New Hunter wanting advice

[huntingdog16]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone on here would be kind enough to give a new hunter like me advice on what I should do to be able to go duck hunting for the 2013 season. Any advice is very very appreciated. Thank you

[Cougar125]

Scout, hunter safety, scout some more, obtain license/stamps, scout more, skeet/trap range over the summer, scout some more, go hunt! 

WA DFG website has some good resources on it to find places to hunt.  I moved to Whidbey in Sept. and found the website pretty useful.  I also called DFG and got some face time with one of the local gamies.  Furthermore, you can always invite other people to hunt with you, and most likely, they will invite you to hunt with them.  Just remember, if you're going to go to a spot somebody else showed you, common courtesy applies and you should invite them to go too.

[Black Plague]

go with someone who is experienced. they will be able to teach you so so so much more than you can learn by making all the mistakes on your own and might prevent a lot of heart-ache.

rule 2 is know your effective range. for almost everyone this is inside 50 yards...problem is that a lot of people have a hard time judging distance and shoot when they should hold. so if shooting is new to you, go to the range.

3... get with an experienced duck hunter and have him help you learn how to make a good sounding single quack...just one quack....then go on from there...you may also do a lot of tutorials online regarding set ups, calling help, and duck identification. 

hope this helps....

[h2ofowlr]

If you find a good spot to hunt, don't post it on the internets or it will be everyones new favorite spot.   

Pretty much do as mentioned.  Lots of info on the internet.  Do you home work and check out the areas you want to hunt.  Scouting and decoy placement are a huge part of success.

[Ned]

Just remember, if you're going to go to a spot somebody else showed you, common courtesy applies and you should invite them to go too.

Actually if somebody else shows you a spot, DO NOT go back unless they invite you to go with them.
Dont go back on your own.............PERIOD.

[Cougar125]

Just remember, if you're going to go to a spot somebody else showed you, common courtesy applies and you should invite them to go too.

Actually if somebody else shows you a spot, DO NOT go back unless they invite you to go with them.
Dont go back on your own.............PERIOD.

I see what you're saying Ned, but public land is still public.  I was just saying to use some common courtesy.

[Ned]

Read the game laws and learn the limits.
This way you wont post over limit pictures for the world to see

[Cougar125]

Read the game laws and learn the limits.
This way you wont post over limit pictures for the world to see

That's a knee slapper! 

[The100Road]

Just remember, if you're going to go to a spot somebody else showed you, common courtesy applies and you should invite them to go too.

Actually if somebody else shows you a spot, DO NOT go back unless they invite you to go with them.
Dont go back on your own.............PERIOD.

 

[12Gauge]

The above suggestion, the good ones + a dog

[ghosthunter]

If you need a Hunter ed class I have one starting June. Sign up on line for Class at Moose Trap Club. Whats your age?
I hunt ducks, I have a new dog, and I am always looking for a partner.

I am not the best duck hunter out there but I can get you started. 

PM me.

[eastsidemallard74]

And you live to some nice duck hunting area up there in Burlington.....shhhhhh you'll have every Seattlite coming and raping your hunting area

[ghosthunter]

That has already happen. 

[boneaddict]

Grow thick skin in the offseason, because as a rule duck hunters are just mean.

[92xj]

Advice on what to do before season in order to go duck hunting?

Scout.
Learn how to shoot.
Dont ask for spots to hunt.
Scout.

[BiggLuke]

 

I think summer time is a great time to practice some shotgunning.
If you get a chance go do some trap, or five stand.
That never hurts.

[huntingdog16]

Thank you I have already found a spot actually(suprisingly). I was wondering if anyone could give a suggestion on a good shotgun to get for a starter like me. I was looking on Cabelas website and came across a Weatherby PA-08 Pump-Action Shotgun. I read all the customer reviews and all said very good things about the gun. I was wondering if anyone could let me know if it really is a good gun.

[jgoetz]

If you're looking for a reliable pump look into the Remington 870.  That is all I have ever shot.  Never have had any major issues with the firearm. 

[Turner89]

If you're looking for a reliable pump look into the Remington 870.  That is all I have ever shot.  Never have had any major issues with the firearm.

X2

[bear hunter]

If you're looking for a reliable pump look into the Remington 870.  That is all I have ever shot.  Never have had any major issues with the firearm.

X2

x3

[ICEMAN]

Nah, don't get a repeater...

Get a single shot 12, and force yourself to take only high odd, close in shots.

Promise yourself not to skybust.

Promise to eat the whole duck and not just breast them out.

For calling....less is more. Call less.

Don't be moving around your blind looking up and following birds in the air.

Consider a single mudhen jerk cord set up to put some ripples on the water when calm.

Learn how to place decoys. Where do you intend for birds to land?

If you are not going to wear a life preserver, atleast keep it against your leg while in the boat.

Get a waist band for your waders, wear it.

[Alan K]

If you're looking for a reliable pump look into the Remington 870.  That is all I have ever shot.  Never have had any major issues with the firearm.

X2

x3

   When I graduated from my youth model 20 gauge, my dad had an 870 waiting for me and I've got many, many, MANY great memories with that shotgun.  I've again moved up, but it'll probably always be my favorite!

[huntingdog16]

Thank you for all the help. I will take all in to consideration and see what works good for me. thank you all again.

[OnHoPr]

Go on the internet and watch ducks in flight in different light conditions so as to be able to identify the various species accompanying the Pacific flyway, not just for mallards and pintails, but for all the puddle, diver, sea ducks, and geese such as the Brant. Also, try to learn summer and winter plumages, ducks can be difficult to identify during this transformation stage in flight and low light conditions. Learn deke patterns besides the J and W patterns. There are more patterns than you can shake a stick at for different ducks and shore conditions such as a point, bay, straight bank line, or even open water. Don't put your point deke out past 40 yards so as to help judge distance. Remember that if birds are just outside of your point deke and 100 feet in the air the hypotenuse of the shot will probably be out of range. To much sky busting will make ducks set up shy faster and if you did hit one it would spoil by the time it would hit the water. Unless jump shooing, shooting at ducks is a little different than shooting at the trap or skeet range. They usually have incoming and cross shooting patterns at various speeds from 10 - 60 mph, so it might take a bit of experience before you start connecting consistently. Just wait until you have a group of teal come barreling into the dekes and flare on your getting up to shoot.  Be careful of marsh bottoms and where you walk or get out of the watercraft. There are bottoms that can be treacherous. As for the noob I would consider wood calls over the acrylic to start with because they gather more condensation on the reed area in cold weather and can sound like that Aflac duck in those commercials when you least expect it. Get a double reed for high balling and a single reed for close in calling. Definitely pattern your gun and the ammo you have at the time. Not all shotguns barrels and chokes with accompanying ammo shoot the same. Learn waterfowl recipes.