** 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. **
Need a new duck hunting spot? Open a map. See those blue lines? They're rivers.
Gallery
1 of 1
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.
1 of 1
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.
1 of 1
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.
1 of 1
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.
The best early-season waterfowl hunting depends on scouting and understanding bird movement as the birds’ preferred food sources shift, and employing the right equipment to hunt the range of situations in which you find birds.
Designed to keep waterfowlers light, mobile and ready for the next flight, Sitka Gear introduces the new Delta VentLite Zip GTX Wader, the lightest Gore-Tex wader to-date, powered by Sitka’s VentLite GTX boot technology that promises maximum breathability and precise temperature control.
Might you be placing too much faith in November’s deer breeding party? The author is here to persuade you to concentrate your deer-hunting efforts in October. One reason: the whitetail’s predictability.
Vehicle owners in dozens of states can purchase a conservation-themed license plate for their vehicle, with the extra cash going toward managing wildlife.
I first became aware of the Bergara .22 rifle when my buddy showed up at our shooting range with one he had just bought. I didn’t pay much attention. Then he brought the 50-yard target over to my bench.
Beretta has introduced the Terrain Evo Collection, a versatile line of premium bags, cases and slings designed for hunters, shooters and outdoor travelers who demand rugged performance with refined style.