Early Season GOOSE HUNTING On The RIVER | Our Best Kayak Float Yet!

I made it back to Virginia just in time for some early season goose hunting and we decided to kick things off over water with a river float from our kayaks. These resident geese don't fly much this time of year since there aren't any cut fields in this area but we had found a couple big grass mats when scouting so we started off our morning setting up decoys on one of them. We had a couple flocks give us opportunities but things died off pretty quickly so we headed down the river to try jump shooting a few birds. We had to make it through a little white water but it ended up being completely worth it. Hope you enjoy!
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[@michaelmedrick6891]

That is so great that we get to see you picking up your empties! I respect that.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Always try to leave the river cleaner then when we got on it

[@kevrs73]

Picking up brass, or any trash, is something that any outdoorsman should do their best to clean up. Kudos to you to for keeping our outdoors clean. 👍🏻

[@setharteaga8223]

This was one of the most unique and coolest hunts I’ve watched. Looks like a blast!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Seth! It’s always a good time spending a September morning on the river!

[@akseli654]

These river float videos are the best hunting videos in the internet. I hope you keep doing these!

[@HokeOutdoors]

I really appreciate it! More coming soon!

[@nyoutdoors1101]

I agree

[@alwaysblessed3133]

Ive never been goose hunting and never thought i would ever be interested in hunting water fowl but after coming across your channel im hooked!!!!!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks man! Glad your enjoyed and hope you get to go out sometime this season!

[@lisarobinson6313]

i"m 63 years old and like to crow hunt. I enjoy watching your river hunts and plan to go on my first goose hunt in September. I live in NC on a lake where the mouth of the Catawba river that feeds the lake is 3/4 of a mile from my house. I've already scouted birds at the mouth and planning on floating from further up the river today. Wish an old man good luck LOL.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Hope you have a safe and succesful first outing! I think you'll find that waterfowl hunting is strangely addicting but just as if not more fun than crow hunting. Let me know how the September hunt goes!

[@moustafakaid3904]

I’ve been waiting for it man this is something you don’t see a lot. I would suggest you keep doing it and no need to remind you about safety talk in the morning before you guys start the day.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks brother! The safety talk is huge especially on these rivers

[@bigwilly434]

I'm a NW fly zone guy, living in the low country now. Enjoying your content, keep it up!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks for watching! How's the hunting down there?

[@mikemcedward6218]

Few flocks that made pore life choices best line heard in a long time good hunt

[@HokeOutdoors]

Haha glad you enjoyed!

[@havokwonder1212]

River hunts are my favorite by far!!! It would be fun to see the Flyway collective do a river hunt when you guys meet up and do the collaboration. GOD BLESS!

[@HokeOutdoors]

That would be a fun time! I've been trying to get them to come out to VA so hopefully next year we can make it happen!

[@havokwonder1212]

@@HokeOutdoors looking forward to it!! Washington state just had early goose season on Sept 4th and 5th. Our limit is only 4 birds per day. I got 3 geese. Feels so good good be hunting again. Good luck this season and Stay safe.

[@tensor569]

This is great! Kayaking down a river and letting it rip!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks for watching Greg!

[@jacobfranke3138]

Great video! Nice work picking up the empties!!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Jacob! Gotta keep the river as clean as we can

[@jaredhendrickson9614]

Your float and water hunts are the best.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Jared! More coming soon hopefully!

[@jaredhendrickson9614]

@@HokeOutdoors I am a big fan. I float for ducks and geese all the time where I am from.

[@greasemonkey331]

I like all the different hunting styles you’re bringing, keep up the great job!

[@jamesonfay8251]

I love these river floats mostly because they are something totally different. I love field hunts, don't get me wrong. Really, a big part of the reason I like the channel so much is because so many of your hunts are drastically different than what I experience in KS.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks brother! I appreciate the feedback, planning on continuing to mix it up with the areas and styles we hunt

[@FishingwithFro]

I personally love the float hunt videos, they are my favorites! Good job dude!

[@morganclairdayii5609]

I hunt the norther lower peninsula with my buddies here Michigan...Wendi a lot of Publix land hunting and river hunts...the river hunts are always a good time!

[@HokeOutdoors]

How's the early season been for y'all up there! Absolutely agreed on the river hunts

[@nolanminor6761]

This is what VA hunting is all about. By any means necessary!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Gotta do what we can..

[@timaugustine9294]

Love the goose river float hunts, and your ND goose hunt was 🔥!!!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Tim!

[@nasserkuzbari2205]

WOW, amazing hunt. I always like river hunts like this one...great job

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Nasser!

[@philhunt5014]

Hi I’am over in England United Kingdom 🇬🇧 I like to watch your river hunts as we are not aloud to do that in our country so I do enjoy watching how you get on and it is cool you take time to pick up your empty cartridges good luck for the rest of the season 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻

[@FlyTailsInc]

I like your kayak hunts they are very unique and I am going to get my little canoe going to try and hit some areas in my town that maybe other people can’t get too. Good luck this season!!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks brother! Hope your kayak adventures treat you well and good luck too!

[@kylelewis7786]

I like seeing these jump shoot hunts

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks for watching them! I appreciate the feedback too

[@HighPrairieSportsmen]

Dang Thomas, you almost taken out by a goose again haha! That was a heck of a float!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Matt! It was some weird deja vu there for a second

[@MLef111]

Love watching these water type kayak hunts. Too many ppl doing field hunts and not many doing good kayak hunts like this. Keep up the good work. I hope to kayak hunt next season. Thx.

[@HokeOutdoors]

They’re definitely a fun change of pace and chance to checkout some new scenery! Hope you can get out in the kayak soon! It’s always a blast

[@MarkAustinKelton]

The water goose hunts are cool because no one else is doing them on youtube, but obviously, all goose hunting is still enjoyable to watch :)

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks for the feedback Mark! More water hunts coming soon hopefully

[@clintsmith6111]

I dig both styles of hunting but these floats are pretty cool. I never would have thought about a float goose hunt but now its on my mind. Thank you

[@robertdepaoli9310]

I enjoy both!! I love ur videos so much keep posting

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@Bloor11]

When those 2 almost crushed you again, probably had flashbacks to Nam 😂 when you got crushed a few years ago hahah

[@HokeOutdoors]

Haha yeah my mind went to a dark place for a second there. I thought I was gonna get slammed again for sure

[@reubenpaddock7367]

The River Floats Are Wicked To Watch So Much Fun

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks brother!

[@jasonthorne413]

Enjoy watching the river hunts

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@ncst8guy]

This looks like TOO MUCH FUN!!! Been thinking about the same along the Dan River in NC. #1. I prefer watching videos of water hunts. When those birds landed on either side of your yak that was awesome! #2. I love the multi views, I can't imagine what your editing time is like. #3, I love the attention to safety, and language used that I can show your videos to my young nieces. Thanks for getting shells up! Y'all make hunters look good!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks brother, I appreciate the kind words and feedback! I bet you could get on them pretty good down there if it's shallow in sections. Editing time can be pretty hefty but got a decent work flow these days

[@cruisemontieth7895]

How did he get to do this do you have to ask somebody if it's legal or can you just do it

[@BlueWingedProduction]

Amazing video buddy! Looking forward to seeing more this season!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks brother! More coming soon

[@jeffreycornelius869]

Dream early season hunt! Thanks for posting this…

[@HokeOutdoors]

It'll be a hunt we talk about for a while!

[@roblacitinola866]

love your vids, and these river hunts are awesome!!! geese that "make poor life choices" , that's the ones we all look for!!!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Rob! You can usually count on a few of these residents to made some bad decisions

[@wyattchaney8202]

This was an awesome hunt!! I enjoy watching either kind of hunting!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Wyatt! I appreciate the feedback

[@myronhigh3527]

Great hunt boys, Congrats and God Bless all!!!!👍🤗🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks brother!

[@bloodline.hunt.967]

Nothing like a good river hunt, keep slaying them! 🤙

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks brother! Gonna try

[@CS-xo4kh]

Dang guys you know how to have a productive bunch of fun. I would have loved to be with ya! Keep the videos coming.

[@larrysmith8426]

I like the river hunts the best.

[@HokeOutdoors]

I appreciate the feedback!

[@vikahunting]

Great video, again! Really good spot for hunting. I really like how you use few different cameras and how you edit the videos. Maybe the best hunting channel in youtube!

[@nasserkuzbari2205]

Yes, it is the best hunting channel on YT.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the kind words!

[@Will97675]

This looks like a blast

[@HokeOutdoors]

One of my favorite ways to hunt geese!

[@josephhayek3392]

These water goose hunts are THE BEST!!!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks brother! More coming soon

[@camrot06ify]

That looks like a blast super fun

[@HokeOutdoors]

Yessir it was! Can't wait to do it again

[@edsmercina7157]

I really like the river boat videos because it definitely makes me want to do the same thing it’s a pretty cool idea looks like a lot of fun. It looks like so much fun and you can cover a lot of ground that you would be able to because of private

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Ed! It is definitely my favorite way to explore our local rivers and see all the sights along them

[@johnray5665]

I just found your channel ..... I gotta say... This hunt is the bomb... Ive been watching waterfowl hunting vidz for 25 years and this hunt is Amazing!!! People wait all year for Sept 1st,,,,,,, and this is what early Sept looks like in Heaven !!!!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks John! I appreciate you watching! There is no place I’d rather be on Sept 1 than a stretch of river like this

[@jeremiahrussell6734]

Love these videos! Keep them coming.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks brother! More coming soon lord willing!

[@tristontipton1953]

The river hunts are more enjoyable to me. I live down here in East Tn and do those often so it’s cool to see you do the same thing!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Triston! Are y’all’s rivers shallow like ours or a little different?

[@andyrhea100]

Water goose hunt or field goose hunts….love them both. That was great video.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Andy! Hopefully I'll have a few more of each here soon

[@kraigkaatz6858]

This is a great video... I had fun watching you all.... some really good shooting...

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Kraig! Had to make some adjustments with my lead but felt pretty good with my shots by the end of the day

[@bradlymccool8858]

I like both water & field. The shot cam makes it better

[@HokeOutdoors]

Absolutely! One of my favorite pieces of camera gear I’ve gotten recently

[@ancellsadventures]

That’s a cool hunt! Looks like a great time!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks brother! It was a blast

[@bretstephens3643]

I enjoy the float hunts as it is something new that I don’t do yet… yet

[@HokeOutdoors]

Gotta get out and try one if you have the right equipment!

[@MartellOutdoors]

Them two doubles from you back to back was awesome. Definitely love this video forsure

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks! Shooting has definitely been better than past seasons

[@robertwilliamson6958]

This was super cool I didn’t even know it was a thing!

[@HokeOutdoors]

It’s pretty unique and a lot of fun!

[@johnray5665]

Coolest hunt I ever seen!

[@chucksmith5002]

I`m a Water Fowl hunter we don`t have much Geese if any here in Florida or at least Central I like both types of hunts . Enjoyed it Mr. Thomas

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Chuck! I appreciate the feedback

[@tombishop8083]

That pair had you bracketed. KER-SPLASH!!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Haha yeah they came a little close for comfort

[@780outdoors]

Dude that looks like so much fun!

[@HokeOutdoors]

It was a blast!

[@myreej1]

You just gained a new sub, what a great video very new and refreshing and very unlike typical waterfowl hunting content, I love how you explain things and go into the reflection piece at the end on the safety aspect, great great video I look forward to seeing more.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thank you very much! It's certainly a unique style of hunting that requires a little extra caution but it's a blast when you pull it off

[@derekgriffioen824]

That looks like so much fun.

[@gatlingfishingequipment5954]

That is just flat out awesome 👏

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks brother!

[@matthewbevandich822]

Hey man these hunts are straight 🔥🔥

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks brother! Always a good time on the river

[@pure_shenanigan]

Outstanding, Subbed! Great video!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thank you very much!

[@huntermckinney18]

Looked like a great morning!

[@HokeOutdoors]

It was a blast!

[@shefw-david246]

That was a good hunt looks really fun

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks David! These river hunts are a blast

[@timothygundry9956]

I actually stumbled across your video when I did a search because I'm going to be doing a goose river hunt tomorrow but unfortunately I'm going to be going by myself. Now I don't plan on traveling more than a mile down cause I need to paddle back to my launch point. What I'll probably be doing more is just sitting over decoys and calling at a point that juts out into the river... At this point I don't know what to expect but if I come home with one goose I'm going to call that a success because this is my very first goose hunt ever I've never hunted geese before... I was hoping to be hunting ag fields but I been scouting and they are not hitting them yet just a bit too early I've been told from the guys I been stalking for information... The area I'm hunting btw is northern Maine... The river I'll be hunting is in the big woods... Woods that are trying to kill you!!! No cell service nothing out there... I love it!!!

[@jamesbent2584]

Well dun man. I love the floater hunts i do early season welland river in southern ontario where i live. Love river shootin

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks James! That's cool that y'all chase them on the rivers up there too! Are you just targeting geese this time of year or ducks too?

[@remiraley685]

that looks like so much fun

[@HokeOutdoors]

It’s a good time!

[@Benerman2006]

Great shooting by all of you. Really enjoyed the video. Love the float hunts. Keep up the good work.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks brother! Going on another one this weekend so hopefully I'll have another video real soon

[@Drblood6721]

Daaaaamm this video was epic! Best river hunt I've seen. Y'all really put the smackdown on em. Congrats!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thank brother! Can't wait to do it again!

[@Drblood6721]

@@HokeOutdoors It's been tough up here in VT. Opening day we didn't see a single one (lake hunt) took a day off and day 3 had 150 in a bay across from us but they sat there for 6 hours. 3 got to the edge of shooting range but that was it.

[@flytofork7128]

7:49 “Oh gosh!” Lol Great stuff !

[@HokeOutdoors]

Haha they surprised me pretty good but I think I did the same to them too. Glad you enjoyed!

[@normankeoghan5298]

Great fun

[@aaronsnatic2446]

Loved this, as it is something different! Whatever hunts you want to put up is fine with me. I kept thinking the whole time on this one, I wonder what the smallie bite is like...a little cast and blast LOL!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Aaron! I wished I had brought a rod this morning but we were on a bit of a time crunch, we'll do a cast and blast this September for sure though

[@toorealoutdoors1418]

Thomas I'd love to see a video of you doing your scouting! Especially for ducks!

[@HokeOutdoors]

I can make that happen!

[@kraigkaatz6858]

I enjoy both types of hunts, water and fields but I don't do those kayaks type hunts so they are really fun for me to watch...

[@roybullis8101]

the float hunts are great. please do more

[@HokeOutdoors]

We definitely will!

[@peterlederer7674]

What brand of shells are u using and size shot? I love these float hunts or hunts over I like a splash more than a thud, love it when geese hit the water .

[@thegrinchmanofoutdoors3760]

Pretty sure he was shootin speedshok federal probably 2 shot I seen a blue box could be wrong

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Peter, and the Grinchman was spot on, speedshok 3 inch #2s

[@peterlederer7674]

@@HokeOutdoors Those are some of my favorite loads to shoot I love 2 shot for overall ducks and geese I shoot ounce and an 4th but also ounce an eighth.

[@mcoutdoors6481]

Sweet hunt bro! Can’t wait to get back out there with ya on a float. Carrying on them geese on rapids has got to suck lol

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks brother! We'll get after them again here soon. The extra weight makes things a little sporty, not too bad when it's as warm as its been though

[@michaelstephenson8000]

Really enjoyed this type of hunt regards from England

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Michael! Do you do any waterfowl hunting in England?

[@michaelstephenson8000]

@@HokeOutdoors I'm shooting pheasant at the moment but ducks and, geese are in season too

[@TheCoastalGunner]

great video as always brother...i prefer the field hunts....but float hunts are a blast too

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks brother! Field hunts still take the cake for me too but these are a fun way to mix it up now and again

[@zachswartz3710]

Loved this video. Very similar to what my buddy and i do on the Potomac.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Zach! Always wanted to try this up there as well

[@chriscoffman5138]

I like seeing these hunts going to try this this weekend. Have similar conditions here in central NC.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Chris! I do believe the early season closes down there tomorrow though unfortunately

[@rossbickers8649]

These float trips are the best

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Ross!

[@rossbickers8649]

@@HokeOutdoors would love to see more of this jump/pass shooting. Different species/locations would be awesome.

[@geminioutdoorz]

@hokeoutdoors GREAT WORK MAN! keep it up great to see help the motivation been a lil rusty be great to get a link up with you one of these season im from wisconsin!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks brother! If you're down this way anytime soon give me a shout, hoping to get up to your neck of the woods next season though!

[@declanaquilina1447]

I wish that I have a place like this in my country. Good vid by the way

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks man! What country are you from?

[@declanaquilina1447]

@@HokeOutdoors Its a small island, Malta

[@outdooraddicts8666]

I like the water hunts!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@tyekolb]

Awesome hunt man

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks brother! Y'all get many teal down there yet?

[@jaakkot9661]

That pass shooting was AWESOME! Greetings from Finland!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thank you! Do you do much waterfowl hunting over there?

[@jaakkot9661]

@@HokeOutdoors My hunting area is the most popular waterfowling place in Finland, the Liminganlahti Bay, but our number of birds is very limited compared to yours! And in this area the hunting pressure is really high, so our goose season lasts for only a week or two at most. Also the only goose specie we hunt, greylag geese, are very very on the alert in this area. So I'm waiting for next season already.. My dream is to hunt big honkers in somewhere North America! I just found your channel and your videos are GREAT

[@michaelhill4433]

Some great tips and ideas for hunting the Susquehanna river here in Pa

[@HokeOutdoors]

I could definitely see this style being applicable up there

[@trapper9875]

I like all the content ya put out, trying to see where I could do a float hunt like that in my area

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks! Any shallow river should be perfect this time of year as long as there is a access and take out point that are relatively close to each other

[@bobgiles2971]

Great video and footage 👍heck of a hunt guys congrats on the shooting

[@HokeOutdoors]

Missed a couple easy ones but better shooting than previous early seasons for sure

[@Tom-nz2jr]

By the way... Great video! I like how you are shootin😁😁😁👍🏻

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@DuckalopeOutdoors]

WHAT A HUNT!! You almost got wiped out again! Haha sure it brought back some flash backs. VA seems to be tore up with geese this year. Keep it up!! 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@HokeOutdoors]

Haha yeah I wasn't too keen on doing round two with one of those big bastards so I'm glad he missed this time. Seems like they had a good hatch around here

[@mississippiboys358]

Bro this is a bad ass and cool video! Thumbs up for y’all

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks brother!

[@keatontimmonsyt]

And it begins!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Feels great to get back into the swing of it!

[@jaykimura1774]

I enjoy both types of hunting.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@kevinbarton1144]

Water hunts all day

[@HokeOutdoors]

Wish we had early season swamp geese like y'all got!

[@tylerm4709]

As someone from east TN that mainly hunts only on the river this looked like a great hunt. Just curious what’s the limit where your at?

[@HokeOutdoors]

We get to shoot 10 during our early season, what's it in TN for the Sept season?

[@LuRanOutdoors]

Water beats field 100 percent!

[@HokeOutdoors]

I appreciate the feedback! You like doing lake or river hunts more??

[@LuRanOutdoors]

@@HokeOutdoors hey thanks for taking the time to reply. I have not waterfowl hunted out of my kayaks yet, but am thinking about it. However, from a viewer perspective, the river hunts are so cool to watch. Not many people are doing that on KZbin. I would also like to see a lake hunt on the kayak or canoe, but river seems more fun by the looks of it!

[@dabby710]

Love the water hunts. Y'all must not have gotten as much rain out that way. My hunt yesterday was kinda sketchy with how high and fast the water was but I did get that one band

[@HokeOutdoors]

Yeah we missed the edge of the storm by just a bit luckily. Glad you made it off the water safely and with that jewelry too boot!

[@dabby710]

@@HokeOutdoors what time did they start flying over? I keep going out at shooting light and not seeing any till 8-9 and only a couple but there is plenty of fresh poop and feathers on most of the rocks