Category: Duck Hunting

Show Notes:

The most important thing you need to hunt ducks, is ducks. Scouting makes a successful hunt possible. On this episode I talk about several strategies for finding a good spot to hunt ducks without needing to invest an unrealistic amount of time and effort.

Take Aways

• Ducks only need a stream that is a few feet wide to attract them if it is accessible from the air.
• Super small ponds can be perfect places for resident and migrating ducks.
• Big streams and lakes can be good spots if they are shallow enough for you to place decoys and retrieve birds.
• Wheat fields, corn fields, and most cut grain can be excellent feeding areas.
• Ducks land into the wind, so you should never set up with the wind blowing directly into your face, else they will not be able to land within range.
• The water almost cannot be too shallow, remember many are called “puddle ducks”. Deeper is not better.
• The best spots have cover near by that you can easily use to help your hide.
• The best time to scout for aerial activity is early morning or late afternoon.
• You can scout ducks midday to try and find them loafing and resting on the water, that will let you know they are in the area.
• Just because you think ducks would like an area does not mean they really do, always scout and check first to save time hunting.
• When you are scouting, look for ducks, look for duck sign, and listen for ducks. You want to find where they want to be but you always want to confirm they are in the area.
• You want to setup “On The X”. This is the mysterious and mythical target spot that ducks will fly directly to as soon as they have enough light to move. It is your goal, but it is not always possible find such a place. 

Show Notes:

Duck hunting is an amazing tradition and American past time that is both fun and challenging to break into. In this episode I talk about the three major parts of duck hunting to help orient you to the sport so you can get started!

The three “S”s of Duck Hunting Are:

1. Stuff – This is your equipment, great, decoys, calls, trinkets and the many small and large things that are used to hunt ducks. You do not need it all to get started!
2. Setup – This encompasses everything related to where you will hunt, finding a place, getting there, and preparing a good place to hide. There are no shortcuts here.
3. Strategy – Everything relating to the methods and tactics you use for the hunt falls into this buckets. Your calling, decoy spread, motion rigs, when to call and when to be still, when to pass on a shot and when to take it.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that you can start small, and grow from there. Small stuff, small setup, and small strategy. Do not feel like you need to dive in with both feet. Get a sense for what you can reasonable do and just do that.

Growing and expanding will happen easily if you stick with it. The hardest part is just finding a place to start and starting!

Show Notes:

Duck hunting is an amazing pursuit and there is good reason it quickly becomes a consuming hobby for many of those who give it a try. On this episode I talk about the top 10 reasons you should hunt ducks!

Take Aways

• There is nothing like duck hunting, and there are few pursuits that can be done as many ways as duck hunting. It is a fun, versatile, and rewarding experience.
• If you do not like deer hunting there is a very good chance you will adore waterfowl hunting. It is an active and interactive style of hunting that is not boring and often has a lot of action.
• Ducks come in all shapes, sizes, and flavors. And you can hunt more than one at the same time. There is so much variety that for everything you might not like, there are many more things you can find to thoroughly enjoy.
• Some people say duck hunting is too expensive to get started in, but that is because you are thinking about it like a lone hunter. This is a team sport. If you have three people that share in getting the necessary equipment, it can be cheaper than most types of hunting.
• Hunting on the water at dawn is one of the most beautiful experiences in all of creation. This is a wonderful way to enjoy being outside!
• Listen to the episode to hear the top 10 reasons to hunt ducks.

Show Notes:

The first day you walk into the woods to hunt ducks is a big and exciting day! On this episode we hear from my friend and duck hunting expert Riley Hendrixson about what to know and do on your first ever duck hunt!

In addition to being an avid and experienced duck hunter, Riley Hendrixson is the host of The Hoosier Outdoorsmen Podcast and the owner of Ryloh Game Calls.

Here are some photos of Riley’s work:

Show Notes:

Trying to break into duck hunting can be a big task. But every journey begins with a first step, and this is it! On this episode my friend and duck hunting expert Riley Hendrixson is going to talk about how to get ready for your first hunt!

In addition to being an avid and experienced duck hunter, Riley Hendrixson is the host of The Hoosier Outdoorsmen Podcast and the owner of Ryloh Game Calls.

Here are some photos of Riley’s work: