Goose Decoy Frequently Asked Questions
This page contains questions that are meant to help both veterans and greenhorns understand goose decoys. I’m always improving it so please send me an email if you would like to see something added or improved on this page. You can email me directly at bubba@goose-decoys.net.
And, as always, you can find this season’s top decoys and the goose decoy blog all on this website.
What species of geese are commonly hunted?
- Canada Goose
- Specklebelly Goose
- Snow Goose
This is the most commonly hunted goose and is the most commonly replicated goose for decoys. Most hunters recognize it by its black head, white cheek patches, and long black neck. These geese travel in large flying V formations and often feed on dry grains in fields. These geese spend just as much time on land as they do on water. You’ll often see them referred to as dry feeders.
Other Canada Goose Resources:
Canada Goose Identification (All About Birds)
Canada Goose Details (Hinterland Who’s Who)
Canada Goose for Kids (Critter Corner for Kids)
Also known as the Greater White-fronted Goose, is medium-sized goose weighing 4-6 pounds, rather slender and agile on the wing. This goose is less common and more difficult to hunt than Canada Geese or Snow Geese. It is referred to as a “Specklebelly” because of its salt-and-pepper appearance of the underside.
Other Specklebelly Goose Resources:
Specklebelly Goose Tips (Ducks Unlimited)
Greater White-fronted Goose (Wikipedia)
Also known as a Blue Goose, is medium-sized goose that breeds on the arctic tundra, the Snow Goose migrates south in large, high-flying, noisy flocks. The beautiful white flocks descending down resemble snow, but among the white birds you’ll find darker birds. These blue geese are not a separate species. They are a dark form, or morph, of the white version. This is why you’ll often here Snow or Blue to describe the same species.
Other Snow Goose Resources:
Snow Goose Identification Tips (USGS)
Where do you hunt geese?
- Field hunting geese involves setting up decoy spreads in a freshly harvested stubble field of corn or other grain. Your goal is set up a decoy spread that resembles geese feeding in their migration route.
- Open water hunting geese is much different that field hunting. Your goal is to attract geese to the water to rest, feed or roost for the evening. The decoy spreads resemble ducks, geese and other waterfowl in a natural spread setting on the open water.
What’s a goose decoy?
A goose decoy is an artificial goose that comes in many positions, types, sizes and species. Goose decoys are strategically placed by goose hunters to attract flocks of geese that are flying overhead.
What are the different types of goose decoys?
- Silos
- Full Body
- Shells
- Floaters
A silhouette (silo, for short) decoy is a two dimensional decoy. When viewed from directly above, they disappear. An advantage of having a silhouette decoy is when viewed from above is that it appears that the decoy is moving.
A fully body decoy is a decoy that has its entire body, including legs and feet. They come in normal size and over sized varieties.
Shell decoys are the shell of goose. They do not include legs and many of the extras that the full bodied decoys do.
Floater decoys are designed to float in water and are a must if you’re hunting over water. Like shell decoys the legs and feet are not visible.
What are the different positions of goose decoys?
- Feeder
- Sentry
- Resting
Feeder position is one of the most common position for goose decoys. It is the position you’ll most find geese in when they are feeding. Their heads are down on the ground searching for food.
This position may be referred to as standard, upright, standing or sentry. This is simply a goose whose head is up and is looking around and searching for potential predators. It’s the watch dog of the other geese while they are feeding.
You may also hear this referred to as sleeper, at rest or rester. It’s a position where the goose is lying down on the ground in a resting position.
What’s a decoy spread?
A decoy spread refers to the layout of your goose decoys, or the way you “spread” them out on the ground or in the water. Goose hunters work hard to mimic the natural grazing patterns of migrating geese. You’ll often see decoys arrange in small family groups that are spaced apart.
Goose decoy spreads resources:
Decoy Spreads for Canada Geese (Ducks Unlimited)
Goose Decoy Spread Tips (Game Hogg Hunt Club)
