Duck Hunting

[FULL DRAW]

I have never duck hunted before and have a chance to hunt over a buddies pond on 13 acres. Most of it is water. He said that the dove and ducks hit his pond regularly every year. I have never duck hunted a day in my life so I have a few questions for those of y'all who do. Please don't rip me a new on for my ignorance but here we go...
1) What shot load do you use? I use 7 1/2 for doves. Would this work for duck? Turkey loads?
2) Do I really need decoys to be successful? I only ask because I am budget hunting this year on his property in Liberty Hill because I couldn't afford my lease anymore.
3) I get my supercombo every year for my hunting/fishing needs but do I need to get a ducks stamp or tag in order to duck hunt? Somebody told me about "points" per day and certain ducks have a point value in order to fill you bag limit? Not sure I follow?
4) How do you know what duck is flying above when they are in the air? Are there any ducks that are off limits? I know Teal season starts here pretty soon and I want to shoot me some but are the other ducks off limits till later?
5) Calls! There are a million to choose from. Which ones are good/budget friendly? How and when do you use them? Is there one for each kind of bird?

I told y'all I was ignorant when it came to this.
Thanks in advance.

[Reaper33]

Call me i will answer all the questions i can. Be easier than typing out a long paragraph. Ill PM you my number

[curtintex]

1. Must use steel shot. It's the law. #4 or #2 will work fine
2. Decoys help, but can hurt too. If ducks are using the pond, let 'em come. May put out half a dozen just to get interest.
3. Need a federal duck stamp in addition to SuperCombo.
4. Duck I.D. is important. Get you a guide and learn it.
5. Get you a Haydel DR85 and learn to blow it. It's an easy blowing double reed and good for a starter.

Suggestion: Take someone that knows what they're doing that you can learn from. You've got the place and they have the knowledge. That's a good way for you to learn.


Good luck

[Reaper33]

and as far as calls go i may have a few extra laying around i can send to ya seeing how you are on a budget and all

[str8shooter]

Call me i will answer all the questions i can. Be easier than typing out a long paragraph. Ill PM you my number

This. Ducks are my passion. Bow hunting a REALLY close second. Will PM my number also in case you can't get hold of above.

[Bonbonjovi]

First of all if you are going to hunt waterfowl make sure you are legal by having a state migratory bird stamp and a Federal waterfowl stamp....then make sure all your ammo that you have in your possession is non toxic or steel...getting caught with lead shells while hunting doves and also hunting teal can leave you at the mercy of a game warden

the easiest way for you to get introduced to duck hunting is to invite a seasoned duck hunter with a dog to join you....they will have all the decoys and maybe even a mud motor boat, if the birds are there then they will gladly trade you access to the ponds in exchange for you not having to buy a boatload of equipment

[Bleu]

As stated above! You need to find someone who is equipped and knows what is going on, or you may find yourself on the wrong end of a ticket...or worse. See if your buddy that owns the land knows someone he already trusts.

[Tmag]

Great advice from many here, I would definitely get a seasoned duck hunter to go with me. That will prevent taking the wrong duck or too many ducks.

[Patton]

1. Must use steel shot. It's the law. #4 or #2 will work fine
2. Decoys help, but can hurt too. If ducks are using the pond, let 'em come. May put out half a dozen just to get interest.
3. Need a federal duck stamp in addition to SuperCombo.
4. Duck I.D. is important. Get you a guide and learn it.
5. Get you a Haydel DR85 and learn to blow it. It's an easy blowing double reed and good for a starter.

Suggestion: Take someone that knows what they're doing that you can learn from. You've got the place and they have the knowledge. That's a good way for you to learn.


Good luck

Not too much of a duck hunter but I think he hit the nail on the head

[Buckshot-73]

And those are not ignorant question's.

Better to be prepared,than pay a penalty.

Have fun. It can be addicting.

[Muddy Bud]

Just as stated above. Try to take a seasoned waterfowler with you. Learn from him and make a new hunting buddy. There is no more point system as far as taking ducks. But still need to know what kind of duck your shooting at.

You can only take a certain amount of some ducks like Canvas Backs, Pintail, Redheads, Scaup, and Mottled ducks. Learn these and you should be Ok.

As far as Early teal season I shoot 5 or 6 shot in the cheapest steel shot I can find as they will usually be in your face. Bigger ducks require a little more thump. Anything larger than 4 shot should do you good for pond hunting.

[duckman49]

all the above is true and get ready it is a new world of hunting you will love it get to sit and talk and move and get lots of shots. nothing like seeing there feet down and the buzzz of wings (hopefully ducks not bugs) also a couple tips
1 dont look up at the birds coming in they can see amazing paint your face or use a mask!
2 If if you get into it look up texas rig decoys they are the only way to go!
3 most of all is camo and dont move when you see them coming in and a huge rookie move is when they see ducks they stand up and point and say theres some, as the ducks flare and go the other way. lol
4 ducks land into the wind so always have the wind at your back or to your side never in your face
just a couple tips hope you have a blast and get lots of shots

[hopedale]

1) What shot load do you use?

Early Teal shot size 4; modified choke. Use Remington, Kent, or Federal.
Regular duck season go to size 2.

2) Do I really need decoys to be successful?

A few wouldn’t hurt, but if the birds are landing on the tank, just sit there and wait it out. It is important to be hidden. You want cover behind you, in front of you, and if possible above you.

3) I get my supercombo every year for my hunting/fishing needs but do I need to get a ducks stamp or tag in order to duck hunt?

Yes you have to get a federal duck stamp, and in case you don’t go dove hunting, you need your HIP with the super combo. Make sure it’s added to your license when you buy it. Academy forgot one year, but I caught it before leaving.

3a) Somebody told me about "points" per day and certain ducks have a point value in order to fill you bag limit? Not sure I follow?

Points was a system used in the 80s. Check the TPWD site later as we get closer to the season. Typically we get a 6 bird limit, but you have to pay attention (after the first bird) to what you’re shooting. For example, you can kill 6 gadwalls, or 2 Pintails and 4 Mallards, or you can shoot 6 mallards, but only two can be a hen. It does get confusing, so you have to get a duck ID book and the TPWD regs.

4) How do you know what duck is flying above when they are in the air?

Years of hunting. First hunt in 2007 and being doing it ever since and still learning. Again, don’t have to worry about the first one. It’s the second bird that you want to shoot you need to know what it is.
Are there any ducks that are off limits?
It changes year to year, and some birds you can only shoot 1 or 2. For example, a dusky duck you can only have one.

Here is last year’s limits:

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedi...2011&nrsearch=


4a) I know Teal season starts here pretty soon and I want to shoot me some but are the other ducks off limits till later?

All other ducks are out of season during Teal. Also during Teal you can only shoot 4.

5) Calls! There are a million to choose from. Which ones are good/budget friendly? How and when do you use them? Is there one for each kind of bird?

You need to hold off blowing a call right now. If you want to learn, get a Buck Gardner – Double Nasty. It is hands down the easy call to learn to blow.

6.) How to retrieve a down bird with no dog or boat?

Bring a fishing pole, or wait until it blows to one side of the tank. Don’t shoot if you know you can’t retrieve it. I’ve got some spots on public that I can’t take shots from a certain angel. It would cause the bird to fall in an inaccessible part of the lake.

7.) Where else can you go hunting?

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild...ic/lands/maps/

8.) Can I have dove loads on my while hunting ducks?

NO! Don't have lead shot anywhere near your person. Leave it in the truck parked a mile away. NO Lead shot.

9.) Do you need a plug in the shotgun?

Yes, you are limited to 3 shots. One in the chamber and no more then 2 better fit in the tube.

I'm sure there are other things I could think of, but know this, Duck hunting is addictive. While you have access to a tank that has birds, you may still want to make a few trips with a guide. Get to know other hunters.

Duck hunting is something meant to be enjoyed with others. Don't get me wrong, a solo hunt is enjoyable. Goodluck and I hope you do well.

One last thing, there are no birds in central Texas.

[FULL DRAW]

and as far as calls go i may have a few extra laying around i can send to ya seeing how you are on a budget and all

That would be awesome. I just was a little over whelmed by the amounts of different kinds. Wood/plastic, different reeds in them, brands and what not.

[FULL DRAW]

First of all if you are going to hunt waterfowl make sure you are legal by having a state migratory bird stamp and a Federal waterfowl stamp....then make sure all your ammo that you have in your possession is non toxic or steel...getting caught with lead shells while hunting doves and also hunting teal can leave you at the mercy of a game warden

the easiest way for you to get introduced to duck hunting is to invite a seasoned duck hunter with a dog to join you....they will have all the decoys and maybe even a mud motor boat, if the birds are there then they will gladly trade you access to the ponds in exchange for you not having to buy a boatload of equipment

I thought you could hunt doves with lead shot? I have with other buddies and had no clue that you couldn't. I thought that was only for water fowl. I need to get me a tpwd book today and look up some stuff.