BigRedBowtie
Member
I have been waterfowling for a few years now, but I have recently moved out to the current "edge" of town. (though "town" is catching up quickly) At the edge of our suburb, there is farmland- lots of farmland. There is a bit that is within city limits that isn't yet developed, but it's legal to hunt. The only stipulation is that you must use a shot size of #2 or smaller. I have scouted the patterns and learned where they'll be. I got in contact with the deveoper that owns the beanfield they land in and asked permission to hunt- "No problem- let me know how you do!"
So two buddies and I are out for these geese. We have a dozen (well-used and given to us) shell decoys and a couple floaters. We did a little research on how to lay out a field spread, but really haven't had much luck. We don't have layout blinds, just some camo burlap that we fold over ourselves. The first morning we bagged 2 birds. We didn't get any to set into the dekes, but they slowed down and dropped enough altitude to check us out- and get shot. Two of us are calling, (illusion flutes) and one is flagging.
Second morning out we hunted the edge of the field. Birds are coming from NW, heading SE, and don't seem to be landing in our field anymore. The field is split in half by a fenceline, which runs east-west. We set up in the middle of the fenceline, with the dekes on the north side, and us hidden in the grass on the south side of the fence- good cover, and we were wearing appropriate camo for a grassy area. We had LOTS of birds fly over, and a few slowed down, but very few dropped any altitude to get a good look at us. We had one group circle, but somehow they spooked and flared off. We got one bird that day.
Any advice you fellows can offer? Any shot recommendations for this #2 restriction? I have an 835, so I can take 3.5s- if they help. Any tips on setting a spread with only 14 dekes? Is a layout better cover than the burlap we're using? Should we expect the geese to set and land like ducks in water, or is goose hunting a pass-shooting affair? Whatsayou?
So two buddies and I are out for these geese. We have a dozen (well-used and given to us) shell decoys and a couple floaters. We did a little research on how to lay out a field spread, but really haven't had much luck. We don't have layout blinds, just some camo burlap that we fold over ourselves. The first morning we bagged 2 birds. We didn't get any to set into the dekes, but they slowed down and dropped enough altitude to check us out- and get shot. Two of us are calling, (illusion flutes) and one is flagging.
Second morning out we hunted the edge of the field. Birds are coming from NW, heading SE, and don't seem to be landing in our field anymore. The field is split in half by a fenceline, which runs east-west. We set up in the middle of the fenceline, with the dekes on the north side, and us hidden in the grass on the south side of the fence- good cover, and we were wearing appropriate camo for a grassy area. We had LOTS of birds fly over, and a few slowed down, but very few dropped any altitude to get a good look at us. We had one group circle, but somehow they spooked and flared off. We got one bird that day.
Any advice you fellows can offer? Any shot recommendations for this #2 restriction? I have an 835, so I can take 3.5s- if they help. Any tips on setting a spread with only 14 dekes? Is a layout better cover than the burlap we're using? Should we expect the geese to set and land like ducks in water, or is goose hunting a pass-shooting affair? Whatsayou?