Few Duck Hunting Questions...

[Solocam]

I will be duck hunting for the first time in my life this weekend and have a few ?'s.

What is the best shotgun load for ducks?

Do you aim the same at ducks as you do with dove?

If I decide to mount a duck do I have to clean it or leave it as is and put in the freezer?

Any other helpful hints would be great as well. Thanks!

[Smart]

I will be duck hunting for the first time in my life this weekend and have a few ?'s.

What is the best shotgun load for ducks?

12 gauge 3" #3s


Do you aim the same at ducks as you do with dove?

You don't aim......you point.....but yes if you are doing it correctly, same as dove....


If I decide to mount a duck do I have to clean it or leave it as is and put in the freezer?


no leave him as is....wrap him with butcher paper and freeze


Any other helpful hints would be great as well. Thanks!


1. Go with somebody who knows what they are doing.

2. Study up on bird ID and limits. There is more to duckhuting than pulling a trigger.

3. Don't sky bust

4. Keep your duck call at home unless you can truly call. no kazoos allowed.

5. Keep still

6. See #1 again

........

[justletmein]

I will be duck hunting for the first time in my life this weekend and have a few ?'s.

Congrats, you'll probably be hooked.

What is the best shotgun load for ducks?

Depends. If they're working close over the decoys I like 3" #3, whatever is on sale, but Kent is a good choice. If having trouble getting them to commit to the dekes #2 is a good choice.

Do you aim the same at ducks as you do with dove?

Basically yes, you must lead them. Wait for them to get near and begin descending with their breast and wings open for best percentage shot.

If I decide to mount a duck do I have to clean it or leave it as is and put in the freezer?

Tuck the head under it's wing and insert it into some used (but not smelly) panty hose. That'll keep the feathers nice.

Any other helpful hints would be great as well. Thanks!

Watch the regs and looks at pics of the different birds before you go. Lots of people are messing up on the hunter's choice portion of the 1 duck limit. It's 1 duck from the 4 species, not 1 of each.

Do not sky bust, keep your shots close, under 30 yards, unless the bird has obviously been hit already.

Buy a bunch of bacon, I like to bacon wrap the ducks and grill them. Do NOT overcook them, they're supposed to be red in the middle. If you over cook them you won't like it and probably never want to duck hunt again.

[Jamie]

as a waterfowl guide of 20+ year....everybody gave you excellent advice....though, I'd add "leave your dog at home!", however being a first time hunter, you probably don't have a Lab.

[SirWraithe]

They covered it pretty good! Careful its addicting!!

[Bill]

Nothing I can add to the above except reinforce #1 and 'Cut 'em'.

The gumbo recipe I posted on TBH does not taste like duck meat.

Be careful, it's more addicting than deer hunting.

[Doc Garris]

duck hunting is like bowhunting, you like it or you dont, theres not much in between. its a lot of work and sometimes your hunt is over i seconds and yes i literally mean seconds the one thing is for sure YOU WILL GET WET AND YOU WILL FALL IN THE WATER,its not if its when just hope its not 20 degrees with a 20mph wind when it happens. so remember to bring a change of clothes ,that was the best advice i ever got

[Hog_Hunter]

#1. Don't skybust!
#2. Don't drop your shotgun in the water!
#3. Go with someone who knows what they are doing.

#4. HAVE FUN!

And don't Arkansas shoot the ducks either. Its just not right.

[stikshooter]

Doc,you forgot to tell him to wait untill they come in with WINGS CUPPED FEET OUT AND READY TO DIE!!!!

[Bucks&Broadheads]

YOU WILL GET WET AND YOU WILL FALL IN THE WATER,its not if its when just hope its not 20 degrees with a 20mph wind when it happens. so remember to bring a change of clothes ,that was the best advice i ever got

This may be the best advice you've received

[DRow]

I have Duck hunted for a long time now and what i use and the advise that i would give is....

Load ?- I shoot # 2's at Ducks and if there is a possibility that you will see Geese, then take some Triple BB's with you just incase.

Aiming ?- It really depends on what kind of ducks that you are shooting. All ducks are pretty fast flying, but some, such as a Teal, can really scream. The bigger ducks like mallards and spoon bills are not as fast. Basically, the smaller the duck, I will lead em by about a length and a half and bigger ducks only a half a length.

Mounting ?- Leave the bird whole and try not to nock off any of the feathers or damage it in any way. I agree with wrapping it in freezer paper.

Other info.- Take an extra change of cloths, plenty of bullets, dont look at the birds when they are coming in "wait for the call out to shoot", dont sky blast, and most of all, HAVE FUN and a SAFE hunt.

Hope this helps.

[texag93]

everything above is good advice. If you are thinking of having a bird mounted, take a pair of panty hose to put the bird in, head first. This keeps the feathers nice and neat and in place during transport.

I like 3" #2 as an all around load for ducks. #4 for decoying close in ducks and those little dive bombing teal.

[Good Texan]

Lots of good advice given so far. I also like #2 steel and will err towards #1s rather than #4s. As others have mentioned, leave the calls at home if you are not experienced at calling. If this is your first hunt I assume that is the case . Probably my favorite so far...don't sky bust! If you just want to shoot go the sporting clays course. The feeling of getting ducks to decoy right into the spread with wings cupped and feet down far outweighs the lucky long shot. Be careful, its addicting!

[Cotton]

#1. Don't skybust!
#2. Don't drop your shotgun in the water!
#3. Go with someone who knows what they are doing.

#4. HAVE FUN!

And don't Arkansas shoot the ducks either. Its just not right.

I'd just like to STRESS the importance of #2!!!

[TxTechBowhunter]

Another bit of advice, if you get into duck hunting, but a cheap pump. I personally use a Mossberg 835 or a Benelli Nova that I won. Sure you can get a fancy Benelli Super Black Eagle or some other autoloader, but it's going to hurt a lot more that first time you drop your shotgun in the water.