"WATERFOWL NOTES"

Make The Off Season Productive

The April, May, June and July newsletters will go over the ten (10) parts of waterfowl hunting that can be corrected, improved, upgraded or repaired. This month Pattern and Penetration. May – Distance.

1. Pattern
2. Penetration
3. Distance
4. Calls
5. Transportation
6. Action Decoys
7. Field Decoys
8. Bags
9. Dress
10. Cooking

PATTERN & PENETRATION

The first month (April) lets discuss your shotgun and shells. There are many types of shells on the market to choose from. The steel shot is still the best shell for the money for snow goose hunting. It is readily available. Over the years new “closer to lead” shells have appeared on the market but with a high price per shell cost.

If you are hunting once or twice during a waterfowl season and plan to shoot 4 to 5 boxes of shells. The new non-toxic shells. Remington Hevi-Shot, Kent IMPACT Tungsten Matrix, and Bismuth N.Tox Long Range Magnum shells might be affordable.

But if you are buying shells by the case, stick with Steel Shot – learn how your shotgun shell works.

What gauge shotgun is best to harvest at geese?
10 gauge and 12 gauge will give you the best results.

What type shells ?
3-1/2”, 12 gauge and/or 10 gauge, 1-3/8 oz. BB & BBB are the very best steel shells. One or two clean pellets in vital organs will bring down most geese.

Speed kills – this works for waterfowl as well.
Winchester Supreme is listed as 1450 fps
Kent Fasteel is listed as 1550 fps
Remington Nitro-Steel High-Velocity Magnum 1450 fps

How do I know which shells to use? 
This requires a 18 pieces of 3-by-3 feet (minimum) paper, a package (18) of bright orange or red 1-inch dots (or bull’s-eyes), 7 (a minimum) each BBB shells from the 3 types of 3-1/2” steel shells (21 total shells as a minimum), 3 pieces of 1x6 (or wider) pine or fir lumber, two screw in chokes (improved cylinder and modified).

PATTERN

Pattern your shotgun. We recommend that you use both an improved cylinder choke and a modified choke to pattern your gun.

Specialty chokes for ducks and geese possibility could give a much better pattern, the Pattern master, Truglo, Haydel, Briley, etc. designed specifically for geese. First try the chokes that come with your shotgun.

Most shotguns include a minimum of 4 chokes, Improved cylinder, Modified and Full steel and Full lead. Steel shells need more open space at the choke than did lead. Because, steel doesn’t deform like lead as it comes out the muzzle. Therefore, the best chokes strip the plastic wad and send the steel out with out one shot bouncing off another shot. This can be best accomplished by an improved cylinder choke.

TARGET & PLACEMENT

Target – A piece of white paper 36 x 36 inch (minimum) white paper with a center marked with a 1-inch red or orange dot over a piece of ½ to ¾-inch plywood. Draw an outline distance of 30-inches around the center of the bulls-eye. Tack the target paper on the target stand with thumbtacks.

The outline of the target can be drawn by tying a string 30-inches long to a pencil or ball point pen, tie the other end of the string to an ice pick or some other small diameter round object. Trace the line around the bulls-eye.

Measure 30 yards, 40 yards and 50 yards from the target. Place a marker at each.

Shoot one shell at each target with the same choke – one at 30 yards, one at 40 yards and one at 50 yards. Change types of shells are repeat until all 3 types of BBB are fired at the targets. Change chokes and repeat the sighting-in. You should have 18 targets.

Before you fire at the target; write the distance and make of shell and brand on the upper right corner of the target. It is much easier to do before it is on the target board than after.

Count the number of hits inside the 30-inch circle. The target with the most “center” hits at 50 yards should be your best ammo and best choke

PENETRATION

The next test is penetration of the shot. It doesn’t do any good to have pellets hit a goose and bounce off.

Place a piece of 1 by 6 lumber (pine or fir) on the target with the wood running through the bulls eyes, up and down or side to side is OK. It works better if a bulls-eye marker is installed on the lumber.

With the “best” choke shoot one round at the bulls eye at 50 yards. Check the penetration of the pellets that hit the piece of wood.

Use a second piece of wood. Fire one shot at the wood with the second make shell. Check the penetration.

Use a third piece of wood. Fire one shot at the wood with the third make shell. Check the penetration.

Hopefully the shell with the best pattern will also have the best penetration.  These 3 shots are the minimum. You can at any time shot more targets; in this case more could be better.

If you are not satisfied with the pattern or penetration try to “borrow” some specialty chokes and see if you can improve the pattern of the shell that gives the best penetration.

A great many passing shots will be at 50 yards. Also when shooting incoming birds, the first shot could be 30 yards, the second at 40 and the third at 50 yards. Depending on the MPH of the wind, the geese could get away faster. The more MPH the quicker geese get out of range.

If you plan on taking shots further than 50 yards, mark off the distance and test fire the shell of choice – with the choke of choice. Check both the pattern and the penetration. It does no good the shoot and have the pellets bounce off the goose. Unless you just enjoy the recall of heavy shells.

SHOTGUN

Of all the 3-1/2 inch 12 gauge shotguns, we recommend the Benelli camo Black Eagle.

There are a lot of reasons – easier to clean, lighter, recall reducer, balance –

The most important reason to goose hunters is the after-market magazine extension. An extension can be added to allow the Benelli to carry 7 or 8 shells. As long as there is a snow goose conservation season, why not have a shotgun that can fire the most without re-loading.

CALL-IN SPECIALS

Because of the time required to make price changes on the duckngoose.com web site  “specials” will be in the Waterfowl Notes each month for call-in orders - Just pick-up the phone and dial (281) 821-3795.

This April through July – for all call-in orders over $ 100.00 the freight is zero – free.

CALL IN SPECIAL FOR APRIL

It is the season for grilling and barbecuing. Duckngoose.com is offering some new items that will not be on the web site for 60 days. These grilling tools are designed to be helpful and make grilling or barbecuing over gas or coals more enjoyable.

Weston Deluxe EM-2 Meat Grinder – Electric, designed so that steel shot passes through rather than getting hung up and damaging the rotating blades. Perfect for chili meat, spaghetti meat, sausages, meat loaf and hamburger meats. - $ 110.00 per each  (freight included).

Jaccard Deluxe Meat Tenderizer – 48 stainless steel blades produce incredibly tender meat. Enhance the penetration of marinades. Dishwasher safe. Eliminates pounding with half the effort and mess. - $ 27.00 per each (freight included)

15” Barbeque Tongs – Not the normal tongs. Allows the pickup of large pieces of meat and vegetables on the grill with out dropping the load or scorching your hand. - $ 12.00 (freight included)

10” x 11” Wire Basket –Open and place in  large or small pieces of meat and vegetables, close the lid. Turn over; never loose any ingredients and/or cooked food. Great for grilling goose stakes, fajitas, hamburgers. $ 20.00 (freight included)

Kabob Basket – Includes skewer frame and 6 skewers. Flip waterfowl kabobs all at one time. No burned fingers or lost food into the fire. - $ 25.00 (freight included)

RECIPE

GOOSE BURGERS

2 ea snow goose breasts, cut into 2-inch cubes
Water
Cider vinegar
Buttermilk
1/2 lb ground beef
1 tsp Sidewinder spice
2 cup fresh mushrooms, stems removed, sliced
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp lemon pepper
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
4 ea Egg roll buns, split
4 slice (1-oz) Swiss cheese
Mayonnaise

In a plastic bowl place goose cubes; cover with water plus 1 tablespoon of vinegar. Refrigerate; change water with vinegar every 20 minutes until water runs clear. Remove meat and drain on paper towels; discard liquid. Place cubes back in bowl and cover with buttermilk. Cover; refrigerate overnight. Remove meat; discard buttermilk. Grind cubes in DNG electric grinder. In a bowl mix together ground goose meat, ground beef, and Sidewinder spice. Shape into 4 patties, ½-inch thick. In a 2nd bowl combine mushrooms, cumin, lemon pepper and vinegar. Pour mushroom mixture into an aluminum foil disposable pan. Place patties in the 10” x 11” Wire Basket and grill 5 minutes on one side over medium gas grill or gray charcoal fire, about 6-inches above fire; turn basket over and grill to medium rare, about 5 to 6 minutes. Place foil pan on grill away from direct heat. The mushrooms should cook and brown but not burn. Toast buns by placing cut side down on grill 30 seconds to 1 minute, do not burn. Coat bottom bun with mayonnaise; add a slice of cheese. Place near heat to melt cheese. Place patties over cheese. Top each with mushroom mixture. Spread mayonnaise over top bun; place bun over mushroom mixture. Yield: 4 sandwiches.

RECIPE

GRILLED GOOSE WRAP

2 ea snow goose breasts, skinned, deboned, cut into 1-inch strips
Water
Cider vinegar
4 slice bacon
Wooden toothpicks
4 ea (10-inch) flour tortillas
Mayonnaise
1/2 cup red bell pepper, cut into ¼-inch strips
1/4 cup green onions, quartered, cut into ¼-inch strips
2 Tbls black olives, chopped
1/2 cup Pico de Gallo
1/3 cup sharp Cheddar cheese, grated

In a plastic bowl place goose strips; cover with water plus 1 tablespoon of vinegar. Refrigerate; change water with vinegar every 20 minutes until water runs clear. Remove meat and drain on paper towels; discard liquid. Place cubes back in bowl and cover with Italian dressing. Cover; refrigerate overnight. Remove meat; discard marinade. Wrap each breast with bacon, secure bacon with toothpicks. Place bacon wrapped meat strips in a 10” x 11” Wire Basket, cover with bell peppers and onions. Close lid; cook over a medium hot charcoal fire, cook breasts until bacon is crisp on one side; flip and grill until bacon is cooked and meat is medium-rare. DO NOT OVERCOOK. Set meat on a cutting board, cover with foil. After 10-minutes remove toothpicks and slice breast into ¼-inch strips (with bacon in place). Spread mayonnaise on tortilla; spread Pico de Gallo over mayonnaise. Top with meat, cheese, olives and cooked onions and bell pepper. Roll, jellyroll style. Place wraps one at a time on a microwave safe dish. Microwave on high 10 to 12 seconds. Repeat with each wrap. Yield: 4 servings.

Pico de Gallo

4 ea vine ripe tomatoes, peeled, chopped
1 cup purple onion, chopped
1 ea Jalapeno pepper, seeded, chopped
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped fine
1/2 tsp Serendipity

In a mixing bowl combine tomatoes, onions, Jalapeno pepper and cilantro. Sprinkle with Serendipity.

WINNERS

If you haven't yet subscribed to the monthly "Waterfowl Notes", go to: MONTHLY NEWSLETTER SIGNUP. Fill in the information and start receiving the FREE recipes, tips, columns, etc in your email every month. Plus, find out the products and hunting tactics that really work.

DUCKNGOOSE.COM
21302 Old Ranch Road
Houston, TX 77073

EMAIL