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Maybe less is more!

2K views 5 replies 3 participants last post by  MaineHunter 
#1 ·
This year, i bought a lo of new gear to replace old beaten gear from seasons past. New waders, (not impressed that the company goofed and put a bigger right boot on than the left boot) few new calls, a dozen new dekes, 6 tanglefree flocked mallards, and 6 cabelas northern flight mallards, on top of a lot of new camo and boots. While hunting a secret cove where mallards pile in and loasf all day long (to eat off all the bird feeders on a lawn, but hey, im definitely more than my hundred yards away!). The most mallards ive counted that have come out of there in the evening was 70, and i lost count after that.friday afternoon i snuck in around 3, set up in an near the cove, put out my dekes and waited. Had mallards come by, give me a circle or two, but would never commit then land in the cove! No big deal, next morning, i set up on land at the mouth, put out a dozen of my best decoys, and waited. Ducks landed by the island i was on that previous afternoon, and 5 or 6 flocks of 7 or 8 would almost commit into the cove but would fly off way before in range. I am just puzzled on what im doing wrong! I havent been calling aggressively, only a few quacks and feed chuckles, ive blinded my self in more than i ever do any where else, have a jerk cord, making motion, just cant figure out whats up! Any where else on the lake i do well. But here they seem very picky. And no one else EVER hunts there. Any suggestions? Maybe no dekes, maybe just dove hunt them, i havent got a clue
 
#2 ·
You might be on the right track with no dekes and minimal calling and even then only when the birds aren't present. There is one place in particular that I hunt that prior to hunting I knew the birds were coming in there just after legal so I went in and set up for wind and other factors using only 1 decoy, wiggle butt and the occasional lite quack to give a point of reference and show some activity. I had little success because they wanted to be across the way from where I thought would be the best no matter the wind direction and were very leery of the deke and calls once they were there. I figured out how to get across the way and used the same tactics and the ducks landed where I was set up previously and were still very leery of the deke and calls. Frustrated I went back, no dekes no calls and shortly after legal they arrived wings cupped headed for my lap...GAME ON! Every year since I've taken plenty of ducks outta the same spot no dekes, no calls, no matter the wind. I don't know what it is about that spot but the ducks want to be there and if there is a reed outta place you won't get a shot! Almost doesn't feel like duck hunting more duck ambushing...

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#4 ·
MaineHunter said:
Sometimes ambushing is what has to be done, that's part of the game!
Oh I never said I was against it but theres something to be said for planting a decoy and calling em in! I'll be there for the 1st time this season later this week laying in ambush and can't wait! Have been keeping an eye on the place just waiting for the right day. :)

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#5 ·
Finally killed one from that massive flock. A nice drake mallard. Almost, but not quite out of eclipse plumage. Still the greenest head, and whitest body I've seen so far
 
#6 ·
Bunker said:
MaineHunter said:
Sometimes ambushing is what has to be done, that's part of the game!
Oh I never said I was against it but theres something to be said for planting a decoy and calling em in! I'll be there for the 1st time this season later this week laying in ambush and can't wait! Have been keeping an eye on the place just waiting for the right day. :)

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Oh I know I meant it in a way that I was agreeing with you but it didn't come out right.
 
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