Waterfowling 102: Beginner's Tips

Continue to Learn

There is never a hunt that is the same as any other, like a snowflake each hunt brings it's own characteristics and difficulties to the table.  There will always be a new strategy to try, or learn something about hunting that you didn't know before.  Continue to be open minded to these lessons and build your ultimate waterfowl knowledge.  Many veteran hunters who have done it for decades continue to learn new ways to make their lives easier in the field.  Learning from your mistakes will make you a better hunter all around.  Don't think that you know everything there is to know, "It's what you learn after you know it all that counts." -John Wooden

SCOUT, SCOUT, SCOUT

Scouting is the one determining factor that you have control over to set yourself up for success.  Finding where the birds are and will be takes a lot of work and driving, but beats showing up in a spot and hoping that birds fly by.  Finding multiple areas where birds are gives you the choice to hunt certain sport depending on the weather, permission to hunt, and location (drive time).  It should be no surprise when hunters who have scouted come back with limits, and those who didn't come back with an empty tank of gas.

HAVE MODEST EXPECTATIONS

Just because you have scouted, found the birds, and set up before anyone else, doesn't mean you will shoot limits.  You always want modest expectations when hunting otherwise, you are setting yourself up for failure.  When starting out, the first birds you bag by yourself will be the most rewarding

CALLING

Becoming a good caller comes with a couple things; a lot of practice and pissing a lot of people off.  Expect to get made fun of early on and don't feel bad.  If others tell you to put it in your pocket during a hunt, do it and practice more.  Being a good caller isn't as important as being a successful caller.  Getting birds into your spread is the most important thing.

EXPLORE NEW AREAS TO HUNT

Going out of your comfort range is something that can be fun and open your eyes to new terrain and hunting opportunities.  Don't think that driving 20 minutes out of town is exploring.  Sometimes wasting a tank of gas in one direction can find you the honey hole you've been looking for.

PURCHASING LARGE GEAR

Wanting to purchase large gear such as boats and trailors can be seen as a necessity but incur more costs with them.  If you are in an area where you can only hunt on water, look for other areas or go with someone.  Use some of your gear as an offering if they are reluctant to have you along.  When buying a boat you need a place to put it, the work that goes into it to turn it into a duck boat all of which will make the intitial purchase more expensive.

COLD WEATHER HUNTING

You always want to make sure that when you hunt during the late season you are well prepared.  That means from your vehicle to yourself.  Have a way of contacting someone and let a friend know where you are going before hand.  Going with a friend is always a safe decision.  You don't want to lose your life by chasing a duck, if push comes to shove call it a day and live to hunt another day.  Many people make the mistakes of pushing their luck a little to far, some come out just fine but the risk of putting your life on the line is not worth it.

ACQUIRING MORE GEAR

If you are going out by yourself, you have acquired most of the little things that help you out a lot.  These are the things like; a multi-tool, headlamp, lighter, calls, knife, backup knife, hat, gloves, compass, flashlight etc.  This is a short list of things but as you go you will only collect more.  Instead of stuffing your pants and jacket with all of this, using a blind bag to put your belongings helps you to stay organized while bringing more gear with you.