For the field, start with good shell dekes. Final Approach makes some great ones. It gives you lots of coverage for your $. Get some decent camo and some cover blind material. I used to use a muddied piece of burlap before I got layout blinds. Blinds are good, but you can hunt for a while without them. Get a decent call and practice year round. A CD is good for learning, but also go find some geese on a pond or something and listen to what they sound like.

For ponds, you need a mixed bag of dekes and waders. A dog is good, but takes a lot of time and money to train. Better to get the hang of it first and then train the dog to do what works for you. Greenhead hot buys are good for the money. I like Cabela's hunting waders too. Get some good calls, but you don't have to spend a lot.

Get a good basic rig going and then expand with better stuff as you go. It is incredibly addictive.