Where to start?

[Chance]

I've been wanting to get into duck hunting for a few years now but never have taken the time to try it, pretty intimidating right off the bat.

For someone who is a complete beginner how would you suggest to get started. I live in SW Ohio, around Batavia, and there are some WMA's with water on them but I truly have no clue where to start.

If some of you could post a few things I would appreciate it. I have a shotgun and some waders but that is about it.

I hope everyone understands I'm asking for next year not now.

[Schu72]

Have you looked into a local Ducks Unlimited chapter?

[Wildman18]

Pm me I live in the stonelick area. I can give info on the area, and what you need to get started.

[Hawgleg]

Pick up a duck call ASAP and go on the internet and listen and learn how and when to call ducks. You have all winter to practice. Pick up a couple dozen decoys (plastic floaters) and carrying bags now as you can probably get a good deal on them. Try to find an experienced waterfowl hunter to mentor you for next year. Good luck. Nothing like watching the sun come up from a duck blind with fellow hunters. Carefull it can be addicting.

[Chance]

Have you looked into a local Ducks Unlimited chapter?

I'm going to start looking tomorrow. Thanks

[Chance]

Pick up a duck call ASAP and go on the internet and listen and learn how and when to call ducks. You have all winter to practice. Pick up a couple dozen decoys (plastic floaters) and carrying bags now as you can probably get a good deal on them. Try to find an experienced waterfowl hunter to mentor you for next year. Good luck. Nothing like watching the sun come up from a duck blind with fellow hunters. Carefull it can be addicting.

Will do on the call, any suggestions. I'm sure there has to be some that are easier than others.

What decoys would you recommend, Flambeau or something like that. Mallards and wood ducks, or just one kind?

See, I really don't know anything but want to give an honest effort. My dad talks all the time about duck hunting when he was a kid and in college, but only pass shooting, and it sounds like a blast. He was forced to travel with his job and by the time he was at home I was in highschool, addicted to deer hunting, and playing sports. The Secret Service sounds like a great job, but only for the single man.

Would love one day to share a good duck hunt with him, but more importantly, I want to be able to share as much of the outdoors with my three little ones that I can.

[Hawgleg]

A single reed call is usually easier to master for a beginner. Decoys are all fairly good reproductions so brand is not a big deal. I would get puddlers (Mallards and blacks) The great thing about duck hunting is that you and the boys can sit together in the blind and you dont have to be quiet untill you spot the birds. Get a good pair of waders also,start with good canvas, neopreme are hot in the early season. Good luck

[MaS19]

I was in the same boat as you this season.

First and foremost. Go buy a duck call. I would say either a Poly-Carb Zink PH-2 (Comes with a DVD) or the Buck Gardner Double Nasty 2.

Second, Get on here, ohiowaterfowler, huntohio etc and make friends. Most people are really easy off and are more than proud to mentor a new guy. Just dont get to "edgy" and expect that person to take you out all the time. Go out a few times with people that know what they are doing and watch and enjoy.

Scouting is a big thing. Even though you are new, get out this spring and summer and get some permissions, a experienced hunter that you meet online or else where is much more likely to help you out if you can bring something to the table (Property, Dekes, blinds, boats, etc.)

Also try out a few shells and find a nice shell that patterns for you and stick with that.

and last but not least......

BE CAREFULL, ITS VERY EASY TO START POURING MONEY INTO THE SPORT FASTER THAN YOU MAKE IT.

[DLC]

Good tips so far:
Couple more; learn to identify your ducks. You are only aloud 1 hen mallard, 1 black, 1 pintail, 1 redhead...... so you need to know what you are shooting at before you pull the trigger. If you hunt the early teal season it is extremly important to know what you are shooting at. Don't skybust; 40 yards is about as far as you can kill ducks at. The duck call thing; sometimes not calling is better than call,especially if you hunt pressured area. You don't need to sound like a compitition caller. Basic quacks, 4-5 note feed calls, and feed chuckles work best under most conditions.
I shoot a Rem 870 with 3" #4 shot for teal and wood ducks, 3" #2 for ducks, 3" BB for geese, I shoot Improved Cyclinder choke as all of my shooting is over decoys. I use G&H mallards, blacks, wood ducks, pintails, geese, GHG widgeon, teal decoys. Of course I don't use them all at the same time. I try to "match the hatch" as they say. Sometimes it might only be using 9 decoys and sometimes it 8 doz decoys. Hide the best you can, ducks can see you if you stick out. Use a face mask to cover your face or use face paint. They'll pick that out from a long ways off.

[Chance]

Thanks for all the tips guys. I do have a question on scouting, hope this doesn't sound stupid, but do you just drive around in the mornings and evenings to see where ducks are coming/going?

I've still got some cash left over from Christmas, so I'm going to purchase a call from BPS in the next couple of days, if I can make it over there. Then I'll try to get a couple doz. decoys. I'm going to the local library at lunch to see if I can find any books on duck identification and start trying to gain a little knowledge.

It may take me a couple of years before I feel confident to actually hunt but I've always been pretty conservative in that regards.

I don't have much to offer to anyone who would be willing to take a newby with them once or twice, i.e. decoys, boats, or that type of equipment. However, I do have another hobby of building golf clubs and if any of you play or have a family member that plays I'd be more than willing to trade some services for some mentoring, not spots but just mentoring.

Thanks again for all the advice so far. I'm cutting and pasting all this into a word document.

Take Care,

[Kaiser878]

Waterfowling is a very addicting sport! With the addiction comes expense! Starting out, if it were me, I would only purchase a cheap call. I Would practice with it and I would go hunt a few times with some people if you could before you go and buy a bunch of decoys! Just to make sure it is somethign you are really into. CHances are good though that once you do it, your gonna become obsessed! Especially if you find yourself hunting in a spot that is loaded up with birds and the shooting is good!

Just this past year I dropped 2500 dollars in more decoys and have a lanyard that is worth over 600 bucks in calls! Im tellnig you, its an expensive addiction! I love it though. THe best investment that I have made towards waterfowling has been my dog! The best conservation and hunting tool you can own is a dog that can find any bird you drop! A good retriever is worth its weight in gold!

If you need some help getting started pm me and I will guide you however you may need!

[jr21]

I agree it is an expensive habit! When my brother and I started hunting waterfowl a while back we started with a dozen decoys and a couple of cheap calls. I recommend a double reed duck call. You look on the internet or get a CD that teaches you how to call. Not bad to put a CD in the car and practice while driving (just be careful when driving...you'll also probably get some funny looks).

One of the biggest suggestions is to find a place or two where ducks/geese already want to be. After that I think the best way is to just get out and do it. That is the best way to learn what works and what doesn't, etc. Remember to have fun, it can get frustrating when they don't do what you want them to!

[wildohio22]

i personally have never done any water fowl hunting, im from amelia and go to eastfork alot, they have blinds on the banks of the lake all around you can talk to the rangers and get the where-abouts of them, good luck looks fun from the outdoor channel

[oobuck]

You can kill alot of ducks with a dozen decoys and a pair of waders in the right area. Other areas may require several dozen decoys and a dependable boat. Waterfowling can be extremly dangerous, especially to a novice. Watch the weather and keep in mind no duck is worth your life. I love to call to ducks but keep in mind that calling is overated. If you are hunting where the ducks want to be it can appear like you are the best caller around. But if you are hunting where the ducks don't want to be you can call till you're blue in the face with no success.
Field hunting can be fantastic if you are in the right one. Scouting is critical with this type of hunting. Decide what type of hunting you are interested in and prepare for the upcoming season. Good-luck

[Wildman18]

The best advice I have heard is DON"T GET FRUSTRATED.(from jr21) I have hunted with several different groups of people and I have more fun with the people that don't blow a head gasket when something doesn't go perfectly right. Not to say I'm not a serious hunter but I'm there to have fun.

Hunting is what you make out of it. If you want spend money there's plenty of things to buy. If you don't want to spend a lot of money you can still have a successful day of hunting. Do I want standers. (ducks or geese) Do I need them, No. As it was stated earlier Location location location!!!!!

There are so many different types of hunting Field, big river, medium river, small river, small pond to marsh, and large lakes (Eastfork).

Field hunting equipment: standers (duck/geese), shells, (geese) Mojo (duck) I'm sure there's more that I missed but that's what I use. The amount up to you. more the better until late season then I like to use no more than 2 doz. personal preference.

Medium river/small river: Indian creak or little Miami. Mojo, floaters, (duck/geese # very's ) standers if wanted. I use either a canoe or a water skeeter for these areas Also Waders (800 to 1200 gram insulation)

Big river big lake: I don't have that much experience at but I would assume a boat and quit a bit of floaters and a dog. A good dog is nice to have the convenience is awesome. a dog that doesn't listen is a pain in the a**. I know this Mine doesn't listen but does retrieve nicely.

Just thought I would put my two cents in.

P.S. As I have found out Every year I spend $200 to $300 on waterfowl stuff. My point is yes its expensive but Rome wasn't built in a day. If you take care of your stuff it will last. If you build it up over the years a little here a little there you while be fine.