</a JR Holmes Oil Company </a Shark Guard Southeast Woods and Whitetail Mayer Insurance Services LLC
Aldeer Classifieds
Looking for Lowrance Ghost or 24v Ultrex
by bradbathome. 03/28/24 08:17 PM
Turkey loads/decoy
by Rem870s2. 03/28/24 04:41 PM
Wtb Browning 300 Mag
by desertdog. 03/28/24 03:36 PM
WTB Chevy 1500
by Okalona. 03/28/24 07:44 AM
Iso ruger american ranch
by AustinC. 03/27/24 08:20 PM
Serious Deer Talk
The Hollywood Buck.
by Mbrock. 03/28/24 08:56 PM
For the Don’t Shoot Does Crowd
by SEWoodsWhitetail. 03/28/24 10:45 AM
High Fencing
by RareBreed. 03/26/24 10:45 PM
Who's got the best deer hunting in AL
by TensawRiver. 03/26/24 01:26 PM
What makes you happy?
by Fishduck. 03/26/24 10:25 AM
March
S M T W T F S
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31
Land, Leases, Hunting Clubs
West Jefferson County hunting club
by Jmfire722. 03/18/24 08:36 AM
Western Ky farm
by todd w. 03/15/24 01:23 PM
Information on bibb county hunting club
by quickshot. 03/10/24 01:46 PM
Hunting Club
by Hibby. 03/08/24 04:34 PM
Mississippi club
by Gobl4me. 03/07/24 09:55 PM
Who's Online Now
9 registered members (Gulfcoast, jaredhunts, Frankie, dirtwrk, apolloslade, BRP549, Jstocks, Ryano, 1 invisible), 501 guests, and 0 spiders.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Well, looks like I can't hold out any longer... #2262718
10/18/17 01:36 PM
10/18/17 01:36 PM
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 4,753
AL
Gobble4me757 Offline OP
10 point
Gobble4me757  Offline OP
10 point
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 4,753
AL
After telling myself for years I wouldn't do it, I finally cant resist any longer...I am starting to learn the trade of duck hunting this year! I have been a couple times before when I was in my early teens and loved it! Now that all of my buddies are doing it and after tasting duck for the first time (loved the duck poppers..), I want to at least learn to hold my own at a duck hole. I am a huge turkey hunter as well as deer hunter, so I have had years experience of learning how to be a woodsman, but any tricks or lessons y'all have that can help the learning curve? Such as what dekes? how wind direction affects a set up? calling tips? (I know how to do a feeding call but need to get a good call for comeback calls etc)

I understand that I will screw up a lot (like I did and still do some in the turkey woods), but if I am going to do something, I want to be the best I can at it. Thanks for the help yall!

Last edited by Gobble4me757; 10/18/17 01:36 PM.

2017 Team Aldeer Turkey Contest Champion
2018 Team Aldeer Turkey Contest Champion
Re: Well, looks like I can't hold out any longer... [Re: Gobble4me757] #2262758
10/18/17 02:26 PM
10/18/17 02:26 PM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,538
Spanish Fort
O
ozarktroutbum Offline
10 point
ozarktroutbum  Offline
10 point
O
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,538
Spanish Fort
Depends where you're going to be hunting

Re: Well, looks like I can't hold out any longer... [Re: Gobble4me757] #2262782
10/18/17 02:56 PM
10/18/17 02:56 PM
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 15,507
Montgomery
bamaeyedoc Offline
Old Mossy Horns
bamaeyedoc  Offline
Old Mossy Horns
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 15,507
Montgomery
IMO, get a lease in the delta in MS or AR and go every weekend. When the bug hit me, that's what I did and some of the best times outdoors in my life has been in the flyway. Or go full force and get a boat, dog, and a GPS and hunt public in either state. IMO, you won't get enough exposure to true duck hunting in AL. In AL you will kill all the woodies you want and you will kill some big ducks in the right places but if you are gonna do it, go to the flyway.

Dr. B


AKA: “Dr. B”
Aldeer #121
8-3-2000
Proud alum of AUM, UAB, and UA
Member of Team 10 Point
2023-2024 ALdeer Deer Contest Winners

Glennis Jerome "Jerry" Harris
1938-2017
UGA Class of 1960
BS/MS Forestry
LTJG, USNR



Re: Well, looks like I can't hold out any longer... [Re: Gobble4me757] #2262964
10/18/17 05:09 PM
10/18/17 05:09 PM
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 4,753
AL
Gobble4me757 Offline OP
10 point
Gobble4me757  Offline OP
10 point
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 4,753
AL
Hunting small ponds, creeks right off the Tombigbee with a lot of woodies and mallards. I'm not hunting huge lakes with huge spreads just flooded timber and all...I wish I had the time bamaeyedoc, I'm currently in medical school and will just be doing it on the weekends every so often. The hunts I went on as a kid were loaded with ducks in a flyway, but I really will be just hunting with my buddies or my brothers. Just like in turkey hunting turkeys have tendencies sometimes (sometimes they don't lol), but are there any tendencies yall can fill me in on or unwritten rules ducks kinda go by?


2017 Team Aldeer Turkey Contest Champion
2018 Team Aldeer Turkey Contest Champion
Re: Well, looks like I can't hold out any longer... [Re: Gobble4me757] #2262986
10/18/17 05:36 PM
10/18/17 05:36 PM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,538
Spanish Fort
O
ozarktroutbum Offline
10 point
ozarktroutbum  Offline
10 point
O
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,538
Spanish Fort
Woodies are basically done flying 20 minutes after shooting light starts.

Woodies don't like to "decoy," per se. They pretty much are going where they are going to go regardless of if you are there with a decoy set up. However, if they land close by and are on the water they tend to like swimming up to the decoys, though.

Best thing to do is find little ponds or swamps with oak trees and they'll be close.

Re: Well, looks like I can't hold out any longer... [Re: Gobble4me757] #2262989
10/18/17 05:38 PM
10/18/17 05:38 PM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,538
Spanish Fort
O
ozarktroutbum Offline
10 point
ozarktroutbum  Offline
10 point
O
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,538
Spanish Fort
P.S. if you hunt them in the afternoon over a roost area, you're no doubt going to be shooting after legal hours so just don't do it!

Re: Well, looks like I can't hold out any longer... [Re: ozarktroutbum] #2263014
10/18/17 07:20 PM
10/18/17 07:20 PM
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 4,753
AL
Gobble4me757 Offline OP
10 point
Gobble4me757  Offline OP
10 point
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 4,753
AL

Originally Posted By: ozarktroutbum
Woodies are basically done flying 20 minutes after shooting light starts.

Woodies don't like to "decoy," per se. They pretty much are going where they are going to go regardless of if you are there with a decoy set up. However, if they land close by and are on the water they tend to like swimming up to the decoys, though.

Best thing to do is find little ponds or swamps with oak trees and they'll be close.



Interesting about them swimming to dekes...I've heard they don't respond to calls and what not...Yeah appreciate that about a roost! What calls and from what company should I look into?

Last edited by Gobble4me757; 10/18/17 07:20 PM.

2017 Team Aldeer Turkey Contest Champion
2018 Team Aldeer Turkey Contest Champion
Re: Well, looks like I can't hold out any longer... [Re: Gobble4me757] #2263105
10/19/17 02:26 AM
10/19/17 02:26 AM
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,739
RBC, AL
D
Drake322 Offline
10 point
Drake322  Offline
10 point
D
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,739
RBC, AL
Don't do it. You think deer hunting is expensive...........

IMO, find some farm ponds with working cattle, find some swamps, leave rivers alone for now. I have killed many ducks over ponds in my life. Swamps are going to give you opportunity for mallards, gadwall, blacks, and teal. Of course woodies will be there but I leave them alone.

Re: Well, looks like I can't hold out any longer... [Re: Gobble4me757] #2263109
10/19/17 02:29 AM
10/19/17 02:29 AM
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,724
Harvest, AL
AU coonhunter Online content
10 point
AU coonhunter  Online Content
10 point
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,724
Harvest, AL
You said you had buddies that hunted. Try whatever calls they have and see what you like, everyone is different. You said you can feed call... the only time ducks do the rolling/ machine gun chatter is when they are flying. It sounds really cool, but not very realistic for feeding ducks. When they feed it is very broken up with quacks mixed in. Learn single quacks and 3-5 note calls, that will kill ducks. Call at tips and tails is a good rule, if they are committed and coming in dont blow them out. Youtube videos of real ducks are good, and if you can find some real ducks to go listen too you can learn a lot.

Re: Well, looks like I can't hold out any longer... [Re: AU coonhunter] #2263287
10/19/17 05:27 AM
10/19/17 05:27 AM
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 4,753
AL
Gobble4me757 Offline OP
10 point
Gobble4me757  Offline OP
10 point
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 4,753
AL

Originally Posted By: AU coonhunter
You said you had buddies that hunted. Try whatever calls they have and see what you like, everyone is different. You said you can feed call... the only time ducks do the rolling/ machine gun chatter is when they are flying. It sounds really cool, but not very realistic for feeding ducks. When they feed it is very broken up with quacks mixed in. Learn single quacks and 3-5 note calls, that will kill ducks. Call at tips and tails is a good rule, if they are committed and coming in don&#146;t blow them out. Youtube videos of real ducks are good, and if you can find some real ducks to go listen too you can learn a lot.
Some good info here...Like the call at tips and tails rule...It's kinda like calling turkeys when they are committed let em come...I didn't know that about the feed call...Thanks for the info! If anyone has stuff to add please share...such as what to look for with a good duck hole, how weather affects the ducks etc.


2017 Team Aldeer Turkey Contest Champion
2018 Team Aldeer Turkey Contest Champion
Re: Well, looks like I can't hold out any longer... [Re: Gobble4me757] #2263308
10/19/17 06:13 AM
10/19/17 06:13 AM
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 15,507
Montgomery
bamaeyedoc Offline
Old Mossy Horns
bamaeyedoc  Offline
Old Mossy Horns
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 15,507
Montgomery
In that case, just do all the scouting you can. Most swamps will have woodies coming into it in the mornings. When you start making big bucks, buy you a place in the flyway! thumbup

Dr. B


AKA: “Dr. B”
Aldeer #121
8-3-2000
Proud alum of AUM, UAB, and UA
Member of Team 10 Point
2023-2024 ALdeer Deer Contest Winners

Glennis Jerome "Jerry" Harris
1938-2017
UGA Class of 1960
BS/MS Forestry
LTJG, USNR



Re: Well, looks like I can't hold out any longer... [Re: Gobble4me757] #2263432
10/19/17 09:10 AM
10/19/17 09:10 AM
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,189
Lamar
F
Fishduck Offline
6 point
Fishduck  Offline
6 point
F
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,189
Lamar
Ducks will typically land into the wind. So set up decoys on the upwind side. That will give you a crossing shot and ducks will not be looking directly at you. On calm days 3 decoys on a jerk cord will bring in ducks.

Alabama duck hunting can be slow on public areas except for the competition which will be fierce. If you have access to private ponds, creeks or sloughs then check them out. Shooting can be fast and furious.

Some of my most memorable hunts involved Alabama public land hunting. The aggravation of dealing with sky busting, constant hail calls, shooting swing ducks and general disrespect causes me to spend WAY too much money to hunt private land in Arkansas.

Re: Well, looks like I can't hold out any longer... [Re: Fishduck] #2263521
10/19/17 11:45 AM
10/19/17 11:45 AM
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 4,753
AL
Gobble4me757 Offline OP
10 point
Gobble4me757  Offline OP
10 point
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 4,753
AL

Originally Posted By: Fishduck
Ducks will typically land into the wind. So set up decoys on the upwind side. That will give you a crossing shot and ducks will not be looking directly at you. On calm days 3 decoys on a jerk cord will bring in ducks.

Alabama duck hunting can be slow on public areas except for the competition which will be fierce. If you have access to private ponds, creeks or sloughs then check them out. Shooting can be fast and furious.

Some of my most memorable hunts involved Alabama public land hunting. The aggravation of dealing with sky busting, constant hail calls, shooting swing ducks and general disrespect causes me to spend WAY too much money to hunt private land in Arkansas.


Awesome stuff man, notes taken! Very much so appreciate the info...will mostly be hunting private land unless I get in a boat with my buddies and all!


2017 Team Aldeer Turkey Contest Champion
2018 Team Aldeer Turkey Contest Champion
Re: Well, looks like I can't hold out any longer... [Re: Gobble4me757] #2263839
10/19/17 04:31 PM
10/19/17 04:31 PM
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 15,507
Montgomery
bamaeyedoc Offline
Old Mossy Horns
bamaeyedoc  Offline
Old Mossy Horns
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 15,507
Montgomery
Good point. Regarding the wind, U hunt ducks in the exact opposite direction. Wind at your back. If u are well hidden and still, they will cup into your face and when they are in the decoys, take em! Keep face hidden with a mask or if u want the poo face, go for it. Knowing when to call is important. Do not call when they are facing you. Call them on the corners or when they are flying away from u. Don't try to blow the ass end out of the call.

Best teacher is experience and consistent encounters with the birds.

Dr. B


AKA: “Dr. B”
Aldeer #121
8-3-2000
Proud alum of AUM, UAB, and UA
Member of Team 10 Point
2023-2024 ALdeer Deer Contest Winners

Glennis Jerome "Jerry" Harris
1938-2017
UGA Class of 1960
BS/MS Forestry
LTJG, USNR



Re: Well, looks like I can't hold out any longer... [Re: Gobble4me757] #2263845
10/19/17 04:41 PM
10/19/17 04:41 PM
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 8,387
A
Atoler Offline
14 point
Atoler  Offline
14 point
A
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 8,387
If you're just hunting small water: go buy a half dozen cheap mallard decoys. Rig three on a jerk rig made with a kayak anchor and bungee cord. Leave the call at home. Go find ducks, then hunt them the next morning. Setup exactly where you saw them. If they aren't within 40yds and treetop height, don't shoot at them. Don't worry about forming a pattern with your decoys, just toss them out there in a cluster. Be still, stand in a shadow, and ducks won't see you. If you notice them flaring more than once, change something.

Re: Well, looks like I can't hold out any longer... [Re: Gobble4me757] #2264349
10/20/17 08:44 AM
10/20/17 08:44 AM
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 4,753
AL
Gobble4me757 Offline OP
10 point
Gobble4me757  Offline OP
10 point
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 4,753
AL
Awesome info yall... really appreciate it all! Like the deke strategies bamaeyedoc and Atoler, but I have to say I would have to call at least a little maybe a quack or two when they aren't committed Atoler, otherwise I would just be deer hunting em....kinda like going turkey hunting and sitting on a field in a blind...ain't my style...How do y'all get to recognizing the ducks so fast? A greenhead is obvious as well as a woodie but what about the others?


2017 Team Aldeer Turkey Contest Champion
2018 Team Aldeer Turkey Contest Champion
Re: Well, looks like I can't hold out any longer... [Re: Gobble4me757] #2264359
10/20/17 09:01 AM
10/20/17 09:01 AM
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,724
Harvest, AL
AU coonhunter Online content
10 point
AU coonhunter  Online Content
10 point
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,724
Harvest, AL
It just takes practice on ID. You will notice wing beat patterns and body shapes are different. Experience is the best teacher there.

Re: Well, looks like I can't hold out any longer... [Re: Gobble4me757] #2264372
10/20/17 09:12 AM
10/20/17 09:12 AM
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,189
Lamar
F
Fishduck Offline
6 point
Fishduck  Offline
6 point
F
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,189
Lamar
The teal are the ducks that come through the decoys like a rocket at daylight. Someone usually says "what was that?". If you weren't ready then they are gone. Wood ducks will announce themselves with a TOO-WHEET to let you get ready. Mallards will circle to allow you to get your bearings but mostly come in after a few passes or leave. Gadwalls will circle also but will circle until you get dizzy watching. Ringneck's and mergansers will swing though fast but will come back to see who was shooting at them.

Arkansas used to have an online duck identification guide. You mostly learn from practice but it helps to know what characteristics to recognize.

Re: Well, looks like I can't hold out any longer... [Re: Gobble4me757] #2264634
10/20/17 01:50 PM
10/20/17 01:50 PM
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 15,507
Montgomery
bamaeyedoc Offline
Old Mossy Horns
bamaeyedoc  Offline
Old Mossy Horns
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 15,507
Montgomery
Originally Posted By: Gobble4me757
Awesome info yall... really appreciate it all! Like the deke strategies bamaeyedoc and Atoler, but I have to say I would have to call at least a little maybe a quack or two when they aren't committed Atoler, otherwise I would just be deer hunting em....kinda like going turkey hunting and sitting on a field in a blind...ain't my style...How do y'all get to recognizing the ducks so fast? A greenhead is obvious as well as a woodie but what about the others?


Oh now you need to call. That's what really got me hooked to the point that I started doing a little competition calling. The key is, just like in turkey hunting, knowing when to do it and what to say. Get Keith Allen's "Fundamentals of Duck Call Operation" CD.

You will get to the point of knowing which duck is which by the size. Woodies don't decoy much and you usually shoot them on the pass. Teal will buzz the decoys like little rockets going about mach 5 and either sit right down or make a wide swing and come right back giving you a second chance at them. They are delicious too!

Mallards are a lot like a turkey. Sometimes they will be like that 2 year old and come right in and act right and die like they are supposed too. More often though they will circle, and circle, and circle and cup their wings like they are gonna sit down and then something won't look right and they peel back off and are gone.

Dr. B


AKA: “Dr. B”
Aldeer #121
8-3-2000
Proud alum of AUM, UAB, and UA
Member of Team 10 Point
2023-2024 ALdeer Deer Contest Winners

Glennis Jerome "Jerry" Harris
1938-2017
UGA Class of 1960
BS/MS Forestry
LTJG, USNR



Re: Well, looks like I can't hold out any longer... [Re: bamaeyedoc] #2271090
10/26/17 04:57 AM
10/26/17 04:57 AM
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 4,753
AL
Gobble4me757 Offline OP
10 point
Gobble4me757  Offline OP
10 point
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 4,753
AL

Originally Posted By: bamaeyedoc
Originally Posted By: Gobble4me757
Awesome info yall... really appreciate it all! Like the deke strategies bamaeyedoc and Atoler, but I have to say I would have to call at least a little maybe a quack or two when they aren't committed Atoler, otherwise I would just be deer hunting em....kinda like going turkey hunting and sitting on a field in a blind...ain't my style...How do y'all get to recognizing the ducks so fast? A greenhead is obvious as well as a woodie but what about the others?


Oh now you need to call. That's what really got me hooked to the point that I started doing a little competition calling. The key is, just like in turkey hunting, knowing when to do it and what to say. Get Keith Allen's "Fundamentals of Duck Call Operation" CD.

You will get to the point of knowing which duck is which by the size. Woodies don't decoy much and you usually shoot them on the pass. Teal will buzz the decoys like little rockets going about mach 5 and either sit right down or make a wide swing and come right back giving you a second chance at them. They are delicious too!

Mallards are a lot like a turkey. Sometimes they will be like that 2 year old and come right in and act right and die like they are supposed too. More often though they will circle, and circle, and circle and cup their wings like they are gonna sit down and then something won't look right and they peel back off and are gone.

Dr. B


Awesome info here doc...Thank yall for the help! Let's kill em this year!


2017 Team Aldeer Turkey Contest Champion
2018 Team Aldeer Turkey Contest Champion
Page 1 of 2 1 2

Aldeer.com Copyright 2001-2023 Aldeer LLP.
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.6.1.1
(Release build 20180111)
Page Time: 0.110s Queries: 15 (0.037s) Memory: 3.2860 MB (Peak: 3.5725 MB) Zlib disabled. Server Time: 2024-03-29 08:10:05 UTC