Goose hunting - Update - Success!

sean18mb

sean18mb

CGN Regular
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Location
Turner Valley, AB
I got permission to hunt a field close to home, however, right now there are not any geese landing in it. It seems like they land in other fields just like it, but not this one. Is there any way to draw them in to this field? Would they come if I set up some decoys and tried calling, or would they simply ignore me?

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UPDATE:

I went out this morning to try again. I managed 2 geese. I called in the first one, part of a group of about 10 birds that came in. The second one came in solo to check out the decoys. I changed the material I cover myself with. It blends much better with the terrain. And my decoy setup was a little different. Most of the geese stayed on course to the field where they were all meeting, however there were a number that came for a closer pass, and these that came in...too close.;)

This is my 3rd time hunting geese, and my first successful hunt. I heard some other hunters a few fields across from me. It sounded like they were having good success.

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My layout blind is right in the middle of the photo. I might move it to the side a bit more next time.


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Simple shell decoys. I'm sure a few full bodies would help, but my budget is limited right now.


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Go for it :rockOn: also watch the weather, and get out when their low flying , and will come into your spread, which you should also google, for patterns, distance, from the shooter , etc, burlap makes for a good blind material in a pinch. Geese have great eyes, so keep still, and don't get up on 'em early.
 
Thanks. There are a good number of geese around, flying fairly low all over - maybe 100-150 ft. But for whatever reason this one field seems empty. I've been looking on the 'net, and it seems like a lot of guys use flags for early season. Maybe I'll try that, see if that will get some in.

I've only been out goose hunting 1 time before, without any success.
 
Alot will depend on the type of feed in that particular field, in my neck of the woods, early in the season they favor harvested pea fields. If you are hunting in a field that is not a pea field and there are pea fields nearby, you will not have much luck getting them to land in your field. Scout around until you find what type of field they are landing in, ask permission of that farmer, if not, look around for similar fields/crops and ask permission.
 
They are creatures of habit. If they have landed in the same field 3 days in a row, chances are they will land in that field again.

Is your field on a flight path which the geese take?
 
This time of year they are local geese most likely.

You'll have a really hard time if there is no feed there. Later on, if you're on a flyway or lucky you can probably trick migrations into your spread even if there is no feed. But if there are REAL geese in the next field over you're hooped on that.

Good luck, but try and get permission on where they are. Watch where they left from after sun down. Mark the exact spot in the dark. Be as precise are you can be. Setup there again at least an hour before sun up and wait. Be still and don't pop too early. Geese are big and can look like they are closer/moving slower than they are.
 
I checked early this morning, and there was a group of about 150-200 geese that landed. In the evening and morning there are a lot of geese flying over this field, at a diagonal across it.

The field where most of the geese land is a field that this man farms, however, he said something about it being a rented field, so he didn't give me permission for it. They are pretty much the same type of field. I've been looking for other fields. Not all of the crops are harvested yet, so we'll see what the geese do once the fields are all open.

Monday I might try this field, and see if I can have success.

-Sean
 
Sean put out every decoy you can find and put tthem about 6 feet apart. Passing geese may come close enough for a shot if they don't come right in to your set up. Use good ammo in BB or bigger shot size. Take some bug spray. fs
 
Yeah should produce. If they are flying over it everyday, theres no reason why they shouldn't look at this field as a possible spot to land. Use the flag and and set up you decoys and you should be able to do some gunning. GOOD LUCK!
 
I'm in kind of the same situation, especially as my field wasn't planted this year. They always fly to the next one over. I have had success the last 3 years without decoys by simply concealing myself under shrubs along the fence line in a spot I know they fly over. As I hear/see them approaching I start using my honk call.

1 of 2 things happens. They either come in low enough for a shot, if I've started calling from far enough out. OR they sometimes fly over high and swing back around low to check it out again. I'm assuming they think their friends are behind the shrubs along the fence and want to take a look. I can almost always get them in either case.

Maybe that might work for you. Start calling them when they are far out, and make sure you will position yourself directly under (or as close as you can) to where they'll fly over your field. Good luck.
 
Thanks guys!

I took another look for other fields, and saw a couple good ones. I'll have to wait until Monday to ask for permission. Municipal office is closed until then. However, Monday morning I'll try setting up in the field I do have permission in, and see how things go.

-Sean
 
The best setup is to be where the geese are known to go. Enticing geese away from their newest hotspot is tough to do. Position yourself along the flyway otherwise. You could also put decoys out in your field to perhaps help swing them over your way somewhat. Be prepared for the pass shooting: at least MOD choke and BB or larger.

Where abouts is the field?
 
I agree with Grouse Man. Position and appropriate load are you best bets, same as hunting them in my field. Always pass shooting. But it's so much more fun that way, you get a big thrill when you break cover and suprise those passing geese.
 
Well, I was out on Monday (IIRC). The geese were flying over and around, but never came to the decoys. I think my blind may have been too obvious, and my calling not correct. I've been practicing my calling and can see some of the mistakes I have made. Maybe I'll try again tomorrow morning. Grouse Man, I'm hunting in Headingley.

All I have is 12 Carry-Lite shell decoys. I think I might not use all 12 - instead use only a couple sentries and the feeders. I think I have 6 feeders and 6 sentry.
 
sean18mb said:
Well, I was out on Monday (IIRC). The geese were flying over and around, but never came to the decoys. I think my blind may have been too obvious, and my calling not correct. I've been practicing my calling and can see some of the mistakes I have made. Maybe I'll try again tomorrow morning. Grouse Man, I'm hunting in Headingley.

All I have is 12 Carry-Lite shell decoys. I think I might not use all 12 - instead use only a couple sentries and the feeders. I think I have 6 feeders and 6 sentry.
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What type of blind are you using?

You cannot use the same type of blind on geese as you would on ducks. They are way smarter than ducks. You need a layout blind usually.

Also, use as many dekes as you can get your hands on. Make sure they are not too close. A goose's wing span is 6 feet. So keep them a good piece apart.
 
sean18mb said:
Well, I was out on Monday (IIRC). The geese were flying over and around, but never came to the decoys. I think my blind may have been too obvious, and my calling not correct. I've been practicing my calling and can see some of the mistakes I have made. Maybe I'll try again tomorrow morning. Grouse Man, I'm hunting in Headingley.

All I have is 12 Carry-Lite shell decoys. I think I might not use all 12 - instead use only a couple sentries and the feeders. I think I have 6 feeders and 6 sentry.
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Sean, sometimes you don't need to call to have the geese come in esp. if they were in the same field the night before.
For calling just use the basic Cluk, Cluk. keep it simple. FS
 
Make sure you are covered up OR you are off to the side where they won't be looking directly at you as they land. You can cover yourself up with burlap or camo netting or just even straw, or even lay still in really good camo clothing. But they will detect movement readily, so don't move once they're looking your way.

Oh, and maybe cut down on the sentries; if half the "flock" is looking for danger, other geese may not feel safe landing there. Just a thought.
 
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sean18mb said:
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This is my 3rd time hunting geese, and my first successful hunt. I heard some other hunters a few fields across from me. It sounded like they were having good success.
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Good job mate.

A few tips, on your setup.

1. You have no natural cover on your blind. Pull up some of that stubble, or un cut grain and add it to your blind.

2. Your decoys are much too close together to be natural IMHO.

3. About Calling. Often less is more. You can call to get attention and to get them to finish. Learn the differences.

After you shoot a couple you can even set them up to look like feeders if your short on deeks and keep hunting.
 
Geese smarter than ducks? I've always found it to be the opposite lol. Especially when you find a field the geese really want into.
I'd put out all your decoys. Geese tend to be hard to "attract" into a field that they aren't wanting to land in. I've always found that they either want in a particular field or they don't, thats why finding a field they are landing in, getting permission, and setting up there the next morning is usually your best shot.
This has been my experience anyways.
 
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