Hunted ducks for the first time this morning. I know of an area on the lease where beavers have backed the water up and killed some timber in patches. I have no idea whatsoever what I’m doing, so I just waded in my waders, wore all camo on hands and face. I just waded in to the water till I reached an area where trees had fallen over and the sky was more clear. Got in there about 15 minutes before legal light and just stood next to a big tree. Shot them as I had opportunity.

Lessons learned:

- don’t go pick up the birds immediately. Every time i went to wade out to get a bird more flew in on top of me and I couldn’t get on them
- wood gun stocks with no sling is not an ideal combo
- A light shotgun with 3” full loads kicks pretty damn hard if you don’t shoulder it correctly
- you got to be ready in the timber. Like REALLY ready. I honestly don’t know how you shoot the ones just flying by and not slowing down to land. As you see them they are gone.

Questions:

- with a 3 duck limit on wood ducks, how the heck are you supposed to keep hunting after you shoot 3? I’m I the only one who can’t tell what these things are at Mach 2 in the timber 15 minutes before sunrise? I just quit after these three.

Additional lesson: once you are in “deep enough” you better not push your luck. Stump holes in the black dark will scare the crap out of you

Congratulations

Congrats!
Up to you to learn the birds’ shape and wing beat, when hunting alone...know your quarry. Duck ID apps help a lot and vocalizations are different between species. You can stay all day, if there are no time restrictions in place (some places require you be out by noon)...just can’t shoot any more wood ducks after you hit your limit, but you still have 3 more other ducks to fill your strap limit.
Wood duck and teal are my favorite for the grill..mallard drakes are beautiful birds, but there are tastier duck species!

Beaver runs will get you, too...probably more often than the stump hole!

In an area where you're hunting you need a walking stick to pick your way around. I found that out the hard way in 1992 when a buddy hunting with me went fully under with chest waders on. He stepped in a stump hole, or something. If he'd have been alone, he would probably have died there. From that moment on, if I was hunting in a beaver pond, I had a 6 foot long hickory stick with me to probe the bottom before every step. That stick will also help you stay out of the water if you trip or something.

^^^truth!

Thank you Fur, that’s a real good tip. I’ll be either alone or with my 11 year old son, so I don’t need any mishaps

Sounds like a good hunt. I was a duck fanatic for years. Be careful cold water is nothing to play with

Woodies make a distinctive call usually as they approach a hole . Listen to recordings of the different ducks will definitely help you ! Congrats and good hunting !

Hunting woodies is fun and they are great on the grill. Depending where in the state you are hunting that may be all you get. If you are on the X, they will easily be in range and you won't have to do a lot of pass shooting. Also, you can over hunt a woody hole pretty easily and if you do the ducks will find another place to be. I have one spot that produces year after year, but I only hunt it four times a year, opening weekend, Christmas, New Years and maybe once more before the season closes out. Usually take about 10 ducks out of that hole each year and that's all I want to.

Thank you men, great information.

Don’t be bashful about water swatting them either! Sometimes they silently slide in just at legal time and just swim around in range. They taste the same on the grill or in gumbo no matter if u kill them flying or on the water.

Dr. B

Been there, done that up to my neck. Slide your feet with purpose instead of traditional walking. That will help.

At this stage in the game, where the opportunity is so rare, absolutely....sportsmanship be damned, meat on the grill!!