“decoy spread”

Hunt cold-weather water sources and your late-season success on geese could heat up dramatically.

Wingmead is a name of Scottish origin that means “meadow of wings,” which is what the Grand Prairie of Arkansas becomes each year when ducks migrate here.

In waterfowl hunting, there are traditional tactics—like arranging a decoy spread and luring birds with calling—and then there are some, shall we say, rather zany tricks. However, occasionally we hear of an outlandish ploy so crazy that, well, it just might work.

On Arkansas’ Grand Prairie mallards are cause for celebration and calling brings ’em in close.

A bountiful diversity of birds, habitat and public access still spawns legendary tales of waterfowling on one of the world’s oldest active rivers.

While there are always bigger birds in the bush, Christopher Olsen opted not to risk losing the tom that was in front of him at the moment.

It was around 9 a.m., and a dozen or so birds had decided that they’d make a close enough pass at our decoy spread to elicit a volley. I’d loosed two shells when my concentration was broken by something thumping down into the reeds beside me.

Here's how to score on late-season, hunter-wise honkers.

Matt Kneisley of Conestoga, Pa., has hunted his spread of 120 Model 72 Herter decoys for forty years. In an absolutely despicable act, thieves stole 110 of the decoys sometime between noon on Thanksgiving Eve and 4 a.m. Thanksgiving morning.