How Much to Rest Your Duck Honeyhole

by
posted on December 15, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
dogs_ah2015_fs.jpg (78)

Wind-blown sleet whips my face as two buddies and I arrange our spread on the narrow slough. It's not just any slough though, but our most closely guarded honeyhole. The kind of spot that requires care to conceal from prying ears and to avoid over-pressuring.

The final decoy meets the water with a satisfying smack. Guns are loaded. Coffee is poured.

"Hurry guys, get in your layouts," Tyler says.

Two substantial groups of ducks whistle overhead, but ten minutes remain until legal hours. Seconds after go-time, we are shooting ducks—in the next 30 minutes we bag nine. I'm pondering how long it will take to shoot our last three when Tyler interjects.

"Hey, what do you say we get out of here?" he asks. "We can hit this again next week."

My instinct is to stay, but I know leaving is the right call. We hurriedly collect decoys as ducks continue pouring in.

Therein lies the challenge with a truly prime duck hole: They're hard to find and, for some, even harder to preserve. You simply must resist the urge to overpressure a perfectly good spot, no matter the temptation. Such discipline is worth it, however, as it can prove the difference between a good hunt or two and a long, quality season.

How much pressure is too much? That depends largely on what point of the season you're in. As the migration peaks, in my estimation you can hunt most locations once or twice per week. It doesn't really matter if you pressure a spot--new ducks will soon arrive, oblivious to your presence. However, if the migration is slow or you're hunting essentially local ducks, I'd advise against hunting your best spot more than once every ten days. That is, assuming each hunt lasts several hours. You can reduce pressure—and increase the frequency you hunt your spot—by hunting a mere 60 minutes or less.

We could've limited last week at our honeyhole—of that I am certain—but what would it have proven? We're headed back tomorrow, and I'm optimistic that so too are the ducks.

Latest

Success
Success

Building the Ultimate Elk Bow

Elk are remarkable creatures that dwell in some of the most hellish landscapes on earth. An elk bow needs to be tough, light, and ultra-accurate. Here's how to build the right one for you.

First Look: Spandau S2 20-Gauge

Spandau Arms, a brand of SDS Arms, has announced that the  Spandau S2 Shotgun is now available in a 20-gauge model in both a Mossy Oak Bottomland and a traditional wood finish.

Count Some Quail, Tally Some Turkeys

The Arkansas turkey season ended in May, but there’s still good reason for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts to keep the birds in mind when they head out to their favorite hiking trail or drive the backroads of The Natural State. Outdoorsmen who scare up coveys of quail are welcome in the survey as well.

2025 Online Firearm Sales Continue to Grow

While nationwide firearm sales have held steady this spring, guns.com is reporting significant growth, surpassing 10-percent year-over-year gun sales growth in the first half of 2025, according to the company's internal data.

#SundayGunday: Henry Special Products Division HUSH

This week on #SundayGunday, we’re checking out the HUSH Series, from Henry’s new Special Products Division, SPD for short.

New for 2025: Federal’s Personal Defense HST .44 Rem. Mag.

Federal Ammunition has recently added a new HST .44 Remington Magnum “Light Magnum” load featuring a specially designed hollow-point bullet, ideal for those seeking HST performance for self-defense with magnum revolvers.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.