Duck hunting beginners guide

scott_r

scott_r

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Hey Guys

The one thing I'm pretty much clueless about but would like to try is shooting ducks off decoys in a small slough/ponds here in Sask. I'm no die hard..I don't have a dog but have found countless small ponds loaded with ducks every fall. So what does a guy need to do a small shoot with his kids?? I'm not looking to buy a 10 K spread or anything remotely that much.

Cheers!!
 
Some good spreads in the link. A key piece is obviously making the ducks land where you want which is of course in shooting range.

If no dog you may have to be picky on your shots to make sure you can retrieve. You can also bring along a small telescopic rod. It'll work at times but if you get one aways out in the weeds it can be a challenge.
 
I shoot over 12 frequently and I call sparingly. Get a nice short double reed, I like the double nasty and practice around the house/in your car.
 
After 37 years of waterfowling I can honestly say on small ponds or sloughs I have had my best shoots using less than a half dozen decoys and often without a spinner. I have had some incredible action at times with no more than 3 decoys and I have owned and used some big spreads but I find the shooting just as good most times with just a few. A spinner is a good idea too especially at first light, early season or on overcast days. The most important thing is be on the slough the birds want to be on and play the wind. 99% of the time the birds will sit on the calm side. So get the wind at your back if possible. As for calling even the expert callers will tell you if they are headed at you stay quiet. All that calling and shooting you see on videos is the wonders of editing to promote product sales!! If they keep circling and/or decide not to commit then you have nothing to lose but to try to convince them but you'll need to practice lots. Poor calling is much, much worse than no calling.
 
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scott_r said:
Would 12 quality decoys and a good spinner be enough for a small pond? Do you guys use a call as well?
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Scott, the spinner is that like a mo-jo duck???
As for calling , I cant call worth a dam to save my life so I would say no if you have not practiced some.
Then again, there is only one way to become proficient in calling and that is to practice.
Good Hunting,
Rob
 
scott_r said:
Hey Guys

The one thing I'm pretty much clueless about but would like to try is shooting ducks off decoys in a small slough/ponds here in Sask. I'm no die hard..I don't have a dog but have found countless small ponds loaded with ducks every fall. So what does a guy need to do a small shoot with his kids?? I'm not looking to buy a 10 K spread or anything remotely that much.

Cheers!!
Click to expand...

scott_r said:
Would 12 quality decoys and a good spinner be enough for a small pond? Do you guys use a call as well?
Click to expand...

When I was in NB, I used to hunt beaver ponds in the evening. I often used 6 decoys & a spinning wing decoy. Limited out many times!

Camo, shotgun, steel shells, method to retrieve... Bob's your Uncle & TONS OF FUN!

Cheers
Jay
 
FLHTCUI said:
Scott, the spinner is that like a mo-jo duck???
As for calling , I cant call worth a dam to save my life so I would say no if you have not practiced some.
Then again, there is only one way to become proficient in calling and that is to practice.
Good Hunting,
Rob
Click to expand...

Yeah..was thinking of the Lucky Duck HD with remote..they are on sale for $130 at Cabelas.

Thanks for the input guys..sounds like I dont have to have to much invested have a bit of fun with my kids.

Cheers!!
 
One other question for you boys...Does the quality and detail of the decoys make a huge difference? If you were to buy a dozen what would be your choice?? Ive read excellent reviews of the Avian X and dont mind dropping the cash on them but if something cheaper does the job Im all for that.
 
Not so much with floating duck decoys. Ducks cone in very fast in small pounds so Thu don't get a lot if time to look over the decoys
 
Definitely keep the wind at your back (unless they want to land on the other side)... this way they will be coming in from the front rather than behind & overhead... as they generally prefer to land into the wind...much easier shooting. On small ponds half a dozen decoys is enough, if the pond is small enough to not get much wave action, then water keel dekes will be fine, which helps if you have to walk a long way. If there is some chop, weighted keel dekes ride the waves better (more realistic)... I only use weighted keel dekes and generally between a dozen and two dozen mixed dekes for small ponds, mostly old Herter's solid foam dekes (repainted a dozen times) unless I have to backpack them... they are heavy suckers.

First rule of waterfowling is; "Be where the birds want to be."

Second rule of waterfowling is; "Be there when they want to be there."

Scouting is key.
 
hoytcanon said:
Definitely keep the wind at your back (unless they want to land on the other side)... this way they will be coming in from the front rather than behind & overhead... as they generally prefer to land into the wind...much easier shooting. On small ponds half a dozen decoys is enough, if the pond is small enough to not get much wave action, then water keel dekes will be fine, which helps if you have to walk a long way. If there is some chop, weighted keel dekes ride the waves better (more realistic)... I only use weighted keel dekes and generally between a dozen and two dozen mixed dekes for small ponds, mostly old Herter's solid foam dekes (repainted a dozen times) unless I have to backpack them... they are heavy suckers.

First rule of waterfowling is; "Be where the birds want to be."

Second rule of waterfowling is; "Be there when they want to be there."

Scouting is key.
Click to expand...

thanks...the area I'm at is loaded with ducks and nobody really shoots them on water, Ive been scouting for my moose and every single little puddle has ducks. Most people are more concerned with shooting geese as we are in one of the best spots in NA for them from what I hear. Would love to shoot some geese but don't have 10K to spend on these decoy spreads.
 
scott_r said:
thanks...the area I'm at is loaded with ducks and nobody really shoots them on water, Ive been scouting for my moose and every single little puddle has ducks. Most people are more concerned with shooting geese as we are in one of the best spots in NA for them from what I hear. Would love to shoot some geese but don't have 10K to spend on these decoy spreads.
Click to expand...

you will do great with half a doz decoys and that spinning wing. like hoyt said be where they want to be and be there at the right time and you will be limited out before you know it.
for shallow sloughs i often bring a painted 5 gal pail to sit on in the reeds as well as to keep my shell boxes dry.
 
scott_r said:
thanks...the area I'm at is loaded with ducks and nobody really shoots them on water,
Click to expand...

I see you're in SK. It's much easier if you can get permission on a combined grain field, bonus if there's straw bales to hide around. Dry, no mud, easy retrieval with no lost birds. I've limited out the last 3 evenings with only a spinner, no decoys. Just be patient, ducks like flying late in the evening.
 
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