Wanting To Get Back Into Duck Hunting

[ness]

There is some great info here, If there is an OA North hunt coming count me in and Marty better bring BBQ sauce, I got Salsa and something says a few birds might get told come back later we are eating.

Ness, I have shot Geese over old tires and diapers, Take what Birdwatcher is saying as gospel truth ( Decoys are for hunters ) If they are close enough to tell the brand I bought I better be killing them.

Concealment is more important than any camo pattern this or that, I have shot more ducks and geese wearing jeans and a Columbia shirt than I can count so long as im hidden well and keep movement to a minimum. Lord I wish I remembered where I put it but I have a video from the 40's maybe 50;s of old guys in Plaid red shirts, Brown dress pants and Filson plaid hats.

Your gun is a killing gun A5's have been knocking ducks dead before most of us were borne. just be sure its plugged.

A good decoy bag and a cart isn't a bad idea if you have to walk any distance.

You know, back when I was a kid we all had the Red Head brown/gold heavy cotton stuff -- no camo. I think the only camo available would have been army surplus back then. The blind was your camo/concealment and we were always careful to stay down behind the grass, not move, not look up, etc. So I get what you're saying about camo versus cover.

Yeah, my gun is plugged -- always has been. Sort of a form of discipline: I figure 3 shots at a time ought to be enough, regardless

Yes I am serious. All you would need is you and your weapon. Ask BirdWatcher I may even supply shells once and a while

Drive over to Rogers sporting goods in Liberty if you haven't already. Leave money in vehicle, better yet leave money at home where it I harder to access.

Keep the offer in the back of your mind,

BilletHead

Yeah, I need to get up there. There was one down south I used to go to, but they closed it several years back.

I think a 30" barrel w. modified choke is close to perfect.

Thanks for the confirmation.

[Feathers and Fins]

A decoy cart? Ness don't listen to him on that idea. We drive right to our spots by atv and trailer. Well most of the time

You mean you have the Wife pull the decoy trailer and I so hope she comes on here to corrects you lol.

Ness, ask away but the old school tactics from when you were growing up will work just fine today, probably better as most people have forgot how to ( HUNT ) and rely on gadgets and electronics and would be lost actually trying to hunt.

As for blinds look up Tablerock Pillbox to see one of the best I have seen in a long time thanks to Ducky.

[BilletHead]

I am going to tell her you called her an ATV. Oh maybe you are referring to he as a pack mule?

BilletHead who tries to keep her from not looking over my shoulder. BUT when she sees me grin she knows I'm up to something.

[Feathers and Fins]

Your digging a hole arnt ya

[jdmidwest]

Screw it, its another hobby, get the bazillion dollar bill out and have some fun.

First, you said the A5 is a light model. I think that was designed for low brass target loads for doves and such. Probably 2 3/4" shell length. You will be shooting high brass magnum steel shot loads at ducks and may over power the gas system in the shotgun. You may want to check on that.

The rest is pretty simple, find where the ducks are. Rivers, lakes, ponds, flooded mud puddles in a field. Find some books and do some reading. Old books are better, they had better duck hunters back then and more ducks.

And if you want to be cool, grow a stupid long beard.

[ness]

Screw it, its another hobby, get the bazillion dollar bill out and have some fun.

First, you said the A5 is a light model. I think that was designed for low brass target loads for doves and such. Probably 2 3/4" shell length. You will be shooting high brass magnum steel shot loads at ducks and may over power the gas system in the shotgun. You may want to check on that.

The rest is pretty simple, find where the ducks are. Rivers, lakes, ponds, flooded mud puddles in a field. Find some books and do some reading. Old books are better, they had better duck hunters back then and more ducks.

And if you want to be cool, grow a stupid long beard.

I've taken plenty of ducks with it -- just been a while. Probably still works.

[cpriest]

Ness - I'm in a similar position as you, just one year ahead of you. I have a little land with a spring fed pond that never froze last year. I have a dozen decoys (cheap ones from cabelas) that are Texas rigged. I am poor at calling, but like the haydel 85, and only call if the birds look and start leaving my hole. The jerk string is pretty cheap, i actually bought a pre rigged set up for under $30. I managed to kill quite a few ducks late December through January when the weather was awful.

I think it would be awesome if we had an OAF hunt. I have property in NW AR, but sounds like you guys are further north. Always an option.

[jdmidwest]

I've taken plenty of ducks with it -- just been a while. Probably still works.

Back in that day, the A5 was made in several different models and the light was designed for light loads, ie, low brass. Barrel does not allow you to shoot anything heavier in it. While you can kill ducks with low brass loads, most modern waterfowl loads are high brass magnum heavy loads. The A5 reciever would have to state Magnum on it, not light. Double check that before you start popping off some rounds with a local gun smith.

Most modern shotgun gas systems are designed to handle the full range of shotgun shell loads with just one model.

BTW, I have never used a dog. Waders work fine.

[ness]

It's chambered 2-3/4 and it's not magnum. I've put high brass loads through it, just not magnum. I'll have to study up on it.

[ness]

Ness - I'm in a similar position as you, just one year ahead of you. I have a little land with a spring fed pond that never froze last year. I have a dozen decoys (cheap ones from cabelas) that are Texas rigged. I am poor at calling, but like the haydel 85, and only call if the birds look and start leaving my hole. The jerk string is pretty cheap, i actually bought a pre rigged set up for under $30. I managed to kill quite a few ducks late December through January when the weather was awful.

I think it would be awesome if we had an OAF hunt. I have property in NW AR, but sounds like you guys are further north. Always an option.

Thanks for the encouragement and advice.

As for blinds look up Tablerock Pillbox to see one of the best I have seen in a long time thanks to Ducky.

Tried that, couldn't find anything.