Well, if nobody offers to take you with them, or gives you access to a property, here's how I proceed.
Buy a property ownership map of the area you wish to hunt. In Manitoba, the company is called Repro Map or something like that. It will show the name of the property owner but that's all. You'll have to get a rural phone book to find them, or go around knocking on farm house doors. It also shows CROWN property and CROWN LEASED property, which may be free and clear to hunt, but check your local regs. Yes it takes time and gas money, but its an investment for the next 10-20 years.
Drive around the area with the maps, note on it the fields which have geese on them and then start asking for permission. Tell them you'd like to hunt the ducks and geese on the field. Tell them your name and give them your phone number. If you dig a pit, make sure you fill it in and mark it afterwards. OR just don't dig pits. Be care to not drive across the swaths, close the gates, pick up litter and hulls, etc. Don't shoot towards buildings, equipment or animals. Ask them for anything to be cautious about. After hunting, go back and thank them again that you had a great time. Offer a bird or two if they'd like or take back a bottle for them as a thank you. They'll appreciate it.
Be as friendly and courteous as possible. If the guy starts tearing into you about how the last bunch of hunters shot near cattle and left garbage and feathers everywhere, sympathize with the guy. Let him know that disgusts you as well and that you don't behave that way. Keep talking to him, sympathize, cool him down and he may realize you seem like a nice enough guy that he'll let you hunt. If you've hunted in the area already, tell them that you've also hunted at so-and-so's place and he can vouch for you. Tell him your phone number so that if there's any problems after the hunt he can contact you and make it right. If he still says no, tell him thanks anyway, good talkin' to you, and have a nice day with a smile. If you're lucky, he might tell you to try somebody else's place. Otherwise, don't worry about it and just move on.
After a couple of years, you'll have a list of farmers and phone numbers and their fields. You can now just make a phone call to see if they've got birds instead of driving out. If you're early, have the farmer call YOU if he gets birds on his swaths and needs them kept off.
Good luck!
Grouse Man