Got an opportunity to get out on a friends dairy ranch for opening day. I was set up about 1/4 mile from another party that was running 600 silouttees. Early on, my 2 dozen Dave Smith Aleutians seemed to be working just as well as their big spread. At one point I had landed over 400 geese on the ground next to my decoys. They all came in on my off side so I couldn't get a good chance at them, I let them land then slipped out of the ground blind and gave them the bums rush! Got 2 on the rise and Tule made a great run down and retrieve on the first one, The second one took off running at high speed and we took after him, Finally Tule got him about 1/4 mile way on a fencerow. We would have never got him but the bird ran into another party and stopped and tried to hid it out. Didn't work!!!
I had another flock come in on me and one bird started dropping like a stone towards the decoys, He took a load of BB Black Cloud and dropped about 40 yards away, I sent Tule who was on him like a rocket and proudly brought it back and handed it to me while I was sitting in my blind.. Pretty cool. Tule is a perfect gentleman in his Mutt hut! Never moved a muscle or made a noise as that big flock was landing and never went til I sent him. I'm pretty happy with his accomplishments this fall.

After about 10 O'clock, it was all Doc's crew as the birds were concentrating on getting in with a bunch of birds and not just a couple dozen.
In the final count, I shot 3, Doc's gang of 4 shot 19 with one that was banded and neckcollared!!!!

All in all I'm very happy with the Dave Smiths, When the birds are fresh in the early morning, the geese will come to a smaller set. Later they'll just look you over and head for the big guys next door.

I shot a couple videos of a big grind just across the dike from where I was and one of a group working in on Docs rig.

The Grind



Doc's gang at play


Tule and our Rig


3 Amigos on the roof