Decoys

[Fox_hunter42]

Has anyone here had Geese seem uninterested in your spread while using Hardcore Decoys? Last year we killed alot of Geese using Bigfoot and Highdon Fullbody Decoys, and when needed Higdon and G&H shells. Because of the fact the fact I picked up 2 new farms to hunt that are back pack only, I sold the bigfoots and went to a smaller easier to carry decoy. I have 1 doz Hardcore varity pack, and 1 doz Sillosocks. After thinking back to late last season, our success ratio dropped off a bunch when I started using these new decoys. This year, no matter where I hunt, the Geese get almost into range and just veer off like they don't seem interested. They don't flare, just leave. I have changed set ups, blinds, blind location, I know I'm hid well, and mudded, grassed, stubbled etc. Been diggin blinds in about half way. Thought it was my calling, but I went without calling this morning, just flag and decoys and got same results. I has 2 flocks locked and cupped at about 150 yards, at 75 they flew away(SLOWLY) so I know they aren't spooked.

[fisherhunter460]

This happens to us all the time and we don't have any of the above mentioned decoys. But we finish a few flocks here and there. I'd be interested to hear if any one else has issues with finishing geese over them.

[imaduckin up north]

its called late season, the geese are spooky. they saw something they didnt like but i doubt it was the brand of dekes. i run some hardcores and they do fine. one thing about them is if you let them rub against each other to much they will shine. i bag mine

[Fox_hunter42]

the way these get handled I'm sure they rub against each other alot. I'm not bagging cheap Hardcore Decoys.

You can call it late season, early season whatever. It's been happening since Sept. and the Migrators just showed up this week. I agree they saw something they didn't want, and this is the only thing that has changed.

[#4nitrosteel]

Its been a wierd year..birds are spooky

[Fox_hunter42]

I know it sucks. 2 weeks left and I haven't fired a shot.

[fisherhunter460]

Come to think of it, we used to have the same problem with other decoys. They were older cheaper decoys. We could get birds to the 75 yard range and watch them drift to the side and leave. Since then we have replaced them with 2.5 dozen full bodies. We still use 3 dozen shells with them. Our success rate is much better.

[BenelliSBE2]

Maybe try ditching the silo's, late season birds can been very picky and you have to agree silo's dont really look like a goose. These birds get offillly smart after they get shot at a few times. Plus with a small spread like you got I'd leave the silo's at home. Just stick with shells and full bodies. Personally I'm not a fan of silo's unless your using huge spreads.

[younghonker23]

i have a half dozen of the hardcore feeder fullbodies and i had a pair of geese land right next to one and start lookin around like they were new to the field... i mean they are a nice addition but the rest of the spread is made up of GHG, Bigfoots and Final Approach so the hardcores are used mainly as fillers

[Fox_hunter42]

I didn't have the Sillo's out this weekend, so the only thing I haven't tried was removing the Hardcore's. I have the varity pack and some of them are very small. Oh well they are going down the road and I'm gonna replace them with something.

[DarkestDuck]

If I were you i'd get the Bigfoot B2's they are much easier to tote around than the originals. They are a bit smaller but look dang good in the field.

[tornadochaser]

Last thing I would worry about is the decoys. Keep them interested with some calling and subtle flagging. if they start to slide, get on em with the call. If nothing else, set your blinds 20 yards downwind of the decoys and just shoot the birds on the first pass.

When you are digging down, what are you doing with the dirt? are you just shoveling it to the side? is it darker than the surrounding soil?

Are you keeping your faces down under the mesh of the blinds? Is somebody prairie-dogging their head in and out of the blind trying to catch a glimpse of the birds?

[Fox_hunter42]

I have been hunting alone, the digging part was done before season and now I just removed the snow and repiled it around the blind. Yes my face is hidden, they aren't low enough to shoot on the first pass, tried setting up down wind, up wind, middle

calling seems to make no difference, and I flag until they are inside 150 yards, then when they start to turn away I flag and get very aggressive on the call and wave goodbye

[don835]

I really don't think it's the decoys. Maybe I missed it...what type of field are you hunting? I had the same problem in our Bean Field pit. Didn't matter what decoy I used, DSD, Dakota, Avian X, or Real Geese.
When we hunt the Corn Field pit we land 'em with no problem. Get some snow on the ground ant it will make decoyin' a lot easier.

Murph.

[Fox_hunter42]

picked corn, chisled corn, edge of chisled corn and bean,
I have hunted without snow, digging the blind in about half way, I have hunted with snow using the same dug out areas and using snow to help hide blind even more. I have hunted several different fields, miles apart so I haven't over hunted anyone area, I have used 3 different blinds all properly prepared and stubbled, countless different decoy setups and amounts, all recieving the same results. All differnt weather types, different times of day, same results

I still could be over looking some other detail, but I don't know what it is. I will find out this weekend because there is only one factor left to change. It's back to my Higdon Fulls and Shells for this weekend. Then if I get the same results, i don't know what to do. Others in my area are decoying Geese and shooting

[SeniorCoot]

HUH! Wery interesting-I bought a six pack of HC FB alert dekes this year- and had more problems late in season finishing geese- all other dekes are BF-FB's- G&H shells-and real geese silos- I have usual problems always with uninterested geese but usually can finish those that lock up- late this year with HC's in mix many groups came close but no shooting-???can't figure why they would be the culprit- their small and sit stupidly on stands but among others shouldn't stop geese from coming on down??

[Fox_hunter42]

maybe they shine or something. Like I have said it is the only thing I haven't changed

[don835]

Have you tried leaving the socks in the truck? Reason I say this is I have hunted Canada's over socks in the past and could not finish a Goose ta save my butt. If you run silos set 'em up wind so that the birds don't fly over them to the hole. It's really tough hunting late season with a small spread especially if you are working big flocks. Let us know how you come out will ya...I'm pullin' for ya!

Murph.

[DSM16428]

Have you tried leaving the socks in the truck? Reason I say this is I have hunted Canada's over socks in the past and could not finish a Goose ta save my butt. If you run silos set 'em up wind so that the birds don't fly over them to the hole. It's really tough hunting late season with a small spread especially if you are working big flocks. Let us know how you come out will ya...I'm pullin' for ya!

Murph.

Agreed. Sometimes I think the socks give off too much movement and flare the birds. Kepp at it Kelly! We're all havin a weird season.

[Fox_hunter42]

Yes I have taken them out. When I do use them they are always upwind behind the blinds. I usually pin them down so they don't dance as much. As posted earlier, there is only one piece of the puzzle left, and I just ordered some new replacements so we will see.

I will post results, thanks for everyone thoughts and prayers in this time of need.