Contest Winners: Good BS and Good Memories

I would like to say that I was surprised and totally honored that so many of you entered our little contest last month for a chance to win a free two-man goose hunt with Third Coast. It humbles me to know that you cared enough to take the time to share a memory with us, and I want to thank you for that. Also, thank you for following my little blog. Hopefully I'll see some of you in the goose rags soon!

If you didn't see the announcement on Facebook, a big congratulations goes to Johnathan Moore for winning first prize in the drawing. I have to say his entry was one of my favorite goose hunting memories. His daughter came hunting with him and a group of boys. She was a little pouty in the field, because she was sure she wouldn't get to shoot anything because the boys would be faster and shoot sooner than she could.

Well, sure enough a mature blue goose decoyed to our spread and all the boys unloaded their guns before she had a chance to raise hers. But to her surprise, when all the firing stopped the goose was still flying. So she quickly raised her gun and took her shot. Bam! One shot, one kill. She was so excited that after the bird was retrieved she kept it by her side for the rest of the hunt. Unfortunately for Johnathan's pocketbook, she insisted on getting the bird mounted. I understand that it still holds a place of honor on their living room wall.

Second place went to my old friend Danny Baker. Danny went hunting with me when he was 12 years old. I'm proud to say that I successfully ruined his life teaching him how to goose hunt, and he has been addicted to it ever since. I would like to ask everyone to send prayers to Danny, who is battling cancer. A quick talk to the Big Man would be helpful. With all our prayers, I trust that Danny will be back in the field in no time!

Finally, third place went to Karson Lee. Karson shared with me and a couple other fellow hunters the biggest hunt I've had in my lifetime. Each hunter made his limit -- 200 snow geese and 30 specs. It was one of those perfect goose hunting mornings when I guess Jupiter aligned with Mars. There was a thick fog, a 10-15 MPH wind and we were hunting a feeding field. What a hunt!

Speaking of great hunting conditions, my second favorite hunting condition is a stiff south wind at 20 to 30 MPH. (If you read my last blog, you know that my first favorite hunting condition is fog. If you missed it, Click here.)

The high wind makes birds restless, because they find it difficult to fly against. Add a bright sun, and the birds have to fly with the sun in their eyes, which essentially blinds them. When these conditions are just right, the wind keeps the birds flying low and the sun limits their ability to see their buddies landing somewhere else. I have done some serious ass whipping on those days.

Thank you again to everyone who submitted your stories. After all these years of hunting and sharing a lot of BS, it never gets old to hear (or read) your stories.