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[krypto99]

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[PoorRichRichard]

First, stop calling. If you were calling wrong (and it definitely sounds like you are), all are you doing is scaring birds away. I don’t really need (or like) to call ducks at a place like Wister, because there are generally many hunters in a fairly tight area, which pushes the birds around a lot, especially the first light shoot time. Most of my shooting at an area like Wister is what is known as “pass shooting”, rather than getting the ducks to try and fly into decoys by calling. This is where practicing shooting sporting clays really helps you out.

I’ve got more info to share. Hit me up via PM if interested.

[Irishfisher]

The type of hunting you described is called pass shooting. The birds are already in the local area and are essentially moving from one pond to another because all the hunters disturbed them. That "flight" usually dies after about an hour, as the birds find the safe places to land and sit tight. Sometimes, that is all you get for the day. However, if you wait things out a bit, you may start to get birds migrating in from the north or other not too distant bodies of water. These are the birds you may be able to call in.

[edgerly779]

Pass shooting for gamebirds is common and not unethical. Doves, ducks, geese, etc. Stop calling until you learn how.

[Duck Killer]

Let’s be honest it depends on the distance on whether pass shooting is ethical. It is also called skyscraping. Shooting at birds out of reasonable range hoping to get a golden BB to bring on down is bull****. Especially if you can’t retrieve the bird because it sailed away. You can also get in trouble with fish and game if they see you sailing birds and not retrieving them.

[sargenv]

Usually, hunting without weather is basically a day to go out bird watching. If you can get out when the wind is blowing, it's stormy but not just raining. Get out when it's foggy, or something other than a blue bird day, you'll probably have a better chance. The problem with refuges is that they only hunt there days a week and you can't always hunt when conditions are good. Learn to call, practice, watch Youtube, read up on websites, and if you can afford it, go on a few guided hunts. It's a hard thing to get birds all the time. The other thing is that you need to go every chance you can, it's not for the faint of heart and not for those with too limited a budget. The TSS ammo has unfortunately made it so that the ammo does make a difference, but the stuff is pricy. You can do fine with steel shot as long as you keep distances reasonable. The TSS stuff helps but you'll need a dog to find those birds that were marginal hits. We all have them. I no longer hunt with a dog since I don't have the time or resources to do it at this point. Good luck.

[Fjold]

Lead and follow through.

[Duck Killer]

Lead and follow through.

The hard part is knowing when you are shooting in front of or behind.

[Imageview]

My first time at a public refuge I got confused hiking in in the dark and ended up in an area that while open had little water. We set up with a couple decoys in a small pool, well away from all the other hunters going to the good spots.

We had a teal land in our decoys, and a couple low flying groups that had come down from up high after they got past the bulk of hunters. Had we been even slightly competent we could have had a pretty good day at that spot that no one else wanted.

Mostly I think it was being away from other hunters, not moving much to spook the birds, and being patient after most people had given up after a disappointing morning. All pretty universal tactics for any hunting.

[Fjold]

The hard part is knowing when you are shooting in front of or behind.

90% of the time, behind. If you're missing, always increase your lead first.

[Duck Killer]

90% of the time, behind. If you're missing, always increase your lead first.

100%. If you see the bird flare then you are in front. I swear they can see the BBs some times. Most of the time you need a head shot or to break a wing to down the bird without sailing it.

[Duck Killer]

I have done both. I have hunted a couple places where you show up for an hour for the daily migration and that is it.

[Irishfisher]

If you are hunting public refuges, your best bet might be to do a few afternoon hunts. The majority of hunters tend to leave by noon. If the place is free roam, you can scout around a bit in daylight and find a good pond. Additionally, the birds tend to work a bit more in the evening, as they are not all rattled by the morning volley of shots going off.

[NapalmCheese]

• Morning is usually best, but also the most competitive time.
• Afternoons can shoot well.
• Be on the 'X'.
• If you can't be on the 'X', be in the flyway for the 'X' (that sounds like what you were doing).
• If there hasn't been a cold snap up north you're probably hunting very educated birds.
• Call sparingly, to tips and tails.

All of that is stuff you'll figure out.

The biggest tips I have for new hunters are:

• If you take a shot and feel even slightly good about it, watch that duck. It's not uncommon for gut shot or lung shot ducks to fly another 10 seconds or so before falling out of the sky. Don't lose birds because you shot, thought you missed, and stopped watching.
• Shoot one bird at a time, follow the dead bird into the water. Save the doubles, triples (or even quads) for after you're more comfortable hunting ducks.
• Take your gun with you to retrieve your bird.
• Shoot wounded birds ASAP.
• If you're going to water swat a duck (wounded or not) try to hit it in the head with the bottom of your pattern. If you shoot a duck on the water and the bottom of your pattern hits 15 feet in front of it, it will dive and you might not put any pellets in it.
• If you don't have a marsh seat get one. Standing around in tules gets old and you're more likely to fidget.
• Don't stare at the ducks, look with your eyes, not your face.
• Follow the feathers. If you down a duck and didn't see it hit the water you can sometimes follow a trail of feathers to it.
• Spend time looking for your duck. You're a duck hunter, not a duck shooter. Don't give up on looking for a bird after 30 seconds just because you want to shoot more birds.
• Bring toilet paper.

[bigbossman]

• Morning is usually best, but also the most competitive time.
• Afternoons can shoot well.
• Be on the 'X'.
• If you can't be on the 'X', be in the flyway for the 'X' (that sounds like what you were doing).
• If there hasn't been a cold snap up north you're probably hunting very educated birds.
• Call sparingly, to tips and tails.

All of that is stuff you'll figure out.

The biggest tips I have for new hunters are:

• If you take a shot and feel even slightly good about it, watch that duck. It's not uncommon for gut shot or lung shot ducks to fly another 10 seconds or so before falling out of the sky. Don't lose birds because you shot, thought you missed, and stopped watching.
• Shoot one bird at a time, follow the dead bird into the water. Save the doubles, triples (or even quads) for after you're more comfortable hunting ducks.
• Take your gun with you to retrieve your bird.
• Shoot wounded birds ASAP.
• If you're going to water swat a duck (wounded or not) try to hit it in the head with the bottom of your pattern. If you shoot a duck on the water and the bottom of your pattern hits 15 feet in front of it, it will dive and you might not put any pellets in it.
• If you don't have a marsh seat get one. Standing around in tules gets old and you're more likely to fidget.
• Don't stare at the ducks, look with your eyes, not your face.
• Follow the feathers. If you down a duck and didn't see it hit the water you can sometimes follow a trail of feathers to it.
• Spend time looking for your duck. You're a duck hunter, not a duck shooter. Don't give up on looking for a bird after 30 seconds just because you want to shoot more birds.
• Bring toilet paper.

All excellent advice. I'll add one more item..... if you stand up to take a piss, have your gun handy. Guaranteed a Spoonbill or Scaup will buzz the blind while you have your dick in your hands.