Hard flight Waterfowl
Freezing Rain Driving Wind They are still flyin' and dyin'
Things to Know Before You Go On Your First Duck Hunt
I want to start you out with some tips that count the most. When and where you go on your first duck hunt you need to scout! I can't express this enough, it will make or break your hunt. You will be overly excited to just go out to the spot your buddy or a guy at the local outdoor store told you he has hunted and had success. That may be a great spot but the day you want to go the ducks or geese might be miles away or a quarter mile away. Sneaking up on waterfowl is not an easy one! SO SCOUT IT OUT!
Decoys are also a must have, and how many you use will also determine your hunting. A great piece of advice is to make sure your decoys look great, such as not faded, busted up, or broken. If its an early in the season hunt, throw almost anything you have out there at them. Just not the kitchen sink. Early in the season you want something with movement, like a mojo, quivers and or a jerk rig. Throughout the season gradually leave some decoys in the truck and get rid of some of your movement. Some of these ducks that you are trying to get in range could be local ducks that have been in your area since the begining of the season. Ducks that are just moving have seen pretty much everything anyone could throw at them. Also make your decoy formations to look natural, a "U" shape, "W" shape or "C" shape seem to work well. Always try to leave a spot for the ducks to come in at, ducks wont come in over other birds. Pay great attention to the wind and its direction. This will help you with the placement of your decoys.
Third, try to find a buddy to come with you. They can help in certain situations and help make your hunt a safe and successful one. This person doesn't have to be a your everyday waterfowl hunter but I garuntee they will be one before the hunt is over.
Always bring safety equipment with you. Preferably extra waters, snacks, a few extra pairs of gloves, a lighter, etc. You can never be too sure of what is to come.
Some other great advice is to make sure your ammunition is correct for what you are hunting. Have the right choke tubes with you, that will help your shotgun pattern the best at the correct distance you are trying bring in your fowl friends.
There are different duck and goose calls for different locations (open waters, feilds, etc). Double reeds are easier to blow and get the right sound, so if you are a beginner and hunting large bodies of water go for the double reed. Single reed calls are more technical and have different tones to them that can be difficult for the more experienced hunters to use. So get used to your call before go out to your blind. Practice it all the time, it will add a higher percentage of sucess to your hunt. Remember to learn the different types of calls you can do. The comeback call, feed chuckle, low and raspy, then your screamer are some( which is what you mainly use to get there attention, like saying "Hey I'm over here!")
And have fun, you will have days that don't go as planned. These memories will stay with you forever, like the beautiful sunrise or sunset, stories your buddies told and tips you can learn to make your next hunt more successful!
If you have anymore questions or comments send me an email or message me on Facebook! Good luck, be safe and God Bless!