Upping your waterfowl game

[gallion_t]

Mostly a hypothetical question, but im always looking to improve my hunting. I'll use myself as the starting point and im curious what people would do to improve my stats and also encourage others to post where they're at and what they want to do to improve.

My stats:

Been duck hunting 3 years pretty seriously
No boat
No dog (to many non hunting dogs to add another to the house)
In the Tri Cities hunting public land
Almost always hunt solo
Scout at least the day before I hunt, sometimes more
~ 5 dozen decoys and a wind spinner

I know the biggest thing is to be where the ducks want to be. That seems to be easier said than done. Ill scout, see where ducks are hanging out and hunt there the next morning and then they dont seem to want to come in. That is of course if someone hasn't beat me too it. That's just part of the public land game though. Ive also noticed that since im hunting the river the birds like to raft up in the deep water.

So what would you do to improve your hunts? Not all of these are financially options.

-Find a hunting buddy to double scouting efforts
-Get a boat/kayak to open up access to more areas and hopefully get away from people more.
-Do guided hunts to hopefully pick the guides brain about what to look for and how to work birds
-Look to lease some land (no clue where to even look for this)
-Keep grinding and learning a little by little.
-Something different that I havent thought of.

While I always love advice and tips on how to reduce the learning curve, the main point of this thread is to get guys talking about what changes theyre going to make for this next season. So let's hear it! What are you going to do differently next year!

[JBG]

Getting a boat would allow you to offer something in trade to someone who may have more knowledge but no boat.  Otherwise there are tons of boat only areas in your back yard and would open up a ton of options for you.

If birds are around but wont commit to your spread you need to work on your hide.

Wind always helps.

[gallion_t]

Getting a boat would allow you to offer something in trade to someone who may have more knowledge but no boat.  Otherwise there are tons of boat only areas in your back yard and would open up a ton of options for you.

If birds are around but wont commit to your spread you need to work on your hide.

Wind always helps.

Thanks for the advice. I think the hide could be part of its I always try to set up in the reeds or on shore with brush in front/behind me, but I feel like it could be better.

Do you have any changes/upgrades youre hoping to make for next season?

[rainshadow1]

You're in the Tri's, I definitely agree about the boat! It'll open up over double what you're looking at now... besides, you can fish!

Just a thought that popped into my head... you found places holding ducks... the next day isn't the only day you'll find ducks there. You see them using it, it's a good spot. Write that one down! You're getting more experience than hiring an outfitter for a day will get you, they usually hunt their leases. You're doing some great scouting.

Again... the boat! Just paint it camo!
(I parked a Bananna Yellow 14' Livingston in a channel once and hiked 1/2 mile into a spot... had a good shoot! Then went back and headed out... rounded the bend right next to it and found some very discouraged hunters... "Man, they were dropping in here right and left yesterday! I don't know what's going on today!" Yeah, I didn't tell them!)

[Special T]

The 3 major points in waterfowl hunting are  location, concealment and presentation. The most heavily weighted is location. If you are on the X you can screw up a lot else. The most successful hunters scout a lot.
 With out a dog or boat your location is limited and in order to retrieve your downed birds you have to be much more selective both on location and the shots you take.x

I personally hunt ducks for the dog.  Ive hunted without one, and once you have one it becomes much harder to go with out your buddy.

For several years I hunted with a couple of guys because I had a dog and could call. They had the boat. I'm a mediocre caller but understand what to call and when to or when not to. If a dog or boat isn't in your future  calling is the best investment in off season time. I think going to the refuge or  water just to observe the birds in your area is time well spent.  How do the other species interact in your area?  In my area within like to sit closer to each other than the mallards.  If you have lots of divers how do you see them in relation to mallards? What can you do to core closely present what is natural? What can you do that loxoxks different than everyone else?

[Special T]

As rainshadow mentioned a hunting/scouting journal is extremely helpful!

[metlhead]

Without private lands, a boat. It will all fall into place after that.

[gallion_t]

Thanks all. Ive been kicking around the idea of a boat lately. However I already have a Bayliner for summer fun that I got before I started duck hunting. Might have to keep an eye out for a good deal though.

As far as the scouting goes I do keep track where I'm seeing birds and where I'm seeing other people have success. As others have mentioned not having a dog or boat really limits the places I can hunt though.

[SuperX]

work on your calling.  A couple decoys and a good caller can be all you need.

[metlhead]

That Bayliner will work. Not ideal, but it will get you where you need to be on the big C. Glass hulls suck for beaching, so anchor up in enough water to keep it floating, at least 150yds from your spot, and walk in. Also works awesome as a kayak platform. See where this is going😉 Calling, camo, and spendy guns are just optional. Build a quality flock of decoys and blend in. It'll happen.

[gallion_t]

What size boat would be ideal? I've been eyeing the beavertail stealth 2000 which would get me into some spots, but obviously I could run very far. Outside of that 14-16 is what I'm kinda eyeing.

As for calling, I do work on that quite a bit. Have a couple sitting next to my computer that I play with while working. I also dabble in making my own.

[Caveman123]

If you are on birds my first guess would be the hide, ive been there too many times where nothing’s coming in and we spend another 45 minutes brushing up and then everything works. My buddies that have coached me in the bird hunting world are also big face mask guys. Do you set your spread according to the wind? That’s been a deal breaker for me as well. I’m no expert myself just some ideas

[Badhabit]

Just camp at the millet fields and shoot your ducks

[gallion_t]

I do have a face mask I always wear to try to hide better. I might need to start carrying shears or something to cut brush for the hide.

As for the wind I try to keep it at my back whenever possible.

[metlhead]

Wind at your back is not optimal. Birds are looking right at you to land. Shooting is easy though. Cross wind with the blocks upwing. Put em in the hole