Do you hunt ducks? Do you want to learn how to take more ducks home? In this article, we share duck hunting tips to help you be more successful when hunting ducks.
1. Setting Up Decoys
When you set up duck decoys, you have to leave an open area for the birds to land in the wind. When they descend for a landing, they will have to come down into the wind.
2. Circling A Decoy
Pintails, widgeons, gadwalls, blacks, and mallards like to circle a decoy set a couple of times before they come in. There will always be a few birds that will leave the flock and pass in a nice shooting range. Shoot them down, don't hesitate or be bothered with the flock.
3. Late Duck Hunters
Waterfowls like to take advantage of strong tailwinds by migrating with or slightly behind cold fronts. Don't leave your hunting blind early on good migration days. The best duck hunting happens late in the morning when birds stop for a respite.
4. Local & Distant Birds
Learn to distinguish local birds from birds that migrate later on. Local birds will be in pairs and small flocks. Decoy them and don't overhunt one spot. You will use the big spreads when the birds from the north arrive.
5. Scouting A Pothole Or Pond
If you are scouting a pothole or small pond, move in on the ducks with the wind at your back. When the ducks jump into the wind, you will have a good chance to get a shot off before they re-orient themselves and fly away. If you would like to learn more duck hunting tips, then click this link.
6. Hunting On Calm Days
If you are hunting on calm days, set up your decoys in thick brushy cover and call out to bring in the birds. When they are circling in, they will get a good look at your decoys and when they get closer to get a good look at your decoys, it will be too late and you will have a chance for a good shot.
7. Decoy Variety
Add a variety of decoys like bluebills or canvasbacks to the setup of gadwalls, widgeons, blacks, pintails, and mallards. This will give your spread more visibility and improve your chances of taking down more birds.
8. Don't Flush Out Ducks
Don't flush ducks off a roost in the dark before dawn. They will fly out to feed at the first sign of light and come back to roost later in the morning if you don't flush them out. Instead of spooking the birds in the dark, wait until sunrise or later before you set up. You might have a better chance when the birds return in smaller groups.
9. Setting Out Decoys With Gloves
When setting out your decoys, use gloves that come close to your elbows and also keep your hands dry. When you are back in your hunting blind, then put on your regular gloves.
10. Light Breeze & Decoy Setup
On mornings with a light breeze, it may be difficult setting up your decoys. Take a small squeeze bottle of talcum powder with you. Squeeze the bottle a few times and observe the direction the powder drifts toward before setting up your decoys. The drifting powder will show you the direction the light breeze is blowing in.
Conclusion
Hunting ducks is exciting and challenging. In this article, we share some duck hunting tips to help you take more ducks home. If you would like to learn more about hunting ducks, then click here.
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