The past couple of weeks really kicked up the preparation though. It started with ordering our shells. Once they arrived Jimmy quickly loaded up all our shell belts with anticipation. We took another day to work on our blinds. I had gotten some Avery killerweed Layout blind kits and we decided to prepare our blinds in advance with concealment on the stubble straps. This will help to greatly cut down precious time in the morning groundwork. Many waterfowlers know that there are many times it seems like you are trying to get your blinds concealed and someone yells, “Geese! In the air!” you have incoming and you aren’t ready. So we are hoping this helps.
Jimmy in his layout blind.
We separated decoys into their individual bags…it always seems by the end of season in February…you have full bodies in with the floater ducks…floater geese somewhere else….so this was the time to check the flocked heads and separate accordingly.
Jimmy had the guns cleaned and the proper chokes in and ready to go. I pulled out our lightweight Medalist Camo and checked waders and wading shoes. I have been working Drake everyday with familiarizing him around decoys, calls, blinds and other equipment. Not to mention are daily routine training on ground and water.
The most important thing we have been doing is scouting, scouting and MORE scouting. We always visit the farms where we have permission to hunt in advance to the first week. We touch base with the Farmers and make sure nothing has changed with his property and to assure we still have permission if the geese show up on their farm. We check local waterways we know the geese may frequent. Most importantly is the “wild goose chase” as I call it. This is where we usually sit on a high hill or by a roost site and wait for the geese to take fight to go feed. Depending on the local crop and what is planted, harvested and when it is harvested determines at times where the geese will be. Once the geese take flight we try to determine from our post site where they are feeding. This is most important the day and night before the opener. Usually, and I say that softly… (until they are disturbed or the feed runs out in a field) they will continue to return to the same field each day. That isn’t always the case. 2 years ago we had a large flock pinned in a field one night…tons of feed in the field, set up bright and early and waited. And waited. Only to never have them arrive. Why? Who knows they are wild animals! My guess, the wind made them do it!
Another aspect of scouting is the preferred flight routes or corridors ducks and geese tend to fly as they move back and forth from feeding areas to roost areas. It is good to locate these corridors. This can help as to where you can set up in or near them during hunting season. Geese will tend to fly out into the wind and keep going until they reach a field to feed in. Resident geese will establish a pattern and often fly the same way each day and feed in a field until the food is gone. Then they move onto the next field. Now this theory will change with the wind. Meaning a major wind shift will cause birds to fly out in a different direction and not the usual flight. Thus the answer to our no show geese I told you about above.
Jimmy is very excited this year being able to hunt. His whole day is planned so he says. Early morning geese as long as we can keep them coming in. Then dove in the afternoon. Then according to him another goose hunt that evening. My bet is he will be sleeping in his blind later that evening! He got a new gadget for hunting this year. Those of you that know my son…you know Spike is all about gadgets! It’s the “Dove Tree”. Yes it is a 10 foot plastic tree that can be broken down. It has an anchor that goes into the ground, actual limbs that attach to the tree and dove decoys that clip on it. I can’t wait to see if it works.
I think we are about ready as ready can be. My highlight this year will be most importantly seeing Jimmy actually hunting his first goose hunt, his reactions, and excitement. Then seeing my dog at work and spending that exciting first morning with family and friends.
Good luck to everyone venturing out. Be safe, be courteous and be sure to post all your stories.
Teresa
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