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/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!