Author Topic: FIR ISLAND SNOW GOOSE HUNT FIRST YEAR DRAWING IT (Read 13327 times)

WASHBCBOOK · « **on:** October 03, 2008, 07:58:53 AM »

IM LOOKING FOR SOME HELP I DREW THE UNIT 10 B SNOW GOOSE HUNT IN DEC 22,23,24,26,27 HAS ANYBODY HUNTED THIS HUNT ALSO ANY GOOD TIPS ONLY IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP THANKS WASHBCBOOK

Ray · « **Reply #1 on:** October 03, 2008, 08:16:27 AM »

Get a couple hundred wind sock decoys and try to sit in a ditch or cover within shooting range of the decoys or maybe better... in the decoy spread.

I wonder if the geese will be wise to decoys before then.. A lot of it depends on what the geese want to do. I've seen them wait until people pick up their decoys before landing and I have seen them come right in to them. Either way it is a good hunt.

Ray · « **Reply #2 on:** October 03, 2008, 08:59:32 AM »

I should mention that the first big swarm of birds coming from offshore usually happens just after dawn. You'll probably hear them making a lot of noise before they lift off. Be ready before then. Be patient because the birds move around from field to field during the day and even across the water from other areas. So if you don't get any action right away it doesn't necessarily mean you should pack up and go home.

coyotemadness · « **Reply #3 on:** October 03, 2008, 09:56:06 AM »

In my experience, it will be feast or famine. Like Ray said, it is late in the season and decoys may or may not work well. Pray for bad weather and that those geese are flying that day. Not much for advice but that seems to be the way they work.
Good Luck

WDFW-SUX · « **Reply #4 on:** October 03, 2008, 09:58:41 AM »

So what do you guys do with the Sky carp after you get one?

OltHunter · « **Reply #5 on:** October 03, 2008, 10:02:08 AM »

im my opinion, large decoys spreads are a waste of time, especially that late, use the minimum to save you time. now if you could set up about 5000, that might turn some heads, but from what i've found, they are as decoy shy as any bird will be by then.

i had 10D in 2006, and 6A last year. 10d we had in nov and 6a in january last year. i think the program is great, but the hunting is hit or miss. it all depends where they decide to land to feed that particular day and will stear clear of decoys. when i was in 10d, luckily the flock decided to land in the middle of the 10's. all out of range of the four groups of decoys/hunting groups. an eagle flew down and the entire flock flew about 30 yards in front of us, and circled everyone in range. you might get lucky and get a lone juvenile to decoy, but as for the flocks, they will fly about 100 yards high, and fly inbetween the decoys. if you get a bunch of wind though, they will fly low and scattered which is the best time to be on the ground.

last year, my buddy shot at one and killed it, we only went once. on the hunt fields it basically a wait and see if they are gonna land somewhere near your field and see if you can get any to circle close enough in range, it seems like one field a day will just slaughter them, while the others don't even shoot

in january our field was basically a mud pit, found where the geese were landing and i think around that late in the year, any landowner will want them gone, and we asked for permission, got it, walked down in a ditch, poped up, and shot our two limits in about 10 minutes. the way to go if you ask me

Ray · « **Reply #6 on:** October 03, 2008, 10:34:53 AM »

I have seen them avoid large decoy spreads later in the year. Meaning in mid December and later in the season.

Earlier in the year we sat next to a field which was spread with about 500 decoys. Right after dawn they came straight into that spread and those guys limited right away.

Later in the year on another spot north of the island the birds would circle for about an hour looking for a good spot to land. As soon as the other fellows picked up their decoys and vacated the field the birds trickled in and we got our birds.

It really can be hit and miss and it can really depend on what the birds want to do. However once the birds are decoy aware then just leave them at home.

BIGBULLBALLS · « **Reply #7 on:** October 03, 2008, 10:41:23 AM »

As a local this quality hunt program is a joke. Before the QH program the birds decoyed great all year long. Now that the geese get to see 8-10 decoy spreads every day of the hunting season ( and two decoy spreads that are never taken down) they are decoy shy as all hell. We were the first in the valley to use the moster spread (1300 decoys) and it worked great. The first year of the QH program our spread worked up until the end of November. Last year we never even setup the spread because it was quite obivious decoys no longer work on this flock of birds. My advice to a QH hunter, put out 2 decoys in your field so you are legal, get as far away from them as possible and pass shoot the birds as they bounce from field to field. Just my thoughts

WASHBCBOOK · « **Reply #8 on:** October 03, 2008, 01:00:51 PM »

hey thanks for all the ideas any more please write this will be a whole lot of fun or a whole lot of nothing
anyways thanks to all washbcbook

Jekemi · « **Reply #9 on:** October 03, 2008, 01:37:40 PM »

I got a green 4 X 8 inch, written authorization to hunt Snow Geese in Island, Skagit, Snohomish counties. Area 1 snow goose season. Is this the same thing you got or is it something different. I'm looking for someone to hunt Snow Geese with. I'll get some snow geese decoys but not a couple of hundred. Perhaps someone would like to participate in the hunt.

Dave

Ray · « **Reply #10 on:** October 03, 2008, 03:19:07 PM »

Dave I can lend decoys (I have about 200) and might even join up with you. Timing always dictates.

WDFW-SUX · « **Reply #11 on:** October 03, 2008, 03:20:12 PM »

Seriously, How are they as table fare?

Ray · « **Reply #12 on:** October 03, 2008, 03:21:46 PM »

Pretty good. I believe it's what we had last Christmas for dinner at home.

GEARHEAD · « **Reply #13 on:** October 03, 2008, 08:10:30 PM »

i got drawn for a quality(?) hunt too, Wash. the area i was drawn for is 17-C, in early November. i have been googling and searching wdfw, for the exact area this is, with no luck so far. anybody hunt 17-C or are familiar with it, or maybe can make me aware of a resource to research it?

Jekemi · « **Reply #14 on:** October 03, 2008, 09:06:58 PM »

Ray (huntwa). That would be great. I'd really enjoy hunting some snow geese with someone who knows what they are doing. Let me know when you are available, I can make myself available anytime.

Ray · « **Reply #15 on:** October 03, 2008, 09:13:20 PM »

I'm not sure I know what I am doing. I just look for birds and when they fly near me I try to take em out

I like good odds though. Here's an idea of what it can look like sometimes.

NoBark · « **Reply #16 on:** October 03, 2008, 09:15:00 PM »

How were you notified? email, letter or is there a page on their website?

Jekemi · « **Reply #17 on:** October 03, 2008, 09:29:22 PM »

For good tasting game birds, especially ducks and geese, always brine your birds, 4 plus hours. Overnight is OK too. Brine consists of 1/2 cup cider vinegar, 1/2 cup salt, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 gallons cold water to cover the birds in a large bucket. Make sure the birds are covered in brine. When brined, take the birds out of the brine, dry well, inside and out. Then roast or braise the birds. You can grill the duck breasts until just pink inside. Braise the rest of the bird.

Braising means to brown the meat, then finish cooking in stock until the meat is tender. When tender, skim the fat, strain the sauce, enrich with a little butter and adjust the seasoning. Pour the sauce over the grilled duck breasts and enjoy.

Brining takes all the muddy taste out of the ducks and geese, although geese usually don't get the muddy taste that ducks get. For more game cooking hints check out my new cookbook. I will make it available to anyone on Hunting Washington electronically for free. Bound copies are $20. the cost covers printing with a few pennies donated to Ducks Unlimited. newcordia@comcast.net

Ray · « **Reply #18 on:** October 03, 2008, 09:37:24 PM »

http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/water/snow_goose_form.htm

GOcougsHunter · « **Reply #19 on:** October 04, 2008, 12:54:44 PM »

So.. I pulled a 10A Nov 17th week. Anybody know what the 10A field looks like? There are no maps, yet. It would be nice to know if there is a ditch or if I need to bring a pop up. I've only hunted them out of the bay (pass shooting) where we just tried our hardest to look like a stump with no dekes.

Ray,
your dekes, are they rags or full body? Any suggestions on the effectiveness of rags over full body dekes?

Ray · « **Reply #20 on:** October 04, 2008, 01:17:36 PM »

I have rags. Of course a full body deke would probably be ideal for fakin the birds I would guess.. but they are a lot more expensive and take up a lot more space.

GOcougsHunter · « **Reply #21 on:** October 04, 2008, 03:34:33 PM »

Thanks,Ray
Yah, my thoughts on buying $3000 worth of full body dekes was scaring me a bit.

Got some rags, home made sillouettes, bleach bottles, some flags, and 3 full body snows. We'll see how that works...

GEARHEAD · « **Reply #22 on:** October 04, 2008, 10:02:51 PM »

Guess i jumped the gun, got info in the mail today, maps to follow.
had a crazy idea. what about laying several large white tarps out, and wave flags, seems stupid i know, but from the air, and far off, wondering if they'd be drawn near. probably throw some socks around the perimeter too. just an idea, don't beat me too bad.

viper55 · « **Reply #23 on:** October 05, 2008, 06:47:57 PM »

I got the same green card so do I get to hunt snow geese or is this for a back up as it states on the website? I checked the website and was not drawn but got the card.

boots · « **Reply #24 on:** October 05, 2008, 07:24:59 PM »

you can still have a snow goose harvest card without being drawn for the Fir Island Quality Hunts.....

Snowgoose1 · « **Reply #25 on:** October 06, 2008, 01:45:32 PM »

I agree with bigbullballs, the decoy hunting was much better before the quality hunt program. I used to use around 400 and did fine almost all year long. Now I have to use 1000 to bring them down early in the season. I use a good portion of rags and mix in hardcores, spinners, flappers and flyers. I put the better coys in the landing zones and on the outside of the spread and it works until November. The quality hunts are good when they come in, but they don't always come down. The weather is a real key and scouting is a must to know what part of your field to set up on. The eagles can really help sometimes to at least keep them moving off and on all day. I agree that it's worth the wait for the day because you just don't know when they might just move right into the field your in. I didn't like the south quality hunt fieds last year by Boe rd because I feel it caused the birds to spread out to Mayrsville, Snohomish and even in the flats between Marysville and Everett. I think last year they were decoy shy before mid November. After that it was mostly sneak hunts or pass shooting. We did decoy some late, but it was rare and usually cripples that came in. Third year in a row and neither my son and I have been drawn.

BIGBULLBALLS · « **Reply #26 on:** October 07, 2008, 07:47:28 AM »

Go figure snowgoose1, the locals never draw the fields? I am not saying you wont shoot any snow geese by setting up decoys, but like you said just cripples and juvies. When we first ran our big spread we could get the 5000+ bird cyclone into the decoys. You want to talk about exciting. I think this program is great for the hunters who have never had an opportunity to hunt snow geese, but the way the state has set it up has really changed the dynamics of hunting on fir island. Wether over decoys or pass shooting I still kill 50+ geese a year but its a lot more fun to kill them in the decoys. Just my opinion

viper55 · « **Reply #27 on:** October 07, 2008, 05:48:26 PM »

I am excited about hunting the snow geese. I have never hunted them before. Any helpful tips would be great.

fish-on37 · « **Reply #28 on:** October 07, 2008, 06:59:46 PM »

Drew area 16B for mid-january. I dont have a clue either. Never hunted these things before.

Jekemi · « **Reply #29 on:** October 08, 2008, 08:58:37 AM »

I know I don't know what I'm doing. I just want to go out geese hunting with someone who has done it before. I'll be glad to contribute to the geese decoys. We got a green card and a white card. The white card outlines the areas we can hunt. I can take two other people with me, or so it says on the white card. It's a little confusing. I'd be happy to take someone along who wants access to the areas allowed on the card if they could assist me with my first snow geese hunt. Thanks.

Ray · « **Reply #30 on:** October 08, 2008, 08:59:47 AM »

Yeah I'm in. When is it?

The Weazle · « **Reply #31 on:** October 09, 2008, 05:14:24 PM »

I can see that reading this post, and another board that is 90% fishing based that some people dont understand the snow goose cards/quality hunt...The green snow goose cards you will get is to record any snow geese killed. You can still hunt snow geese even if you werent drawn for the quality hunt. You just have to find a place to hunt them.

Shadow Cat · « **Reply #32 on:** October 13, 2008, 09:31:48 PM »

Yes weasel, you are correct. The green card is just your harvest record allowing you to hunt in those counties listed on the card.

Jekemi · « **Reply #33 on:** October 15, 2008, 12:51:28 PM »

Weazle and Shadow Cat: thanks for the clarification. Obviously this is my first season for show geese. So, the white card gives me authorization to hunt snow geese in specific areas on specific days. Are certain private lands pre-approved for hunting Snow Geese or do we need to negotiate with private landowners to hunt Snow Geese on their property? I'm just not clear as to how the whole process works. Why did I get the white card - what advantage does it give me over other hunters?

Ray · « **Reply #34 on:** October 15, 2008, 01:07:45 PM »

The white card must be your permission to hunt on fir island Quality hunt for the specified times I would guess. I never won so I don't know what it looks like or says. It's like a special hunt permit in a way..

I do know there are plots of private land in that region (counties listed) which are not included on the Quality hunt. You can find those places and then ask their permission to hunt their land for the birds if you have the other card which permits you to hunt the birds. The card which details when and where you shot the birds is the one I am talking about.. Some people go to Lerivicks for example... which is farther south.

GOcougsHunter · « **Reply #35 on:** October 15, 2008, 07:44:08 PM »

Here is a copy of my permit. The instructions are pretty explicit on the permit, the letter and the webpage http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/water/snow_goose/index.htm
They are private fields that have been negotiated with by the WDFW for hunters to trespass to hunt. Maps are supposedly forthcoming.

Jekemi · « **Reply #36 on:** October 17, 2008, 10:57:19 AM »

Haven't gotten any maps yet. I'll keep my eyes peeled on the US Mail.

Coho · « **Reply #37 on:** October 17, 2008, 01:08:52 PM »

For those guys that asked..They taste good. Filet the breast..brine and grill like a med rare steak. DO NOT COOK PAST THAT. Chow down.. Its not like chicken that has to be cooked to death.

Buzzardking · « **Reply #38 on:** October 17, 2008, 02:04:17 PM »

Have the Snow Geese arrived yet? I live on Whidbey, but am just out of site of the rafts. Are there enough numbers to start hunting yet? Gas is a bit pricey to drive over and see what has arrived.

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Author Topic: FIR ISLAND SNOW GOOSE HUNT FIRST YEAR DRAWING IT (Read 13327 times)

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