Variety Adds Spice To Duck Soup In Late Season

After surviving four months and many miles of people shooting at them, veteran ducks know all the tricks.

Ducks that survive into January don't make many mistakes. By January, sharp-eyed ducks can pick out just about every imaginable blind or decoy spread. They know every possible call. Therefore, waterfowl hunters must change their tactics to bag savvy birds.

A few well-placed decoys in a good area could offer a more realistic appearance than hundreds of decoys spread across a large lake. In late season, ducks often seek secluded potholes away from people where they can rest in security. Mallards might respond better to a few decoys in a tiny pothole more readily than they would to 300 decoys spread around a blockhouse blind.

Most Use Mallard Decoys

Most people across North America use mallard decoys. Therefore, wily birds might become suspicious of seeing two dozen mallards sitting peacefully around a lump of brush. Try something different and vary the species. Ducks don't necessarily flock to their own kind, but might land next to any other waterfowl species. Instead of mallards, whitish pintail or wigeon decoys offer great visibility from long distances. Spread a few teal decoys around the pond as well.

"People laugh when they see shoveler decoys in my spread," said Charles "Hammer" Snapp of Davy Crockett Hammertime Guide Service who hunts flooded timber and rice fields near Walnut Ridge, Ark. "A lot of people don't like to shoot shovelers, but in rice fields, we shoot shovelers, teal, gadwalls, pintails, mallards, wigeons, and other species. Many species come to shoveler decoys."

If people must use mallards, hang two strips of orange or red cloth from the back of the decoys. Most factory decoys do not come with legs, but birds on final approach can easily see the orange feet of a live mallard kicking in clear water. A 4-inch strip of orange ribbon dangling from the decoys adds color and sets that spread apart from thousands of others along the flyway.

Placing a couple blue herons along a shoreline also adds "confidence" in a spread. In the right spot, they not only give ducks a more secure feeling, but focus their eyes away from the blind. They can also serve as range marks for shooting. Herons standing in water also indicate food availability. Two or three coot decoys could mark the extreme shooting range in a pond. In an area where geese gather, one or two specklebelly decoys off to one side could enhance the illusion of tranquility.

Vary Decoy Patterns

On private land, many hunters keep their decoys out all season. Decoy spreads that look the same in January as they did in November don't fool ducks that fly over them seven days a week. Move the decoys around, and add or remove a few each trip. Start with teal in early season, and shift to other species later in the season. 

Whenever possible, include a little motion in a spread. Where laws prohibit using spinning wing decoys, hunters can still create movement. In flooded timber, many hunters kick the water to produce ripples. A jerk cord could add realistic movement in a placid spread.

Clearly, the majority of waterfowlers use mallard hen calls. In any popular duck spot, hunters can easily locate fellow sportsmen by their loud boisterous quacking. Ducks can also locate hunters by the incessant noise. Try blowing a mallard drake call or throw in a few wigeon, pintail or teal whistles. Too much calling or improper calling could spook ducks far worse than no calling at all. 

Limit Calling

People who cannot call properly would probably bag more birds if they did not call at all. Even the most skillful callers should tone down the quacking in January. Call sparingly and in lower tones. If calling at all, hit a quick note to force ducks to look in the direction of the decoys and stop. If ducks head toward the blind, remain silent. 

Many people hunt all season from comfortable, permanent blinds, but birds soon learn to avoid certain places. Whenever possible, no blind makes the best blind. Hide in native vegetation or other cover. Use materials that match the surroundings. A pop-up boat blind gives sportsmen excellent mobility to set up wherever they wish and to move quickly and easily. Above all, remain still. A camouflaged hunter standing absolutely still in a field would less likely spook ducks than someone squirming around in the best blind.