First time public land waterfowl question

[shader112]

Hey guys, I am planning on doing some waterfowl hunting next week on public land next to the Mississippi here in IL. I've found a spot while deer hunting that had ducks everywhere. I've hunted a few times with friends on farm ponds but it wasnt very serious. Not that I plan on taking it too serious.

The spot has a few fields that were flooded this summer and are now dryish, some timber that was also flooded, and about 1/2 mile of riverfront on a side channel of the Mississippi. I don't have any calls or decoys. Just figured I would go sit in some cover and see if i can pick something off if I get a good shot. I could have shot 2 boxes of shells out of my stand the other night. Not sure if there will be others hunting the spot, but there isnt much public around so I think maybe.

Being out of my element, does this sound like a reasonable plan? More or less trying it out to see if I like it. Any special duck hunter etiquette I should be aware of if there are other hunters out?

Thanks for the help

 

[Fatcamp]

Do you have the proper license?
How will you retrieve what you shoot?

 

[shader112]

I haven't picked up a waterfowl stamp or anything yet, but i will. I was planning on setting up close to where my stand was which was about 175 yards from the river, so I will be able to walk up and find any birds

 

[Fatcamp]

Nice. Remember you need non-toxic shot. You really should read through your states hunting handbook for specific waterfowl and area restrictions.

No lie, waterfowl is restriction heavy. Like, very heavy. Federal game wardens on the Mississippi are probably pretty aggressive. You better know your rules or you will regret it.

Pass shooting can be great fun, I have done it a bunch. Be warned, waterfowl hunting can be very addictive.

 

[skyler_2010]

Etiquette number one in my opinion would be if you can see another hunter you are too close. I have seen and heard of guys using a large Daredevil or some sort of weighted trebel hook to retrieve birds if you have some land in the river.

 

[Fatcamp]

Ya, that rule wouldn't work for me.

I can see across a half mile lake, no way I'm giving others that much space. Sharing the water is tough, but people should be able to hunt.

Don't ever set up downwind of a set spread. That is a jerk move.

 

[skyler_2010]

Ya, that rule wouldn't work for me.

I can see across a half mile lake, no way I'm giving others that much space. Sharing the water is tough, but people should be able to hunt.

Don't ever set up downwind of a set spread. That is a jerk move.

I guess I should have specified that within reason. I agree people need space. But it's not necessary to give up an entire lake. Space between hunters is a case by case or person by person thing. Something I would say is too close someone else would say is just fine. But the main thing I was getting at was don't set up right on top of someone else

 

[Fatcamp]

Couldn't agree more, Skyler. I think all of us who start waterfowl hunting without a mentor end up making mistakes and learning from them. I sure did.

 

[Big Ern]

Get proper stamps and read the regs on limits for the various species you will encounter. Also, need to be able to ID the birds so you don’t accidentally shoot over the limit.

 

[Jamo318]

if it goes well be ready to dedicate the next five years of your life to chasing ducks.

 

[Catchfish]

Make sure you have a plug in, only allowed to be capable to load 2 in the mag and 1 in the chamber

 

[shader112]

Went out this morning and got 1 Canada. Saw a bunch and got some shooting in. No other hunters. Could have shot a duck or 2 over some water but didnt have any way to retrieve it so didn't shoot. Lots of flocks of geese flying over but after shooting a dozen times as they passed over i realized i was not going to reach them up that high. Ended up having a pair come in to land right in front of me and got one. Pretty exciting!

Lots of meat on a goose! Any cooking recommendations?

Also, there were some black geese looking birds flying around. They weren't as big as a canada but bigger than a duck. They all appeared to be alone. Any idea what they might be? I could have shot at a few. Their wings seemed to have sharp edges if that makes sense, like a diamond almost. Not much of a description but if anybody has any idea..

 

[Norm555]

Went out this morning and got 1 Canada. Saw a bunch and got some shooting in. No other hunters. Could have shot a duck or 2 over some water but didnt have any way to retrieve it so didn't shoot. Lots of flocks of geese flying over but after shooting a dozen times as they passed over i realized i was not going to reach them up that high. Ended up having a pair come in to land right in front of me and got one. Pretty exciting!

Lots of meat on a goose! Any cooking recommendations?

Also, there were some black geese looking birds flying around. They weren't as big as a canada but bigger than a duck. They all appeared to be alone. Any idea what they might be? I could have shot at a few. Their wings seemed to have sharp edges if that makes sense, like a diamond almost. Not much of a description but if anybody has any idea..

Might be a cormorant

 

[Fatcamp]

Ya, don't shoot those.

 

[shader112]

Good call, that's exactly what they looked like.

 

[T28w]

Man. Y’all could have had some fun with that one.

“You passed up a cormorant, those things are the ribeye of the sky”
“May smell a little funny while it’s cooking but wait till u taste it to judge it”



2 weeks till season opens here. Can’t wait

 

[Jamo318]

Ya, don't shoot those.

Yes. Please dear God don’t shoot those.