Anybody do any duck hunting?

[Rockport24]

Hunting shows are sparked my interest, anybody do any of it around our parts? Looks like a large investment, just wondering if its worth it.

[The Dad Fisherman]

A lot of Guys Duck hunt up at Plum Island. Check out the Rod and Gun clubs in the area

[Raven]

biggest investment is in time training a LAB

i shot three Ducks out of five one day out
on the marsh...and all three went underwater to
grab a blade of grass prefering to drown than suface
or just couldn't let go....in a death grip

i sent the dog out to get them and he returned
with NONE.....i was very not pleased
and pointed the gun at him saying

you go get those ducks!
now! or i'll shoot you.... he got the message!
went diving for them and brought back all three.

then he was a SUPER GOOD dog....
and very happy with himself AFTER THAT.

[OLD GOAT]

Originally Posted by Raven

biggest investment is in time training a LAB

i shot three Ducks out of five one day out
on the marsh...and all three went underwater to
grab a blade of grass prefering to drown than suface
or just couldn't let go....in a death grip

i sent the dog out to get them and he returned
with NONE.....i was very not pleased
and pointed the gun at him saying

you go get those ducks!
now! or i'll shoot you.... he got the message!
went diving for them and brought back all three.

then he was a SUPER GOOD dog....
and very happy with himself AFTER THAT.

YUP Tried that with my little brother. Works great.

[Hookedagain]

I hunt hard core for the flying critters. Last year I downed over 125 birds, around 88 ducks and the rest were geese and brant. I actually have a laod of decoys I am going to be putting up for sale (just haven't gotten around to it). Its a great sport if you enjoy getting up early, working hard to set up..break ice..fight wind and snow..and love the cold. But theres no better sound than a flock of Widgen wistling overhead, or that hen Mallard cackling in the marsh, or a 10 pound goose hitting the ground. Now my 9 yo hunts with me and makes the whole experienc that much better.

[Rockport24]

Raven that is awesome and hilarious!
Thanks for the feedback, hooked again, can you recommend where to start?
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[The Dad Fisherman]

Here ya go.

http://www.fws.gov/northeast/parkerr...%20hunting.pdf

and the S-B of the duck hunting world...

http://www.duckhuntingchat.com/forum/

[TheSpecialist]

We used to hunt ducks it is a lot of fun. It is also alot of work if you want to be successful. We were talking about doing it again someday. You have to watch the Duck Commander those guys do it right.

[Rockport24]

Thanks Kev, so.... you interested in another hobby?

I told my wife, don't worry, the season is very short compared to fishing!

[Hookedagain]

Hey Rockport, I am not familiar with your area but as long as you're within the legal limit you'll be fine. Early in the seaeon they are pretty easy to decoy. Start with a doz. decoys, and some sort of a blind to hide your profile. Depending on where you plan to hunt this could be a variety of things. One of the places I use has a lot of natural cover so I use some large tree branches with a bunch of brush on them. Enough so I can sit on a milk create and still not be seen. I usually try to make it around 3'-4' high and around 5' long, that fits me and my son.

Set the decoys in a "J" or in two small "families" with a hole in between them ( 5 yards around). You want to leave a space for them to land. If you put all of the decoys togather they will land outside of your spread, and usually out of shooting range. I set my spread somewhere around 30-40 yards away from my blind. They always land "INTO" the wind so set your landing pocket accordingly.

A decent duck call is a better choice than a cheap one. Not just the sound but cheap ones seem to come apart, freeze up, and don't always work when you want them to.

Depending on where you hunt a boat or canoe may be helpful. If its a hard bottom
and the water is not too deep, waders and a dog will work. What ever you do....Have Fun. Although the amount of work put in is not equal to the return most days, its a blast. If you want to shoot the s@#% about more on duck hunting PM me your #>

[maddog2020]

I never had a dog, but I did bring along an 2 pc surf spinning rod (9' w/ 20 lb mono) and a pencil popper. I would cast out and snag my duck and pull it back it. Worked great on beaver ponds AND on sea ducks out in the ocean.

[Rockport24]

Hooked - Awesome info there, thanks, I'll drop ya PM

[Hookedagain]

These were the days!! We used to shoot more birds than you could shake a stick at. The first two are from the past but the last one is a normal morning on the river. Usually head back out in the afternoon and whack a few more. It opens this week....can't wait.

[TheSpecialist]

Looks like we need to have a Sb duck hunt.....

[Hookedagain]

Going Sat morn. to start the second half of the season.27 ducks and 11 geese in the early season.

I would love to do some duck hunting with guys from S-B. Maybe trade hunts....I take you/you take me. I want to do some sea d#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&g around the Duxbury area, I hear its awesome out that way but never been.

[SurfCaster413]

Id love to do a sb duck hunt. I always wanted to get into duck and goose hunting I am mainly do pheasant hunting though. But am so game to try.

[Rockport24]

Well, I checked all the regs and I don't even have a hunting license and the required hunter safety courses aren't scheduled until January, so I guess I'm out of luck for this season, but it's on next year at this time!

[Rockport24]

Hey guys, bringing this up again, I am semi-geared up and ready to go!

[Hookedagain]

Do you have any fields up your way that would draw geese in to it? Hunting from land is a much easier way to start. I have a load of silhouette decoys you can have if you are interested. They need repainting but are useable.

[Rockport24]

yeah I would have to see if i can find one. As of now, the only spots I know of are marshes....

[TheSpecialist]

Look for WMA's where corn is planted...

[Sundowner]

I don't duck hunt but would love to try next yr. This read has just got me stoked for pheasant and deer season though. Like the idea of trading off hunts, I have a cabin in PA, wouldn't be able to do any trade offs till next years seasons though.

[saltydog]

DUCKS!!!!!!!!! USE TO HARD CORE HUNT BOSTON HABA LATER IN THE SEASON WHEN THE SNOW FLIES IT WAS BEAUTIFUL OUT THERE. BLUE BIRD DAYS, USE TO PLOW THE SNOW TO THE WATER TO LANCH THE BOAT. EVEN HAD THE JESSY CHECK ON US ONE THANKSGIVING TO SEE IF WE WERE ALRIGHT BEING THE ONLY ONES OUT. THE GOOD OL DAY'S. I STILL GOT ALL MY GEAR, IF ANY ONE NEED HELP DEFENDING YOUR SELF AGAINST THOES PESKEEE BIRDSE-MAIL WILL GALDLY GIVE YOU A HAND
BESIDES I CAN ALWAYS USE THE FEATHERS

[striperman36]

Originally Posted by Hookedagain

I hunt hard core for the flying critters. Last year I downed over 125 birds, around 88 ducks and the rest were geese and brant. I actually have a laod of decoys I am going to be putting up for sale (just haven't gotten around to it). Its a great sport if you enjoy getting up early, working hard to set up..break ice..fight wind and snow..and love the cold. But theres no better sound than a flock of Widgen wistling overhead, or that hen Mallard cackling in the marsh, or a 10 pound goose hitting the ground. Now my 9 yo hunts with me and makes the whole experienc that much better.

I'll take feathers, goose, mallard, wood duck

[Hookedagain]

Saltydog, are you getting rid of any gear?

[Hookedagain]

Striperman, the season opens next week. I will keep some feathers for you. I will PM when I get some.

[saltydog]

Hookedagain, sorry NO my son still using my old stuff.
GOOD LUCK GOOD HUNTIN