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As I set the last decoys and was
giving the guys the plan, the rush of a honk broke
the air. "Geese Geese Geese get covered up". A
pair of giant Canadians were out scouting for the hot field.
A flag shot up like a frantic signal for help, a couple long
and loud honks rang out of the spread as the geese hooked
and made a be-line for us."they're on a string boys be
still" a few clucks from my call kept them on course as
I flipped the flag and the landing gear came out. , at 70
yards they were headed for the center. As I grabbled on
the call and made a few more clucks, 30 yards and "Take
em" 2 shots and 2 in the bag "center punched us,
Classic boys" At that point it was just after shooting
hours and already had a great hunt going. Flock after flock
did the same thing that day with small and big groups
till I called the hunt at 10:00. We had continuous
shooting opportunities all mourning and I did not want
to ruin the field. We had geese wanting in while we pulled
decoys so another hunt there was in the near future. Late
season goose hunting in Michigan can be very productive if
you do your home work.
First and most of all you can't
enjoy the hunt if your feet are freezing or you're just
plain cold. Michigan winters can be cold and you need to be
prepared with the proper clothing for any kind of weather.
If you got blinds that completely cover you up like
Goose busters or eliminators take a sleeping bag and get in
it this will definitely keep you warm. If you have goose
chairs or just layout in the field then you need to have
something under you also. Plus lots of layers of clothing.
When you got 500 geese coming off the water in flocks of 3
to 40 at a time you may have to be still for a long period
of time so be prepared for the worst [ or the best ] .
Now that your going to stay
warm!!!!
The best scenario is to be where
they want to be. The old location theory. Although
geese tend to jump fields more when it cold and are
constantly looking for a food source, still location can be
the difference. Scouting, scouting and more scouting can
only pay off in the end. Find where they want to be.
OK now you've got the hot
field!!!
Decoys, More is better. Geese in
late season are sometimes limited to fields that have
sufficient grain in and some field are just pain
covered up with snow. When they find them, they all seem to
go there. I prefer full bodies and silhouettes over shells.
I also set a dozen or two of rags [ wind socks ] placed
mainly where I want them to focus. I also set a few silhouettes
up with a piece of 1" conduit about a foot long so
they move with the wind, it gives more realism.
We also have at least 2 people
that flag to get there attention. The flaggers are
probably the most important part next to the spread. So they
need to know what they are doing bigtime. A flag up at the
right time will put them in the pocket, at the wrong time
will, well you know. Calling is also very important but more
to secure and to entice then to use to attract. Usually
though we do allot more calling in the late season. The
birds seem to be a lot more vocal.
Decoy selection is done!!!
Now where and how to put your
spread?
This is where the scouting pays
off again. Always try to place decoys right where the geese
have been feeding. Most usually on top or the side of a the
highest spot in the field. There are several shapes for the
spread, it is best though to simulate how the live
geese looked when you seen them in the field. If they were
all over then set a big X out with longer legs on
the down wind side with winds less then 10 Mph. For
real windy days set the short end down wind and the windier
the shorter the X should be down wind. The geese take a long
time in strong winds to get within shooting range and they
can figure things out on the best spreads. So you'll get
your shots before they figure it out. Always set
a pod of decoys directly right and left of the middle of the
spread at the edges of the X . So basically you
have 2 V's with both the open parts facing to opposite ends
of each other and the closed ends touching each other. The
middle is where they touch.
The spread is set!!!!
The hunters should be placed by
assignment. Flaggers need to be in the center. The main
calling should be close to the flaggers. You should also
place hunters on the outsides of the spreads for the wary
birds because you'll have em. Calls to use and most
generally in this sequence. First the greeting call. blow
tooowit tooowit.. then use clucks as they get closer.
Clucks blow twit twit twit
then when they are just out of range but online use Grabbles
blow da da da da da da da da da just say da in your
call and you'll be doing the feeding grabble Speed it up and
slow it down. If they flair and some will, use the double
cluck to make them think one or more of the birds in the
flock decided to land. Blow to-wit-a, to-wit-a,
to-wit-a as fast as you
can and still sound like excited goose landing Goose.
If you get no response and as they are leaving hit the
flag and blow wittoooo witooo witooo you're basically
pleading to the geese that it's Ok come back. If they start
to turn then just start at the beginning and this time if
they come close take em. These tips are what
works for me, on any given day things may change be prepared
to change whatever to gain there confidence. Hunting
Michigans late season Geese can be a rush you'll not soon
forget.
For guided goose hunting go to
my web site for more info.
Thanks Mike
Boyd
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