Early Season GOOSE HUNTING 2020 | There Were Honkers EVERYWHERE...

After a rough start to goose hunting for the 2020 early season here in Virginia we were able to get out on the river and track down some of the dumb resident birds we'd been hoping to get after. The morning started off well with us bumping birds less than 30 minutes into our float and the action proved to be consistent throughout the morning. We were able to jump shoot some birds and pass shoot others as they came back over the water and it turned out to be a spectacular day that netted us 17 geese. Hope y'all enjoy!
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[@Bloor11]

Just a tip that I do, i highly recommend putting a leash of some type on your gun so that way if you tip over or something happens, you don't lose your gun!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Great tip for sure! I would typically do this but I misplaced my second leash this offseason

[@KeplerCreekOutdoors]

Lost a gun before. It’s not ideal. Lol

[@nagazinafireworks7594]

Lost my $1500 gun on my first trip on the water I flipped. now I know.a little to late.

[@adamr9215]

@@nagazinafireworks7594 Sounds like you needed to practice using a boat before trying to hunt from it.

[@nagazinafireworks7594]

@@adamr9215 Yeah you can say that again...

[@brudoug1]

Great video. You guys had one hell of a day between the river goose hunt adventure and the afternoon dove hunt! Memories for life.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Doug! You are 100% right

[@jordanspencer33]

Hey Thomas, just a quick question for you. I know this is an old video, so I was wondering your thoughts on the franchi after a couple years. I was looking at getting one for this year, but that Benelli click seems really frustrating. What are your thoughts on reliability after running it for a few years? Thanks man!

[@akseli654]

This was one of the best hunting videos I have watched. I wish you would do more videos like this. I really like how careful and respectful you are with you hunting. Greetings from Finland!

[@SteviesWondersWOW]

Respectful? He kept calling the birds "dumb."

[@wtwoffroad]

What river? From va myself, Danville

[@dansheppard742]

Looked like a fun hunt! You fired 18-20 times, and how many of those empty hulls did you retrieve? Just curious honestly. The public lands that I hunt seem to be infected this year with shotshell empties, I've personally picked up several hundred left behind by others. I've only been out a few times, and it's felt like a clean up mission rather than a hunt lol. Your videos are very good, but please try your best to keep the areas clean so our future generations can enjoy the opportunities that we have currently ✌

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Dan! We always pickup all our hulls and I ended with close to 25 in the bottom of my boat at the end of this day. The areas around us can be littered with them too and it really looks bad for us as waterfowlers

[@dansheppard742]

@@HokeOutdoors Great to hear.

[@laneromero7943]

@@dansheppard742 If he put every clip of him getting the shells he shot you would be at an hour long video.... So dont just assume what people are doing, most KZbinrs are good people & they just cant show every moment!!

[@johnas513]

Just curious, do you normally shoot the lead duck/goose. Cuz I always thought that the first person should shoot the back ones so that I doesn’t make them veer off. Just wanna get your opinion on that.

[@ethanr8873]

Dude I found you for your Dove tips, but honestly now you are one fo my favorite hunting youtubers!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Ethan!! I really appreciate that! Hope you keep tuning in as the season goes along

[@BLASTER-vb5wu]

Great river hunt Thomas. Y’all definitely had a great river float. It’s just beginning keep the videos coming!!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Colby! Hopefully more coming soon!

[@DuckGunChronicles]

Finally got around to watching this. Look like a ton of fun 🤙. Nice Vid Yung Thomo

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Jordo! It was a heck of a time

[@wildwes215]

What shells did you use

[@HokeOutdoors]

Typically Kent or Federal

[@FAFO_24]

Is that a Franchi? I know this is an older video but do you still recommend getting one? I just picked up a Franchi Elite and I've noticed you having lots of problems with yours in the past couple videos i've watched.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Yep this was right when I got it and still needed to break it in. I’d definitely recommend it though, only ever had a couple hunts when it didn’t want to cycle and the majority of those were times it was super dirty and I forgot to clean it

[@HighPrairieSportsmen]

That river is super sweet looking. Way to get on them Thomo!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Matt! It's a scenic one for sure!

[@godslittleman5451]

Glad to see you not take that shot when you were swinging around to the left where your buddy was there. Good job Thomas. Stay safe

[@jarredmirza9168]

What stretch of the river was this?

[@ClarksOutdoors]

I had my Beneli do the same thing. Just cleaned her all up and she shoots fine now. Are you hunting out of kayak or small canoe?

[@HokeOutdoors]

Yep, same issue here, nothing some cleaning and oil wouldn’t fix. That’s an Old Town Discovery 119

[@TheKevinwildman]

What choke and ammo are you guys using? Also what cano is that?

[@HokeOutdoors]

On this hunt I was shooting Kent 3 inch #2s through a Carlsons Light Modified choke. My boat is an Old Town Discovery 119

[@iss7rong579]

Do you let the cartridge cases in de river?

[@HokeOutdoors]

No we pick them up

[@user-no9qb6lj7c]

What shotgun were you running ?

[@wrightcanadian1250]

what are you floating around in and where did you get t

[@HokeOutdoors]

That's a old town discovery 119, you can find them online or in some sporting goods stores

[@MattTZew]

Did you paddle Elliot's Ascend H12 at all? How do you think it compares to the discovery 119?

[@HokeOutdoors]

I didn’t get to paddle Elliot’s H12 but I did get to try one that my buddy has. The 119 paddles a lot better in my opinion but the H12 is much more stable. That said I feel 100% comfortable in my 119 and have never flipped it

[@thedriveinopera8889]

Going to be doing the exact same thing Saturday....only stopping along the way to finish up a duck blind we started earlier in the summer. Nothing like the first float hunt of the year!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Yeah man it's becoming somewhat of a tradition for us! Good luck out there and be safe

[@kieranyoung8175]

"Can yall fly or what" 😆

[@peiosagastigordia3015]

What happens with the sells? Do you pick up them?

[@HokeOutdoors]

Yes we pick them up once we recover our birds

[@jadenphair-williams9800]

Holy those geese aren’t scared at all lol.

[@Huechang7777]

What kind of camera do you have on your gun?

[@jakez1841]

I love how throughout half the video your gun is pointing at your friends. Good job

[@jhhuntingproductions9496]

Bruh are you fr😂

[@jakez1841]

@@jhhuntingproductions9496 Evidently you dont understand

[@jhhuntingproductions9496]

@@jakez1841 I do. I see it. Everyone does it. It’s how you kayak hunt

[@duck_poppa]

Honest question. With the sun being in your eyes and not being able to see ahead, how are you 100 percent certain no one walked in and was on the bank fishing? Or kids hanging out on the Boulder? You just float up, guns blazing shooting into the unknown.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Plain and simple I shouldn't have taken those shots into the sun, no argument there. Everyone makes dumb decisions from time to time and that was one of them. Aside from that one lapse in judgement though all the shots taken on this hunt were 100% safe. I will add even in the situation where the sun was in my eyes I could see the opposite bank and would have been able to see any people/objects that were over there. We also float remote stretches of river on purpose to reduce the chance of encounters with others as much as possible

[@Jonathann2000]

I am not into hunting at all, but im just wondering. Do you leave the geese half dead in the boat without killing them and leave them in pain? Im not saying you do it wrong, im just wondering since I do not hunt.

[@benodonovan8907]

They are not alive it’s just twitching

[@cfong_sports394]

Its just nerves

[@MidValleyMercenaries]

Crazy hunt! River can be such a blast

[@ScrtAznMn]

So, is a canoe, kayak, or inflatabble boat considered a floating waterfowl blind? Do I have to pay the 41 bucks for the Floating Waterfowl Blind permit?

[@TheRigReaper]

Nice what size shells r you guys shooting

[@TheRoamingHazard]

This was one of the most entertaining hunt vids, got me thinking about kayaks now.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks man, I appreciate it! Kayaks have opened up so many opportunities for us, I’d highly recommend trying one out

[@user-9979]

It's true

[@FreelanceDuckHunting]

Such an entertaining video! Love these river floats.

[@HokeOutdoors]

They are a blast! One day you'll have to come join in on one

[@OvertimeGamers218]

What kayak do you use ? It looks like it has plenty of room

[@HokeOutdoors]

I use an Old Town Discovery 119, it does have amble room

[@davidkilroy8057]

Awesome video footage Thomas that's probably one of the coolest floats I've ever seen. Biggest Florida Phan Dave Kilroy

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks David! I’m glad you enjoyed it! It was one of the most fun days I’ve had on the water in a while

[@xpeppe88]

Lead or iron? So all of your cartridges go lost in the river?

[@HokeOutdoors]

We're shooting steel loads and we pick up our shells after everytime that we shoot

[@slyflyby]

Great video as usual Thomas,thanks. Do you guys have to paddle back up river to where you put in or do you have a truck down river where you plan to take out? On gun "miss fires" IF chamber bolt is not fully closing your gun needs a good cleaning. Crazy way to hunt geese but mighty effective!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Sly! We do have a vehicle at the end of these floats, this river moves way too quick to be able to go much distance against the current. Exactly right about the gun. I got it muddy right off the bat and should've cleaned it early but live and learn

[@jamesonfay8251]

Have to say, probably the most unique hunt video I've watched. Epic hunt, man.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks man! This isn't a style that many would call orthodox but it sure is fun!

[@barbaragraff1863]

Whatare you doing With them

[@Drblood6721]

Great job Thomas! There are a few spots we can do that on up here in VT. Love the just raw float and see what we get hunts

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thank man! I love how adventurous this style of hunting is, you just never know what could be up ahead. Been out for geese at all yet up there?

[@Drblood6721]

@@HokeOutdoors I just bought a house 9/1 on our opener so still unpacking mostly. Hope to set our blind this weekend and get a hunt in the last weekend. More just getting set up for duck this yr i think. Thanks for asking!

[@sawyerwilliams6507]

What gun do you shoot and recommend

[@HokeOutdoors]

I shoot a Franchi Affinity 3. I like it a lot but I’d recommend just shooting whatever gun fits you best

[@MaureOutdoors]

Damn you guys are brave in kayaks! Great video just what I needed this morning!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed! Definitely a warm weather style of hunting given the chance of getting wet

[@meghan7547]

Looked like fun!!! One thing, respectfully, clean your guns before you hunt, I have shot a SBE 2 for years goose hunting, never had a hangup or misfire. Tear down and clean, wipe with Break Free, let dry, wipe again and assemble, takes all of 15 minutes. My family is mostly military at one point in their lives, clean guns before going into battle... way I was raised and taught.

[@HighPrairieSportsmen]

Very good advice.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Meghan! I had my gun all nice and clean before the hunt and of course had to stick it in mud before we ever even left the boat launch. That Break Free seems like the real deal though, just switched to it and have been very impressed so far

[@shawn5141]

Thomas, do you have to have a floating blind permit if you don't grass your canoe/ kayak?

[@HokeOutdoors]

You do not Shawn. We're west of 95 here so we wouldn't need one anyways but when I hunt east of 95 and burlap/grass my kayak I do have to have one

[@shawn5141]

@@HokeOutdoors Gotcha. I knew east you did but as the permit law reads it sounds like it excluded paint from needing a permit. Thanks

[@charlesbray3118]

Just curious what are the stipulations on doing this as far as laws? Ive never water fowl hunted do you have to register your yak as a floating blind? I am from Virginia close to Richmond.

[@HokeOutdoors]

If you are west of I95 or just have your kayak painted and not camouflaged in any other way you don't need to a floating blind license for your kayak. If you are east of 95 and using a brushed/camouflaged kayak you will need one

[@charlesbray3118]

@@HokeOutdoors I know no one really owns the river but do you have to watch out for houses on the river?

[@HokeOutdoors]

@@charlesbray3118 No. We float remote stretches to purposely avoid people

[@charlesbray3118]

@@HokeOutdoors Awesome man what county do you hunt the most? I cant wait to take my son hunting for the first time in two weeks for youth deer weekend.

[@HokeOutdoors]

I don’t really hunt any in particular honestly. I’m from Richmond but now go to school in southern VA and travel all over the state during a waterfowl season

[@ReidSwanson_Outside]

Awesome float! Early season just started here in Indiana so I plan on getting out and doing the same. Thanks for the entertainment, I know filming a hunt is a lot of work!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks man! It definitely can be some work but the product is certainly worth the effort in my opinion. Good luck up there in Indiana this season! Do y'all have rivers like this to float on or are y'alls a little different? The ones my buddy hunts on up there are more wooded/swampy

[@ReidSwanson_Outside]

@@HokeOutdoors The rivers are definitely different, more swampy but still float able and full of geese at the right time. I use a jon boat with a mud motor to get into different shallows connected to the river that usually hold good size groups.

[@dawrangla1986]

Honker beat down! This is awesome.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Jason! Hopefully we'll have a hunt together like this soon

[@kraigkaatz6858]

What a great adventure... I think I had as much fun watching as you all did in the hunt..

[@HokeOutdoors]

I'm glad to hear it! These river floats always an adventure if nothing else, never know what your going to find around the next bend

[@dalaggeboys2680]

What is the limit for geese

[@barisyalcin3619]

What is the brand of your tufeg

[@HokeOutdoors]

Come again?

[@owennepple4744]

What is ur limit ours in iowa is 2 then 3 in the late season

[@HokeOutdoors]

Our limit is 10 during the early season (statewide). During regular season we have different zones but this would be in a 3 or 5 bird limit zone

[@myronhigh3527]

Great videos boys! Keep it up, and be safe!!!🤗👍😉

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thank you! You as well

[@bradyhull4489]

Looks like an amazing hunt. I was wondering if you shoot with both eyes open? Our do you close one eye?

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Brady! I close one of my eyes for waterfowl but keep them both open for doves. I don't really know why that is honestly

[@robbiechan9505]

Great video man! I would recommend getting those small handheld radios for better communication with your buddies, we use them all the time for deer hunting and it works well

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks man! That’s definitely something that we need. We actually made a point to pick some up after last season and never did but I’m gonna look for some now that you reminded me

[@jeremymatlock2049]

Dude that was awesome..way to get into them!! Congratulations on some BIG HONK DADDYS

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Jeremy!

[@yamisyzz1957]

What’s do you use? What kind of gun? And what kind of camera is on your gun?

[@ozarkmountainwanderer3472]

Right on fellas.👍 Teal opens Saturday for us in Missouri and our early goose is Oct. 3rd I believe. Good luck this season, stay safe.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks man, you too! Good luck this Saturday! Still got to wait a couple more weeks to chase teal out here. How long does y'alls early goose last for and is it meant to target residents or early migrators? Just curious cause we get to chase resident birds pretty much all Sept but don't get another crack at them till late November

[@hunterleonard4827]

Virginia Outdoors Unlimited In Missouri it goes from the 3rd to 11th, the area I’m from is mainly just residents during that time. They’re harder to hunt, seems like they already know what’s going on lol

[@HokeOutdoors]

Gotcha. That makes sense. I like that we get to go after our residents early cause once the teal/duck hunters get out there they start to figure out whats up

[@toddsoutdoors5539]

What shot size you using?

[@HokeOutdoors]

#2 shot on this hunt

[@naterakness6624]

What’s the limit for early season in Virginia?

[@HokeOutdoors]

10 birds per person

[@cole5038]

what river

[@jdkennedy77]

Great stack for 3 guys and a kayak drift n blast!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Yup! We're gonna have to try a little cast and blast once this water goes down a little more

[@zachdensow1836]

What’s the limit down there per day?

[@kimjongun505]

Hi, was just curious if u were using buck or birdshot, otherwise happy hunting bro!

[@D.WingroveOutdoors]

Loved the vid so much I had to film a float hunt, love your content brother keep it up!

[@sergio_barragan4889]

Hi do you need permitting to hunt like to drive you need a license but to you need something like that to hunt ???

[@HokeOutdoors]

Yes a license is required to hunt waterfowl in all 50 states

[@sergio_barragan4889]

@@HokeOutdoors oh ok thx

[@carlosdavila2552]

what kind of canoe are you using

[@HokeOutdoors]

Its an old town discovery 119

[@brandenschwarztrauber7518]

What benilli are you shooting?

[@HokeOutdoors]

Its a Franchi Affinity 3

[@CS-xo4kh]

Hot dang !!🦆🦆🦆so much excitement all in one day. The only part I don’t like is fast water through those Boulder fields. I have a couple of spots where there is fast water through down sunken massive cedar trees. They will turn you over in a flash.

[@addisonhoeper175]

How many geese are y'all allowed to take early season?

[@HokeOutdoors]

We have a 10 bird limit during our early goose season

[@vitorhugooliveirapaiva2424]

Quem é brasileiro deixa o like nesse comentário pra ver quantos tem 🤝

[@guardianwings8203]

🤙salve

[@uluanel]

Desnecessário matar os bixinho, ele nao passa fome, pra que fazer isso, denunciei no mínimo umas 50 ou 70 vezes

[@guardianwings8203]

@@uluanel meu chapa, eles tem licença pra isso, é legal e normalmente eles caçam para vender como comida Aprende antes de julgar 👍

[@claudineicosta5908]

@@guardianwings8203 deve ser vegano kkkk

[@foxguiff3087]

Iler intend chort hahaha aqui e o Brazil

[@777497]

What kind of camera is on your shotgun?

[@HokeOutdoors]

ShotKam Gen 3

[@tyan.outdoors]

What is your GoPro recording settings?

[@HokeOutdoors]

My head cam is a GoPro Hero 8. Settings are 2.7K at 60 FPS in Linear mode with hypersmooth stabilization. I don't use boost though.

[@useryggfdcc]

@@HokeOutdoors I just got myself the GoPro Hero7 for my first geese/ deer hunting season here in Canada. Super fun!

[@ScrtAznMn]

Are there any parts of the river where you are not allowed to shoot?

[@HokeOutdoors]

Yeah I think there are a couple sections that are in city limits so you can't shoot there but nothing along this stretch that we floated

[@perrapersson7059]

Do you guys eat them? Or just shooting em down for fun?

[@705Ibanez]

You won't forget that hunt for a while haha

[@HokeOutdoors]

I hope not!

[@allanxh9904]

What gun are you using ?

[@HokeOutdoors]

Franchi Affinity 3

[@Pedram_Jet]

Is this public or private property and where is this located ?

[@willwieboldt7357]

Get yourself some clensoil. It’s great for inertia guns because it lasts for a long time. No need to reapply on a regular basis. It’s thin but It never freezes, it was made to withstand cold temperatures so it’s great for the winter too.

[@godslittleman5451]

Clensoil Got it Thanx

[@davidkilroy8057]

Thomas how many geese can you shoot during your early season.

[@HokeOutdoors]

10 per person during our early season

[@jz00826]

We're yall on the shenandoah river?

[@emrywatson2986]

I don’t really watch many goose or duck hunting vids but this vid was super entertaining

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Emry! Glad you enjoyed

[@stongnyid]

I'm not trying to jump in your honeyhole, just wondering where this is possible: Is this the New River? James?

[@knightcustombuilds6988]

If u can't make it too SC, maybe I'll come to NC an join u on some public hunts. We shoot alot of Woody's an mallards an plenty of divers. Very fun hunt

[@joshuaeck2712]

Totally awesome hunt! I love to try that one day!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Josh! It's definitely something I think everyone should try once. It probably not for everyone but it's a fun change of pace for us

[@rocketsets9935]

You shot over your Virginia limit lmao

[@HokeOutdoors]

Limit is 10 during September

[@husamiraq613]

Beautiful, I love fishing

[@davidconner6417]

Are you on the new River in va

[@josephbastien8006]

Great video!!! One concern...@13:05 you announce your 5th kill. But you keep shooting and at 14:12 you kill another. What is the early honker limit where you hunt? Or was this a continuity issue where the footage was of an earlier kill? Anyway, super job! I'm no longer nimble enough to hunt this style and miss it dearly! So, THANK YOU for this vid!!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Joseph! Our September limit is 10 geese so that was the reason for that. Hope you’re still able to get out and enjoy some time in the field this coming season!

[@josephbastien8006]

Wow! 10! That's amazing. 5 here in Michigan. Yeah, I can handle most other waterfowling methods. I took a big dunking in the 2019/20 season from my canoe while setting out honker dekes (twice) which convinced me to set that method aside. That fast moving current you were paddling sure was intimidating! Enjoy turkey season brother!

[@fullstrapoutdoors9154]

First, great vid cant wait till duck season and that looks like fun!.🦆👈👍👌🤙

[@ashleytidwell8455]

Second

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks man! Good luck to y'all this duck season

[@bigredhunters1364]

Man that looks like a great time!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks man! It was, hoping to get back out there this weekend

[@jamesgardner395]

Just found your channel and subbed. Great video. I do a fair amount of goose hunting here in NY.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks James! I really appreciate you subscribing! Been out for geese in NY at all yet this September?

[@jerseyboyhunting5666]

Virginia Outdoors Unlimited I went out today with Ana our fitter we shot 93 we were hunting with the guys who own dive bomb decoys

[@roblacitinola866]

That was sweet! Great job!! What canoe and length were you in?

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Rob! That was my Old Town Discovery 119 I was using, it's 11'9"

[@HuntANtrap]

Okay I have to ask.. why do you slap your gun sometimes before you shoot?

[@HokeOutdoors]

It activates the shotkam from sleep mode

[@HuntANtrap]

@@HokeOutdoors I assumed that’s what it was.. thanks!

[@KenpoFish]

Awesome hunt.Great job guys.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thank you!

[@scottpitek2178]

So are there any low profile PFDs you consider wearing? Even the shallowest water with the right current can spell disaster if you go in the drink. Safety first!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Yes. I have an Old Town Lure Angler PFD that I wore on this float and have been using for a year. It was 80 degrees this morning and I am a strong swimmer though so I do not put it on unless we are going through rough water. I'm all for safety but until the weather gets cold I feel 100% comfortable in my kayak without it

[@caydenleone8770]

What’s your limit up there on geese

[@HokeOutdoors]

10 per person during the early season

[@haydenschambers6123]

The day I been waiting for you posting a goose hunting video ✔️

[@HokeOutdoors]

Hope you enjoyed it!

[@haydenschambers6123]

I always do Thomas!!!!!!

[@paulbouchard8221]

sick vid, how many shells can y’all chamber there? only 3 in colorado

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks man! We can only have 3 for all waterfowl seasons here

[@samidogan1325]

the brand of the gun, the brand of the cartridge you use and how many numbers, how many grams🦆🦆🦆

[@HarrisonMacher]

Is that a Macados glass on your mantle?

[@HokeOutdoors]

Lol it is