[Puddler]

Does anyone have any good techniques on diver hunting. I occasionally get some on the lakes when they swing through my decoys but thats it

 

[Anatidae]

Determine what kind of divers they are! Then go buy some diver decoys of that species. Keep them away from the puddle ducks, but in shooting range. You can start out with Greenhead Gear decoys. They are ultrarealistic and priced right.

 

[Jeepman:-)]

you can also just get like 6 and hook them in a gang rig (all in a line). Put the in the direction of flight and hook them into the other dekes. When the birds catch sight of the string they follow the curve of them and if they dont land on the edge of the dekes, you'll get a pass shot. As for the type, Bluebills, Goldeneye, Bufflehead, and most other divers will all come to other diver dekes. The only divers that are real spooky are the Cans.

 

[pj]

Strings work the best. remember that divers prefer to land ahead of ducks on the water. With puddlers this is opposite.

 

[it flies it dies]

I typically hunt in big water. However, my experience is that divers are usually pass shooting ducks. Unless you are hunting only diver ducks they usually just pass by for a look and keep on moving. So do not hesitate to shoot if they are in range.

I also agree with the string idea. That is the only way we hunt them. Do not mix them with your puddle dekes.

I would buy Blue Bill Dekes. They have always worked for all types of divers. I get Golden eyes, Buffal head, and Blue bills all decoying on Blue bill dekes. If you are seeing Cans then I would mix a few can dekes in as well. They are alittle more picky.

My advice pass shoot when they are in range. They are tough bastards to kill. If you break a wing make sure you shoot them as soon as they hit the water or they are going to dive and you will never see them again.

Hope that helped.

 

[AKducks the 2nd]

My advice pass shoot when they are in range. They are tough bastards to kill. If you break a wing make sure you shoot them as soon as they hit the water or they are going to dive and you will never see them again.
better yet shoot them on the way down :mrgreen:

 

[Master Duck]

I too agree about long lining your divers and using blue bills as a staple diver decoy. Only thing I'd add is that in my experience I have found not only cans to be picky, but also goldeneyes, especially the drakes.

 

[Rogue]

save your money on Greenhead gear dekes, the paint doesn't last a season and you will be repainting and buying a different brand. Try G&H magnum dekes they are a little pricy but they last for years not a year. The plastic is harder than Greeenhead dekes and they are much easier to rig and stay rigged. Then find the species that are in your area, get those dekes and keep them separate from the mallards but close enough to you so you can shoot those fast little buggers. GOOD LUCK

 

[big ben]

Ok itfliesitdies wrote don't mix with your puddle dekes, can you have them off to the side about 30 yards ? And i also read that divers land ahead of of your dekes ? So do you want your decoys closer to you ? And i heard swan decoys made good confidence decoys because they will eat the scraps the swan doesn't. PLZ help this confused soul.

 

[pitboss]

agree on the long lines too....

they work!

jeff[/img]

 

[Doctari]

Pitboss, it is always good to see your pics.

Stick with the longlines. If you are going to keep the majority of your spread puddle ducks, keep the divers to the offshore side of the spread with a good seperation from the others.