Motion is a big factor when trying to attract geese to your field spread. There are decoys with rotating wings, kites, flags and more all designed to attract attention to your spread. And yet, few waterfowlers use motion to their benefit when hunting geese over water.

One simple way to add motion to your water spread is to attach plastic wings called Flapperz to your decoys. The wings easily attach to your floating decoys with hook-and-loop fasteners. The wings flap in the slightest breeze, giving your spread movement and that added touch of realism. Whether sitting in the field or on the water, geese are continually flapping and stretching their wings. It's a natural movement that you can use to attract birds to your spread. The wings are inexpensive and can be purchased online at www.flapperz.com or by calling (269) 857-4838.

I don't know of too many field goose hunters who would be caught dead without a flag, but I don't know of too many guys who hunt geese on the water who use one. Why? The purpose of flagging is to get the bird's attention. It works just as well on the water as it does on land, sometimes better. Use a flag sparingly when hunting water, though. Use it to get a flock's attention, and then lay off and let your decoys take over.

I also use flying decoys occasionally with my water spread. I made extensions for the stakes so I can use the flying decoys at the outer edge of the spread in 2 or 3 feet of water. The cupped wings on the flying decoys simulate birds coming in to land, and the flapping wings add more subtle motion and attraction.

Calling is not nearly important when hunting geese on the water as it is on land, but it still can be an ace in the hole for luring geese into shotgun range. Geese sitting on the water are relatively quiet. You will on occasion hear them gabbling or honking though, especially when other birds are passing by. Calling is used mainly as an attention-getter. The earlier you start calling when you see an approaching flock of geese, the better. Calling attracts attention to your location and decoys. Call when the birds are approaching you, not after they have passed. Rarely will they turn around after they've gone by. I usually start with a few loud hail calls and see what kind of response I get. If I don't see that slowing of wing beats, then I'm probably wasting my breath and time.

My hunting buddy Rick Morley and I were hunting on opening day of duck season last year. The morning had been pretty uneventful. The marsh was full of hunters, and by midmorning the duck flights had come to a screeching halt. Many of the hunting parties picked up their spreads and headed out. As one group vacated a prime location, we decided to improve our lie. The grassy island located near the center of the lake that some hunters had just vacated provided an ideal location to set up.

We had barely gotten the decoys in place when I heard some faint honking in the distance. It was probably close to noon by then. A line of about 15 geese was passing on the far side of the lake, probably a mile distant. I figured I had nothing to lose so I put the flute call to my lips and let out a long, loud series of hail calls. To my surprise, the flock wavered slightly, and instead of the single-file path they were taking, the geese balled up, fluttered, began honking excitedly and veered toward the center of the lake.