Welcome to the forum and to the sport. You will find few other things in life as fulfilling and satisfying as waterfowling.

Now, I am a duck hunter and I can speak only to duck hunting. So I'll leave the goose stuff to other guys on here.

I agree with Chris H, your best bet with getting into some decent hunting spots, learning how to read wing beats, how to set up a decoy spread, when to shoot, when to and when not to call, and so on is to get hooked up with some other fellas who already duck hunt. Even if you don't have any friends who duck hunt, it is easy to meet friendly folks who might be willing to let you tag along. You can find these guys down at the sportsman's store or at the local duck blind drawing. If you do get lucky and either have friends who hunt or you hook up with someone who will let you tag along - DO NOT BRING A CALL WITH YOU or you'll never get invited back. Calling should be learned and practiced at home behind a closed door with either an instructional CD or with a very patient friend. Bring your call only after you are proficient. I highly recommend Buck Gardner's "Straight Talk" instructional CD. To be completely honest, I was only a so-so caller until about a year ago when I "relearned" how to call with "Straight Talk."

As far as a beginner call, I would go with a Primos Wench, Primos Yo Sista, Echo Double Reed Timber, or Quack Head J-Frame. All good calls and are very forgiving. I have an Echo Timber single reed that is one of my favorites and is one of only two that I keep on my lanyard. You'll see guys with 6 - 8 calls on their lanyards. Again, unnecessary. Master a couple calls and stick with those. You'll be able to get every sound and pitch out of most calls if you truly take the time to learn how to use them.

If you cannot hook up with anyone to take you, again I agree with Chris H, go find some public water and do some scouting. You can greatly narrow the search be going down to the sportman's store and asking around or calling the DNR and asking them what general area you should be setting up in. I've killed a lotta ducks on pubic waters. Lotta ducks.

I would start with six or a dozen mallard decoys and just throw them out there. Some folks get so hung up on decoy arrangements and it doesn't matter in the least - unless you're using Mojos, in which case you should position them facing into the wind. Get in the back of a cove on your lake or in the bend of an oxbow, throw out your dekes, and you'll be in business.

Your 1100 is a great duck gun. Go find some steel shot in anything from BB to #4 and you'll be in business. Keep in mind though that BB is a little rough on close ducks.

Get some camo and cover yourself up from head to toe like you're going turkey hunting. I like MOBU or APG for ducks. But here again, suit yourself as long as you match your surroundings.

Good luck to you and post anymore questions you have. Keep us posted on your season.