There is more to successful duck hunting than duck calls and decoys. The problem is that nearly every duck hunter you meet will have slightly different ideas on what makes for the greatest amount of hunting success, which after a while makes your head spin. So rather than look at the differences the “experts” present, let’s look at some common sense helps and hints about duck hunting.
First, there are going to be some things you cannot control when hunting. Maybe the birds just aren’t flying that day. Maybe you landed in an area with a lot of other hunter. Maybe the weather got nasty. You are not going to ever have control over Mother Nature. As for other hunters – either move to a different location or just cope. As the saying goes, don’t sweat the small stuff. Be prepared to adapt with nature and the changing circumstances or duck hunting is not going to be an enjoyable pastime.
Balancing that, there are things under your control and those are the ones to which to pay attention. For example, develop a good duck call, find decent decoys (and layout patterns), and know the basic rules of safety when hunting ducks and geese. Shooting birds has a whole different set of guidelines than other types of ground game, and if you don’t know those guidelines – don’t hunt.
Before you go out to hunt duck, have a good plan in hand. Try and pick a good location in which to hunt based on the weather and winds, but also have a second location in tow. If you’ve thought of that “sweet” spot – there are other hunters thinking of it too, and they might be earlier risers.
While out in the woods its perfectly acceptable to change locations if you find the birds simply aren’t where you are (this makes sense). This can happen because the wind changes, the bird’s flight patterns altar, the birds don’t respond to the decoys, you’re not concealed well enough, or the birds seem to ignore your calls. Unfortunately some hunters get stubborn about their location and come home empty as a consequence. To avoid being one of them – stay alert and watch for those little changes that could help you find a better location.
When you do spot some ducks, if you happen to startle them don’t shoot! Get into a good position, hide and wait. The ducks will return slowly and you’ll have a much better aim. And don’t forget that a pond is not the only place to find ducks. They like grain fields, for example. That’s a nice alternative to marshlands and wet feet! Beyond that, don’t forget the importance of camouflage not just for your boat or gear, but also your face. You want to be able to look up and get a clear shot at your game.
