goose decoy question

CW59 · 06-30-2008, 09:58 PM

OK, I need some advice, my grandfather just gave me a couple dozen half body decoy's. There all still in my car (I will unpack them 2morrow) but I was wondering about a goose spread? Would half body's work or do I need to add in some fullbody's???? I will get a pic of everything I have in the next few day's but I was wondering what everyone thought.

Thanks
CW

sprigkiller09 · 07-01-2008, 05:43 AM

On september season honkers the shells may work. But for the rest of the season you will certainly want to add some full bodies. And i would go with just full bodies if it was me.

TheJester357 · 07-01-2008, 06:16 AM

We used to hunt alot of shells, but have switched to DSD's. You don't need as many, and they tend to work better in most situations. Later in the season, some of the birds tend to pick out the shells, making them harder to decoy. Shells are still better than nothing, but I'd mix in some full bodies with your spread.

Bob

baltz526 · 07-01-2008, 07:11 AM

shells work. i use them at wikiup, summer lake, in a mixed spread. if i put out my full spread. it includes 3 to 4 dozen duck, 12 canada shells and 6 canada floaters

CW59 · 07-02-2008, 05:44 AM

Thanks for the reply's. I will try and save some money up for some full body's. What do you guy's think about wind ducks I got a couple of those, and was told that they scare the geese away and to not use them in a goose spread?
Thanks for the time

CW

sprigkiller09 · 07-02-2008, 05:49 AM

In my experience what you heard is absolutely right. Never had luck with a motion duck in my spread even on water.

TheJester357 · 07-02-2008, 06:15 AM

They work well if all your hunting is ducks, but we've had geese flare every time we used them in a mixed spread.

Bob

CW59 · 07-02-2008, 06:48 AM

Good info, thanks for helping out!!!!

CW

OutdoorBum · 07-02-2008, 08:33 AM

You could dress up like a goose CW...there's a FULL BODY for ya!!

Northwest Pest · 07-03-2008, 12:04 AM

Shells will work just fine for geese in most areas, however the geese in the valley are not your average goose and you will have to adapt to be successful all the time on valley geese.

Threemuch · 07-03-2008, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sprigkiller09

In my experience what you heard is absolutely right. Never had luck with a motion duck in my spread even on water.

I am not an expert by any means, but I have been really surprised at how effective flagging is. I probably wouldn't run a spinner, and if I did, I would stop spinning it with the birds still several hundred yards out.

Geese are more wary than ducks, but motion gets their attention and isn't a bad thing while they are still a ways out.

sprigkiller09 · 07-03-2008, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Threemuch

I am not an expert by any means, but I have been really surprised at how effective flagging is. I probably wouldn't run a spinner, and if I did, I would stop spinning it with the birds still several hundred yards out.

Geese are more wary than ducks, but motion gets their attention and isn't a bad thing while they are still a ways out.

Your right flagging can be good to catch their eye. Especially when running traffic. But when the birds are in close you dont want that motion as their eye is drawn to that and if it looks unnatural often times they will bust you. Great point though threemuch.

CW59 · 07-03-2008, 11:16 PM

How close would you stop flagging????
Whent the geese come in to us, I don't want to change anything, so stop flagging scares me.

CW

sprigkiller09 · 07-03-2008, 11:20 PM

In my opinion and it is just an opinion and a very unimportant one at that. If they are coming and seem interested stop flagging. I would only flag if the geese are not headed to you as you mainly want to get their attention. Most the time i just use my arm or hat. So it is not a matter of how close as if you dont have their attention then suddenly have it, Stop flagging.

CW59 · 07-03-2008, 11:32 PM

Sprig thanks
I'm not to big into goose hunting but might as well learn what I can you know.

CW

sprigkiller09 · 07-04-2008, 08:07 AM

CW59: No prob, For me there was more error than success when starting out. Mixed spreads vs. one type of decoy, spread high numbers of decoys vs. low numbers of decoys, Flagging vs not flagging, we will just say my first few years were NOT PRETTY. Had to try it all and conclude on what works best for my situations. They may not be right but im willing to help if i can.

D3smartie · 07-04-2008, 08:31 AM

CW - I'll flag a little bit on the corners if they are being difficult. I much prefer to not have to use a flag though.