who else is a waterfowler?

[Bubblehead]

Anyone else on this site waterfowl hunt? Trying to get some good conversations about water fowling going. All I do is waterfowl hunt and almost exclusively for ducks. I love diver hunting and hunting broadbills in particular. What is everyone elses target of choice?

[Palawman30]

No I wish I did!

Edited February 24, 2014 by Palawman30

[Matty]

Hey Bubblehead, 

 

Hope you don't mind, but I have a few questions for you.

 

I might like to get into waterfowl, but....

 

I don't have a dog (well I do, two of them, but they are only good at laying around, barking obnoxiously and tripping you up on your way to the bathroom in the middle of the night)....they aren't really fans of water either. Soooo.... lol

 

I don't have a boat.

 

I don't have chest waders.

 

I don't have decoys. 

I don't have calls.

 

I do have an 870 with a 28" barrel and a couple chokes. I've always been way more of a bowhunter than a firearm guy, so that's all I'm working with.

 

What are my options without going out and buying a bunch of gear I can't afford and have no room for?

 

Geese in a field, I have done...Fun, but required a lot of decoys. Do I need decoys?

 

Ducks, now I'm thinking I could hunt wood ducks in small puddles/pockets of water. I know of a few spots like this where I've seen wood ducks. I could probably get away with knee high rubber boots or hip boots here.

 

Do they taste good. I probably wouldn't get very in to it if it's not tasty.

 

I LOVE calling animals, so that's what draws me to the idea of getting into it. I just don't want to shoot something on a river and have it float away.

 

I apologize if this is full of stupid questions, but I've never had duck or goose...and only hunted them once with a couple friends a number of years ago.

[Bucksnbows]

Matty - I have a dozen or so decoys if you ever want to borrow them.  Mostly mallards.  In years where I didn't own a dog and the water was too deep to wade where my birds dropped, I would carry a fishing rod with heavier test line and a lure like a Hula Popper and snag my downed birds and retrieve them that way.  Even works on Canadas.  But a dog or boat are better, of course.  I love working ducks into a decoy spread.  From a calling standpoint, it is a fair amount like turkey hunting.   

[BowhunterNJ]

If wild duck is anything like (or better than) restaurant duck...it's worth going after!

[Matty]

Matty - I have a dozen or so decoys if you ever want to borrow them.  Mostly mallards.  In years where I didn't own a dog and the water was too deep to wade where my birds dropped, I would carry a fishing rod with heavier test line and a lure like a Hula Popper and snag my downed birds and retrieve them that way.  Even works on Canadas.  But a dog or boat are better, of course.  I love working ducks into a decoy spread.  From a calling standpoint, it is a fair amount like turkey hunting.   

 

Thanks Brian. May eventually take you up on that, or try to persuade you to go with me. lol

 

The fishing pole is a good idea...

 

Thanks!

[Matty]

If wild duck is anything like (or better than) restaurant duck...it's worth going after!

 

Matt I had duck once in a restaurant, but that was so long ago I can't even remember if it was actually me eating it. LOL

[BowhunterNJ]

Man you are missing out, duck is deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelicious!  Any time I see it on the menu, I order it!

[Bubblehead]

Matty many places to hunt just by pass shooting ducks and jump shooting that you could do with an inexpensive pair of hip waders and with a little leg work can be quite productive. And duck tastes great. Almost like lamb IMO. If you ever kill one pm me and I'll give you some recipes!

[Bubblehead]

And wood ducks are easy to hunt with just 4 decoys in a puddle and a wood duck call which is pretty easy to master

[Bucksnbows]

Thanks Brian. May eventually take you up on that, or try to persuade you to go with me. lol

 

The fishing pole is a good idea...

 

Thanks!

 

I might have some spots lined up for next season and I have a dog although I've never used him on waterfowl.  But I have chest waders and spares.

[BowhunterNJ]

I wouldn't mind tagging along for one of these hunting trips, whether with a camera or a gun. Let me know when you guys are doing it, always something I wanted to try/experience!

[Matty]

Thank you Bubblehead! Wood ducks interest me the most so far!

 

I already know of some spots where I've sent other guys that did real well. I'll have to see if I can hit those spots.  

Edited February 25, 2014 by Matty

[Bubblehead]

Woodducks are great birds to hunt! They are widely spread through out the state and pretty abundant. They Aldo work to calls and decoys well. Plus they are beautiful and among the best tasting ducks out there

[BowhunterNJ]

What are some good calls for them? Good to here it's easy to call them...I have no doubts my calling with sound like an already wounded duck in distress, so I need all the help I can get!