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Hey everyone, I am new to the forum and I am looking for some general insight into duck hunting. I have a shotgun and camo, I am picking up a call tomorrow to start practicing with, and I guess I am wondering what else I have to start looking into. I know I will need decoys and a blind or something to keep me hidden, but I was wondering what types of things I may be overlooking. I live in Eastern Pennsylvania and I have been researching the different types of ducks in the area. I'm not looking to find a spot off of anyone, but I am just wondering what types of areas have worked best for others, for example should I expect to only hunt at ponds, marshes, etc, or do fields work just as well? I am just trying to get a good idea where I should be looking for areas to hunt, I don't want to limit myself and make it much more difficult. I am hoping to start scouting out areas this week. Thanks for your help guys.

The answers to the couple questions you are asking could fill a book. The short answer would be to see if you can find someone in your area that will take you a few times and listen/learn all you can. You could also check to see if there are any state/federal refuges in your area.
The list of things that you actually need could be as short or as long as you want, just depends on how far you want to dig in, and how monetarily committed you want to be. Beyond that, the best way to learn is trial and error.

Good advice from Tripod and welcome to WFF!

Thanks for input, I plan on looking around for some people in my area that duck hunt. What are your guys thoughts about state and federal lands? I always assumed they were overcrowded and over hunted. I still plan on checking them out, but I figure that finding some private land would be my best, maybe not easiest, option. Thanks again guys

Join a DU chapter! Always guys there willing to help out a new guy.

You need waders. These are a must, and are a pretty good chunk of change most times. I'd skimp on darn near everything else (decoys, call, shells) if I had to in order to have a good pair of waders.

assateague wrote:You need waders. These are a must, and are a pretty good chunk of change most times. I'd skimp on darn near everything else (decoys, call, shells) if I had to in order to have a good pair of waders.

This big time. A few swims in icy water and you'll learn that quick. That being said you don't have to drop a ton on waders either. Hit up Academy (don't know if yall have those) or even a Wal-Mart and you can sometimes score some 3.5 waders for cheap that are just as good as the high dollar ones minus the hand warmers, shell straps, and other nonessential accessories.

assateague wrote:You need waders. These are a must, and are a pretty good chunk of change most times. I'd skimp on darn near everything else (decoys, call, shells) if I had to in order to have a good pair of waders.

What kind of waders did you buy last month again? ? ?

3legged_lab wrote:The answers to the couple questions you are asking could fill a book. The short answer would be to see if you can find someone in your area that will take you a few times and listen/learn all you can. You could also check to see if there are any state/federal refuges in your area.
The list of things that you actually need could be as short or as long as you want, just depends on how far you want to dig in, and how monetarily committed you want to be. Beyond that, the best way to learn is trial and error.

3leg's spot on. It'll be impossible for us to know what types of area you'll be hunting unless you can hook up with someone local. But once you know the answer to that then we could start lining ya up on the possible gear that could make your life alittle easier. But since you're willing to get out to scout, then you're getting off on the right foot. Good luck and welcome to the forum!


#tazincali

3legged_lab wrote:

assateague wrote:You need waders. These are a must, and are a pretty good chunk of change most times. I'd skimp on darn near everything else (decoys, call, shells) if I had to in order to have a good pair of waders.

What kind of waders did you buy last month again? ? ?

cheapos!


#tazincali

Jarvey...scratch what we've all said. You'll need a gator trax boat, go devil, Benelli or beretta shotgun, acrylic timber and open water calls, lacrosse waders, an underarmour hunting jacket, case of hevi shot, a fully trained duck hills kennels lab...what am I forgetting? Anyway, how big's your pocketbook?


#tazincali

Even reading some DU mags could give you general pointers.

3legged_lab wrote:

assateague wrote:You need waders. These are a must, and are a pretty good chunk of change most times. I'd skimp on darn near everything else (decoys, call, shells) if I had to in order to have a good pair of waders.

What kind of waders did you buy last month again? ? ?

I said "most times", dammit.

assateague wrote:

3legged_lab wrote:

assateague wrote:You need waders. These are a must, and are a pretty good chunk of change most times. I'd skimp on darn near everything else (decoys, call, shells) if I had to in order to have a good pair of waders.

What kind of waders did you buy last month again? ? ?

I said "most times", dammit.

Haha! You also said "if I had to".

I guess you didn't have to.

How much you pay for waders Jim?

My new USIA's should be here any day. In three years I'll tell ya if they're worth the two hundo


#tazincali

3legged_lab wrote:

assateague wrote:

3legged_lab wrote:

assateague wrote:You need waders. These are a must, and are a pretty good chunk of change most times. I'd skimp on darn near everything else (decoys, call, shells) if I had to in order to have a good pair of waders.

What kind of waders did you buy last month again? ? ?

I said "most times", dammit.

Haha! You also said "if I had to".

I guess you didn't have to.

More like absolutely refused to. Or physically couldn't without causing an aneurism.

Redbeard wrote:How much you pay for waders Jim?

My new USIA's should be here any day. In three years I'll tell ya if they're worth the two hundo


#tazincali

Curious to know about these. If they are, next time I buy waders I'm going this route.

First you need a duck. All else is for naught if you don't locate birds.

Redbeard wrote:How much you pay for waders Jim?

My new USIA's should be here any day. In three years I'll tell ya if they're worth the two hundo


#tazincali

This last pair was $80 from eBay. Some brand named Kobuk. We'll see how they pan out.

rebelp74 wrote:

Redbeard wrote:How much you pay for waders Jim?

My new USIA's should be here any day. In three years I'll tell ya if they're worth the two hundo


#tazincali

Curious to know about these. If they are, next time I buy waders I'm going this route.

hopefully they'll be here soon


#tazincali

assateague wrote:

Redbeard wrote:How much you pay for waders Jim?

My new USIA's should be here any day. In three years I'll tell ya if they're worth the two hundo


#tazincali

This last pair was $80 from eBay. Some brand named Kobuk. We'll see how they pan out.

that's about as cheap as I've ever seen waders. Our Costco was selling some for $80 a while back.


#tazincali

Redbeard wrote:

assateague wrote:

Redbeard wrote:How much you pay for waders Jim?

My new USIA's should be here any day. In three years I'll tell ya if they're worth the two hundo


#tazincali

This last pair was $80 from eBay. Some brand named Kobuk. We'll see how they pan out.

that's about as cheap as I've ever seen waders. Our Costco was selling some for $80 a while back.


#tazincali

I give 35 dollars for mine....


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