Questions I have about Duck Hunting.

[Lhamilton]

To start off, I have only been ducking hunting twice in my life, and that was yesterday and today. Yesterday I went out and sat in brushy area around a good size tank. The only thing that I had was my shotgun. No decoys nor duck call. I ended up shooting 3 mallards, which I was excited about. After the hunt yesterday I bought 2 dozen decoys and a call, which I don’t know how to use, so I didn’t use it since I would probably scare off more ducks. So back to yesterday morning, I had about 12 duck that I had a shot at, but I seen hundreds of ducks all around me, but only 12 came into the pond. in which I shot 3.

So my questions are:
1. How do I get the duck that are flying either too high, or a bit out of range to come into the pond for a closer shot?
2. How should I set up my decoys?
3. Where should I sit at? I have been setting on the south of the pond and the ducks are coming in from the north.


And if there is anything else I should know please inform me!!

[Lhamilton]

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[Tmag]

Nice reward for your time there.
Main thing is lots of cover, they can see just about anything out of place.

[Tspurgin26]

1. That's where the call and a good decoy spread come into play
2. Usually do a j pattern so the ducks have a pocket to land in(ducks will land facing the wind) also some movement in your spread will also help out a lot but not necessary
3. Try something new next time if they are not landing on your end just make sure you have some good cover

[EastTexasMan]

Keep this in mind... Most ducks will try to land INTO the wind.

If you are seeing mallards, and bought a mallard call read the instructions and practice using it. That will really help to bring those birds down, and they will focus on landing near your decoys. I try to make a J hook shape with my decoys somewhat, but that's just me.

[txoutdoorsman24]

1.Learn the certain calls for for when sucks are high or feeding or whatever. Towed has tutorials or YouTube it.
2. Set up with the blowing away your face. they will come in against te wind.
3. Put groups of 4 or 6 decoys on either side of you leaving a whole for the to land in and give you a good shot distance

[Txpepper]

I'm new to it too. I've never been but I just bought 2 dozen decoys also. From what I've been told you need to have the wind hitting your back because they land going in to the wind and when setting up your decoys you need set up and area where they can land. Split your decoys, 12 to the left and 12 to the right with a 30-40 yard lane in between them. That's about all I know. Lol. Still lookin for my first duck.

[duckmanep]

If you don't know how to call, its best not to Birds usually will land into the wind, so keep that in mind when choosing a location. Get a pile of rocks and occasionally throw one in the middle of your decoys to create some ripples when birds are near.

[Mossback]

good going an the mallardos....Movement in the spread, google jerk cords and build you a couple, when ducks are flying by and you get that water moving in your decoys alot of times they wil drop right in feet down (be careful not to let the ducks catch ya jerkin the cord though if they start to work around only move when they are going away or not looking at ya, get aggressive with it too), no need to call if you don't know how, you'll do more harm than good. Alot of people don't use jerk cords but I'm tellin ya, they flat out work. Or if ya got some extra cash buy a few of these (http://www.higdondecoys.com/proddetail.asp?prod=50028) and spread them around your decoys, sit back and shoot em in the face with their feet down. Try these ideas and i promise your kill % will increase big time.

If you want to learn a few duck calls get a wingsetter whistle and learn the widgeon/pintail/teal calls, really easy and effective. On a small pond you really want to use finesse with your calls, no need to scream at them. On small ponds with a mallard call light feeder/chuckles and really soft content quacks is all you need. Good luck, if ya ever need help, pm me I love shooting greenheads in the face

[MTNshape]

Buy a whistle and learn to do a drake whistle if you don't know what you're doing with a call.

[Lhamilton]

1. That's where the call and a good decoy spread come into play
2. Usually do a j pattern so the ducks have a pocket to land in(ducks will land facing the wind) also some movement in your spread will also help out a lot but not necessary
3. Try something new next time if they are not landing on your end just make sure you have some good cover

this morning I put 12 decoys on one side and 12 on the other. I walked out as far as i could and put the decoys out, which was only about 15 ft away from the bank. I also tried to make and use a "jerk" rig but I think i did it wrong.

[Mossback]

get some tall wood stakes (they use them for concrete forms), a long spring 12"+ (home depot/lowes) some tangle free decoy cord. attach spring to the back of the decoy on the keel, then attach the spring to the stake. Stick the stake in the ground under the water so it wont come out but the decoy still sits on the water normally. Tie string or tanglefree decoy cord the front of the decoy and run it back to the blind or where you are sitting. try to place the jerk decoy in the middle of your other decoys, the wake will get your other decoys moving pretty good too...... Get to Jerkin

you can rig up multiples too, but i found a couple different singles is much easier to run. Sometimes the spring is too tight and you need to stretch it by hand a little to get the money action out of it. I like to use tangle free cord because it usually matches the water color better and hides it pretty well. Hope this helps

[deer99hunter]

To start off, I have only been ducking hunting twice in my life, and that was yesterday and today. Yesterday I went out and sat in brushy area around a good size tank. The only thing that I had was my shotgun. No decoys nor duck call. I ended up shooting 3 mallards, which I was excited about. After the hunt yesterday I bought 2 dozen decoys and a call, which I don’t know how to use, so I didn’t use it since I would probably scare off more ducks. So back to yesterday morning, I had about 12 duck that I had a shot at, but I seen hundreds of ducks all around me, but only 12 came into the pond. in which I shot 3.

So my questions are:
1. How do I get the duck that are flying either too high, or a bit out of range to come into the pond for a closer shot?
2. How should I set up my decoys?
3. Where should I sit at? I have been setting on the south of the pond and the ducks are coming in from the north.


And if there is anything else I should know please inform me!!

You can try a "hail" call, if they turn to you quit calling and get ready

[Aggiechick]

You do not want to have your decoys too far away...keep in mind they will land within the spread so keep them within your range of you and your choke.

I agree with the whistle versus call for a beginner. It is harder to screw up a whistle then a call. If you are not comfortable, don't call. You a whistle is more verstile. You can peep/whistle the same "sounds" as a pintails, widgen, and teal with just one whistle.

[txbowhunter08]

learn how to do the quack its real easy and youtube has some good videos. hunt with the wind to your back if you able to. Ducks land in the wind so you want them to land in front of you. as far as decoys and spread to keep it simple i do 3 pods matched to about how big the groups of ducks i have come in. for example i have flocks of about 6 to 8 ducks that come in so i put a pod on my far left about 30 yards aways and the same on the right and if the ducks come in to far out i put a pod out in front about 40 yards. This works pretty good for me hope it was helpful good luck