Aug 27, 2016 4 min read

What goes ta-wonk and flies? Yes, goose season is just around the corner and it’s time to get ready. First, you need a Federal Migratory Stamp, called a duck stamp, plus a migratory bird stamp from Pennsylvania Game Commission.

The stamps must be signed across the face by the hunter. Lead shot is banned and nontoxic, steel and bismuth shots are allowed.

This is a warning I say every year: Don’t even have a shell containing lead shot in your pocket. Even though I’ve never had a problem, I know folks who have.

I should have asked what goes ta-wonk and defecates on everything?

This latter habit makes the goose an unwelcome critter, one not easily discouraged from eating your oats, wheat or lawn. This habit of eating grass makes them unpopular on sod farms in the east.

Like all birds, they have wonderful eyesight and cammo is a necessity. I include both face and hands.

Decoys help draw them in and the more they are shot at, the more decoys are required. When placing a set of decoys, they should face the wind and don’t forget to put out a sentry decoy.

Now, hide in the bushes within range of the decoys and wait.

Grouse are rare in Southwestern Pennsylvania, and the wild ringnecks are history, but there are still plenty of geese to hunt.

Some homeowners would say too many.

• The National Rifle Association makes income from money brought in through membership dues. But this association also has other revenue streams.

It must have other incomes because it is the NRA at the forefront of firearms training for many police departments, hunter safety programs and firearms safety for the military and civilians, both members and nonmembers.

I know this to be true because I have taught home defense classes, hunter safety and, of course, I am most proud of the Eddie Eagle classes. It was the Eddie Eagle program which taught grade school-aged children never to touch a firearm found in the home.

Though frightening to some, I believe something that can be hazardous to children can be acknowledged and taught to children at a young age so they don’t mistakenly play with guns. Young gun safety is a much better method than ignoring it.

The Eddie Eagle program teaches children to leave guns alone and tell a responsible adult when a child sees one. Not once in this teaching at any school was the NRA mentioned, although they did sponsor the class and provide all materials.

Aside from dues and donations, a large amount of the NRA’s money is raised through Friends of the NRA banquets.

Most of these dinners are done once a year at various locations across the country and are popular among those that support the constitution and of course the 2nd Amendment.

Locally, Friends of the NRA – and there are quite a few of them – are having their annual banquet Sept. 17 at Valley Inn Social Hall on Snyder Avenue, Monongahela. The location is just off Route 136, on the Washington side of Monongahela.

Among the many firearms being raffled or prizes on tickets are an array of Kimbers, a Golden Boy Henry and the rifle of the year, the Montana Rifle. Local gunsmith Fred Carper will allow the winner of his rifle a choice of calibers if the person is lucky enough to win a Carper Rifle.

Not only that, but Carper offers accuracy guarantees with his rifles. Carper is a local gunsmith and has his workplace on Route 40 just past the entrance to Washington Crown Center, or you can call him at 724-225-1911. Information regarding this dinner can be found by calling Johnson’s Sporting Goods Store at 724-225-9616.