Goose hunting

[calgarychef]

So I've been watching geese flying low over a field, after coming off a Slough they just clear the poplar trees.  They are up about 30/40 feet and look as big as jet planes.

So most things I've heard about goose hunting talks about flu-flus.  I'm thinking about making basically some flight arrows with small broadheads.  I want something fast and silent that the honkers won't dodge.  Am I thinking the right way about this?  I'll pain the shafts neon green to find them easily but honestly if I lose a few shafts I'm not too worried.

Who has effectively shot geese or ducks out of the air and what were your experiences and observations?

[Tajue17]

I'd use high back 5 1/2" fletch not flu flus and I'd use scorpios on the shafts ,,  make sure where the arrows come down its open so you can go find them.

I did kill one on the ground before from a canoe never in flight but if you set up good they do fly down very low into the decoys sometimes.

[calgarychef]

It's an open stubble field so shouldn't be a problem finding them.  I'm thinking that shooting a bird that's fying so fast that a fast arrow is a really good advantage.

[fireball31]

If you want to see your arrows again, use flu flu's and accept the limitations of distance. If you're not worried about use normal fletching. I speak from experience on this.

[Pete McMiller]

I'd use flu-flu's and broadheads.  The difference in velocity between FFs and flight arrows is what, maybe 50 fps at the top end and still around 200fps or less? You will find out with the very first arrow that it will make very little difference.  Shotguns shoot 1200-1500 fps and still need to lead the birds.  Also, I really doubt that a goose is going to try and dodge your arrow unless it is a very close miss and then it will be after the fact.

[Greg_M]

"flight arrows with small broadheads... honestly if I lose a few shafts I'm not too worried."

No kids playing barefoot in your area I hope. I think I'd want to find those shafts. Nocturnals maybe?

[calgarychef]

No kids ever plays barefoot in these places   . I don't know what your sloughs look like but around here they'll never see a bare foot or an implement wheel.  The farmers fields will be driven over, that's why I'm thinking small broadheads to be less of a puncture danger.

[Longtoke]

Originally posted by calgarychef:
No kids ever plays barefoot in these places           . I don't know what your sloughs look like but around here they'll never see a bare foot or an implement wheel.  The farmers fields will be driven over, that's why I'm thinking small broadheads to be less of a puncture danger.

eh I think you might have a hard time pulling that one over on a farmer, at least most around here. those tires are crazy expensive. More than that time is money, if they have to shut down because they found an arrow in their tire...

[Snow Crow]

If you're talking pass shooting, I would agree with Pete McMiller:  use flu flus.

The difference in lead required to hit a 40 mph target moving level at 20 yards between 200 fps and 150 fps arrows is 5.8 feet (17.6 and 23.4 feet, respectively).  The actual difference in arrow speed between flu flus and standard fletching is much less than 50 fps under 30 yards.

There is however a substantial difference in visibility (think tracking) between flu flus and standard fletching.  Until you can correct for lead and elevation, you will inevitably miss low and behind.  The ability to track your arrow in flight will greatly decrease the number of shots required to calibrate your onboard targeting computer.  Even muted colored flu flus will show up well against the sky.


Hope this helps.

[calgarychef]

Which begs the question....has anyone run flu flus  through a chronograph at 5/10 yards?