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New Jersey Brant Goose Hunt
Background: a couple of friends from Pennsylvania who hunted my new property this year wanted to pay me back with a Brant goose hunt. As an Atlantic Flyway bird, we discussed the fact that I had no realistic opportunity to hunt these birds in the Midwest/Central Flyway, and they wanted to change that. So, we made plans for my Christmas trip back that way to make it happen of just off of southern New Jersey’s coast. We would also hunt diver ducks as opportunity allowed.
This was a particularly sweet arrangement because it added another state to my hunt journal and was my first ever oceanic waterfowl hunt.
Despite seeing hundreds of birds, morning action was slow with lots of spooky buffleheads moving through, too, but clearly dodging the spread after a season of pressure. We dropped a handful, of them and then moved the setup to a distant sandbar where we saw lots of Brant traffic.
That move was the ticket.
Within minutes, we had a Brant flock work the decoys. Two shots later, I had my 2-bird limit.
The trouble of bringing my shotgun along was definitely worth the price of admission for this bucket list hunt.
If time allows, we may go back again before the trip is over. Nothing says fun like periodically moving the decoys and the boat to compensate for a falling tide!
This was a particularly sweet arrangement because it added another state to my hunt journal and was my first ever oceanic waterfowl hunt.
Despite seeing hundreds of birds, morning action was slow with lots of spooky buffleheads moving through, too, but clearly dodging the spread after a season of pressure. We dropped a handful, of them and then moved the setup to a distant sandbar where we saw lots of Brant traffic.
That move was the ticket.
Within minutes, we had a Brant flock work the decoys. Two shots later, I had my 2-bird limit.
The trouble of bringing my shotgun along was definitely worth the price of admission for this bucket list hunt.
If time allows, we may go back again before the trip is over. Nothing says fun like periodically moving the decoys and the boat to compensate for a falling tide!
Accuracy: because white space between bullet holes drives me insane.
Replies
Luis, correct me if I'm recalling it wrong. It's been a while.
Mike
N454casull
With 3 of us in the boat, we could bag 6 Brants (we got 3 total including mine) and 18 various ducks (we got 4). We had to stop when the low tide forced us out, but the potential for 24 total birds is definitely a worthwhile outing.
I had actually hunted small game in form of rabbits and squirrels on very limited occasions before we went for pdogs, but it was hardly a consistent pursuit. Once I got seriously into rifles with you, the floodgates opened.
Oh, and I forgot to mention that New Jersey put a cramp in the hunt. They wouldn’t sell me a printable online license until I provided proof of hunter safety completion in person to an authorized license dealer. That got us on the water about 40 minutes late. The closest dealer to our spot was a Walmart, but they weren’t open after Christmas until 7AM, well after legal shooting time started. I have a strong feeling we lost a ton of chances at first light.
Mike
N454casull
Mike
N454casull
Cool hunt, Luis. I agree with Mike, you're a hunting demon!
I have to ask. Are brants decent as table fare?
Gun control laws make about as much sense as taking ex-lax to cure a cough.
Sounds worth the drive, Luis!
Mike
N454casull
Gun control laws make about as much sense as taking ex-lax to cure a cough.