 Even though they're called waterfowl, water isn't the only place to hunt ducks. Hunter Jim Balzer bagged these two handsome drake widgeons while hunting over a snow goose setup in a field. He may never get his feet wet again! Photo by Mike Gnatkowski. |
Traditionally, waterfowlers have hunted geese on land and ducks over water. But that mindset may be changing. More and more waterfowlers are discovering that puddle ducks spend plenty of time on dry land. Targeting them in the fields where they feed can pay big dividends.
Manufacturers of hunting accessories are jumping on the bandwagon, too. Several companies are now creating very lifelike field-duck decoys and equipment that makes hunting ducks in fields more practical and productive than ever. Fact is, you can shoot a limit of ducks these days and never get your feet wet!
It was probably 30 years ago when I started hunting ducks in the fields. We'd watch the birds leave the refuge and follow them up to 20 miles out into the surrounding corn fields. Back then we didn't have GPS, lay-down blinds, spinning winged decoys and corn field camouflage. Our success was modest, but when everything clicked, it provided some great shooting for big, fat mallards.
Get Out And Scout About
More than any type of waterfowling, hunting ducks in fields requires scouting. If you're not where the ducks want to be, you're usually wasting your time. The only way to know where the ducks are is to follow them or find them. This requires an investment in time and energy, but you can be rewarded in spades.
Ducks don't spend all their time in the fields. They spend the majority of their time on the water. Finding concentrations of birds on the water is key for success. The birds might be using large natural lakes, marshes, reservoirs, rivers or streams. Certainly, ducks will be using the water throughout the season, but their numbers generally build as the season progresses and the migration intensifies. You need to scout regularly to monitor the numbers of birds around and the potential for field-hunting success.
Remember, you're looking for puddle ducks. Big rafts of divers might look inviting, but it's the puddle ducks -- like mallards, widgeons, pintails and wood ducks -- that are going to be visiting local farm fields.
Some of the best field-hunting for ducks typically occurs late in the season when migration numbers are peaking, water sources are at a premium, and high-energy grain is a necessity. However, that doesn't mean fields can't be productive right from the opening bell.
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