The late season can provide some of the best goose hunting opportunities, but it also presents a unique set of challenges. Late season birds have been getting shot at routinely sense they left Canada five months ago, and the ones that are still alive can be hard to kill. Here is a few tips and tricks that may help you find success during the last few hunts of the season.

1. REALISM MATTERS IN THE LATE SEASON.

The good ole’ early season days of running two dozen decoys in a U are over. Late season geese have seen every U and J shape variant by this time of year, and they tend to avoid them at all costs, especially in heavily hunted areas. The key to setting decoys in the late season is realism. When scouting, take mental notes of how the birds are sitting and try to mimic them when setting up your decoys. In our home state of Colorado, that often means running large, tight packed spreads with multiple holes for birds to land in. As always, make sure you set up with a wind direction that will help the birds finish.

2. THE HIDE IS EVERYTHING.

By this time of the year, the birds have seen everything from A-frames on fence lines to pits in the middle of worked fields, and they know what to avoid. A good hide is key for killing educated birds. In the late season, avoiding setting up your hide on the edge if possible (unless the birds were sitting close to the edge when you were scouting). Although edges often provide great cover, birds can get weary of field edges in the late season. If there is snow on the ground, hiding in the middle of the field in layouts with snow covers will often be the best hide. If you are hunting in a cut stubble field, make sure that you utilize every brush strap on your blind. When scouting, make sure you plan exactly where and how you are going to hide when you hunt. The last thing you want to do it roll out into the middle of a dirt field at 5 a.m. with an A-frame and realize you failed to think ahead.

3. FIND THE CALLING SWEET SPOT.

Late season birds can be picky with calling. Sometimes they like to come in quiet, sometimes they liked to be screamed at the entire way in. Finding the right volume of calling will help make those stubborn flocks commit. Pay attention to how noisy the geese are when you scout. We often let the first group of the day work the spread with no calling to see how they react. If they do not commit, we will give the next group a few cluck-and-moans. If they do not commit, we will steadily increase our calling until we find the sweet spot.

4. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE PROPER GEAR.

Sure, you don’t need nice gear to kill birds, but it can help. A proper clothing system will keep you comfortable in the blind so you can sit all day if the need arises. The Boreal Jacket and Boreal Bib are our in-house late season favorites. Pair the Boreal system with a Grinder Hoody and a pair of Dakota Pants for the ultimate cold weather waterfowl set-up. If you are having trouble getting birds in close, pick up a case of Migra shotgun shells so you can reach out and touch them!