i had tried standing at the end of the table before my first post, also standing far enough back so i could see the whole table without moving the mouse back and forth. i actually tried standing on the end of the table at one point, but the geese wouldn't pop up.

switching into turn base mode made it impossible to miss the darn things. hadn't occurred to me, because my party wasn't in any danger.

well, onwards and upwards. thanks bunches.