I am planning a trip to ND I would be hunting October 16th to 21st so the question is what type of hunting is good that time of year. I am set on a location but with no real proof of if it is any good being my first time I am planning on being flexible and being able to try and take advantage of any hunting situation. The next thing I would like help on is what decoys we should bring because space is limited. This is what we have 3 dozen full body honkers, 3 dozen lessers, 2 dozen field ducks and I have a couple mojo's and several dozen floaters mostly mallards but also pintails, widgeon, black ducks and teal decoys. So for the time of year mentioned what would be your top priority to bring for decoys?
I have another question I am planning on going to an area that has a high consentration of potholes is this a good idea or does this spread the ducks out over a larger area?
I've never seen a pothole in ND! Seriously the duck are already spread out over a large area. Frget about the way you think and hunt where you live. It's a whole different world of duck hunting up there. Go,scout,scout,scout then have fun.
I've never seen a pothole in ND! Seriously the duck are already spread out over a large area. Frget about the way you think and hunt where you live. It's a whole different world of duck hunting up there. Go,scout,scout,scout then have fun.
Well said labman..... Remember Hoss to have fun. Don't make it work and you will have the time of your life. The people we met up there last year were the most friendly people I've ever met traveling. If there were more work opertunity up there I'd not hesitate moving. Great state and very nice people..........
I on the other hand have seen the pot holes there. But got your point. SCOUT, SCOUT,SCOUT. hunt and have fun......There are plenty of birds to shoot............
As others have said forget about the way you hunt when going to ND its a whole other animal. Frankly, take the mallard decoys. If your hunting in the pothole region either field or water hunting is going to work. We generally water hunt but have found great success hunting fields just off the potholes. Bring the mojos. Also, bring the field dekes. We set up two spreads about 40 yards apart. One for honkers and one for ducks. We then string the mojos between the two spreads to create a "safe zone".
Honestly, from my experience the ducks don't really seem to care what type of decoy is sitting there. I have shot plenty of gadwalls and pintails hunting over mallard dekes. Also, the ringnecks and teal come in for fullsize mallard dekes just the same. I have even pulled a few canvasbacks into an all mallard spread.
In ND I would say its not as much about what decoy you have floating around as it is how the entire spread looks from the sky.
I have a question on scouting how do you determine if a body of water is a roost or a transitional slough/pond. Would it be safe to say if you see ducks feeding and then find them on a body of water at the same time this is a transitional slough? Also should I bring Diver decoys if we are only planning on hunt small bodies of water and will not have a boat?
I have a question on scouting how do you determine if a body of water is a roost or a transitional slough/pond. Would it be safe to say if you see ducks feeding and then find them on a body of water at the same time this is a transitional slough? Also should I bring Diver decoys if we are only planning on hunt small bodies of water and will not have a boat?
Every pothole we drove by last year wethere it was 1/2 ac or 35 ac lake had Canvasbacks, ring neck, buffle heads, shovelers, mallards,bluebills, pintails and a few geese, I would not hesitate using divers. I think you should be thinking dry fields. They want to fatten for the fall flight. Just my .02 worth.
If you have the gear hunting fields in ND is far easier (IMO). I usually hunt over the water though. We never really paid attention to weather a hole was a roost or a transition because there are so many birds it doesn't really matter that much (again just my opinion).
If you have the gear hunting fields in ND is far easier (IMO). I usually hunt over the water though. We never really paid attention to weather a hole was a roost or a transition because there are so many birds it doesn't really matter that much (again just my opinion).
It matters to the locals up there wether you shoot a roost or not TRUST ME. Do your scouting and see where they are comming from and going to. They will be with in a mile most of the time . You will see when you get there what we are talking about. Try not to shoot the same hole 2days in a row it is very possible especialy if you choose to hunt fields.
I have a question on scouting how do you determine if a body of water is a roost or a transitional slough/pond. Would it be safe to say if you see ducks feeding and then find them on a body of water at the same time this is a transitional slough? Also should I bring Diver decoys if we are only planning on hunt small bodies of water and will not have a boat?
Sounds like you are setup fine. The article that Chris posted a link to is good. Keep in mind that when seeking to hunt water, a couple things I do is watch wetlands or small sloughs between the roost and feeding area. Ducks will head to these ponds to loaf,clean up before heading out to feed again later. Many times these waters will not have any or very few ducks on them at dusk or dawn.
Friends drove up a few years back to hunt from KS. They had planned on arriving the evening before we where going to field hunt. Trailer issues delayed their arrival until AM the next morning. We took two dozen duck decoys and 6 goose floaters to a transition pond and set up a bit after9 AM and left at 11:30 with a mixed bag of ducks but mostly mallards. So look for those scattered ducks sitting from 10AM-2PM! Another tip is to be patient if you want mallards, brown ducks like Wig and gads and teal will leave and come back if you scare them off setting up. It can be hard letting birds go, but your best action will be mid morning vs sunrise!
Keep in mind that ND locals DO NOT like you shooting duck and geese on the water. It takes away their safe haven and drives them out. You'll be welcome if you hunt fields, no so welcome on the water.
Water hunting is not discouraged, it is still a primary way of harvesting birds. What most locals encourage is to avoid hunting roosting waters as ducks and especially geese tend to move when you are shooting them where they sleep, be it when they are coming back from feeding for the day or waking up to go to food!
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