First Time Duck Hunting
 

Alright duck hunters, I need some help. I am a deer hunter, but never been duck hunting. I have been invited to go duck hunting in Welsh near Lake Charles this weekend on a two day hunt. The weather doesn't look too cold, but I know you are in water some of the time which may not help.

I have borrowed some chest waders from a friend so I am good there, but is there any other advice that you can give me to make me not stand out as the rookie in the group? I brought home all my deer stuff from the camp so I have camo and cold weather gear, including a rain suit, but am I missing anything? I brought home my blaze...do you have to wear orange while hunting? To and from blind?

What advice can you give a first time duck hunter? (other than be prepared to spend a lot of money because I am going to become addicted). One of the reasons why I have waited so long to duck hunt is because I am affraid to get addicted to something else. Fishing and Deer hunting eat enough of my time and money, I am affraid to see what adding another addiction will do. Ha

Thanks,
Jordan

no orange and camo out as much as possible.....probly the best advice i ever recieved was when you shoot don't try to kill all at once. in other words pick one duck shoot it then move to the next one. when i first started i would just pick up and shoot at the bunch. never could hit anything. once i started this i was alot more accurate

No blaze orange! Welsh...must be a ricefield hunt I'm assuming. That is an easier hunt typically than a marsh hunt. Just may entail alot of walking unless they carry you to the blind on a four wheeler

Wing shooting can be hard to get the "hang" of leading the bird.

How much you "lead" the bird depends on how fast it is flying and distance away from you. Ask your partner for help to let you know where to aim when shooting.

Totally agree on the "pick one bird and aim to kill it" method. Just pointing and pulling the trigger, does not work.

Don't be afraid to tell the guys you are hunting with that you have never duck hunted before. That's when you will get some of the best tips you can ever receive. Also, they will know when to explain some things to you that may be hard to understand unless you are in the blind.

x 2

Just follow the "blind" leader per say...let them tell you when to shoot...Ask the person to let you know when to raise up to shoot

No duck is worth an accident. Ask your friends where your shooting zone is and stay with it. Things can happen fast while duck hunting and if you know your zone it helps it to end nicely. Aiming tip, follow thru with your shot, and pick one bird and aim at the bill tip. Leading will come later with experience.

don't look up at working birds
 

When the ducks are working over the decoys keep your head down and watch the guy calling the ducks. His eyes will tell you where to look when it is time to shoot.

Just wait till you see those suckers lock up and do a little wobble into their landing!!! Phheewww!! Gives me goose bumps! Can be quite addicting!

Ive also been wanting to get into duck hunting,I havent made a hunt yet. maybe next season

Don't EVER shoot over anyone's head!!! Only shoot what's in your "path" or "lane"

NOthing in this world makes me madder than somebody shooting outside of there lane..:pissed: Happens alot when hunting grass. People get way to carried away.. Shooting over heads, etc. And if somebody does it to you, best advice is stop shooting and duck down. Many of times have i had to pull off of ducks and lay on the grass, from my ear getting blasted, or just the BB's Scaring me.


Bring a mask ( if nobody else is wearing one or painted their face, you aint got to, but if everyone else has one, I'd wear it)

No orange

Bring 2 boxes of shells ( 1 is back up normally for me)

Good luck bud, and have fun!

couldnt have said it better little man !!! Bring enough shells that your comfortable with... then bring an extra box...:rotfl:

yeah D.... pair of wood duck safety !!!!!!!! shooting over our heads..... :*****: :thefinger:

BE SAFE.

dont look at ducks that are near the pond, they see your eyes, if your gun has a shiny finish, dont move it around and keep it low, paint your face or wear a facemask, stay low, ive been up above a duck blind before and out in front, and this are the main things I noticed, so image what the ducks see,

ask for help and dont be afraid to ask questions.

Good luck

They was on your side, he can't help you didn't see em! :p

u didnt even see them.... D said... DUX !!! BOOOM BOOOOM BOOOOOM !!!!!!! and they said :thefinger:

I seen em before he shoot, i said "teal" he said " NO Woodies, BOOM BOOM BOOM"

Dont forget ur mask or paint. make sure u got ur plug in ur gun to. Always remember.... IF U CAN SEE THEM THEY CAN SEE U!!! Good luck and prepare to start buying duck hunting stuff. haha

Once you get hooked on duck hunting, you can forget deer hunting...Duck hunting is VERY addicting

..........and don't take the safety off until you are coming up to shoot....nothing more irritating than someone clicking the safety off when it isn't time to shoot...also remember that this is duck hunting with mud and water wet dogs, etc....so some blinds will be wet and slippery so watch your gun while at rest so that it doesn't fall ...remember to be safe just like any other hunting sport....and like Fool said it's very addicting...have fun

Movement, movement, movement. Ducks will see you move before they see you. Camo isn't really an issue as long as you stay still. Just my 2 cents. And shoot your arse off. I'll probably get bashed for this post, but my Paw Paw sure didn;t have no Mossy Oak Duck Blind when he was a kid and he smoked the birds.

I agree with the movement but most people can't stay still they think they have to watch everything the ducks are doing. flopping around in the blind trying to find them. so i say more camo the better

When someone says big group coming in dont start looking up everywhere just ask where so you can be ready to shoot... use improved cyl choke... shoot #3 or #4 3" shells 3.5" are not worth the extra money....keep your face covered

Even with all the camo, they still see the movement. Same with deer. I've stood smack in the middle of the road before and had deer come out, look at me and walk off as if I wasn't there. I stood perfectly still, in broad daylight. Did it another time and I tried to squat, and off she went.

regardless of what people say you don't have to have the high dollar automatic guns, nor the extremely pricey shells. Get yourself some good WATERPROOF pants, jacket, boots. That is where I would spend my money.

spend money on clothes (it will pay off)... clean ur gun even if u dont think u got water in it... I clean mine before and after i go hunting.... save up $$$$$$ cause this sport is addicting....