Show Notes:

The most important thing you need to hunt ducks, is ducks. Scouting makes a successful hunt possible. On this episode I talk about several strategies for finding a good spot to hunt ducks without needing to invest an unrealistic amount of time and effort.

Take Aways

• Ducks only need a stream that is a few feet wide to attract them if it is accessible from the air.
• Super small ponds can be perfect places for resident and migrating ducks.
• Big streams and lakes can be good spots if they are shallow enough for you to place decoys and retrieve birds.
• Wheat fields, corn fields, and most cut grain can be excellent feeding areas.
• Ducks land into the wind, so you should never set up with the wind blowing directly into your face, else they will not be able to land within range.
• The water almost cannot be too shallow, remember many are called “puddle ducks”. Deeper is not better.
• The best spots have cover near by that you can easily use to help your hide.
• The best time to scout for aerial activity is early morning or late afternoon.
• You can scout ducks midday to try and find them loafing and resting on the water, that will let you know they are in the area.
• Just because you think ducks would like an area does not mean they really do, always scout and check first to save time hunting.
• When you are scouting, look for ducks, look for duck sign, and listen for ducks. You want to find where they want to be but you always want to confirm they are in the area.
• You want to setup “On The X”. This is the mysterious and mythical target spot that ducks will fly directly to as soon as they have enough light to move. It is your goal, but it is not always possible find such a place.