Just a small field report.

Nath · Post by **Nath** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 8:32 am

Well they give heavey rain moving across England this afternoon so I felt an early stroll was needed before the rain. I grabbed the hornet first but then changed my mind and grabbed the 94 instead and a hand full of rounds. After putting my coat and boots on I whistled the dog and set off.
On the shoot at this time of year we get Canada geese that try to take over the pools to breed and stop other waterfowl from getting a look in and sure enough there was a pair on a pool. I missed a pair last week with the 94 and wasn't sure if it was me or the gun but settled on me doing the shutting my eyes on firing thing as I could not remember much of what went on

Any way no way was I going to do that again.
After trying a few approaches the closest I could get was around the 100yds mark. The birds were on the bank of the pool and the gander let me take an off hand shot. The light wind had me for a moment and then the gun settled on his wing pinion and with a suprise it fired. Through the scope and recoil I saw the gander lift into the air and topple over. I was very pleased with the shot and looked at the carbine and smiled to myself

I hung the goose up as a friend has a Tekal pup he is entering to cold sents and we tried her on a cold squirrel the other day and she found it and was starting to give voice too so he may be interested for tomorrow, I'll ring him later.
I did a brisk 11/2 mile walk around then to get some exercise and some heat up.
A nice thing I heard this morning was the call of the chiff chaff, for me this little bird heralds the coming of warmer weather which I am ready for now

Sorry no pics but just another example how a non turn bolt, two piece stocked, slow non magnum gun just gets on with it

Nath.

shawn_c992001 · Post by **shawn_c992001** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 8:45 am

Way to go Nath, I hear those geese taste pretty good.

Post by **Hobie** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 8:51 am

How do you prepare those geese?

Modoc ED · Post by **Modoc ED** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 8:59 am

Great story Nath.

Jeeps · Post by **Jeeps** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 9:08 am

Reminds me, a couple years ago I lost a few beautiful goose breasts.

My wife was doing early spring cleaning and was moving stuff around the
office, between vacuming and steam cleaning she unplugged my freezer
and I never found out till about a week later when I had an urge for a
freeze pop.

I opened the freezer door (same size as a regular fridge but only one door
and it's all freezer) and shut it real quick and almost went to one knee from
the smell.

After the heavy duty trash bags, bleach, and Vicks on my upper lip everything
was back to normal. I lost quite a bit of stuff there but the two sets of goose
breasts I was REALLY looking forward to.

Nath · Post by **Nath** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 9:25 am

Hobie, I usually fillet the breasts out. Being honest I am not to keen on them but when shot from the sky on a memorable evening flight I will curry them. First I cut the breast into small pieces and pan frie'm to brown the meat then add a curry sauce and simmer for hours.
Nath

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 10:22 am

nice report Nath. I can experience the weather, sounds, sights from your writings. thanks.

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:12 pm

Minute of gander!

All one needs. Thanks for sharin'!

Post by **Hobie** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:37 pm

Nath wrote:Hobie, I usually fillet the breasts out. Being honest I am not to keen on them but when shot from the sky on a memorable evening flight I will curry them. First I cut the breast into small pieces and pan frie'm to brown the meat then add a curry sauce and simmer for hours.
Nath

Thanks for the info.

Do you guys curry everything nowadays?

I was in one part of London one night and saw nothing but Indian restaurants a long way down the street in either direction.

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:48 pm

If you roast them with the skin on, they can be pretty greasy. However, I skin them, then roast them like a turkey. Hmmmm, delicious.

Nath · Post by **Nath** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 2:24 pm

Hobie. By comparison to other european countries British food was a bit boring and so the Indian new arrivals spotted a gap in the market for spicy tasty food which completly blew the English palate into space and hence became very popular. I do believe the British army first used curry to preserve meat in the hot Indian climate back when India was dumb enough for the British to be their overlords.
I do like curry types of food but being gluten sensitive and having a sensitive gut I have to be very carefull now what I eat.
Goose is naturally fat laden and is best cooked out the skin. The fat gives the taste and what they been eating is in the fat! Just after the corn harvest is probs best.
I have shot them with a 22, Hornet and ofcourse the 30wcf but the most effective cartridge I have found to work was the 222 even compared to a 270

I have shot them with no7 shot, 5,4,1,BB,AAA,SSG and SG

Nath.

Bigahh · Post by **Bigahh** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 2:57 pm

Nice story Nath! Try Smoking a Goose sometime. It may sound stupid, but they taste pretty good that way.

BenT · Post by **BenT** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 3:50 pm

Nath I pan fry them too. I also will throw the breast in the crock pot and simmer all afternoon with various spices and a sliced up apple.

Also have you ever tried the sierra 125 grain hollow points 30- 30 on varmits. Just curious what bullet you usually use on the smaller game.

mod71alaska · Post by **mod71alaska** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 4:06 pm

Well, I have to ask... What's with shooting geese in the spring? Isn't that illegal???

IMHO, waterfowl (and the other birds and 4 legged critters we hunt in the fall) should be left alone in the spring and allowed to breed. Having lived in Alaska for a long time where Natives shoot everything that moves anytime of year, I admit it's a real hot button for me.

Sorry, Nath. I don't take offense at what you do in the UK. I am curious, though. Are your game laws different regarding spring waterfowl hunting?

Bigahh · Post by **Bigahh** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 6:38 pm

It is a funny thing, but there are quite a few Midwestern States that have a huge, no Limit Spring goose season. Both the Dakotas I think are involved in it. Must be an over abundance somewhere.

Nath · Post by **Nath** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 6:55 pm

Our canada geese population has bee deregulated to pest status recently, there is just to many of them. They like taking over the pools and prevent the smaller fowl from breeding. Also when fisheries get smuthered with canadas the oils from the plumage covers the water and cuts of oxygen to the fish. Parks are fed up with the droppings from these large birds too. We have some grey lag geese wanting to breed on the same pool but get kicked of every year if the canadas are not removed. I love all birds but as ever when there is to many of a type problems arise.
I used a Speer 150 this morning but do use others however I think I am going to stick with bullets desighned just for the 30/30 for now.
As for smoking goose breast, I don't think any of my pipes could handle it

Nath.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 10:24 pm

Nath wrote: As for smoking goose breast, I don't think any of my pipes could handle it
Nath.

Darn it! Now I need to wipe the cola off my screen and keyboard!

Excellent post Nath!!!