To really start duck huntin?

[Catfisher]

What do I need? Other than: boat, gun. and what kinda duck call, and decoys? Any tips will be appriceated. I need whatever help I can get, to be ready for next season! Thanks.

[Buckwabit]

It really depends on what kind of hunting your wanting to do. I would start off with a cheap call, like a buck Gardner or something like that. In my opiton, G&H makes the best decoys, but that depends on you. I only shoot a pump because they are more durable to the weather than auto's, but that is an opinion too.

You have to find what's right for you and stick with it. You may need a dog stand, swamp seat, layout blind, boat blind, burlap.... stuff like that depends on how you hunt

Buck

[quack_a_tack]

+1, Also with my experience and knowledge, and your money we could kill the hell out of em.

[whislinwings]

What do I need? Other than: boat, gun. and what kinda duck call, and decoys? Any tips will be appriceated. I need whatever help I can get, to be ready for next season! Thanks.

First, you should probably go get a psychological profile to certify you are insane like the rest of us.

[chevy01234]

Hey Justin, Are you going to make it to Chotard for the meeting in a couple weeks? If so we'll talk then!

[kwacksmacker18]

The Quackhead calls are a real good beginner call. They are very easy to blow and learn on. As far as shotgun goes, which ever you like to shoot. I shot a pump for 4 years and never had a problem with shooting it duck hunting. And decoys, G&H make a really good decoy, FA brand and GHG also make a really good looking decoy. What kind of boat you need depends on what kind of hunting you will be doing. My boat is a 15.5 ft. flat bottom with a 36 in. bottom. I use it in sloughs and on the Pearl River. Never had a problem with it but I wouldn't take it on the Mississippi. Hope that helps!

[whislinwings]

What do I need? Other than: boat, gun. and what kinda duck call, and decoys? Any tips will be appriceated. I need whatever help I can get, to be ready for next season! Thanks.

Starting out, unless you have an unlimited amount of cash to spend, I would go with a good pump like a Benilli Super Nova. Quality gun for a relatively good price. Buck Gardner makes a good easy to blow call for first timers. Get a cd, preferably of live ducks, and imitate them. Record yourself. You'll be surprised at what you sound like. You can spend a ton on a boat or find a club to join that has rice field leases where you don't need a boat. The best decoys I've seen to date have been Dakota Decoys. Google them and you'll see what I mean.

Hope this helps and welcome to the bruddahood.

[quack_a_tack]

Personally, just gettin started, I would go with a lower priced shotgun(prob a pump 870, or FranchiI-12, or Berreta 390 if you want an auto) you don't need a 10 ga, or even 3.5 capability. Get a good decoy G&H, GHG, maybe even Flambeau. I would start out with a Haydels DR-85, RNT QUackhead, or Echo Polycarbonite. This is somethin you need to test first as some people like single reeds, where others do better with double reeds.. Boat is dependent on what you plan to hunt, for lakes, sloughs and timber 15 by 42-48 would be fine with a tiller 30 or 40, if you plan to hit the Big Muddy I would go no less than 17.5 by 54 with 24 or better sides and top it with at least a 90 if not a 115. I also like 4 strokes but its a personal preference. Of coarse this is my opinion, everyone has one and they will all differ a little. If you are just starting I would hunt on the low end of the money scale the first season, just to make sure you wanna stick with it. It would not be good to be out a boat load of money and half way through the season you decide it really is not for you. Good luck man, welcome to the group of idiots most refer to as Duck Hunting.

[duckter]

Also with my experience and knowledge, and your money we could kill the hell out of em.

Classic.

[crow]

1. Read every thing you can find about duck hunting basics (except what you read on this site...we're all crazy).
2. Forget most of what you just read...especially anything on this site.
3. Find a mentor who you know is a good duck hunter...ethical, sane, kind to children...listen to what he says.
4. Get a DR85 Haydel...best call ever for a beginner...cheap and has the duck built in.
6. Practice untill you get run out of the house and then practice in the yard.
5. But, listen to tapes or websites with duck calls on them and try to sound like them.
(I put these backward because that is how most folks try to learn...don't do that)
7. Look on the internet or craigslist for decoys. Usually, right after the season many newbies decide they don't really want to
be duck hunters and sells all their stuff.
8. Buy 6 because you don't want to spend too much money before you decide whether youlike it or not. (see number 7)
9. Use what ever shotgun you have. Don't go spending money right now. (see number 7)
10. Unless you are made of money, don't lease or join a club (see number 7)
11. In the next month, go wade around every public hole of water you can find. If there are ducks there now, there
may be ducks there next season.
12. Invest in a decent pair of waders, they are good to have even if (see number 7).
13. Shoot a lot of clay targets with your friends over the summer and fall. Even if you find ducks to shoot at, you
have to be able to hit them.
14. Dress warmly and practice staying still. The best camo in the world won't help you if you are an epileptic-style
hunter.
15. Look for ducks before the season starts.
16. If you find ducks...don't tell anyone on this site or any other site. People will hate you for that!
17. If you find ducks...remember who gave you all the good advice and PM him so he can show you how to be a
bonified duck hunter in person!

Your internet mentor,

crow

[LawDawg]

Hey Justin, Are you going to make it to Chotard for the meeting in a couple weeks? If so we'll talk then!

good luck gettin to chotard man. you seen what that river is doing?

[Catfisher]

Thanks yall, I have a Remington 870 magnum. and a couple people to go duck hunting with, so I don't need a boat right now. Yall all gave me some good advice, Thanks


Jraducks, I will be there

[chevy01234]

Alec, We are having are BAM yearly meeting at the tavern on February 20th. If the water's too high, we'll relocate somewhere! You ought to ride over!

[LawDawg]

we might. We are fixing up the boat right now. It's one of those years when you have to replace jsut about everything.

[Anatidae]

All you need is a driving passion to see mallards back-peddling with bright orange feet reaching for the water over your decoys. Once that image gets burned in your mind......then you'll stop at nothing to see it on a consistent basis. That passion will drive you. Develop the skills to make you more self-sufficient and less dependant on 'stuff' or someone else to get you in the birds. Nothing can supplant time-learned skills and hard-won experience. The best lessons are learned by 'doing', so go as often as you can.

You can spend a lot of money on 'stuff' that you think will help you kill a duck......but it's just 'stuff'.

Yes, it takes a certain amount of equipment....but you start small, stay small, and refine your techniques. You'll eventually learn what works for you.....and weed-out what doesn't.

The basics are:
Location (where the birds want to be)
concealment (you want'em close enough to see the startled look in their eyes)
decoys (realism, how many is enough, and set-up)
calling (and when not to call)
shooting (patience and knowing your own limits)
a retriever that's just as eat-up with it as you are
a good friend (or two) to share it all with

Anything outside of that is clever marketing to get folks to believe they need more 'stuff'. It's not about the 'stuff' (even though there's a tendency to keep score and compare yourself to someone who appears to have 'more' than you do). I've never heard a slogan like, "if you buy this, they will come". Ain't no product made that will make a duck migrate to where you are. You have to go to them.

You'll also have a greater sense of accomplishment and enjoyment of the simplistic one-on-one game (between you and the duck) if you can figure-out ways to do more with less. It's all about preparation and opportunity.

A mentor can be a good thing, if you're lucky enough to find someone humble enough you can look up to.

Your 870 will do fine
Winchester HV X-pert 3's or Supreme 2's (depending on your budget)
Haydel's DR-85 call
G&H magnum mallard decoys (3 snap swivels and a jerk string)
a versatile jacket
waders

If you get a dog - don't name him 'Drake'

Happy Hunting