Flipped Kayaks & Huge Flocks | Early Season Goose Hunting 2022

On opening day of the 2022 early goose season here in Virginia we kicked things off by heading out to the river to do some kayak jump shooting. This style of goose hunting allows us to cover a lot of water, do some fishing, and scout some spots out for duck season, all while hunting geese. It's typically an easy going hunt but between the incredible numbers of geese we saw and a flipped kayak, things got pretty chaotic throughout the morning. We were still able to finish up the day with a few limits of honkers and plenty of funny memories to look back on. Hope you enjoy!
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[@PossClan30]

Best waterfowl content on KZbin. No 100 thousand dollar setups or leases, just a couple guys enjoying the outdoors and killin it literally. Good stuff Thomas.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Caleb! I really appreciate it! One day a duck lease would be nice to do some habitat management on but I'm perfectly happy sticking to the public land and private permission stuff for now!

[@sparetimeoutdoors1643]

I agree, the goal is to have fun first and hopefully catch it on film. Instead of going out and trying to create content, just capture what naturally appears.

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

“Ahhh… I could use a little help!” Lol. I’m jealous! I haven’t had time to get out yet.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Seeing any teal coming through down there yet??

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

@@HokeOutdoors not many.

[@TheLamont22]

I enjoy your videos and the example you set for others (picking up empty shells, taking ethical shots, searching hard for downed game, etc). Shooting from a seated position on a kayak in the current can be tough, but looks like you guys managed that pretty well! In the video, you mentioned struggling to find your lead. From looking at the shot cam footage on some of the missed shots, it looks like you are slowing your swing down as you pull the trigger. I’ve struggled in that area and I’ve seen an improvement in both my shooting percentage and quality of hits by really emphasizing “swinging through the shot.” Doing that really helps to get that shot string where it needed, out in front of the birds. I’m no expert, just something that helped me and could possibly help others too.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks for watching Kevin, spot on shooting tip too! I really started focusing on that last season and saw a big improvement as well. This year I'm having trouble getting back into that habit but hopefully I'll have it ironed out here soon!

[@gavinsalyer2807]

Found your page 3 days ago and have watched almost all of your videos😂 this is how you do it!!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks brother! I really appreciate you watching and subscribing!

[@wirehairedokie8137]

Love these early season goose floats, look forward to them every year!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Tye! Hopefully we'll get one a couple more before early season ends!

[@virginiaswampboys199]

Geese and smallies in the same float. Can’t beat that.

[@HokeOutdoors]

About as fun of a combo as it gets in VA

[@TooManyHobbies]

That first flock was CHAOS!!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Haha yeah it went from calm to mayhem in a flash

[@TooManyHobbies]

@@HokeOutdoors I’m my experience, that’s the sign of a great river float 🤣

[@MidValleyMercenaries]

The River gods always require a sacrifice

[@HokeOutdoors]

If that ain't the truth I don't know what is

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Always enjoy these float goose hunts. Great one Thomas!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Elliot!

[@benjaminsims9046]

Im not even done watching this yet - about half way through. What an epic adventure and in such a beautiful setting! Good on all of you!

[@AlexBrown-jj7jm]

Great hunt Thomas! It’s getting that time of year again. Looking forward to seeing the 22-23 season.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Alex! I'm pumped up about it too, hope you have a great season!

[@johnj5985]

Good shooting! At 5:38 there's another splash visible to your 1 o'clock ( where you turned to shoot). Looks like you got 2 birds. Awesome video.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Bill! That was the last bird I shot at, didn't hit it quite as hard as I would've liked but plenty hard enough to knock it down

[@mbahbendil]

a very challenging adventure, I am also a hunter from the tropical forests of Indonesia, you can see our excitement when hunting. greetings success always for you my brother

[@stevepoe3667]

Great video guys, from one old goose hunter to another, you know how to have some good fun, caught some fish and shot some early Canada geese! I really enjoyed and thanks for taking us along, there are alot of geese where you are at, I've never been in a kayak, but bagged geese in a Canoe over the years, keep em coming 🇺🇸👍P.S. those shotgun cameras are Awesome!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Steve! How did you like the canoe for hunting out of? I've never shot out of one before but would like to change that this season. We're y'all using it on rivers or other areas?

[@kraigkaatz6858]

Amazing hunt... great video... and then swamp the kayak.... you're off to a great season Thomas... God Bless

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Kraig! Hope your season gets off to a similar start!

[@imahunterdealwithit3486]

Man you got to do some more of those river hunts I love watching them more than hunting over decoys

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks brother! Hoping to do a couple more floats during this early season!

[@darrelschlueter8802]

Y'all are so lucky to start this early....we have to wait til nov. to duck geese hunt in texas!!!....keep those vids coming they sure help curb my earges...

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Darrel, got more coming soon! You been out dove hunting down there yet?

[@darrelschlueter8802]

Yes our limit is 15per day...I can't seem to get past numb. Nine...

[@HighPrairieSportsmen]

Dang Thomas, that was an eventful hunt! Great video!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Matt!

[@Mr0001jack]

Great float and tons of geese 😊‼️

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Jack!

[@brennoncook1460]

Dude season starts in a month! Just got my first John boat. Can’t wait too slay em out here on the Great Salt Lake!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Good luck out there this season! How are things looking so far?

[@thedog24633210]

Brilliant start to your season

[@HokeOutdoors]

Definitely a fun way to kick things off!

[@tombishop8083]

Whack and stack. Good work and looked like a lot of fun for early season hunt.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Tom! It was a blast!

[@jcwoutdoors]

Absolutely love the float videos. So dramatically different than anything we have here in northeastern South Dakota. We make up for it in pheasants, but still, that looks like a blast! Stay safe and keep the content coming.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks brother! I'm definitely a little jealous of y'alls upland hunting as well as the field hunting y'all have out there

[@jcwoutdoors]

@@HokeOutdoors hmu if you're ever this direction in the fall. I'll show you why the South Dakota state bird is the pheasant! Best wishes on a great season.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Will do! I mean't to put in for a SD waterfowl license this year but missed the deadline, I think I'll still swing over that way though since I'll be back in MN around Oct and early November. Good luck to you as well this season!

[@Kaslowski25]

This needs a lot more views and shares.! Awesome video boys, congrats on the hunt&fish trip there.

[@skylerpace2410]

Awesome hunt! Really enjoyed watching this one.

[@HokeOutdoors]

I appreciate you watching it!

[@TonyMontana-jg2gu]

This is so awesome. Hunting fishing on the water. Sweet

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Tony! It's a blast!

[@shotgunaaron]

That was some action. Heck yeah.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks for watching!

[@RadReelingFishing]

Awesome video! An Old Town Sportsman 120 would be so ideal for this type of hunting, very stable and won't fill up with water. That current is so dangerous.

[@EthanPriceOutdoors]

Awesome Video!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Ethan!

[@aydnmarangoz2643]

MY DREAM ENVIRONMENT

[@geminioutdoorz]

Keep it up man ! Great video good shooting best of luck as the seasons go on!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks brother! Got more stuff coming out soon!

[@hardwaterfreaks1828]

Here to remind everyone this is 10x harder than sitting your lazy butt in a field. Great hunt boys!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks buddy!

[@SomewhereInWisconsin]

That was an adventure!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Seems like it always is on the river!

[@southernexposureoutdoors6308]

Been watching you for a couple of years, great channel!! Not sure why I’m not hunting geese this way also, awesome stuff.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks brother! You need the right kind of rivers to be able to float up on them like this but if you've got those around I'd definitely recommend trying it

[@yakingvet6328]

Living the dream!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Yessir!

[@qassim7672]

Fun and beautiful video, we hope this winter will have a lot of fishing

[@bobgiles2971]

🤣🤣 little wet on this trip awesome video definitely congrats guys hope you guys didn't lose anything

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Bob! Thankfully we recovered everything except for Brent's phone

[@RyanMOutdoors]

I love the multi tasking of hunting and fishing! That's definitely my style!! It looked like world war II with the goose dropping in the water behind you!!!!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Ryan! It can get a little chaotic at times trying to do both but it's a blast!

[@delta-db2qk]

Keep up this great content man! Super enjoyable and I will be watching from here on!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thank you! I appreciate you watching!

[@MLef111]

I can’t get enough of these kayak hunting / fishing episodes. Keep up the great work boys. Love it.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Maurice! Got another one coming out soon!

[@chucksmith5002]

The Geese were stacked in there. Hope you didn`t lose anything on the Canoe sinking enjoyed it Thomas

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Chuck! Luckily didn't lose anything on that one

[@brucehudson3241]

I was preparing for a float hunt several years ago in Indiana. My friend and I took the canoe and poles for a float a month before the opener. He almost flipped the canoe with a mistaken stroke in rapids. Glad there wasn't a gun and it was still warm. I righted it just in time.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Sounds like a bit of a hairy situation but glad y'all made it out with no lost gear!

[@Drblood6721]

Saw that video come up and had to slap the thumbs up like whackamole!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Haha I appreciate it!

[@pepepepert]

I'm heading out Tuesday morning before work to his the river and hopefully get on some big honkers. No white water on the one I hunt, well at least this far down. One thing I've learned over the years is everything get tied to the kayak. Paracord is cheaper than replacing a shotgun or phone.

[@HokeOutdoors]

How'd it go out there today? Absolutely agreed on tying stuff up

[@pepepepert]

@@HokeOutdoors Ended up having to wait until Thursday. I forgot today was my daughters' first day of school.

[@TheMotivationalMedia]

I really wait for your kayak jump shooting. ❤️ from 🇵🇰😘😘

[@leesmith5288]

Another excellent video thank you

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Lee!

[@OldmanADV]

just picked up a H10, going to do this next season ! can't wait . no blinds - just cruisin and shootin

[@PriyaPriya-om3vb]

Good hunt

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@nasserkuzbari2205]

OMG, what a great hunting video. Get yourself a waterproof box/bag for your shells and other types of equipment. I learned it the hard way last year, no more soft bags or water resistance bags. Amazing video, I'm glad you had a lot of fun. We are going on the Potomac river this Wednesday and hopefully will have a good hunting trip like yours. All the best to you and your friends. Looking forward to more videos.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Nasser! I've got a couple waterproof bags but just forgot them on this hunt, they're definitely an essential for kayak hunting though. Good luck out there on Wednesday!

[@lutherkiger4936]

I just ran across your channel about a month ago- great stuff! I used to hunt ducks and geese fairly frequently on the Pamunkey in King William, but I haven't had access to that property in years. I won the lottery drawing for the hunt at Hog Island WMA this year (great place, BTW), and I've gotten the bug to start waterfowl hunting again, but you just about need a law degree to hunt east of 95 what with all the blind laws, so I'm thinking out places I could try west of there, and your videos are giving me lots of ideas.

[@D_Boone]

You need a bandolier for your ammo. Makes reloading way faster and easier. You always know right where they are.

[@HokeOutdoors]

That's a good idea! I'll have to see if I can track one down

[@lostboysoutdoors4638]

Another great video!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks brother!

[@chadbooth4371]

Very cool hunt!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@OutofWORKoutdoors]

looks like a fun day.

[@HokeOutdoors]

It was a blast!

[@EmVDV123]

I love watching these river float videos! September teal season is going on here in Iowa

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Emily! Saw you got some teal the other morning too! How are the numbers looking over there so far?

[@user-xj9xp1rk9w]

596

[@huntershunters7185]

Great video guys

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks brother!

[@darienjohnson2528]

Can’t wait

[@HokeOutdoors]

Hope you enjoyed!

[@michaelstephenson8000]

Another quality hunt

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Michael!

[@mattmarkowicz]

You are the best man

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks for watching!

[@stevecochran2677]

Nice hunt, I wish I was younger, I would give that kayak hunting a try, no decoys to mess with and fish when the birds aren't flying.

[@forcemajeur.5138]

Man the first time I shot out of a pirogue down the bayou I thought I was gonna flip, my cajun buddies stand up in them and shoot. Flipping it sucks though but makes for a great hunting story. That Affinity 3 should be able to take on some water and be fine. You could even make a video about that. But floating down rapids shooting birds is like some sort of magical mystery tour lol, definitely not the kind of hunting style you can do here but it looks awesome.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Haha them folks down in LA sure are some wild ones. I can't imagine shooting out of my kayak while standing up, almost 100% certain that I would end up in the water. The Affinity doesn't mind a little water, but if you get it soaked the action definitely slows down some. I'm going to make a full review video on it at the end of this season

[@forcemajeur.5138]

@@HokeOutdoors Looking forward to it. I reckon its because pirogues are flat bottom but there was no way I was try to stand and shoot.

[@noahs.627]

your honor I lost my shotgun when I flipped my kayak geese hunting

[@thehiddenhunter1729]

Nice hunt 👍

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Peter!

[@MichiganOutdoorsUnlimited]

Ha! That’s funny, I flipped my kayak in 7 foot of water chasing a crippled goose yesterday!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Damn dude that's never a good situation, did you end up losing any gear?

[@bikashbasumatary710]

Wow wow wow

[@craigcaulder8849]

Great hunt

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Craig!

[@lagesangpemburu7918]

The best 👍👍

[@3TripleR]

Awesome video fellas. New supporter here

[@bradleybarnette9352]

Rain kept me off the river this past weekend 🙄 hopefully can get out at least 1 or 2 times this month! Not too many spots in the northern part of the state

[@bradleybarnette9352]

Sounds like a scam to me 🤔

[@HokeOutdoors]

Hope you can make it out there soon! Looks like these fronts that are coming are going to bring more rain so the window may be short

[@vetdrshoaibalam1363]

Amazing

[@Woodpigeonhunter2473]

Wow Amazing

[@josefyoussefpour4065]

Wow I wish we had places like that in iowa 😂 goose doesn’t get good around here till december

[@HokeOutdoors]

Need some hilly/mountainous terrain to get rivers like this for the most part, you done any teal hunting out in Iowa yet this season?

[@josefyoussefpour4065]

@@HokeOutdoors yes!! We’ve been out twice and got 10 so far. Big ducks open early October here

[@jhoffman81]

That "what you say" must be a VA thing. My nephew who lives down there says it the exact same way.

[@KingsvilleGuy1]

Great video.. really enjoy the kayak hunt vids.. "BUT DUDE YOU GUYS NEED TO WATCH WHERE YOUR GUNS ARE POINTED" about 7 times in the video where your barrels are pointed directly at eachother 😬

[@lukeseaberg7430]

Yep. Noticed that too, and came to look if anyone else commented.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks for watching Andrew! That's why my gun is stove piped for most of the hunt, keeps the gun safe and provides a visual indication too

[@larryeckart1410]

I always enjoy your videos, especially float hunts. I do cringe sometimes at the chances you take with a loaded kayak in the rapids, rocks and sweeps of your river. A couple of those situations could have been life threatening dangerous if your buddies were too far away to help. Brother I do hope you live to be 68 like me!!!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Larry! The river can certainly be dangerous but I do my best to respect it's power. The overloading of the kayak in this one was an oversight. I think all I had to do to remedy the situation was reorganize my gear to distribute more weight to the back but I didn't realize how front heavy I was until the end of the hunt

[@tonygarcia1568]

Some good shooting 👍 I was shooting some about that high with 2 3/4 number 2 shot and it wouldn't even bring them down 😂

[@nightvan4427]

Great

[@Hoangminhtv-ks5dp]

Bạn câu cá dính thấy ham quá chúc bạn một ngày vui vẻ hạnh phúc nhé

[@lonelyhunter9379]

Cara amo seus vídeos top de mais parabéns irmão

[@featherspreaderinc3146]

That's why it's called early...by the time you come back up here you'll triple every pass

[@HokeOutdoors]

I hope so! Feels like I've got a good bit of rust to knock of this year

[@spikex41]

When you float into something in moving water lean into it as much as you can, then the water will push under you rather then pull your edge under.

[@HokeOutdoors]

I appreciate the tip, I'll keep that in mind next time we hit the river

[@dabby710]

Hit the river yesterday and got 6. Might go out again tomorrow further up the river for a short float

[@HokeOutdoors]

Glad to hear y'all got some! Did you end up going out yesterday?

[@dabby710]

@@HokeOutdoors I did. Only saw 5 geese way out of range and a few woodies. Not what I usually see at that spot but there was a pile of feathers at my take out. I'd like to go up river closer to where y'all hunt but I don't think my brother in law wants to go that far

[@seanb2604]

sky busting and educating whole flocks

[@kyflkyfamilylivin8247]

Hope y'all using steel shot hunting the water and how some of them honkers ate y'all's shots lol 😂

[@michiganoutdoors9347]

Man that was some bad shooting 🤣

[@HokeOutdoors]

First few hunts of the season are always rough 😂

[@hmongfresnofishinghuntingo3553]

Nice video

[@jerryhouston4231]

Were you guys floating the james river ?

[@ItalianMr]

Good video i swear we hunt the same river practically identical...if it splits two states then we are. Might catch ya around

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Stefano! Don't think I've floated that river that you're talking about

[@JasveerSingh-dl8vi]

Nice

[@rbutler1519]

I gotta ask because it’s a franchi and I recently bought one and have a case thru it so far with no issues. How come you tap your gun before you shoot? Benelli click issues? Or turning the shotkam on maybe?

[@HokeOutdoors]

The tapping activates the ShotKam from sleep mode

[@Munkeyman213]

I got my first goose today kayak hunting

[@HokeOutdoors]

Congrats brother! Sounds like a great way to start the season!

[@Rubin5342]

Man, you guys must love to pluck and clean. I love it but too much work. Very productive method though. I would have never thought of it. //ji

[@rodneystansell6531]

I’ve really enjoyed your videos, looks like you shoot a Franchi? What choke do you use, and what’s your go to Steel shot and size?

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Rodney! Yep, that's a Franchi Affinity 3. I'm shooting a Carlsons light modified and shooting either 3 inch #2 steel or 3 inch #3 or #4 bismuth for early geese

[@cashotpb]

@@HokeOutdoors how many times did that thing malfunction vs you only having two shots in the gun

[@rawalpindihunterclub4121]

❤

[@alecvolles8849]

Hello! I am a Virginia Local (Warrenton VA) and I am wondering how to go about finding legal areas to hunt like this? I did not grow up hunting so i dont know how to go about finding legal spots to shoot.

[@hakreyfishingandhunting]

Good mas bro

[@rawalpindihunterclub4121]

Wao

[@lucasagee3989]

Hey man I live right on the Shennadoah! What stretch was this?

[@nolanminor6761]

overloaded like the edmund fitzgerald but with geese

[@HokeOutdoors]

😂😂

[@lukelafoon5200]

What body of water are y’all hunting?

[@thosangia9920]

Đã quá anh ơi 😘