New duck hunter seeks guidance

[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.