Goose spread question

[WSU]

What mix of decoy positions do people prefer?  I'm going to buy a new spread of full body lessers and want to figure out the mix.  How many feeders, sentries, etc.?  How many total for a good starter spread?  i'm think I should be able to get by with a dozen and a half to start.  More would be better, but I plan to add as I go.

[quackattack90]

I personally like to have 1-2 sentry deeks per dozen and then I like to have a relative equal amount between active and feeder.

When you add deeks get a variety that way if the birds are using the field as a place to rest go heavier on resting deeks.  Same goes if the birds are using the field for feeding, go heavier on the feeders.  Just my    Hope this helps

[JJD]

I agree with1 -2 sentry per doz.  I like 2 to 1 or even 3 to 1 feeder to active ratio. 
Watching undisturbed flocks of geese in the fields as another flock approaches,  only 1/3 or less will stop feeding to look see what’s going on until incoming birds are nearly on top of them.
Later in the season, when they come off the roost once a day and stay in the field for much of it, I like a dozen or so sleeper / preener decoys out.

[LittleHunter]

I don't know where you hunt but where i hunt the fields get hit hard and with all the local guide services out in the fields every goose day setting up anywhere from 100 to 400 decoys and throwing every call at them doesn't take long for the birds to get educated. I like to be the guy out in the field that is different from everybody else ill drop my number deeks down to 18 and make it look like a lonely flock just landed and is feed or resting depending on what i see the birds doing in the area and i never hunt the exact spot i see the birds in the field. The birds know where they been in the field and know that they allready ate the feed out of that spot so ill move 200 to 300 yard from where they were the day before or if im not the only party hunting that field ill set my spread up so im the first flock of bird that they see and clue in on even if i have to set up on the edge of a field and i just try to keep there attention on my spread. For decoy postions i would go with a verity packs cant go wrong. You see geese out on the field or on the water not all of them are feeding or resting you allway have a few that are off doing there own thing that makes you think what the hell are they doing. Those are the bird i key on to and try to mimic them and if your wondering what im talking about the next time you see a field loaded with geese start breaking them down buy family groups if you can or you will have your spot where there all feedind and up wind of them you should have your resters if there is a wind but you can break the field down buy what the geese are doing and 9 time out of 10 you will allway have that one group that around the outside of the rest and these are your local bird that have no pattern to them and when you see them you will know there the birds that look the most comterable in the field thats the group i watch. They usually not a big group. I would say anywhere from 5 to 18 birds and there allways your big honks. Depending on what there doing in the field is what i do.

I hear people allways ask about decoys and position ratio which i dont think that there is really a rite way to go because the birds change it up on a daily basis depending weather. Your tempter, wind, or if you have a sunny day or a cloudy day. I think you just have to go out and see what the birds are telling you and that will help you in the long run compared to the guy in the field with the top of the line fully flocked decoys. I have 4 doz of the B1 Bigfoots with a verity of them.

Just thought i would say what works for me and before you go spending a lot of money on a bunch of stuff you might not need and use it towards going hunting hope this helps you and other members that all so read it.

[JJD]

littlehunter,
Our area likely does not get the pressure your area gets, but for certain, it doesn't take long for the geese to get educated.
There are times when less is more and showing them something different is the key as often as not.
There are also times when a bigger spread will pull in the bigger flocks when little sets will not.  Buy what you can afford and set out what you think you need.  We filled in with home made silhouettes for years and still use them occassionally to hide our blinds in fields with little stubble, or when trying to hide more than just 2 or 3 blinds.
Many of the conditions you mention will effect the hunt.  This makes scouting the key.  For sure it's more than just looking at where they are landing, look at the size of the flocks, how they appoach, from what direction, where late arrivals land in respect to the geese that are already on the ground.  As far as goose hunting goes, obsevation provides the best educatuion.
Variety packs are great for the first few dozen, but after that, you end up with more sentrys than what looks natural.   Too many heads up indicate the geese are nervous.  More than 3 or 4 sentrys, even in a big spread, are easily enough. 
Sure not sayin you are wrong, just seein things from a different  vantage point.
Wind at your back . . .

[Tealer]

To start get as many different poses as possible. After that stick to feeders.

[quackattack90]

In response to number of decoys the gents in the previouse posts made, it also depends on the geese your hunting.  I have found that hunting on the east side where the bigger birds are you dont need the number of decoys you would need hunting the west side.  I hunt area 2A and numbers play a big part with the massive flocks of cacklers around.

[Tealer]

In response to number of decoys the gents in the previouse posts made, it also depends on the geese your hunting.  I have found that hunting on the east side where the bigger birds are you dont need the number of decoys you would need hunting the west side.  I hunt area 2A and numbers play a big part with the massive flocks of cacklers around.

More I think is always better as long as they look good. I have a huge lesser spread, and hope to add 48 cacklers to it. I live in 2A and run everything I have for those stupid 1500 plus cackler flights.