Need some HELP

[sodak hunter]

Hey guys, I need some help. I’ve searched through other posts but can’t seem to find any definite answers. Ever since the end of early season, I can’t seem to finish birds at all. They come in perfectly until the last 80 yards or so, and then it’s like they hit a wall and flare really bad. I can’t seem to figure out what it is. It’s obviously either my setup or my blind, so if you guys could help with any suggestions that would be great. I think my problem could be the setup looking too “human” or the blind sticking out. I am going to start digging my blind in a bit to get a lower profile, but as far as the setup, that is what I could use the most help with. I use 18 FFD Lesser feeders, 16 full body actives, and 18 shells, and also use a Ground Force blind. Thanks a lot guys!

[Andrew Bremseth]

The most important thing is a good hide, make sure you get your blind really concealed and if you can dig, do it. At this time of the year geese are getting used to the game. They have been shot at several times from a U or C shaped spread. A lot of times now you will see geese start landing at the back of a decoy spread or to the sides because they have been shot at so many times right at the front. Time to mix it up, dehumanize the spread and throw tricks at them they haven't seen. Get hidden and you will be fine.

On a side note maybe you are calling too little or too much when they are at that 80 yard wall?

[nvr8884]

Next time you go out take a pic. of your setup and blind post it on here and hopefully get some advice from the guys on here on what to do diff. .it would be easier to look at what you are doing rather than having to picture what it might look like...good luck;)

[David Rearick]

My first bet would be the birds are seeing something that they don't like. A face, a hat, your hands moving while calling, or something else that is creating glare. If decoys are set wrong, you may have trouble finishing birds, but you will not get a flare at 80 yards. Looks at your blind, potentially your dog if you run one, or look for someone peeking out of their blind. Also, make sure not to flag when the birds are in your face, only one the corners and as they are out a ways, flagging in close is a good way to give away your location and then they will pick you apart.

Decoys can be set wrong, but concealment will get you every time.

[Levi Fry]

Concealment is key. Take extra time to hide your blinds, and make sure you have either mudded or painted your blinds to dull the shine. Next is movement, make sure you and your partners keep your faces hidden deep in the blind, or even use a mask if you have a tendency to look around. Remember to check for shadows from the blinds as well.

Decoys...try family groups to make the birds look natural. Make sure your dekes are clean and all in the right position. Use your full bodies in the front of your spread and the shells behind. Putting the shells on motion stakes will help as well.

Sometimes birds are very fickle, you just have to play with them. Watch your calling too, be sure you are reading the geese. If the birds are on the deck to 80, slow down your calling and if they flare get back on them to center them up.

Hope this helps, keep practicing and I am sure you will figure it out soon.

[Troy Bailey]

What kind of field are you in and how are you hiding the blind? Has the blind been mudded/painted and are you stubbling it up well. As others have mentioned I'd say you've got a concealment problem of some sort, whether it's your blind or something else in your spread.

Have you walked out in front of your set up and looked back it to see how things look?

[Mark Brendemuehl]

IT sure sounds like they are seeing something out of place. I would look at the spread and blinds in a 360 degree circle to see if anything appears out of place.
You don't have a massive spread... another option would be to set up so the birds are NOT finishing in your face. If the birds are conditioned to looking for problems in spreads, take one of the problems out, and move it to the side and in FRONT of the decoys. This way the birds are focusing only on the decoys and not your blinds. Only flag at a distance to get their attention, as you do not want to draw attention to your blind in this situation.
Digging in your blind will definately help.
Let us know how it works for you.
Mark

[Scott Turpen]

Try all the above tips and maybe use only those 18 FFD's with a few Actives or Lookers if you got one or 2. THe advantage is that the birds maybe used to seeing big to good size spreads. And if the geese still pull up short they may be in range when they do as they will if you move your blinds.

Like Mark suggested move your blind down wind a little bit and DO NOT FLAG once the birds are closer than 150 to 100 yards. Also try putting the blinds off of the side.

[Dwayne Padgett]

You may try setting up with a cross wind instead of at your back where your off to one side of the spread so the birds are not looking at you head on.

These guys have given you a lot of good advise, Hope it helps. Good luck !

[Dwayne Padgett]

You can also go to this link and map out the spread your using and show us then mayube we can help you a little more.


http://www.gooserefuge.com/DecoyApp2/SimplePaint2.html

[sodak hunter]

First of all, thanks a lot to everyone for the quick and insightful replies, I appreciate it. As far as some of the questions posted for me:

Andrew: In regards to the calling, that could be, I’ll take note next time, and with “dehumanizing” the spread, any suggestions or advice on this?

David: With the 80 yards thing, that has happened the last couple times, and a few other times before that they fly over the spread and just circle a couple times, and then leave, would this also be a concealment thing, or a decoy or calling problem?

Troy: As of right now I am hunting in cut silage, bean, and just recently, corn fields. The problems started when I switched from wheat ground to bean and silage, which is no coincidence I’m sure. I have mudded my blind twice this year, and try to stub it pretty well, but even when I have it stubbed, the overall size sticks out, which is why I am going to dig it in. Hope this helps.

Here is a picture of my setup as best I could put it, hope this helps also.


http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/8889/spreadjq0.png (http://imageshack.us)
http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/spreadjq0.png/1/w800.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img235/spreadjq0.png/1/)

[NickHallph-1]

one thing that may be wrong is that you may not be giving the birds a big enough hole to work over i have been on hunts were the kill hole wasnt big enough and they would flare off so you may not be giving the birds enough room to work with

[Troy Bailey]

Troy: As of right now I am hunting in cut silage, bean, and just recently, corn fields. The problems started when I switched from wheat ground to bean and silage, which is no coincidence I’m sure. I have mudded my blind twice this year, and try to stub it pretty well, but even when I have it stubbed, the overall size sticks out, which is why I am going to dig it in. Hope this helps.


I think you just answered your own question. Silage and bean stubble are very short and difficult to hide in. I think your on the right track by digging, if the fields are such that you can use the terrain, such as terraces, to your advantage to hide the blinds that is always a plus.