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Need a new duck hunting spot? Open a map. See those blue lines? They're rivers.
Gallery
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Late-Season Freeze
Find a pocket of open water and you’re in business. Sean Hammock of Big Sean's Outfitting, who hunts and guides the St. Joseph River in northern Indiana, widens the hole until the ice will support 50 to 100 rester and sleeper goose decoys. Ducks will also work the spread.
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Small Rivers and Big Creeks
You can still achieve good visibility with a small spread if you add a little motion. Tim Herald, host of "The Zone TV" on the Sportsman Channel, places his spread at the edge of a riffle and adds two spinning-wing decoys.
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Early- and Mid-Season
Before the freeze, visibility is key. Even if Field Hudnall, Avery pro staffer and founder of Field Proven Calls, is duck hunting, his favorite spread (see sidebar, above) consists of 90 to 120 floating and full-body geese plus a dozen ducks.
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Deep-Water Divers
Captain Bob Wetherald, pro staffer for Benelli and Final Approach, uses two gang-rigged lines of bluebill decoys to form his V-shaped spread. The “V” points toward the current. A sandbar is an ideal location.
On this week's #SundayGunday, we’re taking a look at a unique chassis system from MDT, the HNT26. Designed for hunters looking for the ultimate lightweight setup, the HNT26 is just as perfect for packing on the miles as it is for making a precision shot at last light.
If you’re hunting deer or elk in the West this fall, consider getting a bear tag. Many states offer over-the-counter bear tags, some you can even purchase after the season has begun.
Shane Mahoney, president and CEO of Conservation Visions Inc., received the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies’ (AFWA) 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award at a September ceremony in Lancaster, Pa.