longbeardfever4ever Posted June 7, 2008 Report Share Posted June 7, 2008 hey guys, i could use some help. I just bought 2 hen and 2 drake wood duck decoys and a bag, and a vest today. Could you give me some tips and techniques please?? i also bought 16 dove decoys and a bag with them. Anybody have any tips and techniques for doves also. Once i get enough tips i will buy a federal duck stamp and a migratory game bird liscence. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdoc Posted June 9, 2008 Report Share Posted June 9, 2008 Wood ducks are very hard to decoy--those little flying torpedos just land where ever they want. You need to go buy you a dozen mallard decoys. You'll be fine just getting the cheap ones--they will last several seasons and give you an idea if you really like waterfowling--but let me tell you it is addictive. Best tip--you can have 100 of the best decoys on the market but if your not set up where there are ducks and close to where they want to be it will be a long day hunting. IMO wood duck decoys are just confident decoys for your puddle ducks. Get a call and then find someone that knows how to use it and have them teach you. Over calling is a big mistake that some rookie waterfowlers make--calling at the right time and the proper call (hale call, feeding call, lonesome hen call) will make all the difference in the world. Good camo---good camo and a good hiding spot is a must. I'm a BIG fan of Max4 camo. Blends in great with most cover around lakes and ponds., good luck todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gitcha_some Posted June 9, 2008 Report Share Posted June 9, 2008 Location location location...good scouting and good spots will prevail over good hunting skills 9 times outa ten. if your where they want to be it makes it ten times easier to decoy ducks, with barely a quack. Buy a dozen greenhead gear mallards they look great and are only like 50 bucks or so. When it comes to calling it is better to call hard to ducks when they are going away, not when they are coming to you, if theyre coming to you soft greeting qaucks and feeding chuckles should do the trick but as soon as they turn to head away thats when you hit them with a comeback call. goodluck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longbeardfever4ever Posted June 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2008 Wood ducks are very hard to decoy--those little flying torpedos just land where ever they want. You need to go buy you a dozen mallard decoys. You'll be fine just getting the cheap ones--they will last several seasons and give you an idea if you really like waterfowling--but let me tell you it is addictive. Best tip--you can have 100 of the best decoys on the market but if your not set up where there are ducks and close to where they want to be it will be a long day hunting. IMO wood duck decoys are just confident decoys for your puddle ducks. Get a call and then find someone that knows how to use it and have them teach you. Over calling is a big mistake that some rookie waterfowlers make--calling at the right time and the proper call (hale call, feeding call, lonesome hen call) will make all the difference in the world. Good camo---good camo and a good hiding spot is a must. I'm a BIG fan of Max4 camo. Blends in great with most cover around lakes and ponds., good luck todd thanks, i have a full suit of advantage and that served me well for spring gobblers. i may just get a couple mallards! ( im youth so im short on money) how cheap are the cheap mallards?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardwood_HD Posted June 9, 2008 Report Share Posted June 9, 2008 the greenhead gear hot buy mallards are only $25 for a dozen.. i went ahead and got the regular lifesize ones with the removable keel for $50 or 60 i think.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RTF Posted June 9, 2008 Report Share Posted June 9, 2008 Buy the duck stamp anyway. Who cares if you use it to hunt ducks. Buying a duck stamp puts money into the waterfowl program. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longbeardfever4ever Posted June 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2008 the greenhead gear hot buy mallards are only $25 for a dozen.. i went ahead and got the regular lifesize ones with the removable keel for $50 or 60 i think.. may just do that. if i cant find them i can get a dozen flambeau mallards for $35! and i probably will get the duck stamp next year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longbeardfever4ever Posted June 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2008 by the way, i dont have a dog, so when fishing water with a smalll amount of current what should i do?? anyone ever heard of pine creek?? thats where i would, or the susquehanna river! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdhunter39 Posted June 9, 2008 Report Share Posted June 9, 2008 i went to a flea market last year and bought 3 doz ( used ) decoys for $ 60 .00 , i take my calls with me when i go fishing and practice when i see ducks and geese . the videos i've been watchin are the fallin skys videos . they give you great tips and are great to watch . about my waterfowl experience's are like this , i went pheasant huntin at my uncles farm this one day and seen nothin then i heard that sound ( geese honking ) i looked up and there they were , me without any stamps or waterfowl shells that monday i went out and bought them and shells , so i started buying the stamps , so if i were you i would go out and get them , good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camoman1 Posted June 9, 2008 Report Share Posted June 9, 2008 Location is Key as mentioned above...! I only hunt puddle ducks on opening weekend here in WI. Since our season opens so early (too early IMO) i found that putting out more hen decoys than drakes seems to work better, the drakes dont have all there coloring yet when season opens here. Not sure if that is the case by you or not. I like to hunt doves near some kind of water in the evening. Seems they always go get a little sip of water before they roost for the nite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longbeardfever4ever Posted June 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2008 Thanks guys, this and reading some books should start me off this fall!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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