Field geese hunting

[270Flat]

Okay… I need a bit of help from you. I have 5 doz dive bomb silhouettes and dozen full body decoys and a flag and layout blinds.

Have access to the “x” on top of the hill where they are feeding on corn. ZERO brush around to get a hide in. Here’s my questions.

1. Get out Thursday to put some brush out to get them used to it? Scout it again Friday to see what happens?

2. No brush? Only layout blind with brush on it?

3. Set up away and try to draw them away from the “x” with decoys?

Thanks

[Mikey The Cat]

Corn? Corn stubble?

Ideally, you want to set your blinds and spread on top of the freshest goose poop you can find. I'd hunt the 'X' and set a spread that reflects the number of geese you've seen on said 'X.' Is that 25? 50?

Get there early. Stubble your blinds. Stubble them again. Don't make 'em obvious; just hide them. Quarter the blinds to the wind; that is, don't put the wind at your back, but left-to-right or right-to-left. Make the birds look at your decoys, NOT your blinds

Set two groups of 3 full-bodies each in front of the blinds at - say - 25 yards, as if they were geese just landed and walking into the feed. That's where your shooting will happen. Leave space between your decoys - 3...4...5 steps. Let the first group in tell you what you need to change, if anything

Minimal calling. Flag. Cover up your face and hands -

I'm not sure if this is the answer, BUT it's what the guys on YouTube would do....

[Mfowl]

I wouldn't bother with the silos, just use the fb's on the X. Put your effort in to being completely concealed. Late season geese are wary and will pick out the flaws of a decoy spread. Less decoys equals less flaws. If they have been using the field they will come back. No need for a big spread. But you need to be hidden. Minimal calling as well. Let the birds tell you how much calling is needed. Do not try to draw them from the X, this will likely end up being a frustrating day. Good luck, have fun.

[MR5x5]

..X on top of the hill?  In my experience the will land in the low ground and walk to the high ground.  As mentioned, I'd stick with just the FBs they already know where they are headed, plus less decoys late is usually a better plan.  If they will let you dig a shallow grave in the field I'd dig a 10" deep body trench and brush/corn stock the rest.  Late geese are going to be super wary, brush up good and avoid movement.
Good luck.

[h2ofowlr]

Less is better this late season.  I would setup on the X and stubble out your blinds really good and use the full bodies.  Leave the sihlo's at home as long as the FB are decent.  Set your blinds off to the side and spread out the decoys as mentioned and the other geese should come in.  If they are flaring, they are probably seeing you or the blinds.

[270Flat]

This is great! Thank you guys for the pointers

[Basinguy]

Thats awesome that you get to hunt the X on private land. Most of the areas that get hit with geese around here get hit with guides that pay a big amount of money.
If it was me... My goal would be to hunt by myself or a very small group, like 2 or 3 people, shoot my birds and get out as soon as possible. I would hunt it like that until the geese left town. You would be amazed how many hunts you can get out of one field if you hunt in small groups and leave before the big wads show up. Even if we don't shoot limits, get out of there and save it. Pretty soon, you'll have all the birds in the entire area and you will be hunting it every weekend. You can still take those 8-10 people just take them in small groups throughout the season. You learn how to pick up decoys fast, and then sip coffee watching birds land right where you just were shooting!
As far as decoys, they are going to the field no matter what so big spreads just mean bigger mess. I think it's all about the hide. If it's a dirt field with little corn stubble get some burlap, and spray it with glue and dust it up with the dirt from the field. I have even made dirt clawds from clay attach them to the burlap. Use it as a blanket. Boom boom.

[270Flat]

We made it happen! Got the young guns out for some hunting this morning and they had a blast. So super windy here today so flocks were coming from a different direction than expected but we got the birds to cooperate and get onto the feed where they wanted to be. Thanks for all the suggestions!

[Bullkllr]

Nice!

Glad it worked out well for you.

[Mfowl]

Nice work! 

[hunterednate]

That is awesome. What did you end up using for your hide? A-Frame? Layouts?

[270Flat]

Layout blinds stuffed and surrounded with stubble

[pianoman9701]

Awesome bag of geese. 

[hunterednate]

Layout blinds stuffed and surrounded with stubble

Awesome. Obviously did the job! 

[Birdguy]

Man, that is cool! Solid advice for some young hunters to have a fantastic day! Not a waterfowl hunter but sure appreciate the community coming and helping a guy out! Some great memories made that day