For a seasoned and experienced hunter, they can share the lessons they had to learn first-hand to become a success when it comes to the wondrous white-fronted goose, also known as specklebelly goose. When talking about specklebelly goose hunting, these geese can weigh between 4-6 pounds and are known for their agility. Are you planning a specklebelly goose hunting trip? Here are six mistakes that are commonly made and should be avoided if possible.

Six common specklebelly goose hunting tips to avoid are…

Wrong camo – As much as there are faux-pas in fashion, there are ones in hunting as well. A hunter must pick and wear camouflage that is suitable for the weather and the location, whether that be on dry land or wetlands.

Wrong gear – Have you been invited on a Missouri specklebelly goose hunt? Make sure you have the right equipment, such as shotgun and the right species of decoy. Having the wrong gun can impact one’s ability to accurately aim, shoot and fire.

Moving too much – Moving too much is something that can be out of control for the hunter, but it also refers to the decoys. Some hunters think it is important to have their decoy constantly moving; however, this isn’t always the case. The same can be applied to the hunter – it can be hard to sit still or lay low without moving. It’s essential to find a comfortable position to lay or sit.

Tight decoys – Spreading decoys means it can help maximize exposure and attract the attention of the specklebelly goose. The biggest mistake rookie hunters make is keeping all their decoys together – spread them around and don’t keep them tight; doing so can limit your waterfowl coverage. The Best rule of thumb is to set your decoys as close as possible to the way the birds were set when you were glassing them while scouting.

Calling too much – Decoys and calls are some of the most common types of gear that hunters use. Similarly, just as there are newbie mistakes made with using decoys, there are mistakes that are made with goose calls. Sometimes when on a specklebelly goose hunting trip, a hunter can get anxious or agitated and feel as though they need to be continually replicating that the sound of a goose to attract them – this is false. The specklebelly doesn’t make sound other than to communicate; therefore, it’s crucial when using a call to try to be as realistic as possible to their actual tendencies.

Rushing the shot – It takes skill and patience when it comes to hunting, especially with waterfowl. They are fast-moving targets, unlike deer or large mammals, where there is a greater space to shoot – the specklebelly is small and requires precision. For beginner hunters, they think that it is as simple as aim, shoot and fire; however, there is much more precision required in addition to tact. There is a trick when it comes to specklebelly goose hunting – one way to ensure a perfect shot is knowing where or which goose to aim for. In this case, if you’re in a blind each hunter has a shooting zone if you are in the middle that is where your Target will be, shooting outside your zone is unsafe.

Hunting can be a fun getaway from the city – it can be a relaxing and soothing trip. Not only can a specklebelly goose hunting trip be enjoyable, but it can also be a sport or hobby to be enjoyed by all. To add to this trip, however, can be appreciated more so when minor and rookie mistakes aren’t made like the ones listed above. Hunt smart and enjoy the great outdoors.