Goose Advice, Please. (long)

[BigRedBowtie]

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?

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

Are these Canadas or Snows? Snows are notoriously hard to decoy. The guys who do the best around here have a BUNCH of dekes out, sometimes hundreds. Silhouettes are fairly cheap, but tough to use. I've even heard of guys making decoys out of milk jugs.

For the geese to flare, they probably saw something. One of the worst things you can do is look up at them. They will see your face like a white beacon, worse yet if any of you wear glasses.

Geese aren't all that smart, but like turkeys, they are wary of anything not familiar to them.

For the shot, 2's will bring them down if you can decoy them in to about 40 yards. My dad had some friends who used 7 1/2's and shot them in the head. (These were the guys with 700 decoys)

 

[BigRedBowtie]

Canadas. We wear facemasks, too....

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

More dekes, I guess.

We usually have just about as good luck if we don't use calls (probably because I suck at calling).

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

We had about three dozen full bodies and a couple of the "Big Mother" decoys. We did better with this setup than we did when we only had a dozen. I've heard guys say you need to touch up the paint because shiny spots will spook the birds. Then again, they will come into silhouettes or decoys the size of '55 Chevies. Beats me.

My UPS man a few years ago was a goose hunting fanatic. He would fill up in the morning and then stay in the pit just to call the geese in and watch them. He said once the geese land in the decoys, they don't seem to notice them. Apparently, when they are up close, they don't realize the geese are fake.

And what is "flagging"? Trying to get their attention with a flag?

 

[BigRedBowtie]

I believe the premis behind flagging is similar to that of the motion-wing duck decoy. Here's an example of a flag. I guess it's supposed to be killer effective at turning a flock toward your dekes- we just haven't seen the claimed results yet.

The problem with simply adding decoys is price... those things are dang expensive!! I found some at Cabela's that were $55 per dozen, and that's cheap for goose dekes. Most places want around $100 for a dozen shell decoys- no legs, no stands, just shell and head... I guess we'll have to wait for the off-season to pick some up on clearance.

Anybody got a diagram for a good goose spread?

 

[dakotasin]

you need more decoys. k-mart will usually put them on sale after the season for 50-80% off around here.

flagging is greatly effective from a distance - like when you can barely see them on the horizon. but when they get within a couple hundred yards, flagging isn't good.

make sure when you are calling them that you aren't actually giving them the warning call - which is sort of what sounds like you are doing by your first post - or the geese are just miffed because your decoy spread isn't big and inviting enough.

 

[HSMITH]

More decoys will help. Make sure they are in good repair with no shine at all.

Make sure one guy isn't moving even a TINY little bit, if someone isn't calling he should not be looking for the geese and watching them, he should be dead still.

Once they see your spread and are within a couple or three hundred yards put the flag AWAY, they have about 8X your vision and can recognize that something isn't right from a LONG way out. If you can see it with good binoculars they can see it too, try to remember that as you set up and hunt.

Geese are smart birds, and likely from the situation you describe you are hunting resident birds this early in the migration. They have seen most of the tricks already and they won't forget.

For patterns of decoys, go out and watch geese, it really is the best thing you can do. Watch them on the ground, and see where in the spread the others land.

 

[BigRedBowtie]

I'm not sure exactly what the "warning call" sounds like, but as the birds are closing, we usually stick to a low, grumbling feeder grunt with a few clucks mixed in. "du-du-duu, cluck!"

With regard to positioning in a given field: I know they have a propensity to land in this field, as I've seen them there a number of times on my way to work. HUNDREDS of them. The second setup I described was in a strip of grass between two fields- will they set down on the edge of a field, or do they prefer to stay out in the middle of a field- where there's less cover?

I appreciate all your help- thanks alot!

 

[dakotasin]

they seem to prefer middles of fields - lack of cover doesn't bother them much. remember, they set up sentries to warn the flock of impending danger.

the warning call is a short honk, w/ the second syllable accentuated. it sounds similiar to a greeting, so you have to be careful w/ it.

also, canadians start at one end of a field, and feed towards the other. they start off where they left off the previous day, and will work a field until it is clean. so, unless they are just lounging in the field, they will only be in the field until they finish picking it. then, on to the next. it usually takes them about 3 days to cover a 40-60 acre field.

i really enjoy goose hunting, and think they are tougher to hunt than deer...

 

[Dave McCracken]

I'm no expert, but.....

The advice on face masks is spot on. I've always kept a hat pulled down and now use a hood type mask.

Buy a few more calls and mix it up. I like the AJ call, and also have a Scruggs.

Decoys do not have to be expensive. Cut some old tires into three segments. Mix a few pieces of tire in with your spread.

Add a kite decoy or a Moto Goose for some movement.

Shell decoys set up on sticks move in the wind and add movement also.

Hevishot 2s are incredibly effective. Expensive as heck, but worth it.

HTH.....

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

Anybody got a diagram for a good goose spread?

Set them in a rough V pattern facing into the wind. The geese you call in will want to land behind your V usually, not always.

Dave is right (never thought about old tires though). Just a few shells along with something else that resembles geese will help bring them in.

Most of our decoys were picked up at garage and estate sales.