Calling geese on a river set up.

[Brent Cahoon]

I do some guiding on a river here in UT. I can call geese fairly well and we have great spots for the birds.
My question is to any and all of the prostaff that would answer.
How would you call to geese comming from the feed fields to the river?
I sometimes call all the way to the water and sometimes call a little and am quiet.
I need some help and suggestions from the pro's.
Any help lended would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Brent Cahoon
UT

[Bill Cooksey]

Brent,
It's been a long time since I have really hunted geese in the scenario that you have described, but it sounds like you are doing the same thing the experts do. Try different things until you see what the geese want that day. Typically, both ducks and geese work the same style of calling on a given day. Hopefully some of the true experts will get out of the field long enough to answer you.
Bill

[Rob Jepson]

Brent,

I'd have to confirm Bill's response to your question. The scenario you described obviously can require a different calling style on a day-to-day basis. Personally I use a very passive approach; basically clucks and moans, assuming that geese (like me after a meal), just want to go relax and get a drink. Of course sometimes you have to hit them as soon as you see them and as you said stay on them until their feet are wet...that's one of the many rewarding things that hunting offers. It's finding that solution to your problem or situation... Distilled to it's essence for me,at the end of the day, I love to be able to say; "Me fool goose."

Good luck and keep after them...
Rob

[Brent Cahoon]

Thanks a bunch for the responses.
I will definately try to be versatile.
Brent

[Allan Stanley]

Brent,

If you are hunting where the geese want to rest after feeding, just having a realistic decoy spread and staying completely hidden, with some judicious flagging may do the job.

If I am not on the "X", I like to hit the birds with my call when they first enter my "sphere of influence". This can be a long way off. Hitting them early, and reading their reactions at first, and as they approach, will tell you what is going to work. Sometimes after the initial call, the rest is just keeping them on line towards the decoys. Other days it is a struggle to interest the birds and keep them coming.

Often, geese are used to using the exact same sand bar, beach, or open water to drink and rest. If you are not in one of these places, you will have to convince them to come to your spot. It may take aggressive calling and flagging, but only experience in your particular area will tell.

Allan