When you wear white camo in snow, it dissolves your human outline. You become somewhat invisible, and geese are totally fooled by snow-camo-clad hunters who layout-shoot in decoy spreads. Some wear white gloves, white facemasks and spray-paint boots white to become totally concealed. Gunners conceal shotguns by spray-painting them white or using white tape to hide the gun from ever-watchful wild geese. Dark boots stick out in snow, so savvy hunters spray-paint them white, or cover their feet with a camo decoy bag or toss snow over them.

Hunting in snow can be a brutally cold sport. One trick to help you stay warm is to use finger mitt-style gloves with a mitten that pulls back to expose your fingertips and give you the dexterity needed to push the safety off, pull the trigger and load more shells. Some hunters use foot, toe or hand warmers inside boots and gloves to protect extremities from the cold. Camo facemasks, turtleneck sweaters or pullover hoods protect the back of your neck and face from frostbite during extreme cold conditions or howling winds.

Most gunners lay flat in the decoy spread. When incoming birds are spotted, they lie on their back, hold the gun across their chest and wait until geese are in range before they pop up and open fire. The trick is to remain totally motionless when geese are circling the spread. You can be fully camouflaged, but if you turn your head to follow circling birds, they will easily see you and spook or flare, thus offering no shot.

The trick to accurate shooting is to lie on your back with your gun shoulder turned upwind. When birds come into range, you can sit up, shoulder the gun and turn your torso as you shoot. Rookie gunners make the frequent mistake of lying in snow facing the wrong direction. When all heck breaks loose and guns start poppin' they have to turn their body around in order to get a smooth lead and consistently drop geese.

There is a growing army of goose hunters who love manufactured ground blinds. They come in a variety of sizes and styles, each is developed to provide maximum comfort and unmatched concealment, and they are specifically designed for field goose hunting. Accessories include an aluminum frame, holes for flagging, gun rest, insulated backrest and floor, padded headrest and more. Snow covers are available for late-season hunts.

Wild geese are very deceptive targets. When they lock up landing gear and slowly glide downward into the spread, they look like they are easy targets. Their precarious profile quickly shifts after the first shot, and birds turn on the afterburners, frantically push air with their huge wings and quickly climb out of range. Smart hunters allow incoming birds into easy shooting range at about 30 to 40 yards. However, in a matter of milliseconds, geese will climb to 50 yards, and your third shot is often at a bird pumping his wings to escape at around 60 yards.

Geese are large birds. Adult southern Michigan birds can weigh 12 to 16 pounds, and some weigh an amazing 18 pounds. It takes plenty of firepower to bring them down. Most gunners use 3 1/2-inch magnum loads in shot sizes from BB to F. Try BBB for the first shot and T for the last two. If birds are slightly out of range and you are taking longer shots than you prefer, make the switch to all Ts. Keep in mind that late-season geese are educated, and many times they will set wings, glide toward your decoy spread, and at the critical moment -- usually when they are about 40 yards out -- they will flare. In addition, the extra firepower is required because winter birds have a fully developed protective layer of thick feathers.