In a field, you have to be prepared for shots ranging from a few feet out to 40 yards. After all, since you're hiding in the middle of your decoy spread, you could have geese trying to land literally right on top of you.

Shoot a load of T shot through an Improved-Modified choke -- never use a Full choke under any circumstances -- at a goose that's five feet away, and you're very likely to miss. At that distance, the shot pattern will be super-tight. And if you do hit the bird, there won't be much left of it for the table, anyway!

I shoot a 12-gauge shotgun fitted with an Improved Cylinder choke. In it, I typically put two No. 2 steel shells followed by one shell loaded with steel BBs for my third shot.

With this setup, my first two shots spit out a lot of pellets that spread out nicely in close quarters. It's still pretty lethal out to about 30 yards, but that's my outer limit.

My third shot allows me to reach out to about 40 yards with a little more knockdown power.

It's true that Canada geese are considered waterfowl, but that doesn't mean you have to go to the water to hunt them. Quite frankly, I'll take hunting these great-tasting birds in a field any day over a hunt on water.

It's logistically easier to pull off, and far more exciting to have birds trying to land within inches of your boot laces!