I'm a new duck hunter looking for some help!

[mudsucker]

If you started this past season and wish to continue, you are already a true hunter

Said the Master to Grasshopper!(Kung Fu t.v. series)

[Chad Evans]

primos original wrench

[Mshunter55]

I've got a couple of expensive calls but the best one I have is a $15 call. It is a Double Reed Winch

[champcaller]

STAY WITH A SINGLE REED. im not saying that double reeds cannot call ducks cause they can but a single reed is much more versatile. the people (no offense) who say their best call is a cheapo dr85 or somethin and owns i high dollar single reed is just sayin that (in most cases) because they have not invested the time to practice because if they did they would realize how much better you can be with a single reed

[Mississippi Mallard]

Is a Timber call more versatile than a regular open water call?

[Tedl10]

Don't really make much of a difference.

[Greenhead22]

Is a Timber call more versatile than a regular open water call?

You are going to get more bottom end and rasp from a timber call. The open water is going to louder and have a clearer tone. I prefer timber calls and do use them in fields and open water.

[Anatidae]

I just started duck hunting this past year. I hunt in Vicksburg, and I mainly hunt the WMA Mahanna. I know that there are a ton of other WMAs around Mahanna. I was wondering if anyone could tell me some good places to go to on any of the other WMAs. Also, if anyone could recommendsome good calls to get whether they be single or double reed.

Welcome MS mallard.

Now this is not strictly for your benefit 'cause I'm sure there are plenty of folks just getting started. So, I'll just cover the basics (all the "what's your favorite __________?" type questions). and give you my opinion on certain 'gear'.....(for whatever it's worth..... )

Good place to go on WMA's: well, the boat ramp, for starters......

Gun: The best quality you can afford, that shoots where you look

Ammo: Shoot the best quality you can afford - try'em all.....then decide. It'll take you several hundred misses to figure it out. Main thing is....Don't take someone else's word for it.

Shot size: Big enough to find with your tongue before you chomp-down on it

Choke: None......that way, you know they're close enough

Barrel length: Whatever works best for YOU - 28" is a good starting place

Spinners: 'Toomsooba' - (Choctaw for 'dead horse')......

Calls: The one(s) you can make sound like a duck or goose.......not a dying crow.

What's a duck sound like: listen to live ducks.......not a tape of someone doing their best impression. When you can get a greenhead to take-off from water at 200yds and come straight to you and land in your decoys.......that's a good indication you're getting the hang of it.

Field, river, open water or slough: Most folks don't have much choice. You either have access, or you don't. If you're blessed with so many choices, then go where the ducks are.

Public or Private: How much money do you have? Only those who kill birds on public land consistently have the right to distinguish themselves as 'Hunters'. 'Shooters' are those wanting to be 'taken' to what has become widely regarded as 'sport'. There ARE 'hunters' who hunt private land, but to see where you fit-in, try to kill a duck on public land in a slow year. You'll understand what it means to have to 'hunt' for what you get. If you thought you knew what you were doing when the ducks were plentiful, it'll make you wonder if you know anything at all, when they're not (plentiful).......trust me on this!

4-wheeler or 'Mule': Mules are for sissies and rich old men........waders work fine.

Hunting Videos: 'total waste of time........there are no shortcuts.....the guys that look like they know what they're doing on those videos, didn't learn how to do it by watching TV........the only reason they want to share their expertise with you is because they're trying to SELL you something. It has transformed our hunting heritage into a cleverly marketed buying frenzy!! Hunting prowess is directly proportional to how much MORE 'stuff' you have, than your competiton. He who has the most money wins. BS! Anybody can kill a hungry deer, duck or turkey. Get a WSM, a shooting house and a food plot, sprinkle some corn on the ground under your stand , and VIOLAS!.......you're a deer hunter.

Decoys: the most realistic you can afford. Depends on your stlye of hunting as to function......how many you need depends on how good you call and if you are where the birds want to be. More isn't always better.

Boats: whatever floats, keeps you dry, and gets you there and back.

Motors: any brand but Mercury. My Ouachita or Featherbrand has never failed.....they run pretty quiet, too.

F250 Super Duty or Duramax: Gimme a break! (what's that got to do with killin' a duck?)

DU or DW: both.............be realistic in your expectations. Nobody can guarantee a migration or stockpile ducks.

Just my opinion.......

[Wildfowler]

Motors: any brand but Mercury.

Man, don't listen to him. Anyone who would make such a recomendation obviously doesn't know what he's talking about.

[Anatidae]

They make some good motors.......I just can't work on them like I can OMC. ....but that isn't the motor's fault.

[Mississippi Mallard]

What's some reasonably priced boats? Does anyone know where to get layout blinds that aren't outrageous? If so which brands are good ones to get?

[champcaller]

What's some reasonably priced boats? Does anyone know where to get layout blinds that aren't outrageous? If so which brands are good ones to get?

cant help with motors but can on blinds

AVERY. in my opinion avery makes the best layout blinds. my two favorite are the finisher and the ground force. both basically the same with a few differences. i had the finisher but im going to get the ground force. the best thing in my opinion about these avery layout blinds is the neo tub that you can by separately. you can hunt invisibly up to 8" of water, sometimes more. the best prices on the web i have found is this one.

http://www.rogerssportinggoods.com

if you get a ground force and want a neo tub then you will have to go somewhere else because rogers doesnt sell the ground force neo tub. i know macks does tho.

[Mississippi Mallard]

Has anyone used one of the Killer Weed layout blind kits? If so do they work pretty well?

[NUTMEG]

Once I smoked some killer weed and fell out.

[Tedl10]

Has anyone used one of the Killer Weed layout blind kits? If so do they work pretty well?

Depends on if it matches your surroundings. If it doesn't, use whats around you.