time .

 

An excellent bit of field craft and some fine marksmanship , and I bet your dinner went down a treat .

[6.5x55SE]

Thank you Ttfjlc.

John before the Lead Ban I've lost count of Foreshore Geese I bagged with a 20ga. As I home load even with Steel if myself or indeed anybody put the Shot in the right place the 20ga is deadly. A very good friend loaded me some 1oz Hevi Shot and what that is capable of has to be seen to believe.

Each season I do give the 20ga 2-3 Foreshore Goose flights but I've found it rubs a few up the wrong way only two weeks ago a fowler had a dig because he fluffed a Skien of Pink's with a 10ga which I then right an lefted using PWS and HW13 from my 20ga. He just would not listen when I told him no matter what shot payload or gauge we use you still have to put the Shot in the right place.

I've shot a 20ga for over 40years and never have or never will shoot one to say " I'm better than others " for me I just love the calibre light fast handling and kills Snipe to Canada Geese as far as I need.

Those Geese this evening you could have shot with a 2.5" Foreten .

John you have vast experience with Geese shoot at them in sensible range they will fold the same as any other Bird.

Hope to see you have bagged a few again soon John.