Waterfowl Hunting Help Wanted

[bc sportsman]

New to waterfowl huntin' but have 30 yrs experience with mooose and deer.

My huntin' bud and I are looking to learn duck and geese hunting techniques from experienced hunters. Anyone feel charitable sharing their years of experience with us? We'd be happy to reciprocate in a manner suitable for the opportunity and learning provided.

PM me if you can. We live in the Lower Mainland (Surrey).

[Ian F.]

To make life a little easier, could you let me/us know what your level of gear is?

The big questions would be...
Do you have or will have a boat, or are you only able to walk in?

Smaller, but equally important questions would be;
1. waders?
2. decoys?
3. Shotgun?
4. Camo?
5. Have you ever waterfowled before?
6. Do you know your birds?

Give me the answer to those and we can take it from there,

Ian

[bc sportsman]

Thanks for getting back to me Ian.

We have:
1)canoe
2)waders
3)no decoys
4)benelli pump and camo'd shotguns 12 ga 3.5"
5)camo and blind (real tree big game type)
6)never waterfowled before
7)have a basic knowledge of the different type of birds (can distinguish between Snows, Canada, Ross geese in flight vs swans but have some trouble distinguishing between similar species of ducks).

[Woodrow]

do you have a fast truck that can hold a few guys in the box?

[Sako_Halfcok]

Use Led , for guaranteed success.

[bc sportsman]

HHHMMMM...fast truck and some guys in the box sounds suspiciously like a getaway attempt!! Who are we running from...our wives, the landowner, the law or all of the above? I can fit 5 guys in the cab, 10 guys in the box and 8 guys on the roof racks if they hold on tight. What the heck...I can put another 10 guys in my utility trailer....that's if we have room left over after we fill it with ducks and geese!!!!

Sako Halfcok ....re using 'led'...I guess its no big deal if I OD on a few pellets especially since I've already lost most of my hair and a couple viagra as needed should fix the other side effects. But I'll stick with non-toxics just in case one or two pellets end up in the food chain. Do you have any personal recommendations for shot (bismuth, steel, tungsten or heavy shot combos) that you like for ducks and for geese?

[Marc]

Lead shot is against the law to use for waterfowl . The substitute shot for lead are expensive but will kill birds and some better then Lead.

I myself reload Steel shot and try and keep the shots close over decoys. It's more fun calling then in and having them tuck their wings before you pull the trigger. I prefer # 2 steel shot for ducks and BB steel shot for Geese.

[Ian F.]

So you are on your way!

I'm in PoMo if you want to stop by or just shoot the shit (goes for anyone) 288-7764.

Your canoe will allow you to access a number of the areas in the lower mainland for birds that would otherwise be closed off to you. I hunt over decoys 99% of the time, and if you are looking at getting into the game and not taking the full plunge take a trip to bellingham and hit Joes, GHG hotbuy mallards are $25 a dozen, can't be beat.

Shells, I like 1 1/4oz of #3 steel for quackers going at least 1300 fps, BB's for geese, but everyone has their preference, spend some time patterneing your gun!

Also, the #1 tip in wingshooting is to put at least a case (20 boxes) of shells through your gun each year before the season on effective practice. THis is where I get to bash trap as it is not effective practice for hunting, Skeet is the best place to learn, sporting clays is great fun and a good humbler, but start with Skeet, learn you leads!

I shoot at the Pitt club, skeet starts sunday mornings between 9 and 10, good crew they'll walk anyone through the basics.

Go to either the library or bookfinder.com and find a copy of Modern Waterfowling by John O. Cartier, a little dated but it covers the basics and will get you pointed.

Here is the #1 tip in watefowling, works every single time, no lies, no gimmicks, no BS!

Find where the ducks want to be, HUNT THERE!

So to decypher this for you, you need to learn what ducks like and what they don't! Scounting right now to find marshy spots will get you in the ball park, but unless you know this is ducky you'll have to wait till fall to put the last pieces together, this takes time. I've been chasing ducks for 22 years under license and before that as "the dog" for my dad and I still don't have it all figured out.

Calling is another whole kettle of fish again...

I can go on about this stuff forever...

[bc sportsman]

Thank you Ian. I will be in touch and look forward to buying you a coffee and shooting the breeze.

Appreciate the info from you and Marc. I did know that lead was banned...just responding in kind to a humerous post. As a matter of fact, I now only hunt with copper monos for big game and use non-toxics for all hunting with shotgun.

Will get the book you suggested.

[mattysco]

hey im trying to learn duck hunting too! i have a 12 gadge. Im mostly a grouse hunter and am learning the ways of the hunter! Hey if you have a group lesson maybe i can come hunting too!?