New Property: Need Advice on the Goose Pits

[ADDfishing]

I just got in on a new hunting property with a couple goose pits. They're well established, and were not maintained this this year - but are certainly not way out of control. There's upland growth in the shape of an eye around the pits from where the farmer makes his passes, and it's about 3' tall. Here's my question: Should I trim up all the grasses around the pits and taper it right into the pit itself? One of the guys already hunted it and said birds flaired, and it's my opinion that the tall grass around the pit was freaking the geese out. Every other goose pit I see seems to be abosolutely as low profile and un-noticeable as possible - not small "islands" in the middle of a winter wheat field.

I'm just looking for some more experienced opinions before we do something we regret.

Thanks

[SAXIS ISLANDER]

those geese may have flared for a number of reasons. for all we know the prior hunter may have just got a new short reed call and made sounds like a kazoo.

As for island, I think I'd check with the land owner and see about trimming it. My experience points go geese landing in more open spaces, away from possible predatory attack points such as woodlines, bush islands, ect, and as their comfort level rises with a specific field then moving into the more risky areas.

Remember..you're hunting out of a pit to have the lowest possible profile and maximum concealment with minimum visual impact on the property.

My vote...bushhog and cover the cut area with natural indigenous cover.

[Dave Sikorski]

those geese may have flared for a number of reasons. for all we know the prior hunter may have just got a new short reed call and made sounds like a kazoo.

As for island, I think I'd check with the land owner and see about trimming it. My experience points go geese landing in more open spaces, away from possible predatory attack points such as woodlines, bush islands, ect, and as their comfort level rises with a specific field then moving into the more risky areas.

Remember..you're hunting out of a pit to have the lowest possible profile and maximum concealment with minimum visual impact on the property.

My vote...bushhog and cover the cut area with natural indigenous cover.

I agree.

-D

[BluePrints]

This is also my property.

The other person hunting was my brother. Trust me his calling & decoy spread were not the problem. We usually land every goose we shoot in fields let them sit there & cluck for a while & then blow there heads off.

Problem is we have a tilled & then planted very thick winter wheat field that layout blinds would be impossible to use in & the pits have dried grass around them that stand out like a sore thumb. We are going to bushhog them but the color will still be way different. We really hate to have shoot them at 30 yards when we can shoot them at 10 after checking for silver.

[Dave Sikorski]

You can get some fast grass and paint it winter wheat color with some cheap paint from Walmart.

BUT

The brown color is only going to bother you, not the geese. You can't make every flock hit the ground at 10 yds no matter who is calling.

All you need to do is cut that taller grass as short as you can and cover the holes of the pit. No visible holes and you'll be good to go.

I used to hunt with some old timers that used pine branches to cover the pit in a wheat/bean stubble field.

We killed them without a problem.

[Fiore3]

Try to make the blind as low profile as possible.. All of our pits have the vegitation around them cut to the same height as the surrounding vegitation.. Another thing to look at is what do you have covering the pits, and what do you have as doors. Our pits are in a corn field so we have corn shocks on the roof and w have doors that have brlap with corn shocks tied to them that are latched to the roof with about three inches of room to look out. Although it does not seem to be a lot of room to look out of we very rarely miss any ducks that are comming and you can see a long way out.. You do not want to have your heads sticking out of the pit to see, the birds will see you first.. Hope that helps...

[Randy@BayMarine]

Dave -

you said it well.. I was trying to think of how to Color the ground! Pine limbs would do the trick! I think the general rule is match the height of the field... Geese will not care what color the veg is just who can hide in it!! Good luck. Let dave & I know if you need some on site consulting!!!!

[ADDfishing]

those geese may have flared for a number of reasons. for all we know the prior hunter may have just got a new short reed call and made sounds like a kazoo.

As for island, I think I'd check with the land owner and see about trimming it. My experience points go geese landing in more open spaces, away from possible predatory attack points such as woodlines, bush islands, ect, and as their comfort level rises with a specific field then moving into the more risky areas.

Remember..you're hunting out of a pit to have the lowest possible profile and maximum concealment with minimum visual impact on the property.

My vote...bushhog and cover the cut area with natural indigenous cover.

Roger that - It's what I was thinking, I just wanted some other opinions. I've got various pole saws with hedge trimmer attachments and brush cutters thanks to my side business. I'll be able to give the whole area a "hair cut." I'll start at the top of the tall stuff, and kinda nick my way down to keep all the clippings small. I can cut it right to the ground and taper it gently right into the side of the pits. It'll look pimped! Thanks guys.

Kyle, I don't think the color of the grasses is really going to hurt us. Especially if we keep a mess of full bodies all around the pit as part of the spread. I do agree with whoever else stated that the varying heights hurt you. That's part of the concept behind the buffers I maintain around my ponds. The geese are wary because a predator could be hiding in there. We'll be good to go, and I'll get it done real soon, just be patient before you get back out there, and I'd like hunt days when the "neighbors" hunt. I've gotta get the cutters and 4 wheeler from the shop - maybe today.

Also - I'm working on 2 dozen full body flocked heads and 3 or 4 dozen flocked shells to add to the spread for Canadas and I'm looking in to whether texas rags in conjunction with full bodies will still pull snow geese like they used to. If so, I'm lookin in to them.


BTW - 100th post!

[BluePrints]

Thanks, hopefully your right & the color difference won't matter.

[ADDfishing]

Kyle -

I've got a spare bilge pump at the house and a 12v access on the 4 wheeler. I'll dig up some wire, clips, and the discharge hose and we'll have super easy drainage. Or I can get the 3 trash pump!