A big river has a way of making a man in an open boat feel very small and vulnerable

Hunting ducks on big rivers is a sport in which few waterfowlers participate.  Big rivers intimidate many hunters who opt instead to hunt flooded green timber, rice fields, reservoirs and other habitat.  There are times, however, when big-river duck hunts are more productive than all others.

“I usually hunt rivers when everything else is frozen,” says Arkansas duck-hunting enthusiast Jim Spencer of Little Rock.  Sloughs, prairies and shallow waters freeze, but moving water doesn’t.  That concentrates ducks in a smaller area, and hunting can be spectacular.

“I like the grab-bag aspect of it, too,” Spencer says.  “There are more than just mallards to shoot.  There are gadwalls, scaup, pintails and all the divers.  You never know what you’ll shoot at next, and that adds to the fun.”

Big-river hunting requires specialized skills, starting with the ability to locate hunting areas with concentrations of ducks.

“Where you hunt depends a great deal on weather conditions,” Spencer says.  “If a blue norther passes through with a calm, cold high-pressure system behind it, look for hunting areas close to current, because that’s where open water will be.  If it’s rainy and windy, look for sheltered places where ducks find protection from the elements.  Hunt on the lee side of islands or behind dikes or levees.  If the weather’s too frigid, and it’s raining and windy, too, then just stay home.”

Spencer believes in the efficacy of large decoy spreads when hunting big rivers.  “In timber, you hardly need decoys,” he says, “because when you see ducks, they’re in working or shooting range.  Big water is different; you may see a flock of ducks two miles away, and they must be able to spot your spread.  You need a visual attractor, and the more decoys you’ve got, the better your visual attraction is.  Take as many decoys as your boat can hold, but no less than three or four dozen.”

Most hunters using large decoy spreads leave a pocket of open water in the spread to encourage the ducks to land there.  “You want an open spot in your decoys within gun range,” Spencer says.  “Set the decoys around the open spot close together when the wind is blowing.  Set them more loosely in calm weather.”

In some situations, unless a hunter is a good caller, he’s better off letting the decoys do the work.  But that doesn’t often hold true on the river where good, loud calling is necessary.

“Forget the feeding call,” Spencer says, “because river ducks are resting, not feeding.  The highball is all that’s needed, and make it loud.”

Spencer usually hunts from a camouflaged boat.  “Most of my hunting is boat stuff,” he says, “because it’s difficult to find a place on shore to set up a blind.  I usually hunt from a boat that’s hidden in some bushes or other cover.  A 14- to 16-foot wide-bottomed boat is ideal.  It needs to be adequately powered but not overpowered — 25 to 35 horses is about right.”

Safety is the most important consideration when hunting big-river ducks.  The sport is inherently dangerous.  Safely practiced, river hunting presents no problem, but there’s little room for error.

“You have several factors working against you,” Spencer says.  “One is the sheer big-water aspect.  You often encounter big wave action or other problems absent in rice fields or timber.  And the wind really cuts into you out there, so it’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed.  You can always pull something off.”

Spencer notes each passenger should wear a personal flotation device, and the boat operator should wear a kill switch to stop the engine if he falls or is thrown overboard.  When boating at night, run slowly, always watching for other boats and obstacles like wing dikes and sandbars.  The motor and batteries should be in tip-top shape, but carry paddles for each hunter.  Also pack a waterproof fire-starting kit and some high-energy emergency foods like chocolate bars.  And always file a trip plan with a friend or relative.  Let them know where you’re going and when you plan to return.  Then, if you get stranded, someone knows where to start searching.

If you measure success by the number of ducks killed, big-river duck hunting probably isn’t for you.  But there are many positive aspects to this arduous sport.  Wind, spray and open space are heady wine for duck hunters.  You’re out there alone, without competition.  You see wild places and wild things — eagles, geese, the occasional deer and, if you’re lucky, ducks — lots of them.  But that plays second fiddle to just being there.

“A big river has a way of making a man in an open boat feel very small and vulnerable,” Jim Spencer says.  “That’s a good thing to be reminded of every once in a while.”

written by Keith Sutton

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Interested in waterfowl but lacking the duck boat, dog and decoys? Use these jump-shooting tips to bag birds without all the expensive gear.

When someone mentions the phrase duck hunting, most of us envision a group of guys hunkered down in a camouflage boat amidst a hundred decoys on a big lake. While this may be the case for some hunters, not everyone has access to a large body of water where ducks take refuge, or a boat to sit in while waiting for the ducks to fly within range. If you are a part of this second group, you can still duck hunt with a good chance at bagging a few trophy mallards or wood ducks.

Jump Shooting Ducks
In all honesty, many duck hunters crowd in around refuge or sanctuary areas, and at the first sign of a winged animal, they either let shells fly, or start a bout of calling that drags ducks away from you. All this competition for birds can make for a very frustrating hunt, especially if you are only able to hunt during high-traffic times such as weekends.

Jump shooting ducks is a viable option for water fowlers looking for a change from the norm, and the rewards are numerous. First and foremost, jump shooting gives hunters a crack at birds that most others either overlook or don’t care to chase. Secondly, it’s just you and the ducks in unspoiled real estate with this type of hunting. Small ephemeral ponds and streams are extremely beautiful and peaceful in the fall, giving the hunter plenty to stay busy with between ducks soaring off the water.

Jump Shooting Needs
As far as equipment is concerned, jump shooting really does not require hunters to go out and break the bank. Any 12-gauge shotgun in the sporting goods department will give you the power and range to consistently knock down ducks. Three-inch steel shot shells in heavy-shot sizes work best. Don’t forget to bring a few extra three-and-a-half-inch shells, just in case you run into a goose or two hiding out in the sloughs.

If you only plan on jumping small ponds, then a pair or waders will allow you to collect all your ducks. But if you stalk small river systems, a well-trained dog or canoe will make your life much easier. In most cases, a good retriever will save you from many a headache when in the field. Not only will a good dog fetch ducks that have fallen in the water, they’ll also find ducks that have fallen into the thick brush or woods.

Jump Shooting Techniques
One of the best parts of jump shooting ducks is that no special skills or techniques are required. Hunters of almost any skill level can do it with great success, from the novice hunter to the seasoned veteran, and the ability to avoid detection by moving carefully and quietly will be your greatest asset.
Jump Shooting Ducks

Stealth is of utmost importance when jumping ponds. Ducks have an uncanny ability to pick up the slightest movement and sound in the woods, driving them into the air before you can get into range. Walking very slowly and dressing in camouflage will help, but hunting on windy, wet days will be the only way to truly hide your approach. If you are in an area with very little cover or structure, then crawling on your hands and knees might be the only way to get you close enough to shoot.

When you start jumping ponds, keep a keen eye out for how ducks react when spooked off a pond or river. This important information will aid you in future hunts. Most ducks sit on ponds in certain areas for a reason; either that is where they find food, or it is close to an escape route. Understanding where ducks are going to be on the pond you plan to hunt will help you and your partner position yourselves for more effective shooting.

If you can find a buddy to hunt with, sneak up to the pond from two different sides (not directly across from each other) with one person coming from the escape route and one from the most likely landing path. This two-sided approach should at least push some of the ducks by being shot at or spooked towards one of the hunters. In the unfortunate circumstance that you do spook a few ducks before you get into range, hunker down for a second or two and be quiet. If the ducks did not get a good look at you, in many cases they’ll circle around and come back to the pond, giving you a second chance to either pass shoot them or take them as they try and land back on the water.

Finding Duck Locations
If you are interested in jump shooting a few ducks but aren’t sure where to start, a good place to begin looking is secluded forest wetlands and bottomland hardwoods near wetlands. Streams, natural ponds, oxbow lakes, wooded sloughs, wooded islands, beaver ponds, and seasonally flooded hardwoods contain the much needed habitat and feeding areas waterfowl require. There is no real secret to finding a good jump shooting body of water. Hunters need to frequent their local waterways regularly to see where the ducks have taken refuge from hunters. A pond that is hot one week might not see ducks again for the rest of the season, depending on weather and pressure, so knowing your local waterways well will give you a better shot at seeing ducks.

Special Considerations
When you happen to find a small pond or river area that consistently harbors ducks, be careful not to shoot the area out. Excessive shooting causes ducks to leave an area for good. If you are hunting a very large area or several small ponds, try leaving a certain part or a single pond free from shooting. This small sanctuary provides protection for ducks, ensuring that a few ducks will be present on at least part of the area, hopefully moving onto your hunting ground later on.

Monitoring the times at which you hunt is another good consideration. In most cases individuals are hampered by work and busy lives, so getting out duck hunting happens whenever free time presents itself. If possible, hunters should hunt in the early morning allowing ducks to return and feed undisturbed before nightfall. If ducks receive pressure from hunters at night and repeatedly during the day, they will flee small ponds and waterways looking for heavier structured areas to protect themselves.

If sitting out for long hours in the cold alongside other hunters just does not do it for you anymore, then jump shooting ducks might just be the change you and your hunting companions have been looking for. Explosive action and picturesque landscapes in conjunction with minimal hunting pressure makes this type of hunting exhilarating and fun for all ages. Get out and visit a few ponds or small creeks in your area and see what’s waiting for you this upcoming season.

written by Jason Akl

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One of the smallest duck species, teal provide waterfowlers a chance to tune up their dogs and shooting before the big ducks arrive later in the season.

“Teal to the east!” brought Dian, my wife, and Pete, our yellow Lab to full alert. Dian’s grip on her new Stoeger 12-gauge semi-auto tightened. It was her first teal hunt.

“Peep, peep, peep, peep,” I blew softly on my H.S. Waterfowl 6-in-1 duck whistle. Several hens in the flight of blue-winged teal answered as the flock of 40 birds winged towards the west end of the small lake.

“Don’t forget to get out in front of these birds,” I whispered to Dian. “They are fast. I will give the signal to shoot when they hit the end of the decoy string.”

Dian and I swung our shotguns in perfect symphony. When the barrage of six shots subsided, five blue-winged teal lay belly-up in the decoys. Three of them belonged to Dian. Pete paddled rapidly to retrieve Dian’s very first teal.

“Awesome shooting, babe,” I shouted at a beaming new teal hunter.

Dedicated waterfowlers across every flyway in the nation can’t wait for teal season to arrive each year. In most states teal season begins in early September giving hunters an early opportunity to warm up for the duck seasons to come.

Blue-winged teal make up the most of the birds in the early teal migrations. However, a few green-winged and cinnamon teal always show up in hunters’ bags, adding icing to an already wonderful cake.

Gunners everywhere count down the dog days of August, don their short-sleeved camo shirts and stockpile extra mosquito repellant in preparation for opening day. Those items, along with cool drinks, are something you will not find in November duck blinds. Hunting waterfowl in the heat of late summer may seem odd to some, but hunters are grateful for the opportunity to tune up on teal before the big ducks arrive.

Teal are perhaps the easiest of the waterfowl species to hunt. They are great confidence builders for waterfowlers on their first hunt of the year, or for first-time duck hunters. Teal decoy readily, but are difficult to hit when they zoom over a decoy set at 60mph.

It takes very little equipment and experience to hunt teal. Equipment is a matter of personal choice. The chosen body of water often dictates the style of hunting. Small ponds are a cinch. Make-shift blinds made of natural materials are easy to construct. Six decoys, of any species, will turn the trick. Add a few peeps from a teal whistle and you are in the teal hunting business.

For larger ponds and small lakes, a canoe is the perfect craft. A 17-foot canoe will carry two people, one dog, two dozen decoys and other necessities such as snacks, drinks and a length of camo material. Also, the canoe can be stashed in the brush and hunters can construct a simple shoreline blind. Small portable blinds work well, too.

I position my decoys facing into the wind, arranged in two or three family groups with 10-to-15-feet between groups. Placing the holes in the set at your best shot angles will insure easy shots as the birds attempt to land in the holes.

H.S. waterfowler Pro Staffer Barney Calef recommends scouting heavily before the season begins. “Blue-wings like shallow, flooded areas where the water is less than a foot deep. Lots of vegetation helps, too.”

“Look for sign,” Calef said. “The easiest sign to find is feathers floating on the surface of the water. It takes a lot of teal to leave very many feathers.”

Calef likes to toss out a dozen decoys in a loose bunch.  “I stick mostly to hen decoys,” he stated. “The ducks are not in their winter plumage and the drab colored hen decoys seem to work a little better.”

Calef calls to teal very little, but prefers to use the 6-in-1 call from the Barney Calef line.

“The spinning-wing decoys, where legal, are absolutely deadly for decoying teal,” Calef concluded.

The simple 6-in-1 call is the only call hunters really need, but I — like most hunters — enjoy taking along a mallard hen call. It is fun to use, provides some much needed practice for subsequent seasons and is very effective on teal. Blue wings do make a different sound resembling a rapid “kak…kak…kak.” Peeps from a teal whistle work well also.

Ammunition is a highly debated issue, but 2-3/4-inch steel magnums perform well on teal. I prefer the Winchester Extended Range shotshells in number 4s.

One of my favorite teal hunting spots is a 75-acre public lake. The small lake provides one good point to set up for waterfowl on the north side. Seasonal winds are always out of the south-southwest in September. As a result, my decoys are always facing away from me and approaching teal come in to my back, into the wind, or to the left. Neck cramps are a factor and we often get caught with our guns down if the birds have not circled the lake at least once. Quick shots are often necessary as the tiny targets zoom over head. Quite often flocks sneaking in from behind zoom overhead, see the decoys and loop straight back to access the holes in the set. That fact alone makes teal easy to hunt. When first time hunters are along, I often allow the birds to land in the decoys and then flush them to give the beginners easier shots.

Teal hunting allows the added bonus of getting your dog out for some early season retrieving practice. The dog will greatly enjoy the swim during warm weather, and you will enjoy the opportunity to polish your retriever before the longer seasons begin.

Teal are excellent table fare as well. We enjoy filling the cavities with stuffing, wrapping the tiny birds in bacon and cooking them in a covered dish at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Do not overcook. Duck is most flavorful when on the rare side.

Twenty minutes into our hunt a second flock of teal appeared on the horizon. I started calling as soon as the birds hit the far side of the lake. They headed straight for the decoy set.

Dian fired one time and her fourth and final teal tumbled to the water. I fired three times and dropped one more bird. I still needed one more bird to finish my limit. Fifteen minutes later Dian asked if we could head for home. She had a lot of chores to do.

While we were unloading the boat at the ramp an elderly gentleman walked up to us and asked how we did. Dian quickly replied, “I got a limit, but he didn’t!”

That was one factor I had not thought of. Dian is a certified NRA shooting instructor. I began hitting the clays range. You should too.

written by Bill Cooper

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First wood duck hunt? Follow these tips to help make your initial outing a success.

Wood Duck WisdomWood duck hunting has a special place in my heart. The first bird I ever shot was a drake woody that catapulted out of the pickerel weeds just ahead of my canoe. The memory of that duck, rising against the red swamp maples and blue autumn sky is as clear now as it was on that day, some thirty years ago. Since then, I’ve devoted countless days afield chasing these gorgeous birds. Here’s what I’ve learned along the way.

Find the Right Spot

Being at the right place at the right time is half the trick to any outdoors pursuit, and it’s no different when hunting wood duck. Finding that magical combination takes observational skills, a bit of patience and some logic.

First, rule out the unlikely places. Understanding how wood ducks relate to varying water depth makes this easier.

Typically, woodies roost near cover that emerges from deeper or bigger water — places where terrestrial and airborne predators can’t easily surprise them in the night.

In our area, one of the biggest early season roost sites is within a cat tail colony in the middle of a big river. In the evening, the woodies and teal pour into the little potholes within it, just as they do in larger isolated potholes in remote parts of the mainland marsh and back bays near the entrances.

Leave the roost alone though. Hunt it too much and wood duck will clear out of the area. Instead, set up for an evening hunt in areas between the feeding areas and the roost. That’s because woodies prefer direct flight paths to and from wherever they are going. So setting up between the marsh and the roost area, especially where tree lines funnel them out, can provide fine pass shooting in the evening.

Morning hunts are different. Then, a hunter is better off ambushing the feeding areas. These tend to be areas with water depths of 20 centimeters (8 inches) or less. Often, wood ducks and other dabbling ducks will loaf on logs overlooking these spots too.

These places hold food such as duck weed, acorns, berries, and the seeds of pickerel weed. They’re also where wood ducks pursue aquatic insects and crustaceans that make up a significant portion of their diet.

I’ve learned to pay special attention to the shallow, secluded corners of marshy pot holes, active beaver ponds, and meandering creeks within wetlands or hardwood bottoms. Likewise, when it comes to acorns, nothing beats a flooded oak stand.

Logs covered in duck droppings with feathers floating nearby also reveal regular hangouts. These are important because, in my experience, until pressured or conditions change, wood duck are creatures of habit. Last fall, I flushed the same drake from the very same log three times before I finally got a shot and folded him.

Decoys

Wood ducks are keen to decoy if the setup is right. In fact, early in the season, unpressured local birds rarely circle twice before dropping in.

My favorite early season spread consists of two drakes and four hen wood duck decoys, which I set up separate from an equal number of mallards, similarly mixed.

For years, I used mallard decoys and did just fine, but wood duck decoys add realism to the spread and, I’m convinced, help when lots of woodies are around. Mallards, blacks, teal and other puddle ducks also find this spread equally attractive, so mixed bags are often the case.

When ducks are nervous, they crowd up first, so a loose setup gives the impression of a relaxed, secure flock. Set decoys at least six feet apart and twenty yards from the blind; the exception is in flooded timber, where you can stand with your back against trees among the decoys, kicking up ripples as you call.

Ducks will invariably land against the wind, so the landing zone within your spread should be placed so a decoying bird’s approach and landing is within everyone’s shooting arc. I prefer a cross wind from the blind. That way ducks are not passing over or looking directly at you as they land.

I place most decoys on the edge of the pickerel weeds, rushes, or in the duck weed as if they are feeding. But some should also be in whatever current is available. The idea is to strike a balance between realism and visibility; it’s no good to have a great decoy spread if the ducks don’t see it.

Dress for Success

Camouflage and comfort are key considerations in waterfowling attire. Obviously, your camouflage should blend with your surroundings, but a good duck blind will cover up a lot of mistakes too; that’s why I never fret if my camo isn’t exact. To me, what’s truly important is that the blind is well hidden and that everyone is wearing a camouflaged face mask and hat. These are particularly important because ducks will see a shiny face or light-colored hair popping over the edge of the blind from surprising distances.

A good set of chest waders is important too. Even if you are using a boat or canoe, sometime during the hunt, perhaps when handling a retriever, waders will come in handy.

Call of the Wild

Though you can do well without ever using a call, the proper and judicious use of a wood duck call will give you the edge. The best are easy to use and sound great.

They are particularly effective when hunting flooded timber where their high pitched peeps filter through the canopy to passing birds or those loafing out of sight.

If I see woodies in the distance or if they have swung wide of my decoys and are on the way out, I’ll also give them a squeal. Additionally, I’ll call when I hear but do not see birds in the air, on foggy days, and at first light in response to wood ducks vocalizing on the water. Like most duck calling, a little goes a long way and it pays to watch the bird’s reaction if you can see it.

Listen

Few other puddle ducks are as vocal as early-season wood ducks, especially when they are approaching decoys, or are on the water in early morning. That’s why it pays to listen for them, particularly when you are hunting in tight places like small brush-choked ponds or willow swamps.

Often their call will give you just enough time to duck, freeze, or get ready to shoot. This makes the difference between being caught flat-footed and doubling.

Shotguns

I use a 12-gauge pump for all waterfowling. Most of my buddies use autoloaders. The similarities are that they are quick-handling and hold a trio of 3-inch shells. We rely on #4 steel shot and #5 in non-toxic loads which handle any early season duck nicely.

Wood DuckIt’s hard to beat a modified choke on a 26 or 28 inch barrel too. The exception, again, is in flooded timber or really tight cover where a more open choke will prove its worth.

The Value of a Good Dog

Every waterfowler should own a well-trained retriever. I currently own an English Springer Spaniel and a Labrador Retriever.

A good dog is a pleasure to share a blind with and will locate birds you would have never found yourself. It’s amazing how a bird as gaudy as a drake wood duck can hide in plain sight. It’s even more amazing how a good retriever can find downed birds in some of the hellish cover they end up in. If you want to take your waterfowling to the next level, you really need a duck dog.

Food for thought

Wood duck are among our finest tasting waterfowl. No surprise since they eat  (among other things) acorns and berries. It doesn’t hurt that their delicate feathers are great for fly tying or that they are perhaps the most beautiful North American duck there is. You’d think that these are reasons enough to target wood ducks. But I think there’s more to it than that.

Sometime during your first successful wood duck hunt, when there’s a break in the shooting, and right after your dog has brought to hand another gorgeous drake, you’ll look around and notice the sun lighting up the cat tails. As a cool autumn breeze sweeps through and makes your decoys dance, you’ll then marvel at the ochers, yellows and golds on the surrounding hillsides and little swamp islands. Then, somewhere beyond the tree line, a distant wood duck will sound off, wild and defiant, and your dog’s ears will perk up a bit. Right about then, you’ll smile and swear you’ll be back soon. Wood ducks just have that effect on a person.

written by Steve Galea

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It pays to know how weather conditions influence duck movements.

Weather conditions have an enormous influence on duck hunting success.  To make the most of their days afield, waterfowlers must understand weather patterns and how they affect bird behavior.

Foul weather, for instance, is usually considered a duck hunter’s greatest blessing.  But to be consistently successful, even under these favorable conditions, a hunter must know how storm fronts influence ducks.  On the flip side of the coin, sunny “bluebird” days are considered a duck hunter’s bane.  Yet the hunter who knows how fair-weather conditions affect duck behavior will often bring home a limit.

Sunny, cloudy, windy, calm, freezing, warm — let’s focus on conditions waterfowlers often encounter and some tips for hunting ducks successfully no matter what the forecast.

Storms

A low-pressure system in the weather forecast indicates rain is on the way — bad news for most, but not for the duck hunter.  Along with a stiffening wind, storm fronts increase cloud cover.  Ducks stop feeding at night and move more early and late in the day.  There’s no glare off gun barrels and upturned faces, and no distinguishing shadows to reveal the silhouette of a waiting hunter.  The hunting picture begins to improve.

As winds intensify, ducks move to protected areas — river backwaters, lake coves, green-timber openings, the lee side of islands.  Rain and/or sleet intensifies their scramble for shelter, limiting and defining the places they are likely to be.  More and more birds move into fewer and fewer areas.  The savvy hunter is a step ahead of them, setting out decoys and preparing to shortstop their weather-driven migration.

Changing winds also work in the hunter’s favor.  In our part of the world, they usually begin in the south, then blow round the compass–southeast, east, northeast, north, then finally northwest–as the low is replaced by a high-pressure, fair-weather system.  Sanctuaries at the onset of the storm lose their protection as it progresses.  Ducks settle into one lee then are forced to find another.  They fly throughout the day and lose much of their cussed wariness.  Most fly low as they work the slower air near ground.  In the right place at such a time, a hunter with a few decoys is sure to find a bit of duck-hunting heaven.

As the weather changes, the successful duck hunter remains mobile, adapting to changing winds and changing lees.  A well-camouflaged duck boat is a special asset now, providing easy access to every inch of shoreline, transportation for the hunter and his equipment, and a ready-made blind that melts into the landscape.  If water isn’t too deep, chest waders serve the same purpose.  Moving from place to place, you can hunker down in a wet marsh or stand by a cypress without getting wet.  A waterproof parka and gloves complete your weather-proofing, keeping you warm and dry.

Fair Skies

Clear, warm, windless days can make duck hunting tough.  Ducks can now fly and raft, dabble or dive anywhere they please.  Direct sunlight makes upturned faces glow with electric intensity.  Even a perfectly camouflaged duck hunter is often revealed by the outline of shadows, and the slightest movement stands out like black on white.  If the weather pattern holds for several days, birds quickly learn hunter patterns–where they like to hide, when they like to gun, and where the safe zones are.

In this situation, remember that ducks may come and go where they please, but they never do it at random.  The flight lanes they establish, the fields and woods they feed in, the places they raft are purposely chosen, usually because they offer respite from hunter disturbance.  By patterning the movements of birds in your area, you can overcome the disadvantages of blue-sky hunting.

The best way to do this is to simply go duck hunting.  Set out a few decoys in a place you’ve chosen to the best of your hunting ability, then watch the comings and goings of birds throughout the day.  Resolve to stay put, even if shooting isn’t good.  Note the time the ducks start flying and the routes they follow; the places where they fly high and fly low; the time they return; and the places they raft up.  Once you’ve determined their flight, feeding and resting patterns, you can position yourself to intercept on future hunts.

Freezing Weather

Extreme cold is both a blessing and bane.  When shallows ice over, ducks concentrate in remaining areas of open water.  Caloric intake must increase to compensate for lower temperatures, so twice-daily feeding becomes the norm.  At temperatures below 20 degrees, you’ll start noticing afternoon feeding flights in addition to the usual predawn movements.  Unfortunately, freezing weather also makes boat travel more difficult and tests one’s ability to withstand winter’s cold.  Hunters must cope with the frigid temperatures in order to be successful.

Part of that coping is knowing where water will be open in freezing temperatures.  This may be in the main body of a creek or river where currents prevent ice-up; in a sheltered backwater area protected by levees or high banks; or in shallow green-timber flats that receive some current from adjacent streams.

One area I often hunt is in the bend of a small bayou.  When the water’s up, it runs across the inside bend of timber.  This creates a three-acre sanctuary of unfrozen water right in the middle of the frozen pin-oak bottoms.  During winter’s worst weather, it’s wall-to-wall ducks.

Most avid hunters work unfrozen river channels during frigid weather.  They boat the river until they scare up a flock of ducks, then they move in and set up where the ducks flushed.  Often, decoys are set in strings at the edge of willows, high banks and other sheltered spots.  The boat is hidden in cover with a camouflage net stretched over it.  The hunters stand in waders next to trees.  The ducks they flushed will soon return, and when they do, the fun begins.

Snowstorms & Fog

When visibility is limited by fog or heavy snow, callers have a field day.  In this situation, it pays to keep your call sounding whether you see ducks or not.  Poor visibility may keep most ducks grounded, but those that are caught en route automatically set their flaps and start listening for friendly calls.  Few duck hunting moments are as exciting as hearing unseen mallards answering a call in fog.

Snow Cover

Cold alone won’t drive ducks from an area where food is plentiful, but if snow gets several inches deep or becomes glazed with ice, ducks must move elsewhere to find their groceries.

Here again, it pays to know where ducks are likely to go when conditions get bad.  If woods remain open and acorns are plentiful, ducks accustomed to feeding in fields may gather in flooded timber when snow piles up.  Cornfields are so attractive, they may continue drawing dense concentrations of birds even when blanketed with snow.  Hunting diving ducks like scaup and buffleheads often remains productive even though mallards and other dabblers have been forced to move out.

The smart waterfowler matches hunting tactics to the weather throughout the season.  By applying scouting techniques and a little reasoning about duck behavior, he develops an instinct for determining where and how to hunt no matter what’s going on outside.  Blue skies or gray, the odds are in his favor.

written by Keith Sutton

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Trouble distinguishing one species from another? This article will teach you to use plumage patterns, size, shape, flight characteristics and other distinguishing factors to identify common North American ducks.

When trying to identify ducks, hunters must observe several things. Differences in size, shape, plumage patterns, colors, wingbeat, flocking behavior, voice and habitat all help separate one species from another. Is the duck large or small? Is its body long and slender or short and plump? Does it have a crest? What color are its wing patches, cap, head, breast, belly, back and tail? Or its eyes, bill and feet?

Does the duck dive when feeding, or does it just tip head-down? Does it patter across the water on takeoff or fly straight up? What type of habitat is it in?

By observing these and other characteristics, you’ll soon be distinguishing ducks you once thought impossible to identify.

We cannot include all identification characteristics of all North American ducks in the space allotted here. Some things, such as voice and habitat, are not included, and only more common species are listed. For more information, check one of the excellent identification guides now available.

DABBLING DUCKS

Dabbling ducks, or puddle ducks, are usually seen in shallow waters such as flooded fields and marshes. They feed by tipping up rather than diving. When taking flight, they spring into the air instead of pattering across the water. Most swim with their tail held clear of the water and have a colorful, iridescent speculum (a rectangular patch at the hind edge of the wing).

Mallard

Male mallards have a green head, white neck-ring, white tail, chestnut breast, grayish body and yellow bill. Females are mottled brown with a whitish tail and mottled orange bill. The speculum on both sexes is metallic violet-blue with conspicuous white borders in front and back.

Look for the dark head, white neck ring and contrasting dark chest and light belly on flying drakes. Both drake and hen exhibit the white-bordered speculum. The wingbeat is much slower than in most ducks. Flocks often are large.

Wood Duck

Wood ducks have a conspicuous crest. Males are boldly patterned with iridescent maroon, green and purple and have a distinctive white chin patch and a white-and-red bill. Females are grayish-brown with lighter flanks, a white belly and broad white eye-rings. The speculum is blue on both sexes.

On the wing, the wood duck’s white belly contrasts with the dark breast and wings. The head is held above the level of the body; the bill points down at an angle. The short neck and long square tail are conspicuous. The flight is swift and direct. Flocks are usually small.

Green-Winged Teal

Male greenwings have a brown head, spotted tan breast and gray sides. The head turns chestnut-colored and has a green ear patch by early winter, when a white vertical crescent behind the breast becomes evident. Females are grayish-brown, speckled below. Both sexes sport a green speculum.

If a small duck without conspicuous wing colors flies by, it’s probably this species. From below, flying drakes show a light belly. The flight is fast, buzzy and erratic, usually low, with compact flocks wheeling in unison.

Blue-Winged Teal

Bluewings are pint-sized ducks with chalky-blue shoulder patches on the front of the wing. The bill is relatively large. Males are grayish above, tan spotted with dark below. A white face crescent is present by early winter in adults. The female is brownish-gray above, pale gray marked with dark below.

Flight is erratic, and the bluewing’s small size and twisting turns give the illusion of great speed. The small, compact flocks usually fly low.

Pintail

Pintails are slim ducks with slender necks. Males have a brown head, white neck and a distinctive white line extending up the side of the head. The breast is white, the speculum is green, and the central tail feathers are black and needle-pointed. Females are similar to female mallards, but are more slender, with a more pointed tail and a brown speculum bordered with white at the rear edge only.

In flight, the white breast, thin neck and needle tail separate the male from other species. The slender, long-necked shape and light border on the rear of the wings help identify hens.

Shoveler

Shovelers are slightly larger than teal and have a large spoon-shaped bill. Males are largely black and white with rufous-red belly and sides, white breast and green head. Females are mottled brown. Both sexes have chalky-blue shoulder patches and green speculums. On the water, shovelers sit low with the bill pointed downward, and show the most white of any dabbling duck.

Flying shovelers show an alternating pattern of dark-light-dark-light-dark from head to tail. They have a hump-backed appearance unlike other dabblers. Look for the large spoon-shaped bill and large, pale-blue shoulder patches. The usual flight is steady and direct, but the small flocks twist and turn like teal when startled.

American Wigeon

Male wigeons have a distinctive white crown. They are brownish with a gray head, a green ear patch and bold white shoulder patches. Females are mottled brown with a gray head and neck and whitish shoulder patches. Both sexes have pale blue feet, a pale blue, black-tipped bill and a green speculum.

Flying wigeons can be recognized by the large white patch covering the front of the wing. In other ducks with white patches, the patches are on the hind edge, although the similarly placed blue wingpatches of the blue-winged teal and shoveler often appear white at a distance. From beneath, the sharply outlined, white belly and dark, pointed tail are good field marks. The flight is fast and irregular with many twists and turns.

Gadwall

Gadwall drakes are slender gray ducks with a black rump, light brown head and neck, reddish brown shoulders and gray bill. Females are mottled brown with a yellow-brown bill. Both sexes have a white belly, yellow feet and white speculum.

In flight, look for male’s black rump and the white speculum on both sexes. Gadwalls have a slimmer appearance in the air than mallards, but less so than pintails.

DIVING DUCKS

Diving ducks, also called sea ducks, are typically birds of large, deep lakes and rivers, coastal bays and inlets. Their speculums lack the brilliance of those on most dabblers. Most patter along the water in taking wing. They all dive for food, whereas dabblers rarely dive. They also have a more rapid wingbeat than most dabblers.

Ring-Necked Duck

Male ringnecks have a black breast and back. The glossy purple head appears black. The sides are gray (sometimes appearing white), and the chestnut neck-ring for which ringnecks are named is seldom visible. On the water, drakes show a vertical white crescent in front of the wing. Hens are brown with a white eye-ring and an indistinct white area near the bill. The most notable characteristics on both sexes are the dark, white-ringed bill and peaked triangular head-shape. The speculum is bluish-gray, and the belly is white.

Flying ringnecks can be distinguished from scaups by the black back and gray wing-stripe. They fly swiftly in compact wedges and often land without circling.

Ruddy Duck

Ruddy ducks are very small, chunky birds, unpatterned except for conspicuous white cheeks. Winter males are grayish-brown with white cheeks, a dark cap and a large, gray-blue bill. Females are similar but with light cheeks crossed by a dark line. Both sexes have a long tail that is often cocked straight up.

Ruddies prefer to escape danger by diving or hiding in vegetation. But once airborne, they are fast fliers with a quick wingbeat. On the wing, they are unpatterned except for the distinctive white cheeks.

Lesser Scaup

Male scaups have light gray, almost white bodies, blackish chests and a very dark head. Females are dark brown with a distinct white patch at the base of the bill.

In flight, look for the white stripe on the trailing edge of the wing in both sexes. The bill is blue, hence the gunner’s nickname “bluebill.”

Bufflehead

Buffleheads are small ducks with puffy heads on a chunky, short-necked body. The white wing patches are conspicuous. Males have a large white head patch extending from the eye over the back of the head. The female is dusky and has a slanting white cheek patch.

Buffleheads are among the fastest flying ducks with one of the most rapid wingbeats. In flight, the single broad white bands on the wings of males and the white speculum of the females contrast sharply with the dark outer parts of the wings. Most flocks consist of pairs and trios. Unlike most divers, buffleheads can fly straight up when taking off from the water.

written by Keith Sutton

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