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Post by genesis273 on Nov 14, 2021 10:38:00 GMT -5
I've been a die-hard deer and turkey hunter for awhile. I definitely don't plan on that changing. But, I am wanting to get into duck hunting. I probably won't go a whole lot but, getting out a few times a year would be great.
I have a swampy pond on one of my permission pieces. It's surrounded by willows and tall grass. To the west and south there's hardwoods and on the north and east is ag field. I have a redneck blind on the property that looks down towards the pond. I always see teal, Mallards and Woodie's in there.
I have a Mossberg Magnum turkey gun. Can I swap chokes and use it for ducks? I know I'll need some insulated chest waders, a few decoys and a call or two. I have plenty of lumber here to build at least two nice blinds on the pond.
I know I have A LOT of reading to do to get familiar with the seasons and regs.
I know I can rely on my uncle to help me out some but, any advice for a new, novice waterfowler would be great.
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Post by duff on Nov 14, 2021 12:15:31 GMT -5
Decoys, calls, blinds etc are not necessary without a huntable population.
Jump shooting is always an option. Your turkey gun is fine. Put a improved cylinder or modified choke in. Plug the gun so it only holds 2 in the mag and 1 in the chamber. Even if you shoot 3 or 3.5 inch shells they will check with 2.75 inch shells so check yourself.
If pond is small enough and there are birds using it just hide good. No calls or decoys needed.
Watch some you tube or bring a seasoned hunter with you, just not Featherduster. He will depress you and you will burn your gear cause we all know DUCKS HATE INDIANA!
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Post by genesis273 on Nov 14, 2021 12:17:10 GMT -5
Decoys, calls, blinds etc are not necessary without a huntable population. Jump shooting is always an option. Your turkey gun is fine. Put a improved cylinder or modified choke in. Plug the gun so it only holds 2 in the mag and 1 in the chamber. Even if you shoot 3 or 3.5 inch shells they will check with 2.75 inch shells so check yourself. If pond is small enough and there are birds using it just hide good. No calls or decoys needed. Watch some you tube or bring a seasoned hunter with you, just not Featherduster. He will depress you and you will burn your gear cause we all know DUCKS HATE INDIANA! Sound advice! Lol! |
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Post by firstwd on Nov 14, 2021 18:11:01 GMT -5
Huntable population, like everything else in the world, is defined by perspective. 20 to 30 birds in and around where a new hunter is at will be great, but someone who is used to seeing 4 or 500 will say DUCKS HATE INDIANA. 😁
Go at this with an open mind, ability to enjoy the experience, and a decent sized savings account. It's amazing the sheer amount of money someone can dump into chasing little birds, especially if it hooks you.
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Post by riverrat77 on Nov 14, 2021 18:16:11 GMT -5
Best advice I can give is “SCOUT” the birds are here ya just have to find them. Contrary to popular belief there are ducks in Indiana lol
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Post by genesis273 on Nov 14, 2021 21:36:45 GMT -5
This pond has several on it. I keep looking at all the wood ducks thinking I'd love to have a male/female pair in my home office. I've looked at them online then I figured, why not hint them. They're there all the time.
I've seen teal and mallards in there as well.
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Post by sculver7 on Nov 15, 2021 13:44:59 GMT -5
I would add this: As someone who has access to a small pond/ditch setup for ducks, DO NOT OVERHUNT IT. A lot of times, I will only hunt it once a week or once every two weeks and will only take a handful of shells with me. I know that these birds are migratory and there should be new ones moving in all the time, but from experience, I have seen my piece get overhunted and the birds just dry up after hitting it too hard. Just my two cents.
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Post by genesis273 on Nov 15, 2021 14:57:45 GMT -5
I would add this: As someone who has access to a small pond/ditch setup for ducks, DO NOT OVERHUNT IT. A lot of times, I will only hunt it once a week or once every two weeks and will only take a handful of shells with me. I know that these birds are migratory and there should be new ones moving in all the time, but from experience, I have seen my piece get overhunted and the birds just dry up after hitting it too hard. Just my two cents. I appreciate that feedback. I am a deer hunter at heart. My time spent hunting ducks will be limited for sure. However, when I do go out, I want to have the best experience possible. I have been studying the prevailing winds for the pond I will be hunting. Ultimately, I would like to have two duck blinds but, I will just start with one. After watching some videos and asking around, I already have plans for planting some millet in two separate spots. I'm not going to go overboard with decoys or calls. I may not even get any calls this year. Just a 6 pack of decoys or two. I probably won't even buy new camo other than chest waders. The plans I have for the duck blind should conceal me enough. Put a new choke in the turkey gun and I should be set. Who knows, once I get a taste of duck hunting, it may ignite a fire that my bank account won't like! Lol |
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Post by firstwd on Nov 15, 2021 18:14:07 GMT -5
Just so you know, I picked up an older boat for $600 2 years ago for access to some deer ground, fishing, and to get back into duck hunting. I am currently 6k into my $600 boat. My bank account won't even speak to me now.
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Post by riverrat77 on Nov 15, 2021 18:35:32 GMT -5
I would add this: As someone who has access to a small pond/ditch setup for ducks, DO NOT OVERHUNT IT. A lot of times, I will only hunt it once a week or once every two weeks and will only take a handful of shells with me. I know that these birds are migratory and there should be new ones moving in all the time, but from experience, I have seen my piece get overhunted and the birds just dry up after hitting it too hard. Just my two cents. I appreciate that feedback. I am a deer hunter at heart. My time spent hunting ducks will be limited for sure. However, when I do go out, I want to have the best experience possible. I have been studying the prevailing winds for the pond I will be hunting. Ultimately, I would like to have two duck blinds but, I will just start with one. After watching some videos and asking around, I already have plans for planting some millet in two separate spots. I'm not going to go overboard with decoys or calls. I may not even get any calls this year. Just a 6 pack of decoys or two. I probably won't even buy new camo other than chest waders. The plans I have for the duck blind should conceal me enough. Put a new choke in the turkey gun and I should be set. Who knows, once I get a taste of duck hunting, it may ignite a fire that my bank account won't like! Lol What size do you wear? |
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Post by genesis273 on Nov 15, 2021 19:00:28 GMT -5
I'm not exactly sure. Xl maybe? 5'10" 200lbs 36-37 waist by 32 long.
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Post by genesis273 on Nov 15, 2021 19:06:46 GMT -5
According to TideWe, I'm a size 10.
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Post by firstwd on Nov 15, 2021 19:17:07 GMT -5
According to TideWe, I'm a size 10. Whatever your boot size is, then regular or "big mens". I would recommend adding a half size to your boot size to have room for thick socks. |
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Post by genesis273 on Nov 15, 2021 20:51:09 GMT -5
I just looked at my TideWe non insulated waders I picked up for ditch fishing. Size 10 and they fit me perfect. Extra wiggle room for thick socks
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Post by jman46151 on Nov 16, 2021 10:20:57 GMT -5
My first season all I had was waders, an old Winchester 1300, pair of decoys, and one mallard call. You don't need much to get started but like everyone here has said, you'll end up with way more.
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Post by riverrat77 on Nov 16, 2021 18:37:01 GMT -5
I just looked at my TideWe non insulated waders I picked up for ditch fishing. Size 10 and they fit me perfect. Extra wiggle room for thick socks I’ll check my wader stash and see if I have a 10 or 10 1/2 |
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Post by genesis273 on Nov 16, 2021 21:11:36 GMT -5
I just looked at my TideWe non insulated waders I picked up for ditch fishing. Size 10 and they fit me perfect. Extra wiggle room for thick socks I’ll check my wader stash and see if I have a 10 or 10 1/2 Sweet! Thanks! |
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Post by riverrat77 on Nov 29, 2021 7:24:18 GMT -5
I’ll check my wader stash and see if I have a 10 or 10 1/2 Sweet! Thanks! I have a size 9 and size 11 lacrosse. These are the LaCrosse 700082 - Men's - Alpha Swampfox Drop-Top Waders - Realtree Max-5® 600G |
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Post by riverrat77 on Nov 29, 2021 7:32:07 GMT -5
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Post by esshup on Nov 29, 2021 10:09:53 GMT -5
I hope you have an easier time fitting into waders than I do. My calves are big, I spent MANY hours on water skiis when I was growing up and that has always been a problem in buying pants and waders. I stopped in at Mack's Prairie Wings in Stuttgart and spent at least an hour there trying on different pairs until I found a pair that fit.
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