Fal Posted December 20, 2012 Report Share Posted December 20, 2012 A friend and I have just returned from 3 days shooting in Montrose, quick write up below. Arrived in Montrose after a very long drive from South Wales on Sunday night at 22:30, we dumped our kit in the room, then off straight to look for the car park which was only 2 mins drive away from our room. Our first days shooting was on the Monday morning, I hadn’t slept with excitement for 2 days before Sunday night. Sunday night was no different. After about an hours sleep, my alarm was going at 6am, I have never been so happy to get up early in all my life. We kitted up and made our way to the car park, where we were met by the warden who advised us the best place to go. We followed his instructions and off we went. We took about 30 mins to get into position, by this time the wind had picked up nicely, along with driving rain. It didn’t stay for too long. By the time the Geese had got up there was hardly any wind at all. One pack of Geese got up and were heading directly towards me, here we go I thought. Safety off, stood up and decided against shooting as I thought they were just out of shotgun range. Every other goose that flew over our heads were way too high, averaging 60-70 yards. Then it was time to get off, we had to be off by 10.15am. So a long walk back to the car park, we were more than happy with the amount of Geese we had seen. We were allowed back on the marsh at 14.15pm so off for food, back to the room and back out on the marsh. Keen is not the word to describe how keen I was. Evening was slightly different to the morning, all the Geese were coming in way, way too high. Few duck flew past us but it was so dark by the time they had started flighting we didn’t get any. Second morning, up we got the same time and out onto the marsh, different position this time. Again hardly any wind at all, we kind of knew our chances would be slim this time out. Again birds got up off the basin, which is an unreal sight to watch even without shooting the noise is amazing. They done a few circles and over our heads, all we could do was film them on our mobiles. Knowing that the Wednesday morning would be my last realistic chance of a Goose I was really hoping and praying for some really bad wind. I went out in the night, but pretty much the same loads of Geese all too high, few chances at some duck but didn’t bother taking shot. I wanted a Goose, badly. Tuesday night I just laid in bed awake all night praying for rain, wind, even a tornado. About 3am I could hear the wind howling and the rain bashing the window. Excellent I thought, just to make sure I checked my kit for the 100th time, and believe it or not, it was all still as I put it 2 hours before. Wednesday morning came, I was ready to go before the alarm went off, butterflies in my stomach itching to get out. As we were walking over to the marsh the wind and rain was driving into our faces, I thought to myself if they are high in all this wind, my goose just wasn’t meant to be. We got out onto the marsh, down on my belly, 3 1/2 42g Gamebore Mammoth BB's into the gun, facemask on and down I got. It was early, no Geese had moved until about 8:15ish am. I could hear all the Geese the other side of the Basin. At around 8:30 the first lots of Geese got up, well in range, they couldn’t get up because of the wind, all I needed was one bunch to come my way and surely I would get a shot. It seemed like I was there for a day not one hour before my chance came along. I could hear a bunch to my right, I peered through my face mask, I could see about 15 Geese coming my way. Top end of shotgun range, but defiantly in range, I clipped the safety off kept looking without moving a muscle, they kept coming closer and closer until they were just out in front of me. I got up onto my knees as quickly as I could, give a bird I had singled out a mile of lead, he didn’t budge, I kept swinging pulled further in front and pulled the trigger. The Goose fell. I couldn’t believe my luck, the sense of relief and joy was unreal. Best moment since I have been shooting by far. Couldn’t ask for more, stone dead, a head and neck shot. Turns out it was a Greylag in amongst a group of pinks. Photo below, I will 100% be going back next year, I will never, ever forget Wednesday 19th December 2012. I think you can see from the picture below I am one happy welsh man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samyw Posted December 20, 2012 Report Share Posted December 20, 2012 Well done mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazooka Joe Posted December 20, 2012 Report Share Posted December 20, 2012 Nice write up, brings back memories.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brown Sauce Posted December 20, 2012 Report Share Posted December 20, 2012 Cracking write up mate, wish I could've been there with you. Already checked with she who must be obeyed and think I'm going to need to up my charm offensive throughout 2013!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anser2 Posted December 20, 2012 Report Share Posted December 20, 2012 Well done , there is nothing like your first goose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pole Star Posted December 20, 2012 Report Share Posted December 20, 2012 (edited) Well done mate you will always remember your first goose & it looked like you worked hard for it so good on you ! & a great write up , keep it up . ps mine was a Canada in Norfolk years ago & I never forgot it & I also felt sad for it too ! , strange things humans ! pps I forgot to say I am glad you got a goose before the world ends at midnight ! :lol: Edited December 20, 2012 by Pole Star Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scolopax Posted December 20, 2012 Report Share Posted December 20, 2012 Fantastic! Really great account and truely glad you got your goose! The only way yo get geese is to earn geese. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrycatcat1 Posted December 20, 2012 Report Share Posted December 20, 2012 Well done mate and a good write up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fal Posted December 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2012 Thanks guys! I am still buzzing about the whole thing, an unbelievable experience. I wish I was still there now, I have never been so tired and achy in all my life. I agree with you all, even with high numbers of Geese in an area they are certainly not a given. Anyone that goes out regularly for Geese deserve each one they get. I can honestly say I have found another addiction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver pigeon 3 Posted December 20, 2012 Report Share Posted December 20, 2012 Brilliant stuff mate, a memory you will keep forever Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shakin stevens Posted December 20, 2012 Report Share Posted December 20, 2012 first shore goose i had was on the solway at Wigtown, i'm sure it wont be your last but the first is special it means so much when you put the time and effort in, well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler12 Posted December 20, 2012 Report Share Posted December 20, 2012 Good write up, well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geth25182889 Posted December 21, 2012 Report Share Posted December 21, 2012 fantastic, well done buddy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockers Posted December 21, 2012 Report Share Posted December 21, 2012 bloody good write up. I am counting the months until I can get back up to scotland. mammoth steel bb in the right place perfect. hevi shot - might as well remortgage the house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry P Posted December 21, 2012 Report Share Posted December 21, 2012 Well done Fal and a tidy read, I had my first Montrose geese this season and really enjoyed the experience,although the rules did ruin it a bit for me, must be on at a fixed time, must be off a fixed time etc but certainly something different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fal Posted January 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2013 Thanks guys! Wish I was still there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart1985 Posted January 6, 2013 Report Share Posted January 6, 2013 Fantastic write up. Well done mate!!!!! Really enjoyed reading your story:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yoggy Posted January 7, 2013 Report Share Posted January 7, 2013 Fal, a very good write up, and I felt your excitment all the way through reading your storey. Congratulations on your Goose.....pleased for you mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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