Aggravation, long hours, lack of sleep, stacks of decoys, and eventually success are all things that go down with hunting snow geese. While the learning curve for hunting snow geese can be just like that of hunting Mallards, the journey can occasionally make you want to give up and sell off your gear. The best way to abridge this curve is to do your training in the field. If you’re a newbie for spring snow goose hunting, there are several things you have to get in the habit of doing. Have a look,

If you have a small spread, leave lots of space between decoys. For instance, Spread 100 decoys out that look like 150 or make them look like 50 by packing tightly. If geese are showing interest in your decoys, let them work as close as possible before calling the shot. This will maximize your shot opportunities. Remember to move the decoys everyday to complement the changing wind and weather conditions, decoys left out for the wrong wind conditions will have you in the incorrect hunting spot. While calling snow geese, call small flocks that are showing most interest. It is noted that, small flocks often trigger the larger flocks to do the same.

Have the caller set up in the landing zone, as snow goose will center on the sounds providing you great opportunity for gunfire. Learn when to call the shot. Don’t let anyone call unless they sound like a snow goose. No calling is better than bad calling because geese know the differences.

You must make your blind disappear by keeping them well mudded and setting up in low spots or areas of a field with taller vegetation. It is also vital to take control of your retriever; retriever’s head should always a little behind to yours. Avoid standing around waiting for birds because geese will see you long before you see them thereby decreasing the chance of hunting. If possible, hunt on days with wind. The harder the wind blows, the farther down wind you should position the blinds in the spread. Cover up all your blind bags, shell boxes etc…

Remember hunting snow geese has its own ups and downs i.e. you may be a hero one day and zero the next day. Never give up, always put your best foot forward, and hunt with the intention to do everything the fullest extent of your ability. Once you gain sound knowledge on spring snow goose hunting, I’m sure you’ll have successful hunts.

If you want professional snow geese training, seek the help of expert hunters with years of experience from Show Me snow geese.

Firearm safety. It’s almost an hysterical issue among the firearm illiterate, and, sadly, that’s the larger portion of the population these days. In this country’s history, firearms were in every household, and every member of the house physically able to hold a weapon knew how, and more importantly, when to use it. Not so, these days. Most Americans have grown up firearm illiterate, and consequently are afraid of guns. However, more and more Americans are becoming interested in owning weapons, specifically handguns, and are searching for places to learn about firearms and how to shoot. The answer for most people is a local target range.

There are many ways to find a range in your area, but the fastest is the Web. Start a search for ‘target range’ and review the results. You’ll be able to find a range that suits your needs with a minimum of fuss. You can always use the phone book, or the online phone book, or word of mouth. Word of mouth is often the most reliable, if you ask people you trust for ther input.

Before you start looking for a range, ask yourself some questions:
1). What type of weapon am I interested in?
2). Am I interested in shooting as a sport, or primarily as self-defense, or both?
3). Is this just for me, or am I going to involve my household?

As you answer these questions, you’ll begin to develop a plan for weapon storage, and for firearm safety, for your home. You need to think about this, especially if you have children. Children are not too young to work with weapons, but they must be taught responsibility – how and when to use a weapon, weapons are not toys, and they must learn to consider all weapons as loaded.

Having answered your questions, making your plan, and researching the weapons best for you, you now need to find a target range. You may want to consider using a range that rents weapons at first, so you can gain experience with different handguns and rifles. Once you’ve decided on a weapon you like, research purchasing one, and also consider getting a gun safe.

Target shooting allows you to practice with a weapon at different ranges. Most ranges use standard bullseye targets for civilians, but you may find one that uses silhouettes, or possibly animal shapes, if you think you may want to pursue hunting as a sport.

Typical ranges for handguns are 10m (meters), 50m, and 300m. Rifle ranges are rarely less than 100m, but can be as high as 1,000m. All ranges, whether indoor or outdoor, have butts or backstops behind the targets to stop the bullets. The targets are typically paper or a plastic material, and are generally round bulls eyes. Targets can be metal; these are typically found at air rifle ranges. Skeet shooting involves shotguns and clay targets (“clay pigeons”). This is a speciality type of target shooting, and requires its own type of range.

All standard target ranges require safety gear. This is typically safety goggles or glasses, earplugs and/or earmuffs. Indoor ranges require both earplugs and earmuffs due to the high decibel levels created when shooting is in progress.

All target ranges have desiganted safety personnel, and their rules are to be followed at all times while at the range.

Firearms, when used properly, can be fun. They also provide safety, when properly handled. Before purchasing one, find a target range, and shoot some targets. It will tell you whether or not you and firearms have a future together, and may get you started on a lifelong hobby. Good shooting!