Wild geese in our country are represented mainly by the greylag goose, bean goose and migratory Greater white-fronted goose, which flies here from the north for wintering.
Generally, geese are waterfowl that live monogamously in long-lasting pairs. Throughout their lives they are bound to water, where geese nest on the shores of water bodies. At the same time, they fly to pasture several kilometers daily, for example to fields.
Geese are known for their giant flocks numbering thousands to tens of thousands of individuals during migration, when geese migrate. However, during the raising of goslings, pairs live independently.
The goose is a migratory bird and probably everyone has had a chance to see huge wedges of geese in autumn or spring, which manifested themselves with typical honking. This honking often sounds even in the dark.
Wild geese occur across all of Europe and part of Asia. The habitat of geese includes large lakes, ponds, slow rivers, wetlands and everything connected with water and sufficient cover for nesting. Geese seek out mature fields and meadows, or stubble fields, where they fly to pasture.
Geese are waterfowl bound to water. This also determines their way of life. The goose is a monogamous bird that has the same partner for many years. During spring, the goose nests in reed beds, on covered shores and usually lays 6 to 8 large cream-white eggs in a clutch. After 28 days of sitting on the eggs, goslings hatch, which are fully precocial. The gander guards the nest during nesting. After 60 days, young geese molt and begin to fly.
In autumn they fly from nesting sites to gathering places and together in huge flocks fly south to wintering grounds. In spring, geese return again. Flying at night is no problem for a goose.
Wild geese are suitable to hunt during their autumn migrations, when they gather into large flocks. For example, in the Czech Republic, hunters can hunt geese from August 16 to January 15, and only on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. In other countries, the hunting season may vary according to local legislation.
Hunting wild geese is a group hunt, where hunters hunt from the cover of reeds or from suitable positions.
Geese are shy and alert birds that can see a hunter at a great distance. For these reasons, camouflage and selection of a suitable location are very important.
Hunters usually hunt geese farther from water bodies, where they fly to pasture. This is usually mowed corn stubble or other crops.
For goose hunting, good marksmanship is primarily needed, because geese are often shot with shotguns from more than 40 meters and although the goose may not seem so, it is very fast.
Hunting is done using shotguns and the shot size ranges from 4 mm to 5.1 mm depending on the hunting distance and shooter’s habits.
Geese are hunted primarily in group hunts and here the most important things are experiences and the number of geese bagged. On the other hand, hunters can take various feathers from the wings as a memento, or have the bagged goose mounted, as it is not a completely common species of our meadows and groves.
Geese can be roasted the same way as domestic goose. You just must not be unlucky and bag an old gander, because such meat will test the teeth of every hunter.
We hope this article was useful to you!
Your Huntastic Team
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