A few questions on shooting geese

[tamure]

Greetings everyone,

I have been given permission to hunt geese on a local golf course. They are having a big problem with the migrating geese. Because of the bag limits, there's not much chance that anything short of an army of archers could put a dent in there numbers. However, they hope that someone out killing them now and then will make them more afraid of people, and since there are always people on the course, it will make them go away. I don't know if that theory will hold or not, but I told them I'd be happy to try it out.  

I have a few concerns and questions for you. First, I will only hunt there before the course opens (around dawn). The #1 priority is that every hit is a kill. It would be disastrous to have a gimped goose hanging around the course.

So, I was considering using Gobbler Guillotines at pretty close range 20 yards or less. Does anyone have any experience with these on geese? It seems like that big long neck makes geese a good candidate, and this would be a good way to ensure that hit = sure, quick kill and miss = clean miss.

The only problem with the GGs is they are very expensive, I don't know how you carry them around with out mucking them all up.

How about ordinary broadheads? What kind would you use, and where would you aim?

These are Canadian geese, btw, and I'm anticipating only shots where the geese are on the ground. I know, perhaps not very sporting, but again, I don't want to have any wounded geese with arrows sticking out of them. This is really more about helping out the course and trying to put some meat in the freezer.

Supposing I (and 2traxx and roadkill, and...) were able to kill some, it would be neat if a local food cabinet would take them for needy families for Christmas. But I don't know if they accept meat from hunters here. I'll have to look into it.

Anyway, looking forward to hearing your replies.  

[tradwannabe]

i've had the same question so i hope someone jumps in. We have what seems to be zillions of them.Same problems on the courses. I guess it's because i'm in Canada.LOL
Rob

[TradPaul]

I have had great success using a 2 blade, you just need to aim pretty much above the leg and kinda forward, kinda like a turkey. Also you can make an amazing jerkey out of the breast meat. Anyway, I recently killed one with a bad hit, it was much too far forward, i hit it, it flopped for a moment, then took flight with my arrow sticking half way out the other side...it flew about 40 yards and set down and then continued to hobble about 100 yards..then died. But most have died almost on the spot. Get a good sharp 2,3,4 blade and make sure of your aim and you should have no issues. Good luck.


P.

[wingnut]

Check out your local "hunters for the hungry" chapter.  They will fill you in on the requirements to donate.  I have given a deer or two to the program over the years.

Good luck,  I think I would go for the GG and go for neck shots only.  Bring em down dead or miss.
Wish Rusty, Jason and I were there to help. We might not get a lot of geess, but it would be entertaining.


Mike

[bmfer]

I heard about a Magnus thats similar to the GG but is supposed to fly better. But good luck with whatever you take, sounds like a hoot!

[Dave Bulla]

Just a thought....

Since you are in a definite situation where you want to recover EVERY bird hit and not have any make the 6 o'clock news walking around the course with an arrow sticking out both sides, I'd suggest a string tracker.  I don't know what pound test it is or if you could kinda wind in a wounded goose with it but you at worst could probably get your arrow back.

Guru had a post this past fall about shooting a turkey with one (I believer he's done several that way) and it was VERY impressive how it helped him locate a gobbler that actually flew off after the hit.

Maybe he will see this or you can search his name and pm him for details or suggestions.

Lastly, be sure to verify the game laws in your state before you use a bow on the geese as in some states it falls under "single projectile" terminology and can be interpreted as illegal.  Being geese, with a Federal migratory stamp required, you would be getting into Federal law and some possible serious fines.  Personally I think that the "lesser weapon" rule would apply and allow it.  Just like you can shoot a bow or muzzle loader in rifle season because it is a "lesser weapon" you may be able to use a bow for waterfowl for the same reason when compared to a shotgun.

Sounds like it would be a real hoot to try though.  Good luck to ya.

[Orion]

Big three-blade snuffer and shoot for the head.

[ironrhino]

If you put a sharp three blade @ the base of the neck or where the wing meets the body tracking won't be an issue!!!

I know this isnt popular but goose control in public is a job for my Wheelie bow!

I love archery too much too have a wounded goose on the 6 O'clock news...

When I've done it, there was no margin for error, no option of a lost arrow, or any other screw up for that matter!

Consider the consequences of things going horribly wrong, and then make the responsible choice! But the last thing we need is a cigar chomping mayor or white wine sipping town councle woman seeing an arrow hanging out of a goose while they are chipping on to the 14th green.

just my .02

-RHiNo

[Rick P]

No federal issues that I know of but do check your state regs. I've had great success with a big 2 blade broadhead. I like the base of the neck/upper shoulder for shot placement. The ones I harvested that the shot was a touch high cut the head clean off, too low double lung, just right severed spine and hart. There is only a few inches between these shots. I think you'll be amazed how close you can get to these birds my brother and I used to help clear a gulf coarse back in MI and we could walk up to within feet of the for the first couple of days but even after that I don't remember having to get more than 10 yards away before they caught on and headed for other pastures. BTW ground shooting isn't a "no no" with a bow so don't get worked up over it. Ground shooting is the only safe and humane shot in this scenario.

[Gapmaster]

Golf course geese eh? Hmmm, sounds like maybe could present some big issues if anything didn't go right. You might want to reconsider that arcade.  :(

[Rick P]

Been thinking about this one, hope your 100% sure of your skills otherwise this really could be a black eye for the trad community. The world was not nearly as PC and PETA didn't exist when I was helping to clear the greens, sad but difficult times sometimes require sacrifice and compromise.

[Dave Bulla]

Actually, for simple population control, a quality pellet gun would be the ticket.

Not near as fun or quiet as a stickbow though.

[carparcher]

There is a DoubleBull archery video where they shoot geese on a golf course.  The few that they hit are long shots, but they put them down w/ hits in similar locations to where you would want to whack a turkey.  Good luck and keep us posted.  Look for that video if you want to see how they do it.  It's w/ compounds, but pretty interesting none the less.

[KillerDyller]

Speaking of the double bull video, I think they were using the guillitine heads also. A buddy of mine carries his assembled on the arrow, with a turkey slate call case zipped around the head, it fits perfectly.

[trapperDave]

theres better ways for goose control.  Round-ups during the late spring molt(you can herd them into a portable pen-load em up and haul em off.), Hazing(scaring them off with propane cannons, lazer lights etc.), and there's a product you can spray on the grass making it unpalatable for them and they will leave, or you can harass them with dogs till they find a new home. Also oiling the eggs when in the nest will keep them from hatching, reducing next years inhabitants.  ---if you destroy the eggs, they just re-lay them

did I ever mention I used to run a state lisenced wildlife control company  :cool:

[tamure]

Thanks for all the responses, guys. It is legal here to shoot ducks and geese with a bow. But maybe it's not such a great idea after all.