I will add some to what others have said. I've been waterfowl hunting for 26 years, I started with a very accomplished fowl hunting family and my passion still continues today. Like others have stated, find where the birds want to be, or at a minimum, where they like to travel through. We've had amazing hunts pass shooting birds on their way to their destination, this is where scouting can pay off. Second most important thing is your movement/camo/blind, I am combining these into one. If you can see a duck, they can see you! Try not to move, if you're spinning your head around to see birds that may have circled around behind you, 98% of the time they will see you. Make your blind match the environment around you. Wear a mask or paint, don't forget your hands, especially if you're calling. 6 realistic moving decoys are better than 3 doz still lifeless decoys. Get a jerk string and learn when to use it. If you get the birds attention with it and they're fully committed, don't pull it anymore. No calling is better than bad calling. I can't stress this enough. When hunting heavy pressure public areas, I've seen birds bail on other groups the second they're awful calling started. I've seen this so many times it's not even funny. If you are using a boat/kayak/pod of some sort PLEASE wear a life jacket or float coat while in it. Accidents happen so fast in the nasty weather/cold water. Even if you down a bird 40 yards out take the time to put it on before you go get the bird. It may save your life. Have fun! Waterfowl hunting can be a lot of work, but for me, there isn't a better sight than a flock of locked and cupped birds.
