New guy-What goose load? What Goose call?

[Huntrap_MT]

 Hello everyone! I am a fresh goose hunter that will be going on my first hunt locally. I have a Black Lab and a nice Winchester fine grade stock, 1200 in 2 3/4" and a nice pair of hippers (mice just ruined my chest waders!). I am exited to try and take down some geese this year, but I need advice on what load I should use in my little 2 3/4? The logical load would probably be BBB right? It is what I use on swan and turkey. Is there any special type I should use for full range? Should I use copper plated or any specialized type? Please let me know what all you guys think. Also what reasonable and easy to use goose call would you suggest for me? I will be alone on the first hunt and maybe others this year. I do not have goose deks. Thanks

Huntrap_MT

[Big Hext Finnigan]

Howdy,

I'm reading your post and trying to get the facts straight.
You are hunting alone.
Your shotgun is chambered in 2 3/4.
You have no decoys.
You have a Lab.
You do not have a call.

If I'm reading this right, you'll be pass shooting, and you'll need some close shots You need your dog to be still, you'll need to camo up.  BBB will do fine, just don't stretch your shots, say past 35 yards.  I would not try to call under these circumstances.

Good luck with your hunt.  Adios,

[Huntrap_MT]

Big Hext, Ya it looks like I will be hunting alone this first hunt anyways, don't know anyone else who hunts geese right around here. My dog is capable of sitting very tight and not shifting much at all! I don't know why I even mentioned I have good hip boots above, as I will be away from the water! Guess I was tired when I wrote that post. I have great camo that covers me head to toe including a camo cover for my face if I need it. I suppose I will be off a ways from the geese's whaterholes early in the morn as they fly out to feed and intersept them then? So I guess it would be totaly unnesacary to use a call at all, unless I could get some use out of it during the daytime after all the geese are done feeding. I do plan on jumping ducks for a lot of the day also,  if the goose hunting seems unreasonable for a loner like me during the day. I guess that is why I mentioned that I have good hippers. My dog and I can cruise cattails and jump ducks or something to fill out the day till evening again. When I hunt swan, I simply just walk out on a little island using my hippers in the dark and when light starts to hits they all start filing out right over my island or in that general direction. It doesn't usually take long for a flock to center themselves right over my gun.  What I do for swan, I will probably have to do for geese being alone, Huh? Any suggestions?

[Big Hext Finnigan]

Howdy,

I am too far to give you any more concrete advice.  It seems like you've gathered lots of elements for a good hunt.  Now you just need the birds, some weather and a bit of luck.  I'm wishing all three to you!

Report back, if you will.  Adios,

[horse25cal]

not knowing how the terain is, and the conditions first hand, here is an old trick granddad taught me..  take 3 to 6old duck decoys and paint them like canadions or snows what ever flies the most in your area.  snows are easyer being white they stand out good and get a faulks cheap  snow call or can. call and through these  out with afew ducks off to one side for confidence biulder forthem.  the smaller decoys  will throw a visual of more distace to the birds and with a calling help at times bring them in closer to you and the dog. this has been efective way since I have hunted mostly by myself and family. 1 other thing paint  1 or2 of the decoys like swans andthrough them out as you would see them in the wild. thats the real trick of it all, looking as if it where in the wild and natual seting for them but at a distace that brinngs them over you or into the decoys.  I hope this idea gives you help with your questions and as for shot try to run 4s to BBs .try what works best for swans to ducks. this will give you your your variunce for the geese.. hope this gives ya some help..

[Bob_K]

If you are limited to 2 3/4" shells, you might consider #4 HeviShot.  I used 3" last year, along with some steel 12 ga 3.5" BBB stuff.  The HeviShot performed as well or better than the steel, even though steel was throwing a bigger payload (BBB).  It should make the 2 3/4" hulls capable duck & goose loads again.  #4 HeviShot would give you more pellets than a BBB load.

[TMFLDEM]

ok hunt trap, horse has a good idea, and so do the othes, but i would get a big river goose call, they sound good and r cheap, also i would use hevi-shot as bob said, it is faster and hits harder,if u use steel i would not use a full choke but if u use a softer non-toxic shot use the tightest choke u can, also, if u r planning on hunting in a feild(such as corn) get a gunny sack and lay under it, use the stalks to camoflage u and get ready to shoot, if u r just pass shooting just hunker down in some cover and hopefully u will get some shooting... if all else failes get a benelli nova or a remington 870 super magnum (about 350-400$) and get some 3 1/2 in shells, they have a lil more knock down if u know what i mean, but good luck and always have fun

PS> as said b-4 if u r hunting in a feild, u really dont need a dog ( i know how it goes, u always wanna include the pup in any activity) they may just catch the eye of any gander out there

[grizzly]

I would recomend hevi-shot in #2 or BB. Here in Arkansas when the geese are hitting small fields {200 acres or less} sneaking up on them by any means legal works well. If you get close enough {50 yards or less} stand up and when the flock jumps up give them hell. A dog left nearby will be usefull for catching cripples. I have a brittany and am also training a lab. GOOD LUCK.

[the rifleman]

Make sure your barrel is suitable for hevi-shot!! Some of the older guns aren't made for other than lead shot.

 Why don't you scout around in the late afternoon and see what fields the geese are coming in to feed in. Once you know, get permission from the land owner, then go out and dig a pit in the area of the field where they were feeding. The pit should be big enough that you can squat down in it without throwing a shadow, on the field. Take some sheets from a newspaper, fold them in half. Spread them around the field, close to the  pit, and put a clump of dirt on one end of each one, so it doesn't blow away. The dirt also gives a 3d image like a head may look from the air. There, now you've got your decoys set. The next morning get in the pit before light, and with whatever goose call you managed to buy yourself, blow a few hail calls when you see the first flights in the air. Don't call too much, and keep your head down till they are setting to land.  This may work best in the earlier season, if the geese are decoy shy, but it does work.

 About the pit. Spread whatever stubble might be in the field around on top of the fresh dug dirt, so it dosen't look like a big black doughnut from the air. If the field has been plowed than it probably won't make much difference.  If there is snow in the field, take a white sheet to lie under, and save yourself the pit digging. Lay on some burlap. The newspaper works best on decoying snows but will bring in Canada's too. After your done shooting, throw the newspaper in the pit, and fill it in. "Always fill in your pit!" :-)

[Doc T]

If you have a 2 3/4" chambered gun you really like, use it.  Instead of buying a new gun, spend a little extra money on the Hevi-Shot.  Last year I shot Specklebellies with a 3" 20 gauge loaded with #4s.  Hevi-shot hits them like a load of bricks!