At last a goose or two

[lakeside1000]

It was late in the afternoon, Friday 28th October, 8 weeks into the season and only 5 ducks to show for many hours out on the marshes.

I had decided to go back to a favourite small marsh against the river where there was always a duck flight in the evenings but also the slim chance of geese moving back to the roost.

By the time I reached the parking area it was already 4.00 pm, I grabbed my flask from the back of the van, filled my pockets with some 70 mm 5 steels and a dozen 3.5 inch no 1 magnums, dropped my tag on the board , no other tags there so I was on my own, just the way I like it, and I set off down the long grass track towards the river and my chosen spot for the evening.

A steel five bar gate marked the end of the track and the limit of the permission, I loaded 3 no 5's into the Hatsan, opened my folding chair , poured a coffee and sat down,

The sun was still high in the blue sky , cloud building from the north west but no fear of rain,

I sat back and sipped at the hot coffee watching the river bank in both directions for any sign of incoming chances. In the distance a lone wood pigeon flapped its way towards me along the river, heading, I thought for the copse of thorns in front of me, I flicked off the safety and stood up, moving slightly into some standing reeds, the bird appeared above me 45 yards up and moving well down wind, I swung in from behind, pulled in front and bang, the bird folded dead in the air and tumbled down into the field just a few yards away,

I walked out , picked it up and set it up as a possible decoy, but no more pigeons were to come by this evening,

I sat down again and checked my watch, 4.45 pm, still a good chance of some sport if I am lucky enough to be in the right place.

The sun was now dropping quickly at my back, I watched a robin moving around his territory whistling loudly from each tall thorn bush just to ensure all others knew he was boss around here.

The silence ended suddenly with a loud double honk from about 100 yards out behind me , I turned my head and was immediately blinded by the low bright sun, I squinted and through the thin reed heads appeared two huge Grey Lag geese moving across from my left , across behind me and out over the recently lifted sugar beet crop to my right, as I watched them 120 yards out they turned into the wind and dropped onto the muddy surface of the field.

I sat frozen to my seat ,hidden from their gaze by some thin wispy reed stems,I kept one eye on them while trying not to turn my head, they were fidgety and nervous, not feeding but grunting and squeaking,

I slowly opened the chamber on the Hatsan and removed the first of the no 5 from the chamber , repeating this twice more to empty all three no 5's onto the grass at my feet.

moving my left hand into the other pocket I pulled out three magnum's and quietly loaded them into the gun, but now what, if I move they would simply lift off out of range, I was just thinking about trying to use the reed bed as a screen to get closer when the calling from the pair suddenly became very load, they were off back towards the sun where they had come from a couple of minutes earlier, I rolled out on my right side of the chair, onto my knees and quickly moved into the thicker part of the reed bed , watching them gain height and distance away from me, but no, first one then the other dropped their right wings and slowly swing out in a large curve moving to my right side and continuing the curve back towards me,

As they lined up with the reed bed I was hiding behind they straightened out and came directly towards me, 100, 80 60 50 yards coming fast and gaining height, and as if they had seen me they began to turn right again now moving across my line of fire from right to left about 40 yards out , it was now or never.

I took one step back and raised the Hatsan coming through the tail end bird and out in front, just enough lead and fired, the magnum load pushed me back slightly off balance but I quickly moved my position as the bird crumpled in the air rolled over and began its final plummet to earth, realising it was all over for that one I pulled through the second bird now 55 yards out pulled in front and fired again with the identical effect, the first bird hit the ground as the second kited down onto the mud.

I reloaded and moved quickly out to check them both but no need , the magnum 1's had done the job, I collected my prizes and walked back to my chair,

There was to be no more shots fired that evening, no more unfortunate birds taking a wrong turn into my killing zone which was a good thing as the walk back to the van with the extra load was as much as I was comfortable with.

Needless to say they are now cleaned prepped and in the freezer , sometimes it is worth that last minute decision to spend a couple of hours doing what feels right, oh and the pigeon joined the 100 plus others in the freezer as well but I wont be eating them, it will be off to the game dealer once I have a few more.

[anser2]

Well done a very nice little flight.

[JDog]

Thank you for such a good story. You must have been delighted with your efforts.

[marsh man]

Excellent described session on spending an late afternoon out after wildfowl .

 

Not an excessive bag , but most wildfowlers like myself would be more than happy with , and during these quite times when chances are far and few between you made the most of the only chance you got , Well done and I am sure there will be more to come .

[Grandalf]

Well done Sir.

I know how chuffed I was a week ago when I got my first pair of geese in two seasons.

Grin all over my face for a couple of days.

[Passionforangling]

That was an evocative read, almost felt I was there with you!

[m greeny]

Nice result and a goodread to boot, thanks for sharing

[figgy]

Nice write up of a good flight.

[Prime18]

Great write up lakeside! Thanks and congratulations