The Best Time to Take Aim During a Waterfowl Hunt

Whether you’re looking to bag a rare Silver Teal or a common Canadian goose, you need to know when and where to aim. DICK’S Sporting Goods Associate Kurt Schneiders breaks down some pointers to keep in mind before heading out on the field.

First, you’ll want to set up your standard blind or field blind so that the wind is hitting your back. This is because both ducks and geese, like airplanes, tend to land into the wind for a more controlled landing. Since geese attempt to land directly in front of a setup like this, it makes for an easy target. If you don’t know where exactly the birds will land, watch them as they move through the sky. If they start circling over a field, it’s a safe bet that’s where they’ll end up debarking.

As the flock commits to landing, they’ll start to glide by locking their wings. This is called “cupping,” and it’s when the birds are most vulnerable. Because they don’t have the same ability to move out of the flight at this time, this is when you should take aim.

Now when you’re on a hunt, you’ll be ready for that perfect moment.