I have never been duck hunting and have a great-nephew that just turned 13 that wants to go...so where do I start? Any help would be appreciated. Maybe even a place close by that I could t take him on a guided hunt doesn't have to be this year but for sure have to do something next year...

Thanks in advance

Byron

Find some water and find some ducks
Think you suppose to steel shot and then there is something about a stamp or 2. I've been 3 times in my life that's bout all I got

Go with somebody that knows what they're doing. Lots of rules and regs and a lot more dangerous situations that you wouldn't encounter deer hunting.

Yes. Be careful.
Also, watch your wallet.
This hunting can get expensive very quickly.

Waders are great warm and dry. BUT DANGEROUS. Walking in water knowing or not knowing what’s under the water can get a man in trouble. Getting knee to waist deep or deeper and tripping in a hole or a log under the water and your wet. Waders full of water are a bear to get off. Know where your ditches, hole, stumps, beaver runs are, they are no joke. I have the T-shirt been there before. Keep spare clothes in the truck. Ya might need em. Be safe.

The hard part is finding ducks to hunt. Public land hunters will try and protect theirs. Best bet is going on a paid hunt, you’ll come out ahead. Or you can find public land and figure it out. Sometimes you’ll meet someone that’ll take you and maybe someone here will.

Best of luck

When wading always "Shuffle" your feet along the bottom SLOWLY....kind of like an old person walking to the bathroom. That way you can usually feel a stump, log,hole etc. before you trip or step into a deep spot. A wading pole is nice should you loose your balance. You should be able to at least put him on some wood-ducks in some of the management areas that have flooded timber areas.

If hunting WMA make sure they actually have a duck season. Not all do

I wouldn’t think your neck of the woods is the best for waterfowl. May be a few woodies hanging out somewhere. And be sure to let him know it’s not like what you see on social media. Them boys in the flyway bait em up and pile em up for them pictures. Them throw em in a ditch somewhere. Most of them young boys probably ain’t never skint a duck much less ate any. May can ask some local farmers that has some bigger sized creeks or farm pond if you could hunt some. We use to jump shoot them off creeks and ponds some. Good luck man

Jump shoot woodies mid-day on a creek.

Find someone with a farm pond that has ducks on it and see if you can get permission. You only need about 4 decoys.

what he said. Ends the hunt quickly

Solid advice there. I have hunted hundreds of times on farm ponds and they can make some of the best shooting for a first timer. Find you a pond that is off the road with green scum on top of it and Gadwalls will not leave it alone.

There are two types of duck hunting in my opinion. The first is hunting migratory ducks that decoy and respond to calling. Alabama has a few spots where that can happen but that is not case for the majority of the state. If you were to go this route, I would look to hunt with a reputable guide service in Arkansas or Mississippi the first time so you can see what its all about.

The second is hunting Wood Ducks. You can find those across the state along creeks, rivers and beaver ponds. Hunting woodies doesn't require expensive setups like decoys, spinners, boats and calls. For entry level duck hunting, this may be the easiest. Find where they are going in the morning and be there. With a 12 gauge, all you need is 2 3/4 inch non-toxic shot or a 20 gauge with 3 inch non-toxic shot. Depending on the spot, you will probably need waders. Bonus is that wood ducks taste great on the grill.

As somebody mentioned, you need to make sure you understand the regulations surrounding duck hunting. State and Federal stamps are required and shooting times have to be followed. 30 minutes before sunrise to SUNSET. are the legal shooting times.

Thank you all for the advice! I think we will just do some practice shooting skeet, sporting clays, and five stand. I will look in too a guided hunting for next year for us.

I have seen a ton of ducks this year deer hunting on the creeks. It would be a fun way to keep the boy entertained and at the same time hunting instead of sitting and looking.

use to do this in a canoe and several time we had duck, squirrels and deer in the canoe when we took out. Good memories

Never been on a real duck hunt - my buddy has a slew and we sat in that one morning - i shot one - could see how I would like it - went on a teal hunt years back in Arky when I lived out there - only woodys were flying - could see how it would b addictive

Heard the prices my best friend is paying to do it - u can pay $10-15 K just for lease - then all the equipment - when I get tired of deer - May do it - I pay lot for deer - but not that kind of $$

Son is mentioning it some - May just do a pay hunt 1 year

I don't know anyone that pays $15k for a duck lease. I'm sure there are expensive clubs, but you can kill ducks with a 12 gauge and waders. I've personally scouted public land that's basically free and seen plenty of ducks, and I've personally hunted picture perfect flooded beans and gotten skunked.

The #1 thing is to go to an area where ducks tend to be. And that's probably not piney woods hollers of Alabama or Mississippi.