Question:

The question of flagging has come up on our trip to the Finger Lakes next week (early January). Being the second season and the birds a bit more wary, should we all be flagging, flagging till the birds are in range, or stopping well short as not to spook them?

-Kevin Bodmer

Answer:

Kevin,

Great question and I hope you can put this to use in the field on those late season honkers! From my experience flagging is one of those day in day out techniques that will get geese over your spread. I tend to experiment with flags as I do with calling and find that some days the birds want the flag until they are finishing while on some days it is mainly useful to attract passing flocks. I would suggest that you experiment with flagging each day to determine what is working best. Also, if you have a number of friends in the field, it helps to have some folks flagging and some calling so each can concentrate on their own task. Hope this helps!

Best wishes and good hunting!

John Devney

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