A Quick Walk Round The Farm This Afternoon

[Acuspell 329]

The dogs were asking to go, so I took them for a walk around the fields. I wasn't intending to shoot, but wasn't going empty handed so took the .20 Rapid with me, just for company. We saw a load of pheasants that the dogs put up out of the hedges. They also nosed a handful of woodcock out, Fly found 3 and Tigs, the pup, found 2 on his own - properly too, scented them and dived in to push them out or try to catch them, I don't know which.

 

As we approached the lake I could hear the geese....wretched things, Canadas. There were a fair few back in. I chased them off last year but the blighters have returned. Not good news. I called the dogs in close so I could stalk in. We got out onto the peninsularthat creates the old decoy end of the lake, a narrow spur of water off the main open section. A handful of geese were swimming across me down the decoy. I led one that was clear with the cross hair just level with the end of its beak, swinging smoothly with it as I squeezed the shot. The goose just collapsed as the JSB drilled its way through the brain. I sent Tigs, the pup, to go and fetch it, but he wasn't keen on going in the water, especially as it wasn't deep enough to swim, and really deep silt on the bottom. We really must dredge it one day. The wind was blowing it to shore to we left it to drift in and followed the gaggle round the shore.

 

A pair got cornered at the dam end. I lined up against a tree, again it was about 40 yards. I picked the gander and lined up on his head, then just waited until he calmed down. He turned his head side on, near enough and fixed me with a beady stare. I was already on target with the first stage taken up, so all I had to do was tighten my grip and the pellet was on its way. The result was exactly the same, he went down like a pack of cards. Thankfully he was only a couple of yards out from the bank and I soon collected him, a BIG bird. I was satisfied with my shooting and sent the dogs on to go and hunt up.

It didn't take them long to flush a woodcock from the bank of the outflow stream. It was good to see it. In fact they flushed a handful during the afternoon, properly found and flushed too. The pup is coming on well and I was as pleased as punch when he flushed a rabbit out of the hedge and
caught it. He is a fast dog, probably the fastest I have had in my 30 odd years of having lurchers. He has a very keen nose too and is turning
into a really handsome chap. He has a bit of weight to put on yet, but that will come as he matures. I am chuffed to bits with how he is turning out and I shall be hopeful of him standing to stud. He is only 13 months old yet, so he needs a bit of time. I am not one of those lurcher owners who expects immediate success. Some dogs take longer to mature than others and the change I have noticed in th elast 3 weeks is amazing. Give him another 2 years and he will be something special. He already knows what squirreling with the air rifle is all about and behaves accordingly. Out for a walk, just bushing and he goes further ahead. Smart dog.

 

With the rabbit and a brace of geese to hump back across the fields we called it a day. Those geese became quite heavy by the time I had carried them, by the heads, across two fields! It was worth it though.

 

 

 

 

 

[Elliott 436]

Nice shooting Acuspell, didn't think you'd be able to take Canada's with the air rifle! Is it an FAC rapid by any chance?

[A1WOC 212]

Some time back a friend told me he shot and killed a Canada goose with a sub 12ftlb air rifle, I was a little unsure if he was stretching the truth a little at the time. Your photographic evidence and written account of your walk around the fields make me a little guilty for doubting my mate.

 

Nice rifle, nice dogs, nice descriptive account of your walk.

 

Regards, Steve

[Acuspell 329]

A standard break barrel bowls them over too - thin skull. hit them behind the eye and they go down like anything else. Easier to hit in the right spot than a pigeon!

 

[Stuart1985 256]

Great write up enjoyed reading that!! Top shooting

[Skot Ruthless Teale 1,701]

I read somewhere that you have to apply for some licence or summat to shoot canada geese. theres always 50+ in my farmers field that i could easily shoot but i didnt think i was allowed with sub 12 air rifle and no "goose licence" ???

 

come on you technical guys tell me what the deal is... can i go on a mass genocide rampage or what, coz' ive heard goose tastes like duck, and i love duck

[Acuspell 329]

Canadas were taken off schedule 3 a couple of years ago. There is no "goose license" and never has been. If you have permission, or legal authority, to shoot wildfowl on the and you are shooting you can shoot any wildfowl, in season and in England and Wales, if using a shotgun, with non-toxic shot only. That includes woodcock (non toxic!)

 

Wildfowl season is from 1st Sept - 31st Jan inland and 20th Feb on the foreshore (beach!)

 

Canada geese are no longer restricted to any form of close season. You do NOTneed non toxic pellets to shoot them because you ae not using a shotgun, the lead shot law applies to shotguns only. You CAN NOT sell any geese you shoot, you may give them away or use them for your own consumption. Be prepared to use pliers to get the feathers out of the wings - and set aside about 4 hours to pluck one. I don't, I skin them out an dthen just filet the breast and thighs - it is worth taking the thighs, there is more meat on them than a pigeon breast. I don't bother plucking, other than a small furrow to get the knife in the skin.

 

If you know someone with a dry plucker you are home and dry, you'll do one in 20 minutes, then just cut the wings off at the FIRST joint, otherwise you'll have a big hole in the skin where the meat will dry out when cooking it....they are not the best geese. Greylags are the best by far, better than pinks I think.

 

I would suggest you show restraint when you first go, or you will end up with a pile of geese that you do not know what to do with. They are around the 12lb-15lb mark you know! The farmer will be glad to see the back of them because they create a right mess, 4 geese eat as much as a sheep. They also trample growing crops, not so much grass, but their droppings are very strong and burn the grass and make it unpalatable to livestock for a long time. HEAD SHOTS ONLY and be sure of your shot. Make sure there is no goose behind the one you are shooting at.

[Elliott 436]

Nice advice Acuspell

[Skot Ruthless Teale 1,701]

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Edited February 25, 2013 by Skot Ruthless Teale

[Skot Ruthless Teale 1,701]

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Edited February 25, 2013 by Skot Ruthless Teale

[Skot Ruthless Teale 1,701]

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Edited February 25, 2013 by Skot Ruthless Teale

[Skot Ruthless Teale 1,701]

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http://www.basc.org.uk/en/departments/game-and-gamekeeping/game-shooting/shooting-seasons.cfm

 

just had another read of this, seems i didnt read it properly last time.. what a dumbass lol

 

thanks accuspell

Edited February 25, 2013 by Skot Ruthless Teale

[Acuspell 329]

Hey, Bradford Boy....sorry to see you lose by so many yesterday, but you did well to get to the Final in the first place, so don't feel downhearted. A marvellous achievment to get there.

 

Canadas - they are not on the General license. They are on OPEN LICENSE, which means you do not have to prove other methods of control have failed first. There is a difference - don't start putting things on General License that are on the Open License for Pete's sake.

 

Yes, to both your questions. You can legally shoot them with your air rifle,provided you have the necessary permission. I would approach the farmer and say you are capable and willing to reduce the goose numbers for him. Would he please clarify your authority in writing, in case anyone questions it. You were confused, so what do you think the general public know of all this. A letter of authority will be good to have anyway. You can explain the damage they do - he will already know! But it shows understanding on your part.

 

The rules you have to operate under are:

You must not cause iunecessary suffering. So ACCURATE head shots only. Aim for the back of the eye, a smashed beak is not a pretty sight - I have seen it from a friend who came to give a hand. Thankfully I managed to finish the distressed creature off. We were very lucky it didn't fly off in that state. This is going to be your biggest problem/worry. Make sure you are absolutely pinpoint accurate with your shots before taking one on.

 

You cannot sell any geese you shoot. That is the same for all geese. You may give them away, but the only people likely to want them are kennels!

 

Retrieve all shot geese, even if you have to strip off and swim for them. Don't leave carcasses lying around.

 

Don't shoot once they are sitting. They are just starting to pair up and get in the mood now. In 3 or 4 weeks they will be sitting, so then it is time to leave them alone. When they have goslings at foot, if you are callous enough to shoot then, make sure you shoot all the goslings from that brood too - it is cruel to leave orphans that cannot fend for themselves and you would be leaving yourself open for a charge of causing unecessary suffering. It is not easy recognising which goslings belong to which pair once they huddle up for safety! I WOULD SUGGEST YOU DO AS I DO AND LEAVE THEM UNTIL THEY ARE GROWN.

 

That's about it really.

[luckyplum 50]

great write-up acuspell and very interesting, everydays a school day as they say ! love the look of your dogs by the way and totally agree about being patient with them, i keep mother and daughter (beddy/whippet ), the pup is 5 years old and is now coming good both ferreting and in the beating line, cheers plum!

[Skot Ruthless Teale 1,701]

Hey, Bradford Boy....sorry to see you lose by so many yesterday, but you did well to get to the Final in the first place, so don't feel downhearted. A marvellous achievment to get there.

 

Canadas - they are not on the General license. They are on OPEN LICENSE, which means you do not have to prove other methods of control have failed first. There is a difference - don't start putting things on General License that are on the Open License for Pete's sake.

 

Yes, to both your questions. You can legally shoot them with your air rifle,provided you have the necessary permission. I would approach the farmer and say you are capable and willing to reduce the goose numbers for him. Would he please clarify your authority in writing, in case anyone questions it. You were confused, so what do you think the general public know of all this. A letter of authority will be good to have anyway. You can explain the damage they do - he will already know! But it shows understanding on your part.

 

The rules you have to operate under are:

You must not cause iunecessary suffering. So ACCURATE head shots only. Aim for the back of the eye, a smashed beak is not a pretty sight - I have seen it from a friend who came to give a hand. Thankfully I managed to finish the distressed creature off. We were very lucky it didn't fly off in that state. This is going to be your biggest problem/worry. Make sure you are absolutely pinpoint accurate with your shots before taking one on.

 

You cannot sell any geese you shoot. That is the same for all geese. You may give them away, but the only people likely to want them are kennels!

 

Retrieve all shot geese, even if you have to strip off and swim for them. Don't leave carcasses lying around.

 

Don't shoot once they are sitting. They are just starting to pair up and get in the mood now. In 3 or 4 weeks they will be sitting, so then it is time to leave them alone. When they have goslings at foot, if you are callous enough to shoot then, make sure you shoot all the goslings from that brood too - it is cruel to leave orphans that cannot fend for themselves and you would be leaving yourself open for a charge of causing unecessary suffering. It is not easy recognising which goslings belong to which pair once they huddle up for safety! I WOULD SUGGEST YOU DO AS I DO AND LEAVE THEM UNTIL THEY ARE GROWN.

 

That's about it really.

dont worry about that i was laughing my head off, im a chelsea fan haha