Geese with no decoys call or be quiet?

[savagelh]

I'm going out in the am to the field across the road. It's a cut pea field that the geese have been all over. I put them to bed tonight and there were hundreds feeding about 30 yards from some cat tails on the edge of a slough. I won't be bringing any decoys. Is it worth calling or should I just be planning on a pass shoot. They are mostly Canada's with a few snows around too. I'm really looking forward to getting out as I don't get that many opportunities.

 

[hoytcanon]

Without decoys, if they start landing out of range, you are screwed. If you can call, do it when they lose interest or are cruising on a line that will take them out of range.

 

[g-manz35]

I don't think a call will make much difference either way. I would be phoning around for even a handful of decoys. But hey. If you don't have decoys and you want to head out what do you have to lose?? Good luck.

 

[the spank]

Not much point in calling without something for them to visualize. Yes at times it can work but quite rarely. Usually on foggy days because of the lack of visibility. Just tuck into the cover and shoot at what passes in range.

 

[minniehill2]

Take a call and use it if they pass well outside your range. Many times I have seen them turn around to take a second look. The might be in range this time.

 

[badgreenbird]

You may not have much luck turning flocks, but can't hurt to try. On singles & pairs, I've often called them right in even with no decoys... they are often desperate for company.

 

[savagelh]

I went, I called, I shot poorly but they responded. I was turning flocks to come in range. It was a perfect morning, nice and foggy. I shot 4 Canada's and 2 ducks. If I would have shot better I would have limited out.

 

[Chuckbuster]

Give'er! I have had a mixed bag of success with calling and no decoys. My feeling is what have you got to lose? A few days ago, we saw and heard a large flock off in the distance...and I mean waaaaay out there. I started calling and they homed right in on us. We were fairly exposed and just hunkered down against the bushes. They came in, I stopped calling and they flared just as we were about to stand and fire. They continued on behind us and I resumed calling. They came back from behind us, and we fired as a subgroup dropped from the main flock and cleared the treeline behind us.

EDIT: Ah, I see you went out and were successful. Congrats.

 

[g-manz35]

I went, I called, I shot poorly but they responded. I was turning flocks to come in range. It was a perfect morning, nice and foggy. I shot 4 Canada's and 2 ducks. If I would have shot better I would have limited out.

That's awesome. honestly I like guys who do unorthodox things and learn. I hate those who do exactly what the neighbour is doing, but they throw more money at it and try and do it harder and faster.

 

[mareshow]

I find even a couple decoys help, I have six only and I've gotten a lot of geese this year because of them congrats on the hunt!