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WaterFowl Hunting Tips

Tuesday, November 9th, 2010
Waterfowl hunting tips 300x188 WaterFowl Hunting Tips

Waterfowl hunting

Some of the best waterfowl hunting tips are learned by experience because you will only make some mistakes once. I left at 4am to go waterfowl hunting once and I repeat just once without my duck decoys. Yeah I know…but in my defense I thought they were already in my truck, fact is I was certain I put them in there.

Here are some quick waterfowl hunting tips you can use so that you will not forget anything and you can also improve your hunt. I know that I am steaming a bit because this just happen to me but it really ruined my whole trip and I don’t want to see it happen to you too.

Your Waterfowl Hunting Checklist

I know most people, myself included don’t think they need a checklist before they go hunting but if it’s a long trip and it for more than one day then you should consider it. I know that when I go waterfowl hunting I can forget things as I’m sure you have too.

I make a checklist of all the items I’m going to need for my waterfowl hunt a few days before I travel and as I pack it in my truck I check it off. I will also set thing out so I can’t miss them and still walked out without them so a checklist will stop that from happening.

Basic Waterfowl Hunting Tips

One of the first things about waterfowl hunting you need to know is that it’s not as easy as you think. There are a few key factors that can affect your hunt and we will discuss them here,

Location – Well this goes without saying, but you can be really successful or have an OK hunt. If I’m not waterfowl hunting in my normal duck blind then I take the time to scout or have someone do it for me but I always go where I know the waterfowl are for sure.

Hunting Decoys – If I’m hunting ducks then I use a mixture of different decoy species types. Throw in at least three different types but the majority should be of the type your actually hunting for. I have at least one motorized duck decoy in my spread.

Decoy Spreads – Now this is up for debate every time we go because we often bring someone new each time and they often have their own waterfowl hunting techniques. Basically I have always used the U shape with my decoys and I always place them in the water. I know some like to place them on shorelines but ducks will land into decoys more often if they are floaters. This gives the ducks a sense of security and will bring them into to land.

Duck Blinds – I use a duck blind almost every time we go out  but if I’m waterfowl hunting in a new area then I make some sort of cover so the ducks can’t see me.

Set To Go Waterfowl Hunting

You have to be out there early if you plan on getting into location without being seen. I have seen us approach our duck blind around 10am and at least 80 ducks take off out of the water in front of us. Then we hardly seen any the rest of the day. Early is the way to go for any species of waterfowl hunting.

Motorized Duck – Do They Work?

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010

Motorized Duck1 300x201 Motorized Duck – Do They Work?Motorized duck decoys work and I can prove it. I was told they don’t work and when fellow hunters see me with mine they laugh under their breath or they give me funny looks like I’m nuts. I feel this is mainly because they are old school duck hunters and they have never even seen a motorized duck work.

I feel most of the bad press for any motorized decoy come from all the bull #$%* advertisers out there that claim the best hunt you will ever have but the truth is you still need regular decoys and proper decoy placement to be successful.

What Motorized Duck Decoy To Use?

There are a few options here and every website and their dog claims they have the best and maybe they do but I can tell you which one has worked great for me. Decoy movement in the water is very important to your success mainly because you are after realism in any decoy spread. Live ducks and geese move in the water or waters edge they don’t just sit motionless. Both ducks a geese have great eye sight and they notice if there is movement as other ducks or geese are grooming and cleaning themselves and this is why motorized duck decoys work so well.

lucky duck 300x117 Motorized Duck – Do They Work?Mainly there is one motorized duck that I use called the Lucky Duck. Why is it better than others? First off the remote control motorized duck decoys that swims around takes both your hands to operate and is only good if you are hunting with someone that doesn’t mind running it for you while you get all the great shots. I know, I was that guy once operating the decoy while my buddies took the shots. Also it kept breaking down because it’s cold and wet and soon I was spending more time fixing it than hunting. It is buried in my basement somewhere and never get’s used unless the kids get it out and play with in the pool.

With my Lucky duck motorized duck decoy I let it run on it’s own and now I can enjoy getting in on the shots when they fly into my floating duck decoys.

Motorized Duck Decoys I won’t Use

I have tried a few different new and flashy motion decoys with little to no success. With that being said I’m sure there are a few people that have used them and liked them, I’m just not one of them. The problem with wind powered motion decoys is that there is no in between. If there is too much motion from wings flying in the wind at 20 miles/Hr ducks will not fly into your decoy spread. If there is no wind, what’s the point of having the motion decoy because it’s not moving.

Motorized duck decoys can be controlled which is why I like them. I like having both hands free so I can still get in on the action.

Motorized Duck Decoy Placement

Motorized Decoy Spread 300x300 Motorized Duck – Do They Work?OK I know there is some debate on this subject and I’m open to any comments or suggestion but I will tell you how I set my motorized duck decoy spread because I know this works.

First I like to use the “U” pattern on the water. I place a mixture of different species of duck decoys from one side of the bulrushes to the other. My duck pond allows me to set them up this way. I always put my lucky duck on the inside edge of the “U” on either side of the center, it doesn’t matter which. The splashing draws the attention of the high fliers and I have seen a low passing group not land into my decoys yet. The landing zone in the “U” shape invites them right in.

Also make sure your decoys are nicely painted up each year. See our post for a quick lesson on decoy paint touch ups.

Others use motorized duck decoys on land but I have always stuck to the water, why mess with something that works just fine.

Is Duck Hunting For You?

Sunday, August 22nd, 2010
duck hunting 300x225 Is Duck Hunting For You?

Is Duck Hunting For You?

Duck hunting is one of the most well-liked hunting sports in the world. It is as much a social calling as it is a probe, as a matter of fact, representing a whole set of cultural standards and etiquette rules that lots of people do not even consider. It provides a whole culture all its own, from a particular dress code to duck hunting dogs and assistants. The field of duck hunting is ripe with cultural significance, but is also has a dark side and represents a less than desired aspect of human nature. In spite of the viewpoint, there is one thing to be learned about duck hunting that may shed some light on either side of the ethical quandary.

Popularity of Duck Hunting

Duck hunting is mainly a sporting activity internationally now, as commercial duck hunting has since been banned in most of other developed countries. Duck hunting is, as a matter of fact, as old as time itself. There are early indications that ducks and geese were in some way hunted during the Ice Age. Cave drawings indicate that duck hunting was a sound practice ahead of time in human existence, giving way to ducks and swans appearing on cave paintings in Ice Age Europe. There is in addition evidence of duck hunting in Egypt, as a mural on the tomb of Khum-Hotpe displays a man capturing ducks in a stream. Ducks were also likely hunted by early man in the Americas, as early Peruvian art indicates.

With this international history, duck hunting enjoys a popularity that spreads around the world. It is particularly popular in Canada and northern USA, where the largest number of localized ducks can be located. Still in the south ducks use the Mississippi River as a migratory guide, so many duck hunts occur along the river to use it as a guide for finding ducks. Arkansas is a primary hotbed of duck hunting, with Stuttgart being considered the “duck hunting capital of the world”.

logo41 300x173 Is Duck Hunting For You?

Using Duck Decoys

Duck hunting is sometimes considered popular as a consequence of its simplicity. The tools of the trade are simplistic enough, from a decoy set to a shotgun and duck call. The essence of duck hunting is based around the trickery of using the decoy and the duck call side by side to lure the ducks out and into the air towards the decoy. After this occurs, the ducks are in open range for the hunt and the firing begins. These hunts happen around rivers, streams, rivers and any other bodies of water where ducks can be seen.

Duck Hunting Considerations

There are lots of aspects that stand in comparison to duck hunting, obviously. Most waterfowl conservation experts agree that the hunting of any sort of waterfowl does little to help any situation. In point of fact, most marsh and wetland areas are shrinking at tremendous rates, giving rise the the criticism that duck hunting efficiently diminishes an already decreasing habitat. There are lots of establishments that constantly spar with duck hunters over this reality.

One organization is the popular Ducks Almost limitless. Ducks Unlimited is an international organization that stands as the leader in non-profit marshland protection and the protective cover of waterfowl. Ducks Almost infinite now and again works with hunters to protect the marshlands and look after the hunter’s way of life. The principle goal of Ducks Almost infinite is the conservation of localized habitats where ducks can be located, enabling hunters to carry on protected and logical hunts of ducks and enabling the survival of more ducks by creating better places for them to live.

Duck Hunting Conservatively

Still, some hunters ignore this philosophy and have no concern in any protective cover of habitats. Instead, pillage the duck areas and hunt ducks that shouldn’t be hunted. Duck hunting remains a controversial sport as a consequence of this aspect, regrettably, and will carry on have a dark side as long as hunters remain blissfully ignorant as to the realities of organizations like Ducks Almost limitless. Without the cooperation of hunters and marshland protectors, duck hunts might be a thing of the past.

This Duck Hunting information was brought to you by gun supplies,

Quick Paint Touch-Up for Mallard Decoys

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

Quick Paint Touch Up for Mallard DecoysDecoy painting 150x150 Quick Paint Touch Up for Mallard DecoysI seen this article and though it would be great to share this tip about doing a quick paint touch-up for Mallard decoys.

Most decoys can take on a dull, unnatural look after a few seasons of hard use and if your looking for realism you’ll have to do some basic touch up’s. Exposure to sun robs their luster and the decoys look dull not to mention the bumping and rubbing against other decoys and ice causes paint to chip off. Aslo dried mud can leave a grimy film over decoy bodies.

In these days of increased hunting pressure and wariness on the water fowls part, hunters should do all they can to keep their decoys fresh and natural looking. Clean decoys with crisp paint jobs will invariably pull more birds than those that are grubby and dull. Here are some easy tips for paint touch-up for Mallard decoys, a little pre-season maintenance to ensure a brighter, more realistic spread when ducks head south.

First, wash decoys thoroughly to remove last year’s grunge. Bag them in mesh decoy bags, and take them to the local car wash. Wash them while in the bags, spraying through the mesh with hot soapy water under high pressure. After a few minutes of washing, dump the decoys out, rebag them, and wash again to spray from a different angle. After washing, take the decoys home, and hang the bags so the decoys can air-dry.

Next, do a simple paint touch-up to restore the decoys’ bright look.

80103 quart t Quick Paint Touch Up for Mallard Decoys Quick Paint Touch Up for Mallard DecoysPurchase one small- to medium-sized can of satin finish black latex paint and another can of satin-finish white latex paint. (Be sure to purchase satin finish, not gloss or semi-gloss. Satin finish has just the right sheen for painting decoys.)  Also, buy a small assortment of brushes 1 inch wide or less. Brushes with exploded-tip nylon bristles are best. Artists’ brushes are usually too soft to work with the rough finish on decoys.

You can also get Do-It Quick-Coat Paint Markers Quick Paint Touch Up for Mallard Decoys that can help for the small touch up jobs.

Separate decoys according to sex, and work on the hens in one session and the drakes in another session.

To touch up a mallard hen, use a small brush to lengthen and widen the two white wing bars on each side of the body (bordering the speculum). Paint these wing bars so they are approximately twice as wide as their original paint job (i.e., 1/4 in. wide instead of 1/8 in. wide).

Next, add white paint on the upper rear tail feathers. The best way to do this is by dry brushing. Load a small amount of paint on the brush, then make repeated light passes over the tail feather area to impart streaks, not solid white. These two steps alone will add brightness and contrast to mallard hen decoys.

For drakes, paint the top of the head and down the back of the neck with satin black. Dry brush the edges to feather the black into the green along the upper sides of the head. Paint the rump and tail feathers with satin black paint. Then set the decoys aside for the black paint to dry.

After the paint dries, use white satin paint to enlarge and define the neckband (on live mallard drakes this white ring is incomplete at the back of the neck) the wing bars bordering the speculum, the crescents behind the legs, and the upper rear tail feathers. Again, upper rear tail feathers should be dry brushed, so they are streaky rather than solid white.

Take a black permanent magic marker to highlight the nail (bump on the tip of the beak) and the nasal openings on the upper bill. Also, the black marker may be used to add thin wing bars inside the white wing bars. Real mallards have two sets of color bars bordering the speculum – white on the outside and black on the inside.

Use model builder’s black lacquer marker to add a gloss finish to the eyes.

Finally, to brighten faded breast or back areas, daub Vasoline onto a soft cloth and rub chalky areas as though polishing. The Vasoline will renew colors almost to their original brightness. Wipe off all excess after “shining.”

Touching up decoys in this manner is a time-consuming process. Mallard drakes require approximately twice as much time as hens, because more detail is required.

But the rewards of this work more than justify the efforts when the first flight of ducks comes into your refurbished spread. There is a sense of satisfaction in a job well done, whether camouflaging a blind, training a retriever, or touching up last year’s decoys to give them a new look for realism and a new degree of persuasion.

Author: Wade Bourne

I hope you found these quick paint touch-up for Mallard decoys helpful. Also here are a few cheap books on how to paint decoys.

156523216X b Quick Paint Touch Up for Mallard Decoys Quick Paint Touch Up for Mallard Decoys
The Decorative Decoy Carver”s Ultimate Painting & Pattern Portfolio, Series One Quick Paint Touch Up for Mallard Decoys

1565232356 b Quick Paint Touch Up for Mallard Decoys Quick Paint Touch Up for Mallard Decoys
The Decorative Decoy Carver’s Ultimate Painting & Pattern Portfolio, Series Two Quick Paint Touch Up for Mallard Decoys

Finding Out The Dos And The Donts In Boar Hunting – Crucial Things Hunters Should Know

Tuesday, April 27th, 2010

Boar hunting is conducted to reduce the damage these animals cause to forests and crops as well as to get their meat. Yet, there are hunters for whom hogs or boars are hunting trophies. Hunters usually assume great risks with boar hunting, because of the possibility to miss the shot and be attacked by the enraged animal. Moreover, boars use very thick hides from where they can attack their aggressors. Animal rights supporters claim that there are other ways to solve the problem of crops without having to hunt these animals. This would also eliminate the risks to which boar hunting exposes people.

Among the states that offer good areas for boar hunting we can mention Ohio, Texas, Tennessee, California, Florida, Alabama, Arkansas and Kentucky. For Canadian territories, Alberta is the state that allows for advanced boar hunting. There are organized trips or guided hunts offered by lots of hunting associations, and you can contact them online or on the phone to request detailed information on their services. They also offer tips and suggestions for the preparations necessary for such hunting expeditions. You can get all the necessary supplies in the package depending on the company you choose to work with.

More advice comes from the guide you hire for the trip: he will tell you what to wear and what equipment to take to the area. Poor equipment equals a failed hunt, therefore, choose your garments to match the weather and the climate. On organized hunts, you will get recommendations and suggestions for the hunting wear too. Find out whether the organizers use bait to lure the boars to a certain spot. The use of feeders is condemned by lots of hunters. This is usually specific to skilled experienced hunters who prefer to handle things traditionally.

Find out about the don’ts of a boar hunting trip. Don’t urinate in the hunting area, don’t smoke and don’t wear cologne because the animals will catch the smell and won’t approach. Keep quiet on the hunting grounds and stay alert because wild hogs can be very dangerous at times. You could put yourself in great danger by lack of attention and vigilance. Therefore, make sure you meet all these conditions for a very successful expedition. Sometimes you can have great fun even if you get back with an empty bag.

I hope you can get useful information from this boar hunting info. Now, If you are interested in other information especially about special product, you can visit the particular website on welding respirator where you can get half mask respirator and related information.

Duck Hunting Tips For Novices

Sunday, April 25th, 2010

Duck hunting is considered a lot more rewarding on private and club lands than on public areas, because of the number of issues and the vagaries that come with water-fowling in such conditions. One of the variables that cannot be controlled here is the number of birds using a certain area because this can change really quickly, and the hunting pressure is high. Don’t get discouraged by the fact that private properties seem more attractive, because duck hunting also bears the influence of the birds-per-hunter ratio.

Duck hunting is theoretically possible in all states if there is enough water and good conditions for waterfowl. What hunters should learn how and when to hunt in such places, because there are rules and regulations that can’t be broken. Coastal marshes, river areas and public reservoirs are among the favorites. The management of such areas is the responsibility of special commissions that handle all the wildlife issues that duck hunting generates.

You can check with the state refuges and management areas to see where duck hunting is allowed and whether there are enough waterfowl concentrated. Restrictions abound on certain locations because the risk of hunting pressure increases alarmingly. Visit the Internet websites of state fish and game agencies for duck hunting solutions, analyze site maps, harvest figures and the rest of the details. For expeditions on navigable rivers, find out where you can enter on foot and where there are access points for boats.

Satellite images and aerial photography are sometimes used by hunters to identify the wetlands hidden inside public wildlife areas. You can organize an expedition to such places after heavy rains when the humidity and the water levels attract the waterfowl. There are many Internet websites that provide suggestions and tips for duck hunting on such lands.

You’ll thus be able to determine which is the best time to hunt, how mobile you have to be in order to move with the birds and what additional gear you may need besides the basic equipment. Mention must be made that hunting needs may differ according to the season, the climate and the wetland conditions where you choose to practice this game. Both skilled and less-experienced hunters may find such web resources fun and practical at the same time.

I hope you can get insight into usable and reliable information from this duck hunting topic.

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