Has anyone here hunted without decoys for ducks before? If so, have you done it successfully? How?
Top Ad
Collapse
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
Has anyone here hunted without decoys for ducks before? If so, have you done it successfully? How?
Collapse
X
-
Never had much use for dekes! They kept floating off down the creek! LOL!
Shot lot'sa ducks as a young man. Spent hours sneaking along the banks of Keechi Creek, jumpshooting woodies, mallards and the occasional teal when Persimmon Slough had water.
Haven't shot any water fowl since the late 70's.
Love the action, not a big fan of the flavor. My dad absolutely loved duck and dressing!
Comment
-
Take your time. Use high banks and trees for cover.
Concentrate on bends. When the weather is nasty, ducks like to lay up where that high bank protects them from the wind.
Consider a modified choke and small shot such a #6's. Most shots are gonna be up close and personal.
Picked up a "Y" series M12 Win in 1978. Couldn't WAIT to hit the creek. Next day dawned cold, cloudy and misting! Almost broke my neck getting there!
First stop was a cut bank in a 180° bend. As I eased forward, I could see the tell tale ripples and a woody's "squeal" cut the heavy air, confirming their presence! My adrenaline screamed and I mounted the M12 and eased forward another step.....
When the "flush" came, one brilliant little drake came directly at me.
The gun already mounted, my mind screamed, "Don't shoot!", but my finger wouldn't obey! I watched the bird's breast literally disappear when the 12 bore's load of high velocity #8's connected at about 20 feet!
Use a modified choke
Comment
-
Drew- what part of New England are you in? And do you know of two different types of hunting locations? First being a navigable stream, no wider than 100 ft, preferably closer to 20-25 ft wide. Slow moving water, that can be paddled in a conoe; borrowed or otherwise(not stolen of course). If you know of something similar, paddle it very quietly and stay on the inside corners. Watch for ripples and be ready for a quick shot on a bird where you least expect it. Waders help to cross beaver dams but hip boots will work also. Have fun and be safe, don't shoot at right angles unless your conoe is very safe. Always stay low and shoot from a low position.
The second- if there is thin ice in a known duck hot spot, you can bust up the ice very early before the sun up and usually the first morning flight birds will set down in your newly made open water. No decoys required. They're just glad for a wet landing. Obviously be very careful busting the ice, PLEASE.
Comment
-
Yes, Ah hunted Mallards indy Secret Pothole between bays when hunting pressure everywhere else drove them to seek refuge.That wuz the biggest flock of dux Ah evva saw before Ah came here to Washinton.Tar made the retrieves.Gotta photo of Tar at the Secret Pothole in Mah Photos...
Comment
-
I wouldn't advise small size shot for jump shooting on creeks. Number four steel is as small as I would go. Maybe even number two. Without a dog you'll need to kill them dead. Remember to use as much velocity as possible with steel. Nothing less than 1500 fps for ducks. Also, you're shooting at the back of ducks which is solid bone and thick flat feathers. Tough stuff. If you can jump them from sides, you're shooting at more vulnerable sides and extended wings. Modified would be a good choice for choke.
Comment
-
Use to shoot the bejesus out of mallards in Eastern WA. jump shooting the irrigation ditches. First thing in the AM, and sometimes before closing hours we could sneak the ditches, and be highly successful. Then in the day time we had incredible pheasant hunting. Never a need for dekes, and didn't own any.
Comment
-
GREAT QUESTION, I DON'T USUALLY HUNT WITHOUT DECOYS, BUT WHEN I DO I SCOUT OUT MY PROPERTY OR WHEREVER IM GOING TO HUNT AND FIND WHERE THE DUCKS ARE NATURALLY GOING. I THEN WILL FIND A GOOD PLACE TO BLEND IN TO MY MAX4 OR MOSSY OAK GRASS BLADES, OR MAKE A QUICK FIELD BLIND WITH THE BRUSH AND REEDS BY THE SPOT I HAVE FOUND TO HUNT. SIT QUIET AND PATIENT, AND DO NOT MOVE!! YOU SHOULD HAVE SOME SUCESS AND ALSO DONT TRY TO CALL THE DUCKS IN THERE WONT BE ANYTHING TO CALL FROM. I LIVE IN UTAH AND FIND SUCESS IN DOING THIS. BEST OF LUCK!!
Comment
-
Green timber mallard shooting requires a call more than decoys, never considered jump shooting as my sport of choice when ducking, but to each his own.
What I am saying is that you can pursue the sport many different ways, and the equipment you need varies with your type of pursuit. As long as it is hunting, it is OK with me,,
Comment
Welcome!
Collapse
Welcome to Field and Streams's Answers section. Here you will find hunting, fishing, and survival tips from the editors of Field and Stream, as well as recommendations from readers like yourself.
If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ for information on posting and navigating the forums.
And don't forget to check out the latest reviews on guns and outdoor gear on fieldandstream.com.
Right Rail 1
Collapse
Top Active Users
Collapse
There are no top active users.
Right Rail 2
Collapse
Latest Topics
Collapse
-
Reply to Trump's pardon blitzOh come on, Jimbo. You really buy into that Kraken crap of Powell's? Such a collection outlandish fabrications. Fake affidavits. Blatantly transparent...
-
Channel: Other
Today, 12:07 PM -
-
I can maybe understand Trump pardoning some of his cronies in jail, but the Detroit mayor who's in jail for corruption and two rappers convicted of federal...
-
Channel: Other
01-20-2021, 10:02 AM -
-
Reply to Trump's pardon blitzby crm3006From honk the phony, legal idiot: "you can't grasp this ... because you don't want to."
Nobody can grasp your twisted logic, honk...-
Channel: Other
Today, 12:03 PM -
-
Reply to Ammo Shortage ??by crm3006DakotaMan- Just a question for my general fund of knowledge. Would it not be easier to pull the bullets, dump the powder and reload never fired brass?...
-
Channel: Other
Today, 11:53 AM -
-
by jhjimboGood video of Federal and how they are working to keep up.
Where’s All the Damn Ammo? Federal Premium’s President Has Some Answers | Outdoor...-
Channel: Other
01-25-2021, 08:53 PM -
Right Rail 3
Collapse
Footer Ad
Collapse
Comment