Geese dont like me, Why

Tulelicious · 12-30-2003, 03:45 PM

I am fairly new to the waterfowling world and this is the first year I really gave it some effort. I went on my first goose hunt last weekend. I had 5 dozen decoys that I borrowed, I was located in a pit blind in a cover crop field next to a cut wheat field in the Biggs area about 5 miles from the Columbia River. I had several groups of birds show interest in my spread but they would flair at about 40 yards out every time. Even if their locked in and looked like they were going to land. I cant figure out what was scaring them. I did not have a call(left it in the truck accidentally) the decoys looked good to me. The blind had very good cover. Could not calling them scare them off. Also what types of calls work good for one person calling alone (brands, Styles). I had a great time and want to do this more any advice on what I could do differently.

billc_sbio · 12-30-2003, 06:52 PM

Hehe, well that's a tough one to nail down, exactly!

Sometimes calling (or NOT calling) is the secret.

Often when geese get to 40 yards they expect to hear something or see some movement in the decoys.

Sounds like they were real close, "hung up" while looking, then decided those were decoys they were looking at.

Probably if you were back there right NOW in this snowy weather, with all the cold, and NEED to feed, I'll bet they'd come right in!

If you could be out in the same location THIS weekend, use your call, and maybe a flag (before they get very close) they might just pile in on you.

The eastern Ore. geese are pretty fickle when the weather's not that cold. They have ALL kinds of land and fields to chose from. They've been hunted pretty well and they're not stressed to have to feed, so they pretty much do what they want.

Under similar conditions I've gone out and scouted in the afternoon, watched where they were feeding and "put 'em to bed", then showed up the next morning and set up right ON the field they were in the previous evening. Then they fly out and land 2 circles either short of me or back behind me! There's NOTHING you can do about that. Once those scouts decide where they want to go and start landing, if it's one of those days where they ALL go into that field, you're just SOL!

Hopefully you have one of those days when there are small bands of geese "searching" and working around. Those are the days when you can count on shooting geese. As far as I know, there's NO way to know when those days are going to happen, you just have to be there when good luck strikes.

Right now we're entering the type of weather pattern that goose hunters look forward to, snow and cold weather! The snow limits where there's available food, and the geese won't be able to forage as far back up into the hills as they were a couple of weeks ago. So, if you have access to some fields closer to the river, you're in good shape. Also the cold will force them to have to feed more and more often. They're much more willing to commit to decoys under these conditions.

My recommendation is to go back out there ASAP in this weather. After 3-5 days of snow and cold they'll work your dekes much better.

Good luck.

[ 12-30-2003, 08:04 PM: Message edited by: billc_sbio ]

Get Bit · 12-30-2003, 07:16 PM

Tule,

Let me start by saying that goose hunting can be a very frustrating sport.I was sharing those same types of frustrations early in the year. Sure leaves you second guessing your self, HuH?

:whazzup: Let me start by saying I am learning every time I hunt and don't profess to be any kind of an expert.Goose hunting has a huge learning curve. Maybe we can get Dave Smith or Brad Cochran to respond to this also.I also recommend a hunt with them if you really want to learn. Money well spent.

Here is my attempt to answer: Sounds like you had everything looking good for the hunt you described. Assuming you had a good hide and didn't move when the birds were overhead etc. Calling can make a difference if done well. However, it can kill you if done poorly.Check out Bill Saunders calls if you want to get started. With that said, I would look at the types of decoys used and how they were arranged in relationship to your blind and the wind. I like to place them in family groups or attempt to pattern them in a "J" type configuration. I have found that fullbody decoys( Bigfoots,Higdon's Dave
Smith's,Hardcores,Dropzones,etc.) work the best consistently.That doesn't mean that others won't work.There's been alot of geese killed with silos and shells. Placing the decoys in the same kind of configuration you've seen the birds in previously is the best way, with an obvious landing area thats well within range(20-25 yds.). This might be with the blind at the front,back or middle of the spread.Just have to out think the geese so they will come close enough to kill.Can change from day to day or hour by hour if the wind shifts. (Rauly gave me a one small suggestion early in the year about my decoy spread and it was like a light turned on. We had geese landing right where we wanted them!) If you have the luxury of a bunch of groups working every few minutes this may mean moving decoys until you find what works. Lastly, the most consistent way to kill geese is to scout the day begore and see where the irds have been the previous days. Set up in the place they want to be; on the "X"! Being on the "X" can overcome alot of things that might mess up a hunt anywhere else.

Hope this helps!

Get Bit

billc_sbio · 12-30-2003, 07:55 PM

Here's one other "tip" that often works well on eastern Ore. geese...

Sometimes you can have them working right INTO your spread...often they don't.

When they do, well of course set up right IN or close to your spread.

However, especially out on those huge fields, those geese will circle the dekes, round and round before committing and coming in and landing.

With this in mind, we often set up with the dekes 50-70 yards away and then build our hides really well.

When those flocks come in they circle around as they lose altitude. On one of those passes they're right OVER you at 30 yards or so. That's WHEN you take them.

Not only that, but often they're looking so hard at the decoy spread that they don't pay too much attention to little "bulges" here and there out away from the spread.

Works for us (and has been for years)! :smile:

http://community.webshots.com/photo/...9677WqjTeZegwn

[ 12-30-2003, 08:59 PM: Message edited by: billc_sbio ]

1pump · 12-31-2003, 08:05 AM

If it's cold enough, they can see the vapor from your breath, especially if there's no wind.

Tulelicious · 12-31-2003, 08:25 AM

Thanks for the advice, I am heading out to the same location this saturday. Hopefully I will have some better luck. I will definatly need to just keep trying and trying. Its fun just being out there even if I dont shoot anything.

Lured In · 12-31-2003, 09:50 AM

I have hunted that area before from just west of Biggs to southwest of Wasco. The flocks down there tend to run the power lines pretty well. If you scout and can either get permission to hunt the field their in, or set up in the flight path, you might talk a few in. Most of the time it seems they string out and just follow the other flocks. If your not in the right place, they know it and continue on.

A couple other thoughts for you. Be sure to check around the field for anything unusual like tarps, trash cans, or other bright stuff laying around. Also, try setting up below the top of a crest in the field as geese generally like to feed uphill. Good luck.

Hoosier Daddy · 12-31-2003, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Geese don't like me. Why?

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">Just a guess, but maybe the shooting has something to do with it!!!! :grin:

Tilla · 12-31-2003, 01:49 PM

You have what is refered to as "The Bubble". It's a giant unseen bubble around you that when you have a gun the birds can't pass through. People will start refusing to hunt with you if they find out you have "the Bubble".

Educated birds can mean that your decoys are poison, as mentioned before hide 40 yds in the approach way if you can. Really really good calling can help sometimes.