How to duck hunt?

[ctom87]

Well, I'm going to be going down another rabbit hole. I've won a multi-species hunt at Alazan Bayou and I have found the answer to the age-old question...

It is both Duck Season and Wabbit Season.

I bought some decoys, I have some non-toxic shells in 6 shot, and I'll get some waders. I don't have any calls, no blinds, etc. Thank goodness I included a companion on my ticket!

Neither of us have spent much time afield for ducks. My total time adds up to about 2 hours and 1 duck, where I just did the shooting and someone else did the calling. But that was on a lake without much timber. Alazan Bayou is 100% opposite of what that.

The goal is to go out and have fun - which I will - but putting myself in a position to be successful would be great. Any suggestions, tips, advice for hunting Alazan?

Secondary question...anyone know where to buy reeds for making my own calls? Are there good sets I can purchase? I can make them on my lathe, no worries there.

[Mule Skinner]

I duck hunt and don’t use calls. Do you have waders?

Personally I’d use 2, 3 or 4 shot. And a modified choke.

[ctom87]

Good to hear, I thoughts calls were pretty much a must have. And I had heard that if you didn't do them well, they knew and wouldn't come near ya.

I was also thinking 6 might be too small but it was what I had. I can run and pick some up between now and then. Thanks!

I don't have waders but plan on getting some.

[Chompers]

I’ve always pothole hunted. I think jerk cords or motion “ripple” decoys have been the best thing for me.

[OleTomTalker]

Get where they want to be already and only call enough to get them to see decoys. Anything beyond that is just leaving room to mess up.

[Duckologist]

Sit 50 yards downwind of the nearest decoy spread and shoot at everything that flies within 200 yards including black birds n water turkeys. That's how most do it now days

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[Chompers]

Sit 50 yards downwind of the nearest decoy spread and shoot at everything that flies within 200 yards including black birds n water turkeys. That's how most do it now days

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

This is why I quit hunting Ray Bob 15 years ago.

[Uncle_Milty]

If you don't already know how to call......then don't. I see so many folks that hurt themselves with calling to much or not knowing how to call.

I prefer 4 shot when duck hunting and if your hunting timber the shots will be close quarters so that will definitely do the trick.

Like chompers said, motion in the decoys will greatly increase your odds. I would look at getting a Jerk Spreader or building one yourself. You shouldn't need a ton of decoys either.

Other than that go have fun.

[ctom87]

As far as decoys go I have a dozen, 5 Mallard Drake, 3 Mallard Hen, 2 Pintail Drake, 2 Pintail Hen. Does any of that matter? Do pintails and mallards hang out together? Do they both frequent East Texas around the first of December?

I literally know absolutely nothing when it comes to this haha. Thanks everyone.

[Thecootdude97]

I bought some decoys, I have some non-toxic shells in 6 shot, and I'll get some waders. I don't have any calls, no blinds, etc. Thank goodness I included a companion on my ticket!
Calling isn’t necessarily needed. If you don’t know how to run a call it will worsen your chances of getting ducks to decoy. The two most important things are your hide and decoys. Set them how you see local birds.

Secondary question...anyone know where to buy reeds for making my own calls? Are there good sets I can purchase? I can make them on my lathe, no worries there.[/QUOTE] . You can go online and buy reed kits and sheets of reed material however There’s a lot more to making duck calls than cutting the barrel and putting reeds into the insert. I would Learn how to proficiently run a call then move onto making them.

[Clayton]

Make sure you know what kind of duck you're shooting before you shoot it, and the limits for each species

[Dale Moser]

How many episodes of Duck Dynasty have you watched?

How's the beard filling out?

Got a Browning, or DU sticker on the truck?

Yer gonna need a 96lb lab named "Remmie" or "Drake".

Pick a spot with good service so you can post a sunrise shot to facebook.

Don't forget face paint and a dumb hat.

[Mitchell8]

If it flies it dies good luck. Post pics of all the coots

[breederbuck33]

Get where they want to be already and only call enough to get them to see decoys. Anything beyond that is just leaving room to mess up.

Great advice. Less is more on the call.

[friscopaint]

if you are where the ducks want to be the hardest part is done. We limit out pretty well every hunt and never call except a quick call or whistle to get their attention. Lack of movement in spread is generally our biggest problem but have a couple on a jerk string with elastic cord and a weight as well as one we call the "bubbler", it has a battery operated bilge pump on it that makes ripples in the water and gives the decoys some movement, can't remember brand but there are numerous ones out there. Best to not have sun in your face and good cover or shadows to hide, we use Boss 3/5's 3 inch. and my mod choke never leaves the gun. When field hunting we just kill them in goose spreads.

So far no water or wheat where we hunt so may be a no go season unless something happens soon. Test out your waders before you go also, sling on shotgun. Our decoy spreads are pretty random and don't overthink it.