Summary: Many times before we take to the field, we always try to scout the field or the body of water we are planning on hunting the day before we hunt. We watch for the number of ducks or geese in the location, the species, the size of the flocks that are present, the direction they come in from, the time they come in, and finally the weather.
While scouting and watching the birds, we like to take notes that will help us decide the number of decoys to use, what specific location we'll be setting up in, and how to set our decoy spread.
During this observation, we will also listen to the sounds the birds on the ground are making as they feed or loaf as well as the sounds they are making as they approach from the air.
Listening to the birds as they call will gives us a great advantage when we take the field because we will be able to mimic what the birds have been doing naturally.
This simple process has rewarded us handsomely in the past and we're sure that it will do the same for you.