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Beginner Tips? *help*

6K views 5 replies 6 participants last post by  jack lowe 
#1 ·
Hey guys,
Im kinda new to duck hunting, and was wondering if anyone had tips on decoys, calls, or even shell preference. Ive been just about every weekend of this season, and have killed 2 mallard hens, 6 gadwalls, and 7 wood ducks. I would really like to stay into this sport but hunting on public land just doesn't do it sometimes. For us younger hunters (I'm 15), we have had some issues with this especially with older hunters coming in a ruining our decoys for fun. I know not all people are like this but its aggravating. Anyways, any tips on decoy spreads or equipment would be very helpful.

Thanks

My Equipment: Stoeger m3500, Gamewarner waders (dont know the name), and a teal, mallard drake, and wood duck call. (cheap 7-15$ calls), 2001 14ft deep and wide 10 hp mercury and trolling motor.
 
#2 ·
based on your kills, pick up a dozen or two mallard decoys, 1/2doz gadwalls, and 1/2doz woodducks. how much do you want to spend on decoys? I've had great luck with GHG lifesize series, they're a mid price range decoy and they've held up great for me. I've got 5doz of the life size series. a few teal never hurts either.

public land veries from place to place, we have managed places you have to draw every morning for spots here in MO, and spots where its fist come first served. I have always hunted the draw in places or private places. but there are still plenty of idiots on that public land. (I've had plenty of shot rained on me). Have some balls and tell people messing with your decoys to stop and move on. you're there first, you get to hunt there.

Also scout the places you hunt, A LOT. This will give you the most info on how to set decoys and which ones to use, as well as how many! replicate what you see the bird doing the day before.

for gear, a marsh seat and a good set of waders are the most valuable things you can have for walk in and shallow marsh hunting. I run an Avery marsh seat and Cabela's 5mm Neo-strech waders. I also shoot Kent fasteel and Winchester drylok 99% of the time. As well as a good duck call, with a good operator. I have a Haydel's Redleg call that is the only "cheap" (below $50) call that I would run besides a duck whistle. And practice your calling and shooting skills when ever you can!
 
#4 ·
EastTexan98 said:
. I would really like to stay into this sport but hunting on public land just doesn't do it sometimes. For us younger hunters (I'm 15), we have had some issues with this especially with older hunters coming in a ruining our decoys for fun. I know not all people are like this but its aggravating.
It sounds as if your doing pretty good already! We mainly hunt public ponds for early season and I know exactly what you mean by other hunters ruining it. We once has a guy shoot at my ghg deke luckily he missed it and us and after some yelling he hit the road! I would pick up some duck decoys as already stated probably mallards and maybe a few pintails/gadwall/woodies based on what you see most. Ghg makes hotbuys mallard dekes and you can get 2 doz for less than 50 bucks. They are a great deal for beginning hunters and they wil also work as fillers for a bigger spread. I personally shoot the federal and Winchester (10$ a box) early season and later when the birds get their thick winter feathers I switch to kent. And as for calls, it's all about knowing how to use them. U can make a 10 dollar call sound amazing and a 100$ call sound terrible, it's all about practice. Best of luck to you!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#6 ·
be persistent use what you have to the best of your ability's make careful mental notes of where you see birds going down at and take note of what the other hunters are doing and if they are being successful. trust me when you kill your first limit on public land there is no other feeling like it because not only have you fooled the ducks you killed you also beat out all your completion.
 
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