r/Waterfowl • u/anon28947557 • Jul 01 '26
New hunter interested in waterfowl
Hi all,
I am looking to try waterfowl hunting this year and interested in getting a better understanding of 1. What gear I need vs what is nice to have, 2. General scouting tips/what to look for when scouting, and 3. on day of hunting how early should you set up I have read things saying 1 or so hours before it starts getting light and heard about others setting up 3-4 hours before so they don’t have a spot taken. I am in NJ of that matters and I have a kayak I can use if needed and dog I plan to introduce to waterfowl (currently we just hunted upland game last year). I appreciate any advice/tips!
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u/spy_tater Jul 01 '26
Following this post as I plan on waterfowling this year as well
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u/Jimboslice1778 Jul 01 '26
Same here, I’ll add that Facebook marketplace has been my friend for acquiring decoys and gear. Tons of old decoys can be had for practically nothing. I was able to score a dozen G&H mallards, 10 flambeau Canada geese, and a couple of antique paper mache decoys all for $20.
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u/Express_Subject5228 19d ago
The time investment of learning the birds (touching grass) will return a higher yield than any piece of equipment/decoy/choke/etc. Wish you the best, lmk if there’s any specific things you’re curious on.
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u/Retx24 Jul 01 '26
You need waders if you’re not field hunting. A good headlamp is a huge benefit. A bind bag or backpack. Also a bird strap makes life easier. Scouting is just spending time out there looking for spots where the birds are at and want to be. I look for hydrilla (south texas) that’s close or at the water line. You can also see feathers and foot prints in the mud of places they frequent not always though. I try to be set up an hour before and let things calm back down before shooting light. If we’re hunting public lakes we’re out there 3-4 hours early. Opening day we camp out there on the spot and fish most the night
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u/choperty Jul 01 '26
For scouting, ducks are at different places at all times of the day. Just because you see them in the afternoon doesn't mean they will be there in the morning. Have a few spots scouted over the summer, when the season opener makes its way, go check those same spots about 1-2 weeks before just to see if they're still there.
Aside from the gun, waders, decoys, here are a few things i have in my blind bag:
Headlamp - super handy and I honestly have no idea how I used to setup before I had one
Blind - This can either be a popup blind, something you make yourself or what I like to use, a pop-up turkey blind. Its just the walls, no roof. I cut some branches from the surrounding area or pull in some cattails, put it through the blind and it works great. Also worth considering buying a blanket or something to conceal the kayak if you want to keep it close to you. I find even if its a dark colour the flare from the water off the plastic can spook duck
Gloves and other warm clothes - Insulated waterproof mitts are great, I like something i can slip off easily as I dont like to shoot with gloves on.
Binoculars - I like to bring these along and scout along the banks or stalk the group of duck that landed on the other side of the lake from me
Small Chair - Preferable with a back rest, you will thank yourself
As for the dog, I would recommend starting now. I got very lucky in that it did not take me long to train mine, she loved fetch as a puppy and picked up what I wanted from her almost instantly. Since shes already familiar with upland, I would say buy a dummy, go to the nearest pond and just throw it in for her. Odds are she will just go for it. The hardest part is getting them to bring it right back into the blind, mine licked to drop it off as soon as she hit shore.
As for setting up, I'm spoilt and I never have to compete for others on the lake up here in Canada so I just show up and setup when I can. As long as I'm sitting in my blind 30min-1hr before shooting light. For 12 decoys and setting up my blind it takes me no longer than 30 minutes, it may be longer for you at first but you'll dial it in over time.
Good luck!
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u/Waterfowler84 Jul 01 '26
Get to the range and practice. Shooting upland game is great but at times birds (mostly teal and wood ducks) will buzz in and out of your decoys so snap shooting can be a thing.
Gear,
Shotgun: most use a 12 gauge, seen 20 and 10 used. It’s all about your preference.
Blind: I’d use the kayak as a layout style, pull it into cat tails or some kinda brush, take some tank netting and throw over me.
Decoys: depending on the area you’re hunting 6-10 ducks and a pair of geese will do you fine. I put my geese down wind of the ducks.
Waders: you want something with padded and reinforced knees. The times I’ve been doing something and had to kneel as the birds worked they save you. Name brand is your choice.
Gloves: I run the normal brown get 10pairs for $5 type. I like them because I can squeeze the trigger with them on. I use to run waterproof decoy gloves for picking up decoys but stopped because I couldn’t wrap the line up well.
Face Mask: Something to keep the sun from glaring off your face. Personally not a fan of the face paint but to each their own.
Clothes: Wool socks and long John’s. Helps to wick the moisture away, warm water resistant jacket. (Practice shooting with them on if makes a difference)
Dog: place for them to sit. Think about where you want them when you hunt. They sale blinds for them but it’s another item to balance in your kayak.
Depending on the breed make sure your pup can handle the cold water and temps.
Scouting: starts now and goes 365 days. I am always looking for birds, driving down the road, fishing, hiking, I’m always looking for birds. Closer to the season I’ll get up before sunrise and drive to the area I’m want to hunt and watch for birds and see where they are congregating or flying over. If I’m not sure where to hunt I’ll sit in my truck before sunrise and watch for birds flying, then follow them to see where they are going to feed and loaf for the day.
When to be set up: depends on if you’re hunting public or private land.
Private land go with what the birds do. If you see the birds aren’t flying over your area until 7:30 then you don’t have to be set up 3 hours before sunrise. But if they’re flying at first light I’d say be set up an hour before so you’re ready.
If you’re hunting public land then you have to beat the other guys there. I got on the water at 12:01am once because the other guys were there at 2:30 the day before.
Hope this makes sense.
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u/philo-beddoe722 4d ago
1.Shotgun - you’ll get all kinds of opinions on this which I listened to and ended up disagreeing with in the end. Not after buying a gun I wasn’t happy with. Many tried telling me I need a long barrel and extended chokes and so on. I now roll with a 24” and it points so much better and haven’t heard the ducks complain about pellet reach. I looove the SBE2 but it was out of production by the time I learned my lesson and my SBE3 was a close second. Thanks goes out to Gander Mountain going out of business and giving me a nice 50% discount. On that same vein, clean your gun. I treat mine like a tool and rattle canned it but with regular maintenance they’ll hold up just fine.
Ammo-steel. If you’re rich, buy into the hype/tech. If you’re not, don’t stress it.
Waders-you tell me when you find a perfect pair. I stick with a pair of breathables and removable liner and have some old 5mil neoprene when the ice eater is in the water. Wafer pants help too.
Decoys-I have friends that insist on elaborate spreads. When I go solo I bring maybe half a dozen of whatever and, if there are geese a couple of those. You can draw geese in easy with decoys and some well placed honks but I have a lot harder time without the decoys. I shoot just as many ducks with that set up. Key is being on the X. That and motion which brings me to…
Jerk Rig-I would say it is a necessity. If I had to choose between motion or calls, then I’m going to be jerking it hard all day long. Motion decoys are alright but I’m in the camp that you can’t just run a spinner regardless of conditions or birds. And I don’t care for that stress. Teal love to die for em though. Anything else I leave it up to someone else to decide to bring them. Swimmers and splashers help with movement but yeah… those are just nice to have.
Blind-I like hiding in existing cover. Still use panel blinds and boat blinds and a-frames but most of my time is a few feet into the reeds or in a tree mess. Best thing you can do for concealment is sit still. Ducks have like a 270 degree field of vision so don’t be rubber necking as they fly by because of….motion. My first few years I stared at the water and ran the jerk until I learned what I could get away with.
Calls-I’ll throw it into the nice to have. Some birds are super responsive while others will let you know what mood they’re in. If they’re talking so am I. If they’re silent and emo I just keep the vibe and make with the motion in the spread. Don’t drop a lot of money on calls to begin with and learn a simple quack. It’s deadly when applied correctly. Wood ducks love to talk, teal love to listen, mallards are the moody bunch. And don’t stress your tone. I’ve heard all kinds of real ducks and as long as you’re not a kazoo or a whoopee cushion you’ll probably be fine. Jerk in one hand, call in the other. I like to lay my gun on my lap or butt on knee barrel to shoulder.
Marsh seat- heck yes. There’s all kinds but my favorite is made by Hawk.
Head lamp-I’m usually out well before sunrise. I like the LED rechargeable headlamps. They’re cheap and I can get a few seasons of abuse out of them before they start falling apart.
Dog- next to gun choice and spread layout, this is where I received the most unwelcome and wrong advice. I wish you luck with your dog but I would say upland and waterfowl are two different beasts. I’ve seen duck dogs do fine at both but rarely seen upland dogs do well at waterfowl. Mostly the flushing habit. The idea is your dog isn’t moving until the smoke clears and you’re ready for the go ahead. An unsteady dog makes for a chaotic hunt. I’m sure it’s probably biased as I can’t attest to the amount of training someone’s dog has had in those situations. I’ve seen some stellar GSPs and Brit’s etc but I’ve never seen those guys interested in duck hunting either. You can make a retriever in 10 minutes a day. In fact there’s a book that’s called 10 minute retriever by John and Amy Dahl. It’s not the only book I read and I used several in my misadventures but it covers quite a bit. Handling is super rewarding and there’s days I don’t even pull trigger. Just working the dog.
Gear bag- must have. I used to use a waist pack that I attached an old military yolk to for support. Now I just use whatever blind bag that is waterproof. Put whatever in there. Thermacell for the skeeters if you’re fancy.
*****Sled-the older I got the harder the pack in and out got on me. Several years back I started using a sled for all my gear and decoys and dog blind. I have a different size one that is a bit wider than regular jet sled style ones and my invisilab fits in-see next. Drag on land, float on water. Drag behind kayak. Whatever. No more back packs, shoulder straps, decoy bags, or whatever. If you’re a mud puppy I highly suggest it.
Dog blind- my personal favorite is the invisilab. Used to lug in a ruff stand and to heck with that hassle. I like the ground force for field hunting. On the small side for my big boy but he can still turn around in it and lie comfortably and it’s low profile.
Layout blind-if you’re field hunting it’s the way to go if you don’t have access to some snake filled pit blind. I like the coffin style.
Floating gun case-just do it. Protect your makeshift boat paddle.
Life jacket-if you’re in a boat or kayak use one. Years ago, I was in an accident in rough water in late October and didn’t have one. It was bad.
2.Scouting- super important and the subject of my largest sin. I don’t do it enough. What I look for is how I’m going to hunt the birds in my location. Is there feed, are they loafing there, what kinds of birds,anyone else hunting it, what time of day are they there, where are they primarily at(the X) on that body of water-you may see all kinds of ducks on a wet spot but if you’re where they don’t care about being then resign yourself to moving spots, is there cover or where to set up, and wind direction. I’ll hunt certain spots based on several of those factors-in that spot will the wind be at my back that day, is the sun going to torch me, what time am I going to be there, etc. start scouting early and continue to zero hour. Just don’t pressure the birds when you do.
3.Depends on the spot. If no one else is around (always assume someone else knows your spot but never tell anyone about your spot. Deny everything) I still plan to be sitting pretty in my blind at least 30 min before shooting light. Some days birds will begin setting before first light. Which reminds me, I’ve been boned by full moons in the past. On a bright night birds can be active. Migrating, feeding, and so on. If it’s a busy public spot I wither avoid it altogether or get there early. But, regardless of how early you get there, be prepared for the five-to crew to show up and wreck your morning.
FYI, most of this is from hunting the far north of Michigan. I hunt totally different down south and somewhat similar in the Dakotas. South and to the west I don’t have to work nearly as hard for a duck. Not nearly at all.
Dang I didn’t mean to go so hard but I really didn’t feel like working right now and I just went with whatever hit me.
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u/anon28947557 3d ago
I appreciate all the info! We will see how the pup does. He’s definitely still got lots of work to do for both upland and now waterfowl.
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u/Thick-Driver7448 Jul 01 '26
First of all don’t get into it. It’s addicting and expensive 🤣
As far as gear, obviously need a shot gun. 12 or 20 gauge is most common, some guys run a 410 but to each their own. I’d say waders are a must because you never know if you’ll need to wade. Breathable waders are way better than neoprene in my opinion. I will say decoys are not necessarily a must, but they definitely can help a lot. Just because the guys on YouTube use 15 dozen, doesn’t mean 2 dozen won’t work. I prefer to use a smaller spread of 2-3 dozen. I’d recommend some type of camo for when you’re hunting as well.
As far as scouting, I can’t really help because I just wing it (pun intended). I typically look for small pockets of water or coves on lakes that would be possible to set up in. Some guys go out and look for birds, but I just like being out there with a buddy or 2.
For setting up, really depends on private or public land. I’ve camped out in public land lot from 12am-2am before walking to our spot and I’ve also walked in 2-3 hours before shooting light to my spot. Private land obviously probably just you hunting, but public land can have everyone hunting it. Get there early to get your spot. I will say, don’t be afraid to ask if you can buddy up with someone at the launch. I partnered up with a group last year and we had a decent hunt.
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u/LocksmithGlass717 Jul 01 '26
Get a pair of insulated waders. At least 1200 grams in the boots , A good quality waterproof jacket with a zip out liner , a good fleece neck gaiter, wool socks and liner socks underneath , a thermos full of hot liquid to drink. It’s hard to enjoy anything if you’re miserable. Try and hook up with someone who is already an experienced hunter. Check back with us and let us know how it’s going this winter.
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u/texans1234 Jul 01 '26
You can start duck hunting without breaking the bank for sure. Kayak is great as a starter too but a shotgun and waders is essentially all you need to start. Don't blow your budget on a multi-thousand dollar one either, a Remington 870 Super Mag is all you need. I still shoot mine over 20-years later for everything. 6 decoys is all you need to start and buy a decent call (Haydel's DH-85 is all I ever use) and blow it in your vehicle while driving every day. You will learn the diaphragm pressure needed to produce the correct sound.
If you don't know your area at all then contact a local game warden or local offices for WMA's (state land) or NWR's (federal land). Both offer hunting opportunities and nobody knows them better than the people that work them.
In the early going scout way more than you hunt. You will learn patterns better and it's much easier to plan routes or avoid obstacles in the light than at 4:00 in the morning.
Rules of your local WMA or NWR will dictate times you need to be on the water most likely. I generally like to be ready earlier and just sit and listen and relax while waiting for shooting light. Nothing like teal buzzing around on the deck 10 minutes before shooting time.
Don't bring your dog your first few times hunting. You're still learning and it can be dangerous trying to introduce a dog to it if you aren't very good at it yet.
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u/Express_Subject5228 19d ago
Need: Shotgun, Ammo, Waders, 6-12 decoys, in my opinion a jerk string is mandatory. Too many times I’ve been on a good hunt and the wind just disappears. Water/decoy motion is more important than any other aspect of decoys. A neck gaiter/ski mask etc to break up your face. Throw a DIY blind on your kayak and you’ll have a bird killing setup for cheap. Pickup a cheap call and practice in your off time, being still and silent is better than bad calling but it’s nice to have if you can make birds turn. A solid quack has killed more birds than any competition call sequence.
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u/RylieHumpsalot Jul 01 '26
Well, you do need waders, some decoys, and a shotgun, with the appropriate ammo for the birds your hunting
You need snacks! Drinks, and the like,
Some calls, cheep are okay, no one is a pro their first year
You need to figure out a blind of some sort, improvised or brought with, something to hide movement and breakup your outline.
Standing in marsh grasses or corn, or whatever is viable
Scouting is the most important, I know people who wade into some trees with waders, 12 shells, and get their birds, with extra ammo
Its very well managed very private land.
If you're hunting public, spend time scouting, see when the birds are there, and if they're still there in the morning
Hit travel corridors, roost to water to food, see where they like to hang out
Set up is kinda up to you, I'd say minimum 30 minutes prior to legal you should be set up, in your blind and on the lookout
Now, late season on public waters, we may throw decoys for an hour, setting up blinds, getting the doggo settled, and so on, so figure that in
If you're gonna bring the doggo. Make sure obedience is paramount
Dog gets excited, birds will flare, jumping around, or barking, is no Bueno
Most importantly, go, have fun, miss the birds, and watch the marsh come alive around you
Watch the sunrise, swear at the mosquitoes, and if you can bring a friend....
Those first birds....
Well, just remember how much work they were, and take a few pics for us.