Waterfowling 101?

[danf]

I haven't ever hunted geese or ducks, and I've been picking up *some* info here. The only person I know that hunts them lives an hour or so away (bggoosekiller), and I'd like to get into it.

So other than calling, edumacate me!

[Adam Brown (BGGoosekiller)]

Chapter 1 - Be Legal
You will need the following to be legal

Fedral Waterfowl Stamp
State Stamp
Hunting Liscense
Steel Shot

Chapter 2 - Other Gear

Gun - 12ga preferably
Waders - Not necessary if somebody in the group has them
Camo - full camo or other good concelment including the face
Decoys - use somebody elses if you are just starting out
More Clothes - Stay warm, The colder it is the better the hunting, hot hands, hot chocolate, long johns ... Whatever it takes to stay warm

Chapter 3 - Location

Scout Scout Scout
Feilds or water can be good. YOu just have to be where the ducks or geese are.

Chapter 4 - Calling
Get your hands on some calls and some instructional material and practice. Wear hearing protection while practicing!

Chapter 5 - Shoot them in the face

[pigeonflier]

Yeah,, what he said,, shoot'em in the face

[danf]

Thanks, Adam! ;D

I think I'd figured most of that out. Guess we'll just have to go out and shoot some some time, ? I've got a feeling that any of the other courses will need to be "hands-on".

[Adam Brown (BGGoosekiller)]

I am probably not gonna hunt much betwen now and Christmas but the day after and the following weekends I should be out quite a bit. We can get in touch then.

[danf]

When's season end?

I've got a bathroom to remodel over New Year's weekend, then I'll have more time. I've got 4 days free to do it, but hope to only take 3. My luck it'll take 6-7 days though. I'll let you know.

[danf]

BTW, who's trailer is that? Seems like I've seen it, but can't remember when/where.

[Adam Brown (BGGoosekiller)]

It's my Buddy Tims, He used to live in the cabin beside my mom and dads house, But that trailer made it all over the county

[DDragon47]

Wear hearing protection while practicing!

[kyle]

Dont forget HIP number I know I guy that paid a $350 fine and 6hrs community service for not getting one

[shootsa410]

And don't forget if your using a pump or semi auto to be sure you have the plug in the gun (three shells only).

[supr87gt]

And dont carry lead shot.

[chicobrownbear]

Learn some good sheep jokes for slow days.

[dec]

There is some good advise above and all is very important.

Here is some info that I recently shared with another member on here who is wanting to get into waterfowl hunting.

The single most important thing to being successful at waterfowl hunting is being on what is called "THE X". Just like a treasure map, "X" marks the spot. IF you can find a field or body of water that the birds are using that is the "X". No calling, decoys, blinds, camo, or any other gizmo will land more birds then simply being in the right spot at the right time. Kind of like deer hunting, but honestly it is easier to find the "X" when bird hunting then when deer hunting. Scouting is the key. Taking early to mid morning rides in the truck or late afternoon rides and looking at fields. I mostly field hunt, so that is what I scout primarily. I hunt water too, but I don't enjoy it as much. Once you find the fields it is simply a matter of getting permission. The beauty of it is that you are typically only going to get to hunt a field one time. Once you shoot it up, it is generally a bust after that, unless you just have an insane amount of birds in the area and can get in and out without a lot of education. Getting to hunt a field once can make it easier to get permission.

The second most important factor is the hide. Geese and ducks (especially ducks) have incredible eye sight. Part of it is the aerial vantage point they have, but they can pick out the smallest thing and flair before you get a shot. Camo is very important as well as good brushed in blinds.

Decoy placement and calling are not very important if you have nailed the first two factors. These get important if you are running what we call "traffic". Traffic is setting up in fields or on water that is within the fly route of birds you've been watching. It is not pass shooting, it is more the effort of trying to change the pattern of the birds to land where you are and not where they want to go. It can be tough with large flocks and not so tough with pairs or singles.

Honestly, the best way to learn basic set ups is to use Google and start reading. There is a site called refugeforums.com/refuge/ . This site is a wealth of info. HOWEVER, I will warn you that there are a lot of "experts" there that think they are the greatest thing to waterfowl hunting and arguments get VERY heated (you thought OBR on here was bad). But if you weed through it all, there is VERY good info on that site.

As far as gear and other stuff you can go simple or go hog wild (I prefer the hog wild approach ;D ) You don't need a ton of money in decoys. When it comes to ducks, I have a couple dozen mallard dekes and 6 woodies. But honestly, if I'm hunting ponds around here, I use 8 to 10 dekes is all. Set up is entirely based on the pond and wind conditions. When it comes to field hunting geese, I hunt with anywhere from 2 dozen shells and up to 8 dozen full bodies. It all depends on the field and who I'm hunting with.

There is one cardinal rule in hunting waterfowl. Always try to keep the wind at your back. Geese ALWAYS and ducks 99% of the time land dead into the wind. They use the wind as a parachute to control their decent. So you always want he wind at your back, unless safe shooting (like houses down wind of you) dictate that you can't. There are several theories on how to set decoys, but honestly, I find a pile of decoys around the shooters and then a short "V" shape away heading down wind works well 90% of the time. An "X" shape works well when there is no wind.

Calling is a whole different story. Calling will screw a set up easier then anything (especially with ducks). A caller has to get a feel for each flock. This only comes with time in the field. Learning to call can be tough. A goose or duck call is a musical instrument. I'm not the best caller out there, but every year I get a little better. There are several good calling CD's out there to teach. There are several low end calls that are great for beginners and won't brake your wallet too. The best thing to do when in doubt about calling is to not call. Actually, some of the best callers simply know when to shut up.

Then there is weather. You think weather can shut down deer hunting, well waterfowl are so finicky about the weather it is sickening. The skies can be full one day with birds and then the next you'd swear every duck and goose was on a beach in south Florida. Weather will kill a hunt quicker than anything. I'm not sure I'll ever figure out the weather factor.

I could talk waterfowl all day long. In the last few years I've really grown to be a goose junkie. I hunt ducks less and less every year and focus more on geese. I love hunting geese in a field. This time of year corn stubble is the ticket. In early season it is wheat stubble.

Waterfowl hunting is an awesome experience and a great way to share a hunt with friends. Kids also eat it up.

Good luck and if you ever have any questions, please shoot me a PM.

[jstalljon]

chicobrownbear said:

Learn some good sheep jokes for slow days.

Or protein cleanliness...

[10point]

I am pretty sure I have seen that trailor driving around Tippecanoe Cty.

[dmd]

Is that Burgess in one of those pics?

[Adam Brown (BGGoosekiller)]

Maybe ;D Who's this?

[Adam Brown (BGGoosekiller)]

10point said:

I am pretty sure I have seen that trailor driving around Tippecanoe Cty.

I am sure you have, Tim use to live about 5 miles from you just outside of Americus. We hunted the wasbash, Tippy and wildcat alot.

[hornharvester]

very informative post DEC. h.h.