Average ranges vary, but with small bodies of water shots in the 20 to 30 yard range are the norm. Hunters can shoot lighter loads with smaller shot sizes which are not only more comfortable to shoot but quite a bit less expensive as the magnum loads. Goose hunting can be as easy as finding a good crop field to set up on. Early season scouting of corn and peanut fields can assist in locating goose hotspots. Having numerous fields set up to hunt is very advantageous as heavy hunting pressure will scare geese off a field quickly, especially now when goose numbers are low in the area.
Decoys can be very important when hunting geese in a field.
While the majority of area hunters choose to use shells and full body decoys, numerous hunting guides around the country are now singing the praises of the silhouette decoys. The new silhouette decoys by Outlaw, Real Geese and Flambeau feature photographic images of real geese on them and as the birds fly by them the decoys vanish and reappear giving the decoy spread the illusion of movement. The flat decoys take up very little room and weigh very little making the trek into the field considerably easier than toting dozens of shell and full body decoys. Care of the silhouette decoys is very easy, just wash them off with cold water. Never put any type of protectant on them such as Armor-All, as this will cause the decoys to shine and spook birds from far distances.