New duck hunter seeks guidance

[Green Horn]

I'm new to duck hunting. I've never done it before. What gear do I need? I dont have a trained dog, is that a problem? Also, I have cammo I use for turkey, is it necessary for me to purchase cammo with a different pattern? Thanks for all your help. 

[duckaholic]

welcom to the site, were are you located?

[Green Horn]

I'm in western wa. Snohomish area.

[Crispy]

Welcome to the site! I'm by no means an expert and am still getting my gear put together.

Assuming you already have a shotgun that you use for turkey, some of the other bare essentials in my mind would be a good set of chest waders and decoys (with weights and all the other riggings, and a bag to carry them in). Without a dog you will want to make sure you're hunting in an area that you can retrieve all of your birds yourself. A boat is definitely handy, but I'm sure many will agree is not required. Your turkey cammo will probably be fine? As long as you're comfortable in it and it will keep you warm and dry and you don't rely on just it for concealment (i.e. don't sit/stand in the open)..

Of course, once you start going and get addicted like the rest of us, the "what gear do I need?" list has no end..

[pjb3]

I can help you, I'm an avid expert waterfowler.

[Green Horn]

Thanks for the info crispy, it was really helpful . Anyone know any good sites, besides cabelas, where we can find some decoys for cheap (I'm a poor college student) ?

[SnowDog]

Thanks for the info crispy, it was really helpful . Anyone know any good sites, besides cabelas, where we can find some decoys for cheap (I'm a poor college student) ?

Get some cheap used ones off craig's list and repaint them. Here are some cool tips on repainting deeks.
http://www.takeem.com/tp.php

Cheers!
SD

[Dustin07]

Thanks for the info crispy, it was really helpful . Anyone know any good sites, besides cabelas, where we can find some decoys for cheap (I'm a poor college student) ?

craigslist is definitely a good place to start.

[OltHunter]

i second craigslist for decoys.  also, my 2 cents on decoys, especially on public land, less is more, i use 6 magnum mallards and 4 magnum pintail, and 6 teal at the max on public areas and generally throw 6-8 out.  I use pintail because of the way they are colored, it attracts the ducks a little better, so put them towards the edge of your spread.

the thickest and most insulated chest waders you can buy is the best.  this is where spending the extra money is worth is. don't want cold feet standing in the water, it's the worse.  A good waterproof jacket is a must too.  camo pattern doesn't really matter as much and limiting your movements, the industry makes it seem that way or they wouldn't sell nearly as much camo.  as long as you cover your face and don't look up at em and move around the blind a bunch you'll be fine.

dogs aren't a necessary part of duck hunting, only a convenience (only when they are well trained!) if the waters too deep, you'll probably have a boat and go get em, and the chances of a duck landing in thick brush and you losing it is very slim.  it does happen, but as long as you put in the effort to beat the brush and look for it, that's part of duck hunting and you are going to lose birds.

get a duck call and learn a quack, and that's it.  can't go wrong with a primos wench as an entry level call.  once you get the ducks attention and they look interested, if you aren't the most seasoned caller, you don't need to continue to call, unless they get off course or lose interest.  calling is way over done, if you ever get the chance, observe real ducks on the pond, they aren't hail calling, comeback calling, lonesome hen calling, feed chattering, when in groups.  so less is more there. movement in the decoys is much more affective, rig up a jerk string or some wind duks.  remember, electronic decoys are illegal in this state.

good luck, when the weather is right and the ducks are cupped up, there's no better place to be than in the duck blind!  

[Green Horn]

Thanks for the info guys! That was really helpful. I'm stoked for this season to start and get my first duck!

[dadada]

CHECK OUT THIS WEBSITE JUST FOR DUCK HUNTERS
http://www.refugeforums.com/refuge/forumdisplay.php?f=36

[Dustin07]

I've been a member on the refuge for liek a year or two I think? but never have they activated my user id.

additionally, that place is full of drama. it seems like every other thread turns into a you know what match.

[terrellwa]

A better forum just for duck hunters is http://www.duckhuntingchat.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=62 A great bunch of guys that enjoy kilin' ducks/geese.

[Crispy]

If you're interested - I know the Washington Waterfowl Association is having a swap meet to help out new hunters at Kenmore Gun Range tonight. I'm not able to make it, as tonight was going to be my first meeting and then I was probably going to join, but I thought I'd let you know. I also don't know what time it starts but I'm sure you could call them and ask.

http://www.kenmorerange.com/

[Dustin07]

I've actually been a member here for like 5 years:

http://www.waterfowler.com/inportal/index.php?env=ADD9814BDFD-bulletin_cat_list-:l---:bb-4---1-1:n---777:s-:m--:img---1-1-1-

and I keep getting monthly newsletters but I don't really spend anytime there.

[teal101]

I've been a member on the refuge for liek a year or two I think? but never have they activated my user id.

additionally, that place is full of drama. it seems like every other thread turns into a you know what match.

Don't you be dissin us Fugers   Ever since they restricted user activations it's a core group of guys on the forums and a lot of BS is flung between everyone, most in jest.

As for the Op's questions...

Your turkey gun will work just fine.  Make sure to use steel and not to use a full choke.  Modified or improved cylinder work well.

As for clothing, your turkey camo will work.  Movement is more of a factor than concealment imo.  I've shot ducks sitting on a rock in plain visibility by just holding still while they worked.  Waders are a must.  I recommend getting a pair that breath.  I've ran insulated ones and they are a PITA unless you strictly hunt cold weather.  During the early season or during pack ins they make you way too hot, you sweat, then you still freeze once you sit down.  Layer up and get some breathables.  You'll be able to strip warmth layers according to hunting conditions.

Second the craigslist for decoys.  A dozen is a good starting point and may be all you need depending on the birds you hunt and location.  For pack ins I use 6-18 and on the river I use up to 6 doz.

A dog is key imo.  It saves the hassle of having to hop in the boat and pick birds up every time you shoot one.  Also if you're around tulies you will inevitably drop a bird in the thickest part and I'd rather have a good retriever spend 3 minutes finding it than busting the brush for 15 trying to find it.  They have a nose to locate em, we dont.  Dogs arent necessary, but I wont hunt without mine.

For calls a cheap double reed is a good start.  Like said before learn to quack first and foremost.  The rest you can learn over time and probably wont use a whole lot.  Listening to birds on the water/field is one of the best ways to learn what calls to use.  Ducks DO feed call and hail call in groups.  Sit by a corn field of birds, you'll hear every call in the book.  Birds on the water do it as well.  I heard a lone hen mallard calling her heart out on a small pothole.  The key is knowing when to use the calls.  In general as the season wears on less is better, but it's all about reading the birds which you will learn to do as you experiment with your calling.  I've called plenty of birds using a few single quacks here and there, give it a shot.

[Dustin07]

don't fool yourself into thinking you NEED to call birds in either. one of the guys I know who harvested the most ducks last year hardly ever calls. motion goes a long ways.

[teal101]

don't fool yourself into thinking you NEED to call birds in either. one of the guys I know who harvested the most ducks last year hardly ever calls. motion goes a long ways.

Exactly.  Calling has its place.  It's all about reading the birds and figuring out what they want.  70% of my ducks every year are shot without calling.

[Green Horn]

As far as waders go, I have a pair of hip waders. I hope those would be good enough. Should I purchase a pair of chest waders?

[h2ofowlr]

Unless your a good caller,  I would start with a whistle.  That will get there attention and use a few jerk cords in the decoy spread to add movement, if the area you are hunting is calm.  Some good waders to keep you dry and warm and a gun.  Make it out to the range and make sure your hitting the target.  I would pick up a box of #4 steel to practive with, so you get the feel for it.
If you have a well trained bird dog, it is the best thing you can have in the blind with you.  I like hunting the marsh areas and we would loose a lot of birds to the tall grass.  It will keep you from having to stomp around in the grass for an hour while other birds are working.

[Green Horn]

As far as the waders go, I answered my own question this morning. I took the hip waders to scout out some places with a buddy and it was a failure. We checked out a pretty nice area but hip waders arent gonna cut it.