To be successful in Goose hunting, you must be able to properly bring together different individual parts, like camo, and decoys, to attract the geese. If you are able to blend proper calling with decoys and camo, then it would significantly improve your efficiency of hunting. However, the problem for most novice hunters is how to blow a goose call or how to learn the art of calling goose? In this article, we will provide a Step-by-Step guide with Videos on How to Blow a Goose Call.
As a novice hunter, you should be aware that one of the foremost “don’t” of goose calling is excessive calling. So many novice hunters call excessively and then wonder why the geese are not attracted. It’s simple: If you compare geese to other fowl like the duck then geese are pretty quiet.
Geese don’t just simply sit on the ground and call, especially while feeding. Geese generally call when they observe other geese flying in their direction. In a way, geese call to indicate safety and invite such goose formations flying towards them to join in. In this article, I will provide you step-by-step instructions on How to Blow a Goose Call, and some tips and tricks to get around with while goose hunting.
What You Need to Get Started
1. Short Reed Goose Calls
The Short Reed Goose Calls are very easy to use and it is the first thing you’ll need. There are many other types of goose calls out there, in fact, there are even mobile phone apps that simulate goose calls; however, the Short Reed Goose calls are most common among hunters.
Apart from the short reed goose call, goose flute calls are also popular as they create good quality sounds however they have a comparatively sharper learning curve.
2. Space to Practice
Making goose calls can be very annoying. It is better to get a secluded environment for practice to avoid irritating your neighbors. However make sure that wherever you are, you‘re feeling comfortable.
3. Most Important
Lastly, to learn how to blow a goose call, you are going to need 3 important things. Don’t worry, you aren’t going to eBay. You are going to need your lips, tongue, and throat.
Now that you have all that’s needed, let get started, just remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day, it takes practice and creativity, This tutorial is a pace setter, it meant to wet the ground for you.
How to Blow a Goose Call
Step 1: Properly Hold the Call…On Hand
Just like all wind instrument — the goose call works well with a reasonable amount of pressure, before blowing the goose call, fold both hands on the base of the call. Both hands are needed as the sound varies with pressure and blowing the call with both hands brings a more natural sound.
Tips: Place your hands on the base of the call, like you want to fold it.
Watch this vide on how to hold the call:
Step 2: Place the call to your Mouth
The first thing to note in goose calling is the mouth placement. This is the area, where most beginners get it wrong, Mouth placement is a very important factor, for it will assist in proper air control.
Tips: Place the call on your lips like you are about to drink a bottle of soda.
Watch this video on placing the call to your mouth:
Step 3: Understanding Geese Sounds
Here we are, the sounds are what get the geese coming and it is an aspect that can’t be forsaken. It is not just about holding the call and making random sounds, there are basic sound strategies in geese hunting which need to be followed, and some of them are:
The Cluck. The cluck is a single note, fast, choppy version of a honk used to guide the flock into your decoy spread. To make the cluck you say “Gwit, Gwit, Gwit” in a fast and steady pace. Continue clucking at the same speed and decreasing the volume as the geese fly closer.
Watch this video about mastering “The Cluck”:
The Double Cluck. The double cluck is made by changing hand positions for each note. Your hands remain open for one cluck and closed for the next cluck.
The Comeback Call. The comeback call is a three note call used to draw the geese back if they drift away from your decoy spread. To make the comeback call you say “To-it-ha” holding the note for a second. Repeat the call until the flock turns back toward your position.
Watch this video to learn “The Moan” type of Comeback call:
The Lay Down Call. The lay-down call is a series of single note growls used to convince the geese to land. To make the lay-down call you say “Grrr-Grrr-Grrr” in a low, deep voice. Continue repeating this call when the geese are on their final approach. To make the lay-down call even more effective, you can mix in a few short, soft clucks.
5 Goose Calling Tips and Tricks
1. Keep your calls simple
It doesn’t matter whether you are a professional-class hunter or a novice – keeping calls simple often provides the best results. You would be able to call in geese in any of the states if you have practiced the basics like clucking and moaning, fast and slow well. In addition, if you are able to produce a ‘goosey’ rhythm, then you will be able to call in the smartest of the geese as well.
2. Carry more than one style of goose call
If you are a novice hunter, then you should carry two different types of goose calls. I would recommend that you carry an acrylic short-reed goose call and a wooden short-reed goose call. The acrylic short-reed goose call produces sharp, loud and high-pitched sounds for windy days in the field. On the other hand, the wooden short-reed call, produces deeper, softer, and a more realistic sound to attract geese which are closer.
3. Use Floater Decoys
If you are hunting a sandbar or some other water set, then you should resist using large numbers of full-body decoys. Movement is quite important when it comes to decoy spreads, and the full-body decoys don’t generally provide adequate motion. Instead, you should keep the full-body decoys to a minimum and prefer more floating decoys, especially if there is good current.
Watch this video on how to setup goose decoys over water:
4. Spread Your Decoys
One common mistake which I have seen many novice hunters make is to stack decoys close. This would cause the geese to just hover over and not land as there isn’t enough space. Even the smaller of the geese have a four-feet wingspan and the geese prefer to land with ease. So basically you need to provide enough space between decoys to allow the birds to land.
5. Stay Still, and Don’t Gawk
While you are trying to attract geese, it is important for everyone in your blind to be disciplined and stay perfectly still. I often see novice hunters trying to look up at geese while calling; however, there is a rule in goose hunting that if you can see them (the geese), then they can also see you (maybe even better). So it is important that you stay still, do not move and camouflage yourself well.
Camouflage
Talking about camouflage, here is a quick guide on different types of camouflages and how to select the camo for your next goose hunting trip.
If you have been on any hunting trip before or watched any hunting videos, then camouflaging should not be a problem. Basically, you don’t let the geese see you. Here are some popular types of camouflage used by hunters:
Woodland. This is the popular choice for deer and big game hunters, as this camouflage is designed to blend with wooded areas. Hunters generally prefer patterns with greens and leaves earlier in the season, and browns and bare branches while hunting in late fall or early spring.
Brush. If you’re hunting in wide open areas, then brush camo is the better choice. Brush camo allows you to blend in with dirt and dead grasses seen in open spaces.
Marsh/ Waterfowl. This camouflage is essential for goose and duck hunters. Waterfowl camouflages feature a mix of tall grasses, corn stalks, reeds, and other elements which you’re likely to find in a swamp area.
Conclusion
I hope this article has helped you get started on your journey to learn how to blow a goose call. Although it is easy to learn how to blow a goose call, it takes a bit of time and practice to master the art.
The post How to Blow a Goose Call: Step by Step Guide With Videos appeared first on OutdoorStack.
