scouting puts you on the X. think deer with a bow. You have to be(IMHO) within 15 yards of where they cross or eat, to kill one.
Waterfowl are the same due to distances of a shotgun. Not 15 yards but close is not good enough.
Spend more time scouting to find the X, where they naturally are goign, and you'll do better than always trying to hunt and hope.
Find the x a few days before season, scout and watch it, take a few decoys WHEREVER the X is, and you'll be fine.
A week ago we missed the X by about 80 yards... still shot 7 man limits of ducks, but mostly due to a STRONG front. If not for that front we would have had half limits. This with enough decoys, motion, jerk cords, and multiple callers.... where they want to be is a STRONG pull...
BTW go to the range and practice some if you were way behind the merganser.. you'll be more behinder the big goose thats hauling butt but looks slower...
