8 ways to fix a duck or goose hunt that’s going sideways

#7  A FOG BANK ROLLS IN

The main challenge with fog in the morning is finding the precise spot where you had planned to set up. The birds will also behave differently in the fog, and often seem to appear out of nowhere.

THE FIX

If the mornings have already been foggy, or the conditions lead you to expect fog, visit the field the night before your hunt, after the birds have left. Mark your blind location by dropping a pin on your smartphone’s map app or by creating a waypoint on your GPS. Alternatively, leave behind a reflective flag. In either case, you’ll appreciate it in the morning.

As with rain, fog can delay the timing of morning flights, so be prepared to wait it out. Mallards will find their preferred feeding spot in even the thickest fog, but geese are often less discerning. When goose hunting, therefore, call periodically even when you don’t see or hear birds approaching. Stand up in your blind if you must to help spot incoming birds, but be alert. If they approach silently, as ducks often do in the fog, they’ll just suddenly appear in front of your blind, so you must be ready to react immediately.