If you
notice birds go into a field for the first time, if
possible, let the birds use the field several days or
even a week before immediately setting up in the field.
The longer birds sit in a field and feed undisturbed,
the better your hunt will be once you do hunt them. If
you can get birds in a field and keep them in there by
shooting your limit quickly and getting out with out
educating a lot of the birds using the field, you should
be able to get many hunts out of that field, as long as
there is food in there. -
Alex Langbell
When setting up decoys, set up your
spread the same way and in the same location the birds
were sitting the day before. If the birds were in a
tight group, then set your spread tight, if they were
loose spread through out the field, set them up loose. -
Alex Langbell
When you get near the end of the
season and the geese start to become educated, try
throwing different stuff at them. Instead of throwing
the same 8 dozen decoys that everyone else around you is
using, try mixing it up. Try using only a few dozen of
your best decoys. Try not calling as much or calling
only on the corners. Make sure your “hide” is
bullet-proof and let the geese kill themselves. -Alex Langbell
When setting up decoys in a field,
try and have them above your layout blinds or pit for
depth perception. –
Craig Riche
Use the most realistic decoys you can
get your hands on. Wash your decoys periodically
throughout the season to keep the dirt and mud off them.
–
Steve Schultz
When setting up goose decoys. Set up
according to the field you were hunting. If you are
going to set up on 50 honkers, set up 2 to 3 dozen
family groups. If you are setting up on several hundred
lesser, put out as many as you can get your hands on. –
Alex Langbell
When hunting waterfowl, movement is
essential. Create movement by setting up jerk strings,
flags, flappers, motion bases or any other means of
making the spread “come alive” –
Alex Langbell
When the birds aren’t responding to
the spread, don’t be afraid to get out and change
things up. –
Craig Riche
The best way to learn how to duck or
goose call is not by listening to other hunters or even
champion callers. Learn how to call by actually
listening to live birds. Go to a refuge, park, lake,
river, or wherever you can find live birds. Sit and
listen to the birds communicating to each other. Bring
your call and practice making the exact sounds they
make. This will make you a much more effective caller -
Steve Schultz
When setting up decoys in a frozen
piece of water. Rather than breaking the ice into small
chunks. Try walking around the hole breaking the ice,
creating one large piece. You can then slide this large
piece underneath the unbroken ice creating a nice big
hole, with very little ice to have to clear out. -
Alex Langbell
When you have to setup your decoys
with the wind blowing right into your face, start
pushing out your spread. Give the birds room to drop in
behind the decoys and right in front of you. When
everyone comes up together, you will get off your first
shot, before the birds ever even see you! Then let em’
have it again as they peel back over your head! This is
called down-winding. –
Craig Riche
When building a natural blind or
hiding a lay out blind. Use brush and cover that will
blend into the natural surroundings. You don’t want to
“over camouflage” your blind where it sticks out and
doesn’t look like it belongs there. Stand back and look
at your blind. Make sure it is as low as it can be and
it should have a nice natural “flow” to it. It should
blend in with the terrain you are hunting -
Alex Langbell
Carry an eyeglass lens cloth with you
in the field. When your duck or goose call gets dirt
or debris in it, use it to run in between the reed or
reeds and tone board. You can always use a dollar bill,
piece of paper or receipt as well--but the lens cloth
helps to clean the reeds -
Steve Schultz
Pay attention to these key factors to
increase your success in the field. Location, hide,
decoys and calling, in that order.-
Steve Schultz
When you are hunting call-shy geese,
less can often mean more. Just give them enough to keep
them coming online. Apply some of your duck calling
techniques. Call them on the corners; give them a few
clucks to give them some encouragement. When they’re
coming at you and they’re looking good, just stay down,
don’t move, and be ready.-
Craig Riche
To increase your odds of doubles and
triples. When you get a flock of birds in, pick a bird
that is further out for your first shot. After you
knock that one down, then you work in on the closer
birds. Any birds that were in close and managed to move
out should be right in your range. -Alex Langbell
