muddy water

[cajun_mallard_malisha]

:( Hi guys, i'm new to the forum and a little new to waterfowling in general. I have a question about muddy water in the spread. I just bought a prodrive and to get where i wanted to hunt i had to really root up the bottom. Maybe about 4 inches of water in the spot so i had push the limits. Anyway, we had about 200 hundred mallard over the deeks but none would commit. We were hunting about 3 dozen mallard deeks and about 6 wigeon deeks. I desent wind about 5 to 10 from the south. I was just wondering what might be the deal with the birds not committing.
I live in south Louisiana and the birds dont really like spinning wing deeks. Maybe more water movement...i dont know.. any help would be apreciated.

[mike.]

what were the birds doing exactly? did they come so close then just flare? or just keep circling? how were you hidden and how well? theres many possibilities. Im not sure about muddy water, but we need all the info you can give

[cajun_mallard_malisha]

They were passing overhead about 70 yards. They didnt flare and actually were flying slow and cupping and circling just would come into range. We were well hidden in cut-grass. I hunt on the Atchafalaya Delta Wildlife Management Area here in Southern Louisiana along the Gulf. We have alot of hunting pressure and the bird get wise real quick.

[OutForBlood87]

Muddy water is exactly what they are looking for, when ducks circle over head they are looking for a food source and a place to land. Muddy water makes it look like a feeding frenzy, because when ducks eat in shallow water they are picking stuff up off the bottom, whether it is rice, corn or different grasses and they kick up mud with their beaks and feet making muddy water.

More than likely you were seen by them. You said 200, thats alot of eyeballs looking at you.
Second, it could of been your decoys were not set properly, were they too close together, that makes it look like they are spooked getting ready to fly off, wich can flare birds.
Third, was there not enough room for the birds to set down, did you use too many decoys?
Last, more than likely it was a combination of both.
Remember, concealment is number ONE.

[cajun_mallard_malisha]

If the ducks would have seen us wouldnt they have flared. I anyways try and leave about 2 to 3 feet between deeks and even paired them up alittle this late in the season. I made a j hook pattern to allow them to lite into the wind with plenty on space.

[acg2nd]

It is very hard to get a big group like that to commit. Most big bunches won't, but there are days they will...welcome to waterfowling! Just keep trying and get hid! Before you know it they will land in your lap!;)

[OutForBlood87]

Yes, it is hard to work big bunches, because if one gets weary they all get weary and if one goes they all go, just like in deer hunting.

[Jeremy DeVries]

Plain and simple, 200 mallards have to be REALLY fooled to all commit to begin with. It is done every year by hunters all across the country, but everything has to be just right. I mean perfect. From all you've stated, I don't think there was enough room for all the birds to land so they looked for other water, or they were on their way to other water to begin with and just poked their head in to check you out. Sometimes there are no real great answers. They just wouldn't do it. Good luck next time, and hey, I bet it was exciting seeing them anyway.

[cajun_mallard_malisha]

I know that there are no right answers. So many possibilities. I really thought it was the hugh cloud of dark mud i stired up trying to get in some cover may have had an affect on the reason they didnt want in. It was 200 at a time, i should have been more in detail. It was 200 all together. Maybe 10 to 15 at a time. Just none would commit. This forum is great guys. Thank you for the info

[Jason Connellee]

I would'nt be worried about the muddy water. In fact, feeding ducks will mud up the water. Movement may just be what you guys need. Have you ever tried "jerk cords" ? Try rigging up 3-6 decoys on a jerk cord system. One can be fashioned from the following parts.

1. metal stakes
2. bicyle inner-tube
3. some stell rings (they can be found at your local hardware store)
4. 1/4 inch nylon line
5. Avery Gang-rig clips OR "Longline clips"

I have used this method when ducks are working. Random jerking of the line when they are working. Simulates ducks feeding.

BTW, that pro-drive motor is wicked !

[Jeremy DeVries]

Ahh. 10-15 bird groups you should have been able to work with.

In that case Jason is probably right and you did need some motion in the ocean. Maybe a spinner on a remote, a flag or two (yes they work on ducks too), or a jerk cord. I am not the best guy for advice in stillwater since I am always in moving river current.

Also, even though you thought you were well hidden in the grass, I would reccomend really evaluating how well you were covered from overhead. You said the birds would come to 70 and hang, maybe from 70 yards looking down you stuck out like sore thumbs. Even though you had great side to side coverage in the grass. That would be my first concern in grass.

Good luck next time.

[Rob Heflin]

I used to fly nearly every day during duck season. First thing I would notice were the ripples on the water. They glint in the sun from a long, long way off. Even before I could make out the ducks on the water, I could see the ripples. Muddy water will tell you exactly where the ducks are feeding in the field. They know this also.

[hardcore dekem]

I agree with Jeremy about the motion I run a jerk string in all my sets and it really helps! He also has a good point about the hide make sure your covered from all sides including the top! Hide, Hide,Motion, Motion!
Kelcey