The number one question people ask us at outdoor shows and in the field is "how do y'all prepare your decoys" or "why did you set your goose decoys up this mode".  In fact I'd say information technology'south the number 1 reason people who volume a guided goose or duck hunt with Maxxed Out Guides desire to learn near while they're in the field.

Unfortunately there isn't i easy answer.  Some hunters may say they ready there spread 1 particular mode every time.  You'll hear hunters talk well-nigh and X, C, J spread which ways their decoys are set up to loosely resemble one of those letters.  I strongly recommend not following that line of thinking.  There are many times driving around that I'll meet decoy spreads that brand a definitive, C, J or X in the field.

This causes two problems for you.  Get-go birds don't naturally sit in fields in formations that resemble messages.  2d birds encounter these unnatural looking spreads up and down the flyway.  So non simply are they unnatural geese get trained and accustomed to seeing them.  This is typically not a combination for success.

Even so from my experience there is no one decoy spread that each and every day in the field.  Some days y'all need more than decoys.  Some days you need fewer.  There are days where your blinds will need to be at the front end of your decoy spread and there are some days where they will need to be at the back.

There are many variables to this equation just the main variable, as it is with any hunt, is the weather condition.  Birds simply look for different things in unlike weather conditions.  The only thing that can tell you how to react to atmospheric condition is feel and fourth dimension in the field.

Are there days that a 'letter shaped" spread will impale geese?  Absolutely!  However what y'all typically find on those types of days is most any style spread will kill birds.

So while in that location isn't one "go to" spread there are a few things that tin can help you as you larn how to set up your decoys.

Commencement is the kill hole.  Yous e'er want to try and manipulate the birds to attempt state or end where yous want them.  Usually the kill pigsty is a spot in front of everyone that will create rubber shooting lanes and opportunity for everyone to shoot.  Typically nosotros similar to ready up with the wind at our backs then the birds are finishing straight at united states.  Still things like where the roost is in relation to the field, dominicus, wind and avaialble embrace to hide your layout blinds doesn't always make that possible.  Hunting a strong cross current of air is ane of the more than challenging scenarios you'll encounter when establishing the kill hole and is something that comes with experience.  Either manner though nosotros typically like to requite the birds lot of space then they take plenty of area to end as they come into the spread.  Sometimes you lot have to adjust things equally the birds are finishing differently than y'all anticipated they would.

The second is never have your hibernate (where you put your layouts) dictated by your decoys.  Your decoys should always be dictated by your hibernate.  It does not matter how many decoys you lot have or realistic they are, if birds come across your hibernate as they approach you are in for a long day in the field, considering recollect, these birds did not wake up this morning and head out to feed with the intention of giving you a good hunt.  They desire to live and if they see things out of the ordinary…they're gone!  Then in one case you notice your field and meet what blazon of wind and sun your going to exist dealing with the next solar day, your commencement priority should be to determine where the best place for your hibernate is, based on the data you have.

Once you have an idea of where your hide is, then you tin can get-go to strategize on how to prepare our decoys and where to position the kill hole.

Lastly, while I can't give one shape that always works, expect at your decoys when you've set them all.  Retrieve these are wild fauna your hunting.  Does your spread look natural?  Does it have a definitive border (it shouldn't)?  Don't be afraid to put smaller groups just outside of the chief mass of decoys.  You'll frequently see a chief mass of birds in a field and then smaller groups sprinkled effectually it.  Create some randomness to your spread and don't be afraid to try something new.

Happy Hunting!

Graham Greseth

Maxxed Out Guides Possessor

www.GeeseFearUs.com