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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.
Florida’s 2026 Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday runs through December 31, eliminating sales tax on eligible firearms, ammunition, and hunting, fishing and camping equipment.
If we could rewind the clock to 1871, before the .45-70 Government and .45 Colt existed, and when cartridges themselves were just establishing a foothold in the shooting world, you’d find a pair of .22-caliber rimfire designs: the .22 Short and the .22 Long. Aptly named, these cartridges would survive well into the 20th century, ultimately being conquered by the .22 Long Rifle cartridge. But in certain situations, the .22 Long cartridge still makes good sense, and actually has a few specialized applications.
Sitka seems to keep “one upping” themselves with gear that not only keeps hunters in the field at a good comfort level, but also with gear that is well made and fits extremely well. Need a parka for the extreme cold, wet or wind? This Sitka product that could be the last parka you will need!