Last year, I got to participate in a hunt for Ducks Unlimited Television. Our quarry: snow geese. We had lots of competition, as numerous highly skilled outfitters were operating in the area. Our spread consisted of several strategically placed kites lined up within shooting range of the hunters -- and nearly every goose we shot went right for the kites.

They also picked out any hunter not camouflaged head to toe, including a solid facemask -- so if you think you're not camouflaged enough, you're not. By the time geese get down to southern Louisiana they've been shot at hundreds of times. Just as important to keep in mind: Snow geese in particular are an old population. The age-class of the birds is such that we're dealing with experts at dodging hunters.

I'm a big proponent of combination goose/duck hunts, and I believe that some of the big marsh flats and lakes in the parish can offer some high-quality goose hunting, particularly late in the season.

Just as with bay duck hunting, the secret lies in thinking big. You'll want to set up a good number of duck decoys -- particularly divers, which are common in the area this time of year -- mixed with some snow and blue geese. Besides making the spread big, use magnum-sized decoys. You have to get the attention of those geese and ducks, and using big decoys is one way to do that. When the birds fly over open water, which is often choppy, they may have a hard time seeing regular-sized decoys or a small spread. Think big, and you'll promote success.

Many hunters set their decoys in a large cove, leave a landing area, and extend one long leg of the spread out into open water to attract cruising ducks. This is highly effective, especially if you have a couple of mechanical duck decoys with rotating wings in your spread.

I prefer hunting around islands. The prime decoy spot is toward the tail of an island, in the soft water between the tail and the main current. Islands generally have enough cover so that, coupled with a well-camouflaged boat, it should work to hide hunters.

Usually the best shooting time comes as the birds cross the bay after their morning meal in the marsh and nearby prairies. The drop-of-water formation is a smart pattern to employ. This consists of decoys set up in the shape of a water droplet, with one end tapering off sharply toward the hunters. You can camouflage the boat greatly and set up in the middle of the set or hunt just off the edges. The advantage here is that, with the wind in your face, you can remain well hidden amid the sea of white. The tapering end looks like a natural landing, inviting more birds to set down.