Canada Goose Gear Guide and Tips

By Wes Wannamaker

Getting the right gear is important, but knowing how to use it is paramount. The following gear guide showcases top-notch Canada goose hunting gear and a few helpful tips on how and why to use these products.

Bill Saunders Calls Triple B

Bill Saunders Calls Triple B is the company’s newest big honker short reed goose call. Described as “bigger and better”, this call blends elements of the company’s other big honker calls and improves them by combining a mouthpiece bore unlike any other call in the line-up. This is one of the easiest blowing big honker calls on the market that can be blown superfast with great range in pitch and volume, but also get down low and slow for those honkers leading the charge. Hand tuned with a modified set using the company’s famous red guts paired the same reed cut as the venerable Traffic short reed. The Triple B is capable of the entire Canada Goose vocabulary and operates easy, whether you are seasoned veteran or someone just getting started with calling. $160 - $175 billsaunderscalls.com

Bill Saunders Calling Tip: “I am a firm believer in “less is more” anytime of the year. There is no doubt there is a time and a place when a strong caller is calling hard and fast and being aggressive with birds, is effective. But, for the most part I think a lot of guys call way too much anymore, and I think it’s in direct correlation with watching videos on YouTube,” explains Bill Saunders, who is based in Eastern Washington.

He continues, “There is a real lack of finesse honker calling, and this can also be applied to lessers and cacklers, or any other Canada goose as well, but I think there is a lack of guys really reading and understanding what they are doing and saying to a bird. There is this sort of “wall of noise” that most of these new callers think is most effective. But, if you’re not a very good caller in an area where birds don’t always respond to that wall of noise, all you’re doing is pushing them away from you for that day, or the next day, or the time after that. It may not be what somebody selling goose calls wants to preach to people, but in my opinion, less is definitely more.”

ALPS OutdoorZ X Ducks Unlimited Alpha Waterfowl Blind

ALPS OutdoorZ - Ducks Unlimited Alpha Waterfowl Blind is built on a rugged, square-tube powder coated aluminum frame for durability and longevity, with hinged and shock-corded joints for quick setup. The tan 600D nylon skin features ample exterior brush loops and pockets for securing natural camouflage Full-entry side doors easy access (also great for handicap access). Multi-angle, flip top shooting doors are adjustable and feature three mesh windows. Other features: Innovative dog door, four removable gun rests, interior mesh pockets for extra gear, and webbing to hang game straps or calls. U-shaped ground stakes included (4 total) for securing in high winds. Ducks Unlimited Official Licensed Product. $599.99 alpsoutdoorz.com

Higdon Full-Size/Half-Shell Sleeper

Higdon Full-Size/Half-Shell Sleeper decoys are light and easily pack into the field and feature flocked heads for outstanding realism. Whether hunting fields and shorelines, sleeper/rester decoys are an essential addition to any Canada spread and convey a sense of calm. Official Decoy of Ducks Unlimited and sold as a six-pack. $99.99 higdonoutdoors.com

Higdon Battleship Swimmer PRO Canada Goose

The new, improved Higdon Battleship Swimmer PRO Canada Goose is an oversized, ultra-realistic foam-filled motion decoy that creates amazingly realistic water ripple via a custom designed pump and impeller. Newly engineered motor and battery housing are IPX7 rated, ensuring no water intrusion. Innovative magnetic charge port and charger simplify battery maintenance and provide a full charge in just 6 hours, providing 7 hours of run time. Works in as little as 12 inches of water, fresh and saltwater safe. Add an astonishing level of motion to your spread. Official Decoy of Ducks Unlimited. $179.99 higdonoutdoors.com

Higdon Pulsator Pro Canada Goose

Higdon’s new, improved Pulsator Pro Canada Goose is the latest version of the industry's favorite water motion decoy. Built in digital timer surges a highly visible spray of water creates significant surface disturbance and ultra-realistic rocking/feeding motion. Simply attach a decoy cord/weight and drop in the water. Innovative magnetic charge port and charger simplify battery maintenance and provide a full charge in just 3 hours, and 7 hours of run time. Foam filled, ultra-realistic XHD Hyper-Feathering. Official Decoy of Ducks Unlimited! $149.99 higdonoutdoors.com

Brook Richard on using these decoys: “The really cool thing about both of these decoys is not only are they a water motion tool, but unlike other styles of motion decoys Canada geese hate, these are not going to spook geese away because these are extremely realistic and look totally natural to incoming birds,” says Brook Richard of Higdon Decoys. “The concept is to add realism and water motion that brings your Canada goose floater spread to life and finish birds right where you want them. And, these decoys are great for distracting incoming geese from your hide while they are focusing on movement in the spread. These motion decoys will not scare geese away!”

Breda B3.5SM

The Breda B3.5SM has a striking resemblance to the Super Black Eagle and that’s because the original Super Black Eagle was made by Breda, which licensed the design to Benelli. The 3 1/2-inch 12-gauge inertia gun features a choice of a 28- or 30-inch deep-drilled barrel for superior performance. It has been updated with an enlarged bolt handle and closer button and comes in black Cerakote, Mossy Oak Bottomland, or Realtree Max-7. MSRP: $2100 bredafucili.com

Drake Waterfowl MST Ultimate Wader Bib

Drake’s MST Ultimate Wader Bib combines performance and comfort with added twist. Featuring 100 percent polyester fleece shell and Sherpa fleece lining, four-way stretch material, gusseted crotch, and articulated knees for added mobility. Other notable additions include; Magnattach left chest pocket, Sherpa-lined slash handwarmer pockets, and zippered rear security pockets provide plenty of storage. The twist: Over-the-boot fit quickly converts to a tight, ankle-fit for under waders. Available in Mossy Oak Bottomland, Shadow Grass Habitat, and Original Treestand. $149.99 drakewaterfowl.com

Dive Bomb Super Flag Goose Flag

Courtesy of Dive Bomb Industries

The innovative Dive Bomb Super Flag Goose Flag gets high marks for durability sheer size. Features beefy, full carbon fiber shaft, ripstop nylon, double stitching, and tapered fiberglass wing rods. Rapid-ready open/close system is supported by a heavy duty, articulated yoke that can handle the extra resistance of the extra-large wingspan. The waterfowl gurus at Dive Bomb spent countless hours designing and developing, testing and then re-testing and the result is a revolutionary design. Available in black, or white. $95 divebombindustries.com

Tony Vandemore Flagging Tip: In the right hands, flagging Canada geese can be the difference between a flock sliding off and finishing geese in the hole on the first pass - and flags are especially good for drawing the attention of passing geese while running traffic. While flags can add realism and excite incoming birds, they can also spook birds when they are nearly in range. Understanding when to flag, and when not to flag is critical.

“A flag can be your best friend, or worst enemy and knowing how and when to flag is just as important as knowing how and when to call,” says Tony Vandemore of Habitat Flats in Missouri. You must read the birds! I like to flag geese a little on the corners to see how they respond first before being super aggressive. Geese react differently from day to day, so it’s important to start conservatively.”

Winchester Bismuth

High-density, buffered Winchester Bismuth hits harder than steel and features consistent-sized shot which provides 50% more pellets in a 30" circle at 60 yards when compared to non-buffered bismuth payloads. Features two-piece, double seal wad system to ensure tight gas seal, and along with lacquered primers, superior water resistance. Ductile Bismuth shot is safe for modern, and classic shotguns. Available in 28 (#5 shot), 20 (#4 shot), and 12 gauge in #1 shot coming out of the muzzle at 1450fps for devastating impact on big honkers! $390 to $600 winchester.com

Drake Waterfowl Ghillie Grass

Drake’s ultra-tough, all-natural Ghillie Grass, is the perfect material of choice to make anything or anybody blend into the natural environment. Quick and easy, durable, and weather-resistant, available in a wide variety of colors to better match your environment or blend multiple colors to get custom colors for maximum concealment in your hunting location. Multiple color assortments in 2, 5, and 20lb bundles. $44.99 - $249.99 drakewaterfowl.com

Dive Bomb DBT 400 Knee Boots

Courtesy of Dive Bomb Industries

Premium quality Dive Bomb DBT 400 Knee Boots features 100 percent waterproof construction and ozone resistant natural vulcanized rubber, hand laid over 3mm of insulating neoprene for durability and flexibility. These boots are lighter than their full rubber counterparts while maximizing shock absorption and heat retention via neoprene liner and fleece fabric, backed up by 400 grams of 3M Thinsulate insulation material. Foam midsole, forms to your foot for secure fit and provides cushioning and arch support. Adjustable back strap to custom fit any calf size, while built-in heel spur makes sliding the boots on and off an effortless task. Full-sizes 8-14 in Covert Green or Otter Brown. $145 divebombindustries.com