New to duck huntin

[tlangs31]

Hey guys I'm new to duck huntin I'm young and in my twenties. I live in southwest Missouri about 30-40 minutes from the Arkansas line. I have always been a deer,turkey and small game hunter.I picked up bass fishing a few years ago and every once in a while when I was down at the lake fishin I would spook a few ducks out of the coves and I've always thought they were pretty neat looking and I've decided I would like to start duck hunting. My girlfriends family lives down in Arkansas and they duck hunt so I could go with people to learn if I needed to I would just really like to go with one of my buddies here in Missouri we both are just begining. I own a shotgun and 2 duck calls there both duck comander just because they were cheaper to try and practice using. I plan on getting some good waders any advice? And also I'm looking at GHG decoys any advice on them? Im not really sure what kind of ducks are the most common or what we have exactly any help would be appreciated and what should I look for as far as places to hunt I have read to scout but what kind of water to look for exactly I'm goin to be limited to public land for now.

[capt1972]

And for everybody else, this is the GREENHORN FORUM

[rebelp74]

Hey guys I'm new to duck huntin I'm young and in my twenties. I live in southwest Missouri about 30-40 minutes from the Arkansas line. I have always been a deer,turkey and small game hunter.I picked up bass fishing a few years ago and every once in a while when I was down at the lake fishin I would spook a few ducks out of the coves and I've always thought they were pretty neat looking and I've decided I would like to start duck hunting. My girlfriends family lives down in Arkansas and they duck hunt so I could go with people to learn if I needed to I would just really like to go with one of my buddies here in Missouri we both are just begining. I own a shotgun and 2 duck calls there both duck comander just because they were cheaper to try and practice using. I plan on getting some good waders any advice? And also I'm looking at GHG decoys any advice on them? Im not really sure what kind of ducks are the most common or what we have exactly any help would be appreciated and what should I look for as far as places to hunt I have read to scout but what kind of water to look for exactly I'm goin to be limited to public land for now.

GHG hotbuys or flambeau stormfronts would be the cheapest start to building a spread. Go with mallards, most birds will decoy to them and given your general location there will be plenty of them. As for waders cabelas are pretty good, but compared to some other brands are pricey. If you go the cheap route on waders be prepared to be a new pair every 1-3 years depending on how much you use and how hard you abuse them. For scouting, you're looking for the ducks, find where they are and that's where you want to be. If you can't find where they are, you won't be as successful, but you can still kill them. Find areas they fly by pretty heavily and setup. You may be able to pull a few birds from the flocks flying by.
And... Welcome to WFF!

[Feelin' Fowl]

Pretty good advice there, and

[RonE]

If you have a shotgun and a couple of duck calls, you're off to a good start. Read what you can on the www and look at some youtube videos. Duck hunting is fun, frustrating, exciting and additive. Welcome to the forum.

It is near the end of this years season, talk to other duck hunters throughout the year and next season you will have plenty of knowledge and even invites to hunt. It takes persistence to gain the knowledge of how, where and when but it isn't particularly hard work.

Talk to some of the farmers and landowners in your area and you might score a pond or some flooded timber to hunt, maybe even some fields to hunt geese in. I have always approached landowners when they were working and asked if I could do anything to help. Most people ask if they can hunt, not help.

[tlangs31]

Thanks for the advice

[Goldfish]

Look into a book called The Lemaster Method. It's a waterfowl identification book. You will need to learn the different kinds of ducks because you can only shoot so many of each species. It's better to learn what they are flying versus after you shoot them.

Also, learn what loons, cormorants, and grebes are, because you can't shoot those (protected species).

[Tomkat]

Nixa, you are gonna have to go north to find ducks.

[tlangs31]

I plan on either going north or buying a non resident and going south into Arkansas it would probably be about the same driving distance either way

[aunt betty]

Decoys: on opening week of duck season DNW Outdoors has sales that you can't beat. Pick up a dozen for $25.

[aunt betty]

DNW is in Jonesboro

[aunt betty]

Waders:
I like Cabelas 5 mm neoprene.
Macks Prairie Wings has a huge selection if you want to go to Stuttgart. I've heard good things about Macks brand waders.

[Tomkat]

I hated my 5 mm waders. Breathables all the way

[rebelp74]

I hated my 5 mm waders. Breathables all the way

x2