Gearing Up For Goose Hunting

	Flambeau® Ducks Unlimited® Commemorative Magnum Convert-a-Goose Decoys

Even though the warm weather and the green grass of September makes hunting season seem months away, the colder nights and morning dew reminds us that early goose season is here and migratory season is fast approaching. As the days get shorter and the nights longer now is a perfect time to start thinking about gearing up for goose season.

Every year around this time, I find myself spending countless hours researching the latest offerings by manufacturers and creating wish list after wish list that would scare even old Saint Nick himself. This year is no different. By compiling and placing my orders early I am assured that I will have the products necessary to round out my rig for the season. Plus, the early goose season affords me the opportunity to make adjustments to my rig before numb fingers and large flights of Canada Geese come my way.

Flambeau® The Judge

Decoys
Flambeau® Ducks Unlimited® Commemorative Magnum Convert-a-Goose Decoys are a goose hunter’s dream. Not only do these decoys look great, but also they are extremely versatile on both water and land. Their removable snap-in weighted keels gives you enough weight for a big water rig while offering you the flexibility to change over to field shells by simply removing the snap-in keel. In addition, you can create a customized spread by changing the decoy head from sentry to feeder. Flambeau has put some serious thought into the design of this premium decoy. To change from sentry to feeder requires nothing more than simply removing the neck and head from the body and simply snapping the head to the opposite end of the neck to change from one head position to another. In less than 10 seconds and without any extra pieces to lose you can change the look and feel of your entire goose rig.

One of the best features, I found out by accident, of course, was that the snap-in weighted keels float, something I really did not expect and made retrieving it a breeze!

New this year, Flambeau has introduced The Judge. Talk about an attention getter! Just mixing these full body geese with the traditional decoys and “cover-up”. When hunting on the water, I like to have the full body decoys set up behind the boat on land to draw those wary birds in for a closer look. This is one item that is a must to round out your rig and I am sure you will be pleased with the results.

	Robo Duk - Honker Direct Drive Decoy

Motion Decoys
Now that our spread is almost 100% complete there is only one other piece missing from the rig -- motion. And who better to rely on than the manufacturer of the original - RoboDuk Decoys. Roboduk has improved their Honker Direct Drive Decoy by doubling the wingspan of its Honker and adding a new waterproof motion timer that cycles the decoy’s wing-beats. This timer gives your decoy a more realistic wing beat and the variable motion reduces the chance of birds becoming “decoy shy”. This on and off cycle also increases the battery life to approximately 10-12 hours. You will be surprised at how well a little bit of motion will help build confidence and pull those shy geese right into your rig.

Whether you are buying new decoys for the season or dusting off old favorites, make sure you check your decoy lines and weights. Without careful examination of last year’s rig you could end up chasing down runaway decoys instead of shooting birds. All of our decoys are set up with H.S. Waterfowl Quick-Rig Decoy Line and Quick Rig Cord Clamps. We have found this to be one of the most secure set-ups and only requires a second to set up. When you are rigging a few dozen decoys, time is of the essence.

Hunter Specialties Advantage Wetlands Camo® Nylon Mesh Bag measures (36” x 58”) and holds a dozen magnum goose decoys, the adjustable shoulder straps and waist band make it easier to carry the decoys to and from the boat or field.

Hunter Specialties Custom Goose Call

Calls
Dust off your old favorite call and give it a HONK! Depending on how it sounds you may want to think about a new call. Hunter Specialties, H.S. Waterfowl Custom Goose Call is new to the market this year. This competition grade short reed goose call is made of acrylic and can produce the sweet sounds to pull geese in close. If the custom call is not for you, or you are looking to try a short reed call for the first time, try the Hunter Specialties Slammer Series. The Slammer Short Reed Goose Call is priced extremely attractively and comes with a step-by-step instructional tape to walk through each of your calls. This step-by-step instructional tape makes a great way to learn to blow a short reed goose call or brush up before Opening Day. Practice, practice, practice!

	Columbia Omni Quad Widgeon

Clothing
If you are thinking of buying a new waterfowling jacket, now is the perfect time to get in style with your favorite pattern before the season ramps up and popular patterns are in limited supply. Columbia puts out a number of fine waterfowling jackets that range in just about everyone’s budget. We recently tested the Columbia Omni Quad Widgeon, and I would have to say it received high marks from our Pro Staff. This 100% breathable jacket is built for 2 things: nasty weather and waterfowling. Everything from the quick 12ga. / 20ga loader to the zip out lining makes this one of the most versatile parkas on the market today. The outer Omni-Tech shell is breathable and waterproof for those days when you need the protection from the elements. The camouflage zip out liner can be used alone on those cool fall mornings when the outer shell in not necessary. The Thermolite Plus® insulation will keep you warm and comfortable all season long. There is no way you can go wrong with the Columbia Omni Quad Widgeon or Parka!

Winchester Supreme High Velocity Steel Shot

Shells & More
Until field-testing the Winchester Supreme High Velocity Steel Shot I was not a big fan of steel shot and I know many avid waterfowlers who feel the same way. But all that changed when I discovered Winchester Supreme High Velocity Steel Shot. Finally, a manufacturer who offers steel shot that packs the punch of lead!

Opening Day of early season Canada Geese left us with a full bag and no cripples. All of the geese were harvested cleanly with the 3-inch BB load traveling at a screaming 1450 fps (feet per second @ 3 ft).

The Staff here at GundogsOnline.com combined this great shot shell with Hunter Specialties Undertaker ® Choke Tubes to create a deadly combination. The Undertaker Chokes come in two choke constrictions, one for decoying birds (25-30 yards shots) and a tighter choke designed for pass shooting or on open water at 30-45+ yards.

	Hunter Specialties Undertaker® Choke Tubes

Aftermarket chokes are a quick and inexpensive way to customize your shotgun for better performance. The Undertaker is specifically designed for non-toxic shot to eliminate pattern holes. One of the simple pleasures of the undertaker choke tube is the knurled end, which allows you to swap chokes without the use of a chock tube wrench (Just one less thing I have to dig through the dry box for when there are birds skirting the decoys).

If I could recommend one simple step before you get into the blind or boat for the season; make sure your shotgun is in good working order and pattern your shotgun. Take the extra time to know exactly how your gun shoots the load of your choice through the different chokes. Experiment until you find the right combination, which gives you a good pattern at the range, as you desire. Once you know the performance, you can adjust your swing and shooting style to knock down more birds.

Make the investment in Winchester Supreme shot shells and The Undertaker Choke Tubes, count your birds at the end of the year. I know you will be pleased with the results.

Fiber optic sights are another great way to customize your shotgun and improve your shooting experience. This inexpensive addition is simple to install and it will not mar your barrel or bluing. The magnetic sight simply snaps to the rib of the shotgun and stays firmly in place. Hi-Viz Sights System® has perfected and improved the traditional fiber optic technology with LitePipe™. Even in the lowest of light conditions, LitePipe lights up the end of the barrel allowing the shooter to acquire targets quicker, improves the shooter’s sight plane thus improving the swing. Try one and you will be amazed at how it improves your swing. Soon you will have Hi-Viz on all of your hunting and target guns. In the early dawn or the last flight of the day you will wish you had a Hi-Viz sight on your scatter gun!

Lastly, now that you have taken the steps to customize your gun, protect it when going to and from the field. If you are a fan of hard cases Flambeau has a new line that is sturdy and cost effective.

Accessories
I think many hunters overlook the use of hearing and eye protection in the field. I cannot stress the importance of both. I know I have had many evenings after waterfowl hunting where I have gone home with my ears ringing. Yes, it was a great day in the field but at the cost was the sound of bells in my head for several days after the hunt. I know many people do not like to use hearing protection while out in the field since they cannot hear the approach of game. There are alternatives to traditional passive hearing protection. Electronic hearing protection not only protects your hearing but it also can amplify sounds so you can hear the birds coming from farther away then ever before. This almost seems like cheating, but it beats the ringing at the end of the day and the loss of long term hearing.

	Randolph Engineering Ranger XL

Eyewear should also be considered when in the field. Reeds, sticks, and gun blowback can all be stopped from blowing into your eyes by wearing a good pair of shooting glasses. There have been days in the field where I am very grateful for my pair of Randolph Engineer Ranger Shooting Glasses. The other benefits of a good pair of shooting glasses are their interchangeable lenses to reduce glare and their ability to enhance lighting on overcast days.

Field Guide to Dog First Aid

The Dog
Many dog owners seem to purchase field guide to first aid kits only after their dog is injured in the field and not when they are immediately needed. Don’t make the same mistake; your dog’s health may be at stake. A good first aid book and first aid kit is a must for those of you hunting geese with a dog. The Field Guide to Dog First Aid ™ & The Orvis Guide to First Aid for Sporting Dogs are two great sources of information and they are both pocket size to fit just about anywhere.

Anyone who hunts with a dog should also keep a tube of EMT Gel™ in his or her field pack. EMT Gel is a collagen-based gel that aids in healing, deters bleeding and acts like a scar for protection of the wound. It is great for repairing ripped pads, torn ears, abrasions as the collagen-based gel promotes rapid healing and protects against bacterial infection.

So be safe and get out there and have some fun. Take this time to get to know your new gear and perfect your game.