Hunting in the Snow, it's Cool!

Randy, Hunter, Kyle, Steve. and Benny

In the middle of this horrific heat wave (and for us, power outage) I decided to think about cool times. One of my favorite cool times is goose hunting in the snow. We have had many outstanding hunts in the snow. It is difficult to get any colder than laying in snow in the winter’s cold air. Nothing quite warms you up like the adrenaline rush of twenty five Canada geese locked up a quarter of a mile away, unless it’s fifty or a hundred geese locked up.  I can hear the honking now. It gets louder and louder as they approach. As the geese close the gap, my heart beats faster with every 5 yards of their descent. I start to feel for the safety and position myself for the shot. I am still, right hand on the butt stock, finger on the trigger guard and left hand holding the call carefully to my mouth. I lay flat on my back in the frozen white blanket of snow.  The geese are gliding in toward the spread, looking, but not seeing any danger. I know that with my white cover suit and mask that I am invisible to the birds. They have no idea that we are there. My golden retriever, Benny, is about the same color as the exposed corn stalks, so he is quite camouflaged as well. 

 

We flagged and honked to attract the flock’s attention, but now just an occasional grunt is all that is warranted. I am not even sure they can hear us over their own noise, but it gives us a chance to play too! As they line up, they are joined by another flock of equal size. Behind them there is a bigger group! All coming straight in! There are four of us altogether and it seems like an eternity for the birds to get into range. With four hunters on the ground and all of those eyes, something could easily go wrong. Finally with the birds at twenty five yards right where we wanted them, I called the shot. The shot guns were barking and it was raining geese! Seven geese down on the first pass. Two flocks later, Kyle finished his limit, and it was time for laughing and pictures!

This was a special hunt, and pictures that will always be dear to my heart. It was my twelve year old golden retriever’s last hunt. The snow was deep, but he managed two retrieves. He was as happy as a pup! I sure miss him. 

 

 

 

If you ever undertake such an adventure, it would be a great idea to take along a pack mule. If you don’t have a pack mule, try a Randy! I will admit Randy’s do complain more!