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The shape of things to come in '07 ??
Topic Started: 3rd January 2007 - 12:06 AM (282 Views)
photopro
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We after some re-organisation on the home front, I'm back on line.
Happy New Year to everyone.

Another session of rain prompted further course closures recently, so stealing a couple of hours from a hectic schedule, I decided to go Squirrelling with my Benelli M2 *Benelli* . Yes I know it's over-kill but it's still a novelty the fact it now works.
Conditions weren't the best as the sun had decide to hide - squirrels like to sun bath so not a good start. I worked along a line of Poplars alternated with conifers, a very squirrelful location in the past and today was no exception. The only trouble was I missed the first to appear and then the second which was close behind, both making it safely to a dense conifer. Oh dear I muttered. Nothing else surfaced after that, apart from an OAP past captain who had decided to check out who was walking the course blasting the wildlife. He asked if I was a member, only for the last ten years I replied, he grinned and after admiring the M2 shambled off.
What a dull story this is shaping up to be eh?
Well not quite.
The golf course has a river between it and some farmland, and for the last three years (at least) Canada Geese have been giving the fields a pasting. I have spoken to the farmer concerned and he is "considering" my proposal to shoot some of them. The geese also feed on some of the golf course fairways causing serious damage plus the "recycled grass" makes a right mess.
I have been playing on the course in the past when the flock has flown over, and with upwards of 300 birds that's a big flock.
I knew where the birds were and had decided to take a shot if the chance came.
I continued walking the course, it had started to rain and it was obvious I wasn't going to see many squirels, though I did manage to bag one which was running on the ground between copses. I was about to head back to the car when I heard the unmistakable cackling of the Canada Geese. Through the Blackthorne bushes about half a mile away I could see they were all in the air - and flying in my direction !! Compared to a lot of birds Geese have a turning circle something like an oil tanker and I knew once they were within range the whole flock would probably go over me. I flattened myself against a tree and froze motionless, after about ten seconds I peeped round the tree, just as the start of the flock was directly overhead - boy did they look big !! I brought up the gun and singled out a bird and fired, without pausing I selected another, a smaller one this time. As I fired the second shot a heard a massive thud as the first bird hit the ground, two seconds later the smaller bird also fell. The flock was in disarray, but I bet 90% were viable targets. I only took two shots but to be honest only because in all the excitement I forgot I had a third shell up the pipe !!
I checked the birds were dead, and they were, and then considerd how best to get the two huge things back to the car. I decided to diplomatically hide the geese and return to the main car park where my car was then drive through the ground staff's gate (which I have a key for) collecting them from here, away from the eyes of any club members.
I wasn't sure what the head of the greens committee would say when I told him but he was OK with my decision to shoot and said it would also be OK again in the future. So it looks like I have got myself a goose shoot.
Today my daughter and me dressed one of the geese out, the second being a grateful gift to an old neighbour. I decided to do it "properly" since I have never eaten Canada Goose before, however in future I will just skin out the breast meat. I little tip for you, we found it much easier to dress by tying it up to a tree. We did this in the orchard at the end of the garden 'cos I knew what to expect with the feathers. After about 90 minutes in the Aga straight roasting it was ready. Because geese are so full of fat stand them on a drip tray inside a roasting tin and pr1ck the skin halfway through cooking to release the fat.
I have read many reports that Canada geese do not make good eating, well I wish to place it on record that this is NOT true. They are similar in flavour to pigeon, not "gamey" like pheasant and not tough, though I suspect our bird was one of this year's. The one I gave away was older so I will get a report on how their's was.
My brother-in-law has just returned from Scotland goose shooting and in the several days he was there he shot very few cartridges and hit nothing. I got two with two shots. Suppose that's just the way the Canada crumbles !!

photopro
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James@Scarborough
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Well done Pro, and a happy new year to you too.
We also have a goose shoot (just waiting for the caravan site to close! *lol* ). The tourists won't like it when they see the geese they feed every morning getting HMR'd by DM!! I'm sure that he'll keep you posted.

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Danger Mouse
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Nice one pro, you should have stuffed it mate, With Squirrell.. :D
Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes. After that who cares? ....... He's a mile away and you've got his shoes!

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James@Scarborough
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*lol* *lol* *lol*

Remington 700 CDL .243Win LH + Nikko Sterling Gameking + PES T12 Mod
CZ452 .22lr Amercan LH + Nikko Sterling Nite Eater + PH mod
Browning Silver Semi Auto m/c
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hawkeye
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CROW & FOX Killer BUT scared SHITLESS of DAREBEAR

Not only dont i get an invite to shoot the bug**rs didnt even get a leg to eat :P :P :P :P :wub: :D *aaaa*
MIKE

Hawkeye the noooooooooooo



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photopro
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Quote:
 
Nice one pro, you should have stuffed it mate, With Squirrell.. 


It was quite the thing to do this in years gone by, though obviously not with Squirrel.

Quote:
 
Not only dont i get an invite to shoot the bug**rs didnt even get a leg to eat       


I'll save you the bones and a bit of skin so you can boil it up and make yourself some soup !! *lol*

I didn't know I was going until the last minute, plus think of all the whinging I would have got if the Geese hadn't shown up and we'd got maybe one squirrel between us !! :(

I did find out that the crows have been on one of the fairways again though, so it could be decoy time again soon. Now if the Geese put in an appearance whilst we are shooting Crows............. :rolleyes: *Benelli*

photopro
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supersharpshooter
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sounds like your day turned out to be quite good in the end then photopro,i hope your neighbours bird tastes nice aswell ive heard that the older ones taste a bit more earthy than the young besides its the thaught that counts :D
jamie
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James@Scarborough
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I heard a great tip for cooking geese:

Prepare as you would any other bird for the oven, but befroe wraping it in foil, place a brick inside. When the bird is cooked, throw away the goose and eat the brick - it tastes better. *lol* *lol* *lol* *lol* *lol*

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CZ452 .22lr Amercan LH + Nikko Sterling Nite Eater + PH mod
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rattman
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Nice shooting pro, what is the weight in meat of such a geese?
HW90 .22 & .20 & n2Optics 3-12x40 / Hawke sportHD3-7x32
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photopro
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In all honesty Kris, when you look at the size of the bird - not much. The breast meat forms the basis (as ever) of anything worthwhile. I will not be dressing the whole bird next time, it will be just the breast meat and that's it. As I said though it cooked and tasted very good so I'm not sure what all the negative comments are about Canadas. *good*

photopro
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rattman
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The Nile-geese is a pest here at the moment, intruded 10 years ago (escaped somewhere, and started breeding??)
Never shot and eat one? hear they give good tasty meat.
HW90 .22 & .20 & n2Optics 3-12x40 / Hawke sportHD3-7x32
HW97k .177 Macari & Bushnell trophy 4-12x40XLT

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photopro
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If they are on your species list Kris give them a go. *good*
I think I read somewhere that they are related closer to a duck than a goose.

photopro
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Hunter
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ATTA BOY...great story, I enjoyed it.
Don't you take pictures?
Sounds like you found some great huntin grounds...If you can't shoot anything at least you can whack a few balls around.
Colossians 3:23
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Neil
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Jan 11 2007, 09:22 PM
ATTA BOY...great story, I enjoyed it.
Don't you take pictures?

He's a pro photographer too, just think how good his pictures would be! :D

www.hunterworld.co.uk


http://www.flickr.com/photos/hunterworld/show/with/4466121918/
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hawkeye
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CROW & FOX Killer BUT scared SHITLESS of DAREBEAR

Neil
Jan 11 2007, 11:57 PM
Hunter
Jan 11 2007, 09:22 PM
ATTA BOY...great story, I enjoyed it.
Don't you take pictures?

He's a pro photographer too, just think how good his pictures would be! :D

If there are anything like his jokes PURE SHITE :wub: :wub: :wub: :wub: *aaaa* -Fun1- -Fun1-
MIKE

Hawkeye the noooooooooooo



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photopro
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I didn't take any pictures Hunter, if I'm not being paid to do it, I don't carry a camera. Disgraceful attitude or what ? !! :)

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If there are anything like his jokes PURE SHITE       


Neil has seen some of my work - ask him.

photopro
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Hunter
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Oh Man...your killin me. I got a krappy old digital camera, that I won't go huntin without...backed up with a throw away .35 mm. That old beat up 1999 kodak 10x zoom is equiptment as important to me as my shootin iron and bullets. Man...I've killed many a critter with that camera.

I understand the tool thing...I'm a carpenter and I don't take a hammer huntin....but often a saw.

Post Required PRO.
Colossians 3:23
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Hunter
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Bring it on.
Colossians 3:23
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Neil
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Jan 13 2007, 01:27 AM


Bring it on.

Oh yea!! i love a challenge - Cmon Pro - show him some magic!! -Fun1-

www.hunterworld.co.uk


http://www.flickr.com/photos/hunterworld/show/with/4466121918/
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photopro
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I use a £30,000 digital system (Hasselblad / Phase One) week in week out. It's a bit like me asking you to ride a Varago - and a knackered one at that !!
I don't even carry a camera on holiday if I can get away with it.
HOWEVER, I will bear it in mind for the future - honest. :wacko: *lol*

photopro
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supersharpshooter
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*aaaa* £30,000 for a camera jesus christ photopro i now realise why you dont take it hunting :blink:
jamie
Beretta 686 white onyx 12 ga
aa s410 classic .177,6-24x50,harris bipod
bsa lightning xl .22,3-9x40
walther cp88 .177
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Hunter
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Pictures....there all good....no matter how bad...lol. A time...A place...A feeling...saved to see and feel again.
Colossians 3:23
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