Dan Schaus let me know of a somewhat rare harvest his two boys were lucky enough to be part of this year.

Here is the story, as told by Dan:

I took the boys to a friend’s farm field a few Sundays ago for a waterfowl hunt. We were set up in a field just into Kewaunee County, about a mile from Lake Michigan.

The morning started off slow, nothing much flying at all. About an hour in, we saw a small flock of geese that had two snow geese in. They landed probably 500 yards across the road from us. All we could do was look at them in our binoculars. They eventually took off to the west. Oh well, fun to see.

About a half hour later, to our amazement, we saw the small flock coming back from the west and they landed in that same spot again. This time, I looked longer at them and noticed with the snow geese were two other strange-looking geese – I thought possibly speckled geese.

I told my 13-year-old son, Gauge, to start calling. I’ve been told by others he’s a pretty good caller, especially for his age.

I couldn’t believe it, but they got up and started flying our way. I’m like, “Stay hid in your brush, boys, they’re coming!”

They were headed directly to us. With the small flock directly above us, the boys had the patience to hold off on their first circle.

On the second circle of their decoy spread, my oldest son, Fischer, called “Take ’em!”

Gauge and Fischer both dropped the two birds I thought were specs, but the two snows got away.

They were both so fired up as they knew they were not your average Canada geese. One was dead and the other was wing-shot out in the field. With the help of my buddy Saul, they were able to recover the wing-shot bird.

Making a call to Chris Kozlowski, I quickly found out they were not speckled geese, but a pretty rare goose for this area to harvest – blue goose.

The boys were so pumped as a slow morning on the field quickly turned into one of those most remembered hunts they have had so far.

Read last week’s column:48th annual gun show nears, and more news in the latest Manitowoc outdoors report

Scoping the Great Outdoors: Read on for more outdoors news from throughout Manitowoc County and beyond.

Registration is open for the Junior Rifle Winter Program

Registrations for the 2024 Manitowoc Recreation Department Junior Rifle Winter Program are now being taken online at https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/manitowoc/activity/search?onlineSiteId=0&activity_select_param=2&viewMode=list; at the Manitowoc Recreation Department office, 3330 Custer St. (inside the Senior Center; or by phone at 920-686-3060.

The semester will begin Jan. 10, 2024, will be held for 10 weeks and end in March.

The program is open to ages 8 and older, adults included. Parents may sign up with their youngsters.

Shooting sessions will be at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays and at 5:30 p.m. Thursdays.

The fee is $45 for city residents and $64 for non-residents for the 10-week session.

.22-caliber rifles and ammo are supplied by the program. Classes are held in the basement of the Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office at its firing range. The office is at 1025 S. Ninth St.

Safe gun handling, respect for firearms and marksmanship are the main focuses of the program.

Organizers say if Wednesday classes are too small, they may be combined into one single class. The instructor will let participants know on the first night of class.

Scholarships are available for those who cannot afford the fee.

For registrations, call 920-686-3060, and for questions, call 920-684-6791 or email mantyjrrifle@gmail.com.

More Bob Schuh:Click here for more ‘Scoping the Great Outdoors’

Lights in Lincoln Park now open every night through Dec. 29

The 12th annual Lights in Lincoln Park is now running and promises to be better than ever.

The light show has become a holiday tradition for many families. With more than 70 light displays winding through 1 mile of wooded park road, this is an attraction that can’t be missed.

The light show features a variety of wildlife displays, including aquatic and avian creatures, along with animals native to North America and Africa. There are also drive-through light arches and several other spectacular lighting effects.

Lights in Lincoln Park begins at the fieldhouse on Lincoln Boulevard, just off Waldo Boulevard. Show dates are 5-8 p.m. Dec. 14-29 and admission is a donation of $5 per car. Funds generated help the Lincoln Park Zoological Society make improvements at the zoo and enhance the quality of life for the animals.

The last date to visit Santa in Cabin 1 is 5-8 p.m. Dec. 22. Enjoy free cookies and hot chocolate. Take your camera and take photos of your little ones sharing Christmas wishes with Santa!

Enjoy the light show on foot for a truly unique experience during the Family Fun Walk. The next walk is 5-8 p.m. Dec. 30. Donation is $5 per adult or $10 per family. This is a great way to enjoy the light show at your own pace with family and friends.

That’s it for this week, so have fun in the great outdoors.