“wigeon”

The fourth quarter of duck season is the toughest time to kill educated, pressured birds. But paying attention to three details and making sensible adjustments can turn tough days into big wins.

Scout, mind the weather, carry the right decoys, remain mobile—there’s a lot a duck hunter must do to be successful. With the right tools and the wisdom to make them all work, you can meet changing conditions all season long.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) recently released its “Waterfowl Population Status, 2024” report, and for the first time since 2015 it reflects a rise in numbers.

The breeding population of ducks declined seven percent this spring, while pond counts dropped by nine percent compared to last year, according to the 2023 Waterfowl Population Status report released by the USFWS.

This recipe has a short list of ingredients but strongly delivers on flavor. Duck and fruit go well together, and adding a rich cheese is a great way to create a new and exciting meal.

The end of duck season is a sordid affair. Yes, there’s work to be done, with mud and muck encasing nearly everything you own, and the contempt you hold for your alarm clock is palpable. … But why quit now? The best hunting of the year is waiting south of the border.

Formed more than two centuries ago by the largest earthquake east of the Rockies, Tennessee’s only natural lake, Reelfoot, is filled to the brim with history, local legends and perhaps the state’s best duck hunting.

The more you know and the better you play, the more you score—especially if you are where the ducks and geese want to be.

The USFWS has just released its 2018 Waterfowl Population Status Report. While dry spring conditions are to blame for recent declines, the majority of population numbers are still above their long-term averages.