Is it possible and worthwhile to go out with just some waders, decoys, some camo and a shotgun?

Nonus,

Boat; not needed when starting out.
Dog; not needed when starting out. But.....make sure you are facing the wind, or at an angle to the wind if you don't have a dog. Very Bad Form to shoot facing North with a South wind and to watch your downed birds float away.
If you hunt on no-wind days or where the wind will blow your downed birds into shore your are a Great Sportsman and hunter. Otherwise, you're doing nothing to help the sport.

Calling: a good rule is when you see ducks, short quack or quacks once, maybe twice. Just enough to get their attention. Then shut up and let the ducks come in.
Ducks don't quack like crazy when they see a flock overhead. The quack once in a while to say hello to their flock on the water.

Decoys; get 6-12. put 6 to the left and 6 to the right your first season. Leave a 20 foot spread in the middle for them to settle down into. That'll be plenty and work fine during year 1. (of course if you get HOOKED and end up hunting like a madman every 3 days, then you'll be on Year 2 experience in about 3 weeks!)

Nonus,

But.....make sure you are facing the wind, or at an angle to the wind if you don't have a dog.

Hello, new to hunting and I want to duck hunt.

My question is would I be wasting my time trying to duck hunt without a boat or dog? No and welcome to the sport, I'm still walking in after 4 years. And only get to hunt with a dog, if someone else brings it.

Is it possible and worthwhile to go out with just some waders, decoys, some camo and a shotgun? Yes

I want to learn to call as well but I think id do more harm than good trying to call my first hunt. I'd recommend getting the BUCK GARDNER DUCK CALLING COMBO KIT FROM MACKPW.COM It comes with the Double Nasty II call, which is a double reed and I find easy to learn on IMO.

Anyway, any tips for an aspiring duck hunter are very welcome.

1. I won't recommend a going with a guide, since your subject reads Budget duck hunting. To me that means there is no money in the budget. But do see if you can find someone you know to take you; might be hard to find someone on here to invite you, until folks get to know you.

2. I will recommend you start putting some money aside and go on the THF annual duck hunt. It would be a great oppertunity for you to get to know some folks and possible get an invite to hunt with some folks.

3. Get the APH which comes with map booklet of all the WMAs. Pick 1 or 2 lakes to go scout. You're looking for entry points you can get to walking in, but here is an article on scouting from WILDFOWL Magazine .
Mainly, you're looking to see where the birds want to be. Your challenge is finding a place you can get in and hunt without a dog or boat.

4. Recommand getting a copy of Texas Waterfowl [Paperback] by Chester Moore. (Can be found at Academy or online)

5. Shell recommendation Kent 3" #2 1560 FPS


I'm sure as the day goes, you'll get all sorts of tips.

JJ, who is Whiskey&Me on here is a guide who offers a trip where he actually helps you understand duck hunting, gives you tips, and answers questions, I think his site is kentoutdoors.com could be wrong, if you aren't in the Dallas area he probably knows someone in your area who would be good to learn from.

maybe the worst advice ever given on this forum.

To clarify:
For a BEGINNER on a LAKE without a dog; don't have the wind to your back as your ducks will float away.
You are correct, ducks set into the wind.

What I was attempting to illustrate to Nonus who says he hasn't hunted birds over water was that unlike dove and hogs over land, ducks float. And they float with the wind.

I've seen guys on big water lakes without dogs, shoot ducks and watch as they floated away.

From my viewpoint a couple hundreds yards away it was too far to send my dog after their ducks.

If you'll look I wrote "or at an angle".
So, yes, ducks set into the wind. For a beginner, make sure you can retrieve your birds if you don't have a dog with you.

you cant budget for duck hunting, its like crack. one you do it, you will lay awake at night hearing the sounds of wings and wonder how and where you can come up with the money for more...