Calling ducks "boots-on"

[chris crumpler]

I have found a field that mallards and some other birds are feeding in and I'm planning to hunt it opening day. Since I've never hunted ducks in fields I was wondering do you guys call them any differently then you do over water?More aggressive/passive, etc.Thanks in advance.

[Michael Weiss]

Motion, motion, and more motion!! I will also add some calling in to. I use goose decoys when hunting ducks in the field as well. The goose decoys are like the American Express when it comes to hunting ducks the the field, "Never leave home with out 'em"!!!!! I will use my goose call more than I will my duck.........;)!!!!

Good luck....no go stick it to 'em!!!!!!

[Drew Allen]

If you can get right where the ducks have been using (look for feathers and some duck crap) and if you have a decent spread (3 dozen decoys or so) you shouldn't have to do a whole ton of calling. If they are coming, just let them come and don't call. If they turn at all give them a few quacks and maybe a come back call, but for the most part your location will be the best thing you can do. Good luck, let us know how you do.

[Dan Oberfoell]

Chris,

I call a little less than on the water, but I do stress the corners and the feed more. What I mean is that when the ducks are on the corners aka 10:00 and 2:00 in front of you, use a snotty hen and when they turn into you, do your feed call much more because guess what...that is what they are doing, be realistic in the firel, use motion and have fun, it is some of my favorite hunting and best memories because they get CLOSE!!!

Dan Oberfoell
Avery Pro Staff

[Rich Good]

Motion is the Key to field hunting ducks, they will always work to few decoys especially if you have a large goose spread out. I like Dan-Os advice to the snotty hen, aggressive feed calls, with quacks innermixed is an awesome way to deceive those flights working fields. Mix in some motion duck decoys and you'll be on the X.
I'm not big on the "Mechanical" decoy idea, but beileve in a field it makes a differance.

[David Rearick]

I agree with everyone here. Motion is the key. Whether it be wind powered or battery powered you can't go wrong with motion.

[LT. Gen.]

question for you bud is how many birds are working that field? If they are working that field now will they still be there when your season opens. When we field hunt we'll spend at least 2 hours scouting and just watching the birds. After we find a field then we wait to see how many birds come down into the erea and when they leave we look for food. Nothing worse then finding a field then setting up on that field and then there was no cloud cover and the birds ate all night and wipe the field out of food and then move on. The other guys are right motion. get a few mojo's working and maybe a spinner and even a couple of duck kites. When we hunt field the calling that we use is manly feed and a liitle bit of soft quacks. don't be affriad to hit them with a lonsome hen when the spin from you. and the last thing is to make sure that you are not blowing your call straight out at the birds. they will pick you up and bounce right out of there. If you are using layout blinds then hid your call to the side and switch sides as if you are a bunch of birds bouncing and bickering with each other like they do. Go luck and safe hunting. Pound a couple for me I still have 3 weeks to go!!

ADAM

[legacyshooter]

Our field hunts in alberta last week consisted of 1 mojo mallard and 6 avery fullbody duck decoys and we had good shooting out of the same field for 5 days. Motion is key and setting up in the right part of the field. Good Luck

[chris crumpler]

Thanks for the advice guys.And I'm not certain the ducks are actually feeding in the field(no feathers,etc). Basically I was hunting our early goose season and was buzzed by 6-7 groups that were leaving a roost pond about 400 yds thru the woods where I was set-up for geese.the field is planted with some winter wheat, and geese are feeding in it. Luckily I just got my GHG full body mallards in, man they look great!!Normally I don't use spinners over water just because I think birds get used to them by the time they get to NC.But, these are obviously resident birds so maybe I'll break out the mojo and see.

[Bob "Chappy" Chaplin]

As I too agree with the motion, and I too will use the geese to get the ducks into my speard. Remember to mix up yoru ducks along with the geese as if you have ever watched a field with both ducks and geese they are all mixed with each other.
But I believe you do need to do a little calling. This is when I love a good old nasty double reed, and the more whine you can put on it at the end of your quack the better.

Now as far as how to call? It's always different everyday, so what I would say to do is hit'em with a good solid greeting call, and watch to see how they react, if they like great and if not just some soft quacks, and feeders.

Good Luck,