New to Duck Hunting, a few questions on for Ray Roberts

New to duck hunting and just purchased my AHP, and wanting to try up at Ray Roberts, anybody have any tips on areas of lake to try? PM me if needed, will just be me and my 9 year old son, trying.

Tried some last year and found out how good ducks see, almost landing in decoys, then seeing me and my son. This year, we will be completely camoed up good, and brushed up.

Also, how far away from a bridge do you have to be, just curious? Don't want trouble with the law.

I know you can hunt till noon, but can you shoot at sun up, or 30 min before?

ANY TIPS AND HELP GREATLY APPRECIATED FELLAS, TRYING TO INTRODUCE THE YOUNGEN TO HUNTING.

Just go out there opening morning and if you see a headlamp, head towards it. That is the national signal of a duck hunter having available room in their blind. Spots go quick.

No shooting till 30 mins after sunrise, I know it will be tempting but if you shoot before, youll be getting a visit from the local gamewarden, hes not too lenient on the shooting time.

Not sure about the bridge rule but ive killed plenty of greenheads swimming around them while driving back to the ramp if I didnt finish my limit.

Lots of comradery out there, I met my life long duck hunting buddies out there after joining them when they shined their headlamps at me.

Good luck and have fun!

Just go out and build ya one of those fancy permanent blinds. Then your sure to have a spot.

I try to get the closest camping spot to the water at the state park by the dam. Heck, I can shoot from my tent 30 minutes after sun up and use a spinner to retrieve them. Sometimes catch a bass at the same time while still in the sleeping bag. up:

These guys are a bunch of pricks. PM me if you need any help! Don't listen to them, theyre being smart asses! I respect that you're trying to get your son involved in this awesome sport. Good luck!

Tough Crowd..

I can't believe no one offered up GPS cordinances..


.

I know, saying you're bringing a kid should negate any reserves duck hunters have about naming lakes or spots. Everyone knows that when you have a kid you don't have time or money to scout or read the rule book. duh Kid card trumps all.

DoveMaster - I went through some of your older posts and it appears you have a lot of questions and "rookie" is common in your posts. I applaud you for getting out an trying new things and getting your boy involved in the outdoors. I just started duck hunting myself a couple of years ago. I had/have the good fortune of having friends that have been hunting most of their life. I can ask all the "stupid" questions in private and not worry about offending anyone or taking a bunch of sh!t by asking things that seem to be reasonable but others take offense to. Here's the thing - asking questions about specific lakes is a huge no no. Guys spend a lot of time/money on finding birds and getting away from the crowds. They will not give that up easily nor should they. Asking about set ups, deke placement, cover, etc is acceptable and will be answered quickly without a bunch of crud thrown in. What I suggest you do is try to find a mentor to help you out and tag along on a hunt and be the mule/grunt. I pick up the dekes to this day with the guys that first took me because I'm TFNG. Good luck this year to you and your son

please dont take anything personal from these guys, if you have a question please PM me, I dont know anything about this particular lake but I do know when legal shooting time is according to TPWD

Oh my....G's getting soft. They say a kid will change you folks but this here is real live proof!

That lake has traffic no matter what is said about it. Try and get out in the evenings and just look for Birds, hopefully not to roll out over night. your gonna have company from walk ins Boats etc. Lake levels are so high right now its not like you can just go to the back and post up.
Hire a guide on private you should learn enough to get some knowledge of what to do on your own. Most give breaks on kids.
welcome to Public Hunting. Some of these guys are kittens at the Boat Ramp. Im the biggest (censored) HEAD, when it comes to my hard work and my spots.so just stay out of mine and were good...lol kidding

I dont know what your talking about, I have always been a kind and gentle soul

No, you have not!

that's it, y'all are off my list of people to take hunting this year since you cant appreciate the help I offer

Last report on ray: they had 50 teal and 18 big ducks.
23 boat blokes lined up at 3 ramps by 4:45 pm

saludos amigos

30 minutes after sunrise. Come on dude, who is gonna buy that stuff. Good lord.

Ha ha, here is the truth, it is the national signal of a duck hunter shooting the finger at you.

Yeah tough crowd for sure. I wasn't asking for specific spots, or honey holes, or anything like that, just maybe a "this part of lake is better than this side" and any other tip or vice versa, and not just throwing my "kid" in message just for the hell of it, am really trying to introduce him to a sport that i am a beginner at as well, KDUB, loser. All that said, i agree with RDunlevy the most. Most of these responses are of no value, and if there is ever an Idiocracy part II, Ultralite09 would be the leader. Thanks to those that PM'd me with great insight to the sport. Thanks garrett for your response as well.

There's like 50 ducks on the entire lake, take your boy in a couple weeks when the ducks show up, so he doesn't get bored. You'll leave tomorrow with a wet [censored] and a hungry gut, and no ducks

Lot's of trucks along 922 this morning when headed to work.

lots less traffic on private ponds, come use mine and be by yourself

Lots of dead, or scared cormorants this morning. Guy behind me was lighting it up to the point I had to look. Pulled out the binoculars to check it out and started laughing my [censored] off.....cormorants flying like there life depended on it. Never seen one fly with such urgency.

fwiw....lots of ducks on the lake a week ago. Scouted four hours yesterday and saw zilch. Think that front moved them out. Got exactly what I saw yesterday.....0.

That's how duck hunters show their love.

Lots of shooting on lake grapevine at this moment

Hope you found what you needed.
I also hope that wasn't you pounding the cormorants this morning!
I watch some dork down at least 6.
Shot at every group that went over.
On a positive note, at least someone got some shots.

Nope, i was not even able to make it out for opening, had family in town. Hoping next weekend i will get a chance. Sounds like i didn't miss much though.

I highly recommend reading the TPW regulations including the details on waterfowl. Other than fishing sorry I cannot help with Ray Roberts. Maybe plan a trip with a guide sometime.

Even if somebody told you there were ducks in some spot the information is usually not valid for long. You really have to learn scouting. Be sure to keep asking questions.

Ignore the people with the ignorant and foolish comments. They think it's funny but actually demonstrates stupidity.

Lol

Actually come to think of it I have seen a lot of duck hunters while fishing over the years. I'll pm you the spots.

Get the corps of engineers hunting map. That will tell you where to look on the water. Use that and google earth to plan some scouting.

Also check into the public hunting areas in the upper arms of the lake. It may be one of those you need to buy a annual public hunting permit.

Buck creek has good winter crappie fishing

Noted.

No longer

If you are serious, the first thing you need to know is that the lake is the most hunted WMA in the state. Even if there are not ducks, there are lots of DFW area sports that are gonna be there. With a kid you would be a lot better off finding some place with less traffic. You might find a smaller place that may not have a ton of birds, but enough for you and your kiddo to have a good time without the zoo. There are tons of public options, there is a sticky tread in the top of this section that has all kinds of good info.