Early Season Goose Hunting
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Early goose season tactics.?
I need opinions on early goose season hunting what kind of decoys how many how often to call etc.
This takes yrs of experience. Spend time with some pros or go on a guided hunt and learn the basics. I know people who use 8,000 decoys. So gear can be expensive.
Use a combo of decoys like windsocks and plastic shells etc...Many calls suck so get a good one or use electronic if your State allows it. Plan your decoy area up wind from the blind and place blind so fall/winter prevailing winds is in right place. Leave a opening in range for geese to land. Remember,when geese circle and land they fly into the wind usually unless they are newbies.
Food and water. Use bait before season and legal food during season like a food plot. Corn fed Geese taste good....but,is illegal in most places. There are crops that are allowed and geese like food when it gets cold.
Scouting is important.
Use a X pattern or U pattern for the decoys. Leave the goose Magnets at home they will spook older geese. Get some motion stakes for your shells and set them up along the leading edge of your inside spread! Set some of the decoys right around you in the field. It helps break up your outline. Early in the year set your decoys in 6-8 family groups making the U or X. This is typical of how the birds group in the field!
Calls are personal preference. I have used Foiles,Grounds,RNT calls over the years in short reed style. For flutes I would suggest a Big River and a Mickey Lacy instruction CD. The reason for that is not on the technique on learning to use a call but the information it has on learning to read geese! Learning how to use a short reed takes time, and a lot of practice. If you are using a flute stay with it and learn how to use it better. Then this winter get a short reed and start practicing for next year.
A good flag on a extend able pole is also a good choice. Then scout and scout some more. Watch where the geese like to feed.
Geese or tough use 3.5"mag shells with bb shot and a super full choke. Get the heaviest shot you can. Use lead if possible or Bizmuth,hevishot,black cloud. Lead and Bizmuth is the top dog for those 60yd shots.
Good Luck