Calling geese

[Zach White]

I have a question about calling geese. well i started hunting with my uncle who is new at decoying geese. He doesnt know how to call but he gets mad at me if i dont hammer away at my call everytime we see geese....I believe that being in the right spot and setting up the most realistic spread you can....and if your on the x calling just ices the cake....my question is does anyone think that calling is "over rated"

[imported_Derek Rambo]

Zach,

I don't think calling is over rated...however it is often overused. What I mean by that is people see geese and then just hammer on them. Works sometimes......however, most novice goose and duck hunters do not take the time, while hunting, to "read" the birds. If the birds are calling alot(which you find out if you wait to hear them)not only call alot, but mimik what they are saying(cluck, moans, spit notes, slow honks..etc). You have to not only call like them but you have to call at their pace. This changes daily.
So along with your scouting and setting up on or near the X, calling is just as important as all of it. I think calling is overlooked most of the time...if they do not come to rapid, hammering calls people say that's how it goes that day and they were call shy. You have to listen, apply what you heard, and sound as real as possible.
You will notice on these forms that realism IS the key..that goes for decoys, set up, concealment, AND calling!!

Hope this helps. Thanks for posting!!

[Allan Stanley]

"my question is does anyone think that calling is "over rated" "

Zach, I honestly think it depends on who is doing the calling:

A poor caller will often hurt their chances by blowing their call.

A good caller who doesn't know how to work geese has a better chance just because they can make a realistic sound. If they pay attention, and have a number of geese to call at every day, they will learn what works on the geese where they hunt.

A great caller can often control the skies. People around him will wait until he is done before they can get birds. And he doesn't have to be on the X, but it sure helps.

I don't think calling is over-rated, but I think people often over-rate their calling.

Allan Stanley
Avery Pro-Staff

[Paul Cupka]

Zach,
I agree with Rambo that most people do not even attempt to read the birds, that goes for ducks and geese, while I do not consider myself a "great" caller I do consider myself a great reader. I rely on my flag to intrest the birds from a distance, not loud calling. In my opinion too many hunters call to much and do not sound like a goose, or atleast what the geese are doing that day. I use this to my advantage, and have had some of my best days with low key calling right up until the birds are finishing. That being said, listen to what Rambo said, and listen to the birds first or study their wing beats and you can usually tell what it is going to take to land those birds. I will go on to say that me personally, I do not believe that a call is your most important weapon when hunting, it is a tool, just the same as decoys, scouting, your gunning ability, and your concealment. Put all these factors together and you will find yourself a better all around hunter. I guess what I am trying to say in short is- make yourself a good caller, but do not soley rely on that call to determine your success in the field.
Thanks for your posting and interest, you have already taken the first step, if you're not sure, then ask!

[Zach White]

Thanks guys...earlier this year i got zinks video paraylizin and i learned a lot...... just trying to take everything to another level.

[Will DeBlois]

i agree with what they said..calling is not overated but can be overused...i found the more calling you do from about october-early december the more you get..but as we get into our january season maybe just one person calling and throwing in just acouple clucks..i think it's all about your spread too..obviously if you have more you gotta make more noise but in all..i don't think calling is overated