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#384553 11/17/14 09:00 PM
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Last January I took a trip to shoot Cape Barren Geese on Flinders Island, in Bass Strait, between mainland south eastern Australia and Tasmania; I'll be going again next January.

The whole setup is a bit unusual. They were at one time endangered, and are still restricted to a fairly small stretch of coastal hinterland and islands in the region, but conservation efforts have seen them prosper again enough so that they can locally be troublesome as they feed on cereal crops and feed on and and foul pastures, so limited culling is permitted to reduce and disperse them. There is one commercial operator on the island who'll arrange trips (and who our group went with). He either has us wait under flight lines at dusk or dawn, or during the day, he conceals a line of guns between gaps in trees (for the geese don't get much elevation, and will pick the gaps between trees) and drives them over us.


The usual caveats about reasonable concealment and camouflage, staying still until they're in range etc apply. It's some of the best shooting I've had - big, tough, handsome birds which move with deceptive speed. Cartridges are supplied on the island - 1 1/4oz #2 or BB, but others I know who've done it have taken vintage 10s and 8s loaded with cartridges they'd brought. Doubles (for this is a double gun forum!) are king in Australia (since that hateful little weasel John Howard took self-loaders off us), and I used the well-used, now-refurbished, but utterly reliable and practical 1954 Beretta 410E that came down to me from my grandfather.


Perhaps those of you who have more geese available to shoot than we do will understand, but we were all a bit sceptical about being told to headshoot them with shotguns until we understood that meant to place the pattern over the head and neck to best drop them, something we just don't need to over-think with our ducks.

I brought a goose skin home and had it mounted as a memento, and "Barry's" impassive, glassy gaze is an imposing sight in the loungeroom!

We were also able to enjoy some beach fishing along miles of beautiful, unspoilt beaches; there are wild turkeys and peacocks on the island, too; didn't get one last trip, but may try again next.

They're something a bit different for you all to enjoy anyway; I'll throw some photos up in a short while.

If anyone's really inspired, keen for a big trip south, and free in mid-January, I may have a spot, too...

Last edited by cadet; 11/19/14 03:38 AM. Reason: now with pics...
cadet #384568 11/17/14 10:09 PM
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There was an article in one of the American hook and bullet magazines a year or two ago about the Flinder's Island shooting. Looking forward to pictures of your adventure, Cadet..Geo

cadet #384688 11/19/14 03:40 AM
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Couple of pics up now...

cadet #384689 11/19/14 04:15 AM
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Thanks for that, Cadet! Recently finished some successful sand hill crane hunting and the advise about 'head shooting' is quite sound as that is wot we practice as well. Did a too early goose hunt that was less than stellar .. too hot as well, never fired a shot & watched what geese were about alight in our field several hundred yards removed & effectively give us the 'fickle finger of fate'. Its why its called hunting;-) Much appreciate your good pics and the story, wishing you many a continuance!

Last edited by tw; 11/19/14 04:21 AM.
cadet #384699 11/19/14 08:51 AM
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Neat, thank you for sharing!


Scotty
tw #451153 07/24/16 07:10 AM
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tw et al, sorry OT but tw's private box is full. Still at the university?

cadet #451154 07/24/16 07:19 AM
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Thank you, cadet, for that report and the pics. Do I recall you posting about this several years ago? I really enjoyed that report and pics back then, and just as much so now.

Great looking mount!

SRH


May God bless America and those who defend her.
cadet #451212 07/24/16 07:56 PM
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Nice Cadet, the photos and the report on how you hunt the birds! Certainly sounds like a fun hunt.

Cape Barren Geese look to be a handsome bird! How big do they get?

I just googled "Cape Barren Geese." Wikipedia says they get up to about 15 1/2 lbs.....a good sized bird!

Last edited by Cameron; 07/24/16 08:04 PM.

Cameron Hughes
cadet #451283 07/25/16 08:05 PM
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Neat, thank you for a post on something most if not all but a few will ever get to do

Last edited by old colonel; 07/25/16 08:05 PM.

Michael Dittamo
Topeka, KS
cadet #451520 07/28/16 04:52 AM
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Holy thread resurrection, Batman!

I linked to this thread in a new one the other day: I'm trying to get another trip going for Jan 2017, but need a few more people to make it viable... let me know if anyone's keen.


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