MD Eastern shore Canadas

[DarylC]

Spent a couple great days with friends in Rock Hall, MD chasing canada geese. For those of you who might have gone to Hopkin's Sporting clays for the vintagers, it's not far from there. Well we really weren't chasing them, more like sitting and waiting in a blind for them. But they did show up. The first day I always like to hunt with my Dad's Beretta 303 which I had won at a clay shoot 30+ years ago and gave to him because I didn't shoot right handed autoloaders and he really liked it. He hunted with it until his death at 97 so there are plenty of ding and dents to remind me of our hunts together. We limited out by 0830 but the interesting thing was that we were shooting over a pond and these birds presented themselves, wings cupped, at 30yds. Hmmmm. The next day my 30" 20ga sterly made it's way to the blind and although it took a little longer to limit out I waited and got the perfect set and three birds made the mistake of gliding in, wings cupped and necks outstretched. Game over with two shots.

[vaturkey]

Fantastic.

[Jeff S]

Congratulations Daryl. Sounds like you brought back a lot of good memories using your dad’s old gun. And, a limit of Canadas using your favorite 20 ga. proves once again that it’s the Indian, not the arrow.

[Kimber06]

Three birds with two shots, and a 20 ga to boot. A couple of those critters must have lined up just perfectly. Congrats Daryl on what is probably a once in a lifetime achievement. Add in using your dad's gun for a great hunt and it sounds like the perfect trip.

[Sporrns]

Daryl, exactly where were you hunting? I miss Rock Hall severely ever since we lost our lease at Church Creek, right across the road from Hickory Thicket at Trumpington Manor. We had the great combo of 3 water blinds and 2 field pits. The pits were great for Canadas and the water rigs great for ducks. A family dispute on ownership and property management sent the gunning rights agreement into a tailspin which we never could resolve. It was a great place! Kevin

[DarylC]

Kevin, my good friend lives in Rock Hall on 27 acres on the Chester river. Most of that area is considered Hickory Thicket. We hunted a farm with two pits and a pond blind right off Rt 20 about 5mi outside of Rock Hall proper. We opted for the blind hoping to score a few ducks but as we all know ducks are scarce. Yes the area is special to me too. Breakfast at Ford's is always a treat.

Let me know if you would like to hunt in this area next year as my buddy has accomodations for 4 guys and is just the best host you could ever want. This invitation is also extended to any AHFCA member who would like to experience the Eastern Shore goose hunt while it still exists. Having another Fox or two in the blind showing those autoloaders how it's done would be epic.

[Jeff S]

Daryl always says “just shoot them in the head”.

[DarylC]

Daryl always says “just shoot them in the head”.

That's the only way you are going to kill a goose and it's not as difficult as people think. 1oz of 5's through that full choked sterly is deadly. Same gun, same load was used on that high flying gadwall in that SD field. You remember that one don't you?

[Jeff S]

Daryl always says “just shoot them in the head”.

That's the only way you are going to kill a goose and it's not as difficult as people think. 1oz of 5's through that full choked sterly is deadly. Same gun, same load was used on that high flying gadwall in that SD field. You remember that one don't you?

It was a mile high.

[DarylC]

Daryl always says “just shoot them in the head”.

That's the only way you are going to kill a goose and it's not as difficult as people think. 1oz of 5's through that full choked sterly is deadly. Same gun, same load was used on that high flying gadwall in that SD field. You remember that one don't you?

It was a mile high.

And stone dead. I'm so glad you were there to witness it.

[44whiskey]

way to go Daryl,great report and pics

[Foxnut]

Daryl,
Sounds like a fantastic couple of days. I’m sure hunting with your Dad’s gun was special as well as being able to hunt the “fabled” Eastern Shore.

[eightbore]

Sunday Washington Post. Article about Colonel Herb Stern, last living graduate of West Point Class of 1941. He was the only witness to my 100 yard instant kill of an escaping Maryland goose, shooting 1 3/4 ounces of steel from one of my big tens. The unfortunate thing about this event is that Colonel Stern is 106 years old and, even though he recalls that shot, he probably won't be with us for too many more years. I don't normally take 100 yard shots, but this goose had been lightly hit by another hunter and had at least a couple of shot in him.