My 10yr old and I went off on our first swan hunt yesterday. Man did we have a great time! The morning was a little slow but I was able to shoot my bird about 1030. Over all it was a slow morning as we only saw 5 groups of swans and one loner as well as 3 small groups and one large group of snow geese. Each time we saw the snows we were able to get a couple to break off and start to come into the spread but they all changed their minds at about 200ft AGL. Unfortunately, my daughter wasn't able to knock one down on her own so about 1200 we picked up to get some lunch with plans to hunt the evening on the sound.
We got out on the water and were all set up by about 4. We had JUST finished getting set when a group of 4 swans flew over but we weren't able to get them to turn back. It was SLOW until about 445 when they all decided to to fly!! It was swans everywhere!! We ended up getting 6 groups to come into the decoys and Maddie sure did awesome launching round after round but we just couldn't get one to drop. Man those are some tough birds!
We really had some GREAT father/daughter time and I can't wait until next year!!
Tim
Way to go !!!
What load were you shooting at them out of her gun? We might have to get you some tungsten for her on the next trip...that stuff is just plan bad news on critters...
Purty work there dad! That's the kind of memories that last forever and money can't buy!
Thanks guys! She was shooting a 20ga with blackcloud 3" 2s. Think next year we'll go with the Hevi-Shot rounds. And a lot more practice before we go!
Tim
Cooked up the swan tonight. It was delicious!! I stuck it in some italian dressing over night and then threw it in the crockpot this morning and cooked it all day on low. Had a unique and awesome flavor, super tender!!
Tim