Wanting To Get Back Into Duck Hunting

[ness]

I grew up hunting ducks with my dad and brother, and loved every minute of it. Dad and a bunch of his buddies had a lease up near Lexington, MO, just off the Missouri. It had an old farmhouse, about a half dozen permanent blinds set up on a 90-acre flooded field, bunches of decoys, and a couple small boats to go down a canal from the house to the lake. It was a pretty sweet setup. As we got older, the duck club went by the wayside, and I started hunting strictly upland birds with a bunch of guys my age. Nobody really duck hunted in my group, so I haven't done it in years.

I have always kind of written off duck hunting because it looked like I'd have to join a club, or invest in a bozillion dollars worth of gear, get a dog, train a dog, etc. But for the last couple years I've been reading your stories on here and elsewhere and it seems a lot of you guys have figured out easier ways to do it. BilletHead and the layout blind/field hunting; Justin hunting along the NFOW with his trusty sidekick; Chief hunting on a stream somewhere with his baby boy. I just need a little guidance here on ways to duck hunt. I've got zero stuff (except the gun). Two Brittanies -- one that would sit with me in a blind for hours, but wouldn't dare get his feet wet. Another that couldn't sit still for 10 seconds, but would be in the water in a heartbeat. I've got access to a ton of land, so that's not a big issue.

Little help?

[duckydoty]

start with a dozen decoys and some cammo. You have to be where the ducks want to be. Do some scouting. Looking forward to reading about your up coming adventures.

[Bird Watcher]

Ness, keep an open mind. I see a lot of guys struggle with preconceived notions of how their duck hunting should be. (i.e. "I'm going to build a blind on that pond and put these decoys out") Ducks are extremely mobile and you should be too . If you are where the birds want to be, as doty said, you can have a lot of success with a minimal decoy spread.

Rule#1-be where they want to be. Binoculars that I can look through for hours and a 4 cylinder scouting vehicle are probably my two most lethal pieces of hunting gear. Drive and glass, rinse and repeat.

Rule #2 Hide. I'm not a big believer in artificial camo. Maybe some fast grass or killer weed has it's time and place, but for the most part it's natural vegetation from the spot I'm hunting and lots of it.

If you mind these two rules, the rest will take care of itself. Decoys, for the most part, are for hunters. They are necessary, and I've got a trailer full of them, but IMO they are less important than rules 1 and 2.

[ness]

start with a dozen decoys and some cammo. You have to be where the ducks want to be. Do some scouting. Looking forward to reading about your up coming adventures.

I'm confused already. If I buy decoys, don't them ducks come to me? :D

[ness]

Ness, keep an open mind. I see a lot of guys struggle with preconceived notions of how their duck hunting should be. (i.e. "I'm going to build a blind on that pond and put these decoys out") Ducks are extremely mobile and you should be too . If you are where the birds want to be, as doty said, you can have a lot of success with a minimal decoy spread.

Rule#1-be where they want to be. Binoculars that I can look through for hours and a 4 cylinder scouting vehicle are probably my two most lethal pieces of hunting gear. Drive and glass, rinse and repeat.

Rule #2 Hide. I'm not a big believer in artificial camo. Maybe some fast grass or killer weed has it's time and place, but for the most part it's natural vegetation from the spot I'm hunting and lots of it.

If you mind these two rules, the rest will take care of itself. Decoys, for the most part, are for hunters. They are necessary, and I've got a trailer full of them, but IMO they are less important than rules 1 and 2.

Sounds like real solid advice -- I appreciate it. You're right -- I've kinda been saddled with preconceived ideas, and just need to get out there. I see ducks on water when I'm hunting for other stuff. A couple times I could have shot, but I didn't have a tag or steel shot.

Ducky -- I appreciate your input too.

[ness]

My first move in this was to get a new barrel for what's gonna (again) be my duck gun. It's the same one I shot as a kid -- 1960s-era Browning Light 12. Can't shoot the new shot through the old A5s, so I popped for a Japanese 30-inch modified choke. If you don't like my barrel selection, please keep it to yourself -- because it's a done deal.

I've looked at new decoys -- and got a little sticker shock! Looked at Craigslist too and saw some stuff for sale around town, but nothing compelling. I'll probably pop for a dozen new to start, and possibly a backpack-style bag to carry them in. Cabela's has one that's getting high ratings and is pretty inexpensive.

The whole Texas rig for decoys thing sounds great, but it locks you into one length of line. Any thoughts on that? I like simple. And cheap.

Will my 40-year old duck calls still work, or are they now obsolete? One of them is made outta that old, outdated wood stuff they used to use. I realize the caller is probably a bigger factor than the call.

I've got some pretty nice hunting clothes, but I'm thinking the blaze orange might be a problem with ducks. Anything you can slide over your clothes to camo-ize them?

Just spit-balling here....

[Terrierman]

I think a 30" barrel w. modified choke is close to perfect. Killed a lot of ducks with an 870 set up much the same. Eventually wound up with a Benelli M-1 super 90 and normally had modified tube in it as well. Though when things were really perfect I'd put in the IC tube.

I've given it up too, mostly because I miss my old buds and old dogs and old spots too much. Though I admit I surely miss it, and the duck breasts too.

[Bird Watcher]

Check out the Flambeau storm front line. you should be able to find them for less than 50$ dozen. But yes, everything is more expensive these days. Make a good jerk rig for hunting water. If you are going to attempt field hunting, just buy spinning wing decoys to start, later look at some GHG mallard shells.

My thoughts on texas rig short drops? (4' or less). Ducks like shallow water. there are times they raft and roost in deep water reservoirs, but unless you plan on seriously investing in boats and gear, those ducks are going to be unavailable to you anyway. target them where they are feeding and you should never have to hunt water deeper than 2-3'. texas rigs are awesome. You can also get adjustable clips for them if you want the ability to float them a little deeper. Within reason of course.

Your calls will still work. you might want to refresh the cork and reeds.

I've landed a lot of ducks wearing faded and dirty cotton duck (i.e. carharts and dickies). I think unless you are hunting flooded timber or brush, if you are relying on the camo pattern of your outerwear to conceal you, you are already losing the game.

Check out some layout blinds. Rogers always has a good deal on their house brands. It's still going to set you back 100-200$, but it doesn't matter what you wear inside one of those.

[BilletHead]

Ha Ness,

once bitten you got the bug.

Everything everyone has said. I started on geese with a half dozen decoys and one layout. It kind of snowballed from there. Just start picking brains and go, just go. Be where the birds want to be. I had a good start and was doing a pretty good job and then got to visiting with Bird Watcher. Like you have ground to go to is a big plus. I don't do the duck parks unless early teal or like last year when the middle zone opened I got desperate and crossed that line. Won't be making a habit of that. Like not to fight the crowd. Not sure what forum members are close to you up there. I may be the closest one. You can come down here and try with me. Won't even have to get your feet wet, maybe muddy though. Plus you can laugh you rear off watching me the clown in the waterfowl circus. Then you will be able to decide if this is for you before investing. As far as calls what you have and chances you will call better than I do. I bet my birds hear me and say what the heck is that and investigate. Curiosity killed the cat I mean waterfowl. Camo? All you need is Camo Bibs and a jacket. Bigger than you think you need. Wear anything under them for comfort and warmth. I tell Mrs. BilletHead this is no fashion show and who else is going to see us?

BilletHead

Three foot or less on my texas rigs. I'm not going any deeper. The dead birds are going to float to the other side or the do the rod and reel retrieve. Kayak if needed. I do wish Mrs. BilletHead was quicker when she gets to go to retrieve the field birds when they try to run/walk of. A duck or goose can move pretty fast on those webbed feet!

[ness]

Saw some Flambeaus on the Cabela's site for about that price. I may have to run up there and pick up some.

What's a 'jerk rig', BW?

I'm trying to get setup where I don't need to go into the water if at all possible. I've got some neoprene waders, but I'm definitely not going the boat route. I figure somebody has taken the snagging them with fishing lure idea to new heights.

Marty -- if by duck parks you mean the big wildlife areas with drawings for a blind, etc. I'm right there with you -- not my cup-o-tea at all. I've got one buddy that duck hunts -- told me some years ago they'd get up, drive to wherever and if they didn't draw a blind they'd be back in bed by 7AM. They may have computerized that process by now, but I'd still rather avoid that kind of a setup. I'd rather shoot less ducks without a crowd. I just like the idea of going light and being mobile more than sitting in a blind, so this stuff is sounding pretty good.

BTW - if you're serious, I may just take you up on the offer so be careful

Anybody ever see a duck flying -- in just everyday life -- and kinda get that racing heart feeling? The other night I was driving home about dusk and 3 or 4 of them cut across the sky over the highway. It's just cool.