| Lets face it the change in the economy really | | | | Buying used will also save a lot of cash. |
| affects our hobbies as well. For the majority of | | | | 3. Use a cheap goose call. I would prefer to hunt |
| the hunters out there, waterfowl hunting is both a | | | | with a hunter that can make one good honk on a |
| passion and a hobby. However, as well all know it | | | | cheap $20 call than one that cannot call worth a |
| can be a very expensive hobby. By the time you | | | | lick on a $150 call. Every goose call is capable of |
| purchase your gun, decoys, calls, clothing, and | | | | making a good honk sound. Most of the time that |
| license it can easily cost $2,500 just to start in | | | | is all you need. Buck Gardner, WCG and others |
| the sport. That is money that many of us simply | | | | have a whole line of calls priced around $20 for |
| do not have right now with the uncertainty in the | | | | purchase. |
| economy. So how can a goose hunter be | | | | 4. Scout better! Some of my best goose hunting |
| successful without breaking the bank? | | | | has been lying down in the ditch of the refuge |
| This article highlights several ways a goose hunter | | | | waiting for the geese to fly by in the morning to |
| can enjoy their sport without killing the | | | | go feed. I only hunt the spot when the geese are |
| pocketbook. | | | | in migration, which is only a short period each |
| | | | year. When they are in this mode there is one |
| 1. Use a guide service. You may be asking | | | | spot that is head and shoulders above the rest . I |
| yourself, what is this guy talking about? Well if | | | | do not use any decoys, calls or anything else |
| you think about it, if you only go hunting 1-2 times | | | | except a warm camo jacket when I hunt this |
| a year using a guide service may be an | | | | spot. For about 2 weeks I have a ton of success |
| economical way to hunt. You will not have to | | | | without much effort. Show up in the morning or |
| purchase all of those decoys, calls and land rights. | | | | evening and get ready to shoot! However, had I |
| The guides will set up the field and have a better | | | | not done my homework scouting none of this |
| chance of putting you in front of birds. You will | | | | would ever have been possible. |
| have more fun, more success and likely enjoy | | | | 5. Share the costs. Find a good friend that shares |
| the sport even more. | | | | your passion as well. Off load some of the costs |
| 2. Use 1 dozen decoys only! The general rule of | | | | by buying some items separately. Or if you are |
| thumb goose hunting is to load up the field with | | | | not going to purchase the items, offer your friend |
| 100's of decoys and lure large numbers of birds in | | | | a few bucks to use them or go hunting with |
| to feed and get several opportunities at flock | | | | them and pay for the gas. It makes the hunt |
| shooting. However, using 1 dozen decoys and | | | | more enjoyable and lowers the cost. |
| setting up near a large spread another hunter set | | | | Last thing I would suggest is start planning now |
| up can be a deadly way to bag more birds. | | | | how much it is going to take for your hunting |
| Geese are territorial and if they see a few geese | | | | season coming up. Do a couple of odd jobs over |
| feeding next to a large flock they simply may see | | | | the course of the year and set it aside for the |
| this as easier food opportunities. One dozen | | | | hunting season. This will help make sure you can |
| decoys can range from $30-$45 for shell decoys | | | | keep hunting and enjoy your hobby. |
| up to $120 for a nice set of full bodied decoys. | | | | |