New to waterfowl.. what gear?

[PorterNY]

Thanks again to everyone…. I’ve bought/ordered a little gear and I’m going to try for ducks tomorrow.. really appreciate all the advice

 

[Ikmclean]

The single most important thing in waterfowling is to be on the X.

This, where you are matters a whole lot more than what you have. If you're where the birds want to be all you need is a shotgun and a good hide

 

[KurtR]

So what’s the plan when you can’t be on the x and have to run traffic.

 

[Ikmclean]

So what’s the plan when you can’t be on the x and have to run traffic.

In my experience, the hide is the most important thing when your trying to pull birds, unconfident birds take a closer look. If the hide isn't 100% they almost always flair, no matter how many decoys I have out.

 

[Idaho4x4Bronco]

Thanks again to everyone…. I’ve bought/ordered a little gear and I’m going to try for ducks tomorrow.. really appreciate all the advice

Get some!

 

[KurtR]

In my experience, the hide is the most important thing when your trying to pull birds, unconfident birds take a closer look. If the hide isn't 100% they almost always flair, no matter how many decoys I have out.

How many decoys you running on a lesser spread or a speck snow combo.

 

[Ikmclean]

How many decoys you running on a lesser spread or a speck snow combo.

Don't see many snows or specks here, I mostly target ducks and honkers on small streams and marshes.

 

[DE302duck]

Thanks again to everyone…. I’ve bought/ordered a little gear and I’m going to try for ducks tomorrow.. really appreciate all the advice

Have fun!

 

[KurtR]

Don't see many snows or specks here, I mostly target ducks and honkers on small streams and marshes.

Ya we are hunting big agg fields most of the time and some times can’t get permission so have to run traffic and 20 dozen sock and silo spread but then up it a bunch if it’s snows and specks they seem to hang out a bunch. Last year we had a day of ducks, lessers ,big honkers and snows and specks that was fun.

 

[207-12A]

Put the mojos away after opening weekend. Any calling besides subtle, quiet quacks (drake croaking is better) should go in the shed with them. It's been said already on this thread, but there is no substitute for motion discipline when birds are working. You can have 100 fully flocked dekes and 6 mojos but a squirmy dog or partner who goosenecks up at birds, you'll see lots of ducks and geese blow out.

 

[Hnthrdr]

If you are hunting Co buy some blue jeans and Walmart camo, and extra full chokes and skybust at birds over 125 yards out. You will fit in well haha who needs decoys and calls save the money for extra shells and fire away

 

[KurtR]

Put the mojos away after opening weekend. Any calling besides subtle, quiet quacks (drake croaking is better) should go in the shed with them. It's been said already on this thread, but there is no substitute for motion discipline when birds are working. You can have 100 fully flocked dekes and 6 mojos but a squirmy dog or partner who goosenecks up at birds, you'll see lots of ducks and geese blow out.

What part of the country are you in? Up here mojo till the season ends or it’s all froze up. The late December mallards a spinnners and 12 decoys and we get lots of thousand duck spins finishing on your feet.

 

[D S 319]

Have fun with the new addiction.. working birds is a blast.

 

[PorterNY]

Well.. you guys were right… we scouted for 5 days and found a spot the wood ducks were coming to at first light.. used 4 decoys and no calls.. 2 came in, then 4, then 20 ish
this is pretty darn fun!

 

[KurtR]

Well.. you guys were right… we scouted for 5 days and found a spot the wood ducks were coming to at first light.. used 4 decoys and no calls.. 2 came in, then 4, then 20 ish
this is pretty darn fun!

Awesome work. Now you really want to have fun time to get a dog to pick the birds up for you

 

[Ikmclean]

Ya we are hunting big agg fields most of the time and some times can’t get permission so have to run traffic and 20 dozen sock and silo spread but then up it a bunch if it’s snows and specks they seem to hang out a bunch. Last year we had a day of ducks, lessers ,big honkers and snows and specks that was fun.

Sounds like a blast, guess if you can be on the x just make one!

 

[KurtR]

We used 2 aframes 8 dozen dive bombs and 15 full bodies on this one. 39 honkers 3 specks and 5 ducks.

 

[JMasson]

Well.. you guys were right… we scouted for 5 days and found a spot the wood ducks were coming to at first light.. used 4 decoys and no calls.. 2 came in, then 4, then 20 ish
this is pretty darn fun!

Wood ducks are fun. They can be pretty reliable but also pretty frustrating. If you have a good woodie spot only hunt it once a week or less and you can shoot them all season.

 

[Cmb8316]

What about identifying ducks during the hunt? What's the trick to that you've figured out as you're starting out? The idea of over limit is terrifying

Check your states game and fish website. Most states have Waterfowl ID classes you can take that will teach you how/what to look for. Some states i believe its required to take a similar course to get permitted for waterfowl.

 

[Mikido]

wool and breathable waders.

/thread