I'll Go Ahead And Turn Out The Lights.

[mhowerton]

thanks. 95% of it was. we did have a little loafing pond that the ducks would use during the middle of the day that we hunted twice and did decent on.

One thing I have noticed in Northeast Arkansas is that ducks prefer flooded fields to dry fields. Unless the flooded fields are frozen then the ducks will hit the dry fields hard. They will work in fields with just sheet water, but totally dry fields are not productive unless everything is frozen. Not sure it is the topography in the Delta more flat versus hilly country. But there are several corn fields where we hunt that stay dry, but nothing uses them. Just a sample size of one persons observation.

[Bird Watcher]

One thing I have noticed in Northeast Arkansas is that ducks prefer flooded fields to dry fields. Unless the flooded fields are frozen then the ducks will hit the dry fields hard. They will work in fields with just sheet water, but totally dry fields are not productive unless everything is frozen. Not sure it is the topography in the Delta more flat versus hilly country. But there are several corn fields where we hunt that stay dry, but nothing uses them. Just a sample size of one persons observation.

They won't eat them here unless everything is frozen either. It's key to the pattern. I'm convinced it's their avenue of last resort when they can't dabble because all the shallow water is frozen. Once they start keeping a hole open out in the middle of larger reservoirs, it's time to start looking for it. Usually, it's something that happens when everyone else thinks you need to be on the river or creek. That's when I start looking for ducks using corn fields. You also probably won't see them unless you are there at 4 pm til dark. They will sit and conserve energy all day then fly for the last hour of light gorging as much in calories as possible, often flying back and forth to their roost for water. You'll here a lot of "it's all froze up, all the ducks already flew south". I'm telling you from first hand experience, they don't fly South unless their food gets covered in snow. As long as they can find grain in an ag field, they will find water or keep it open. This is primarily mallards though. There are a few other ducks that will stay with them, but it's 99% mallards. An old duck hunting buddy used to always say, "ice brings mallards" it's always proved true to me.

[Feathers and Fins]

Chris you are 100% spot on with that observation. When I hunt the corn fields it isnt even worth getting there till 3pm to set-up and then you are normall limited on Greenheads by 4;15. and unless its a freeze out forget it they are dabbling. The exception is when they are migrating back north if you find a field with Snows in it they will be in it as well but by then season on ducks is over but still fun to watch thousands of ducks piling in while your snow hunting.

[mhowerton]

_{Thanks for yalls input and feedback. I try to learn something new every year. In the past couple of years I have really tried to better understand and keep notes of when ducks are using certain areas. I spent alot of time hunting the flooded timber on the Black River and found a couple new places that the ducks use better than others depending on river levels. The ducks will follow the new water (rising river). They find those newly flooded woods fast. Without a good knowledge database it is hard being a weekend only hunter. You are flying blind on Saturday. I usually cut the hunt very early if they arent flying and spend time trying to find them for Sunday. Would love to keep the conversation going through the long hot summer. Hit me up next year if anyone wants to try to come down to NE Arkansas and chase them in the public timber.}

[Feathers and Fins]

Mh, here is a few tips.

Get a plot map for areas you hunt, then get a topo map as well. Go out and scout the areas find which way fields run off and which way the current flow in the timber is. When it rains find the low points where the run-off goes. DO NOT hunt it the day of the rain but wait 2 days. The reason is you want all the acorns and other food to make it to the newly flooded area. You get in on day 2 and 3 and it is nothing short of mass murder. I have one spot on the farm down south that all the rice, corn and timber drains but it takes 1.25 inches of rain to make it happen and when it does ill do anything to be there on day 3 by day 5 its ate out.

[Bird Watcher]

My buddies down on Black River around Cord and Elgin keep journals at their hunting camp. They have one for 22', one for 23', one for 24',...etc. When the river hits each of these levels, they pull out the corresponding journal and read past hunt logs to see what the birds were doing on each of the river levels. after 30 years of it, it's pretty much on the money.

[moodyfour]

MH where in the Black do you hunt? I am familiar with that area a bit and have a good friend I hunt with often down there... If I wasn't leaving for a business trip on Sunday, I would be closing out the season right in the middle if it...

I like to read about the dry field hunts, due to the fact I have never been on a hunt like that... It looks fun when it is good. But have to say hunting the timber is where my heart wants to be... Absolutely love it!!! Just wish I was closer to take advantage of it more often.

[Feathers and Fins]

Moody you need to get in a couple of spring snow goose hunts then. they can be the most exciting hunts of your life. Picture sitting under this site

Nothing like thousands of geese coming in on you in the world of waterfowling

[Bird Watcher]

Moody you need to get in a couple of spring snow goose hunts then. they can be the most exciting hunts of your life. Picture sitting under this site

Nothing like thousands of geese coming in on you in the world of waterfowling

Fry that. No offense Scott, but I'd rather have someone give me a vasectomy but go down through my nose instead.

[Feathers and Fins]

LOL, You and I have had that experiance but for those who havent you have to admit its something to see. My layout was brushed out in goose poop a few times FROM ABOVE lmao.