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Beginner Question
#1793766
11/01/10 03:51 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 29
Rus10
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 29 |
I have a question about picking up downed ducks. Do you wait until you're ready to leave or do you pick them up as soon as they've dropped?
My first opening day went pretty well. Was able to get two BWT and a Gadwall on opening morning. Met alot of helpful hunters out there as well.
Also, any good recipe recommendations would be appreciated!
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Re: Beginner Question
[Re: Rus10]
#1793841
11/01/10 04:13 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,610
sptaylor
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,610 |
pick em up as soon as you can.
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Re: Beginner Question
[Re: sptaylor]
#1793864
11/01/10 04:18 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,783
NTXBowfisher
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,783 |
same here, unless more birds are circlein send the dog/ or pick them up
signature coming soon
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Re: Beginner Question
[Re: NTXBowfisher]
#1793966
11/01/10 04:44 PM
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 59
DeuceDeuce
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 59 |
+1 on picking them up as soon as you can. When I'm hunting without a dog I just don't want to lose birds and a wounded bird can cover some water. If deep water is present you also need to be aware of the wind direction to avoid birds being pushed to where you can't retrieve them.
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Re: Beginner Question
[Re: DeuceDeuce]
#1793968
11/01/10 04:45 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 11,957
#Hayraker
Chihuahua
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Chihuahua
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 11,957 |
soon as possible. I hate losing birds.
#sigline
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Re: Beginner Question
[Re: #Hayraker]
#1794049
11/01/10 05:05 PM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 5,594
Featherduster
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 5,594 |
If their stone dead and there's still circling birds I'll leave them. That's the only time
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Re: Beginner Question
[Re: Featherduster]
#1794062
11/01/10 05:11 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 268
jefkut
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 268 |
I think it is very important to get the birds as soon as you can to eliminate losing any.
I hunt because she b!t@h&s and she b!t@h&s because I hunt!
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Re: Beginner Question
[Re: jefkut]
#1794152
11/01/10 05:51 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 29
Rus10
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 29 |
Thanks for the quick responses. It was hard to find the downed ducks after we had let them sit in the water awhile, so picking them up as soon as you can makes sense. I didn't know if it ruins the hunt or us and others around us though.
Another question...Do all ducks respond to a mallard call or do you have to fit the call to the duck? I'm in South Central Tx and I've read on here that mallards are hard to come by down here but at the public lake X there were hunters using mallard calls and I bought some mallard decoys so are the ducks that smart to where they'd realize the mallard decs are out of place?
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Re: Beginner Question
[Re: Rus10]
#1794167
11/01/10 05:54 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 268
jefkut
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 268 |
To me a ruined hunt is not finding the birds...congrats on getting into duck hunting
I hunt because she b!t@h&s and she b!t@h&s because I hunt!
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Re: Beginner Question
[Re: Rus10]
#1794179
11/01/10 06:01 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,029
TexasEd
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,029 |
Another question...Do all ducks respond to a mallard call or do you have to fit the call to the duck? I'm in South Central Tx and I've read on here that mallards are hard to come by down here but at the public lake X there were hunters using mallard calls and I bought some mallard decoys so are the ducks that smart to where they'd realize the mallard decs are out of place? It seems like you can scare away more ducks with bad calling than you can draw in with good calling. You can use a mallard call to make the sounds of some other ducks but I try not to call if I don't need to. The decoys do not matter as much.
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Re: Beginner Question
[Re: TexasEd]
#1794245
11/01/10 06:19 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 11,099
devildog28
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 11,099 |
I'd suggest a whistle. You can make widgeon, teal, and pintail sounds with one of those. I very rarely call while on the coast.
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Re: Beginner Question
[Re: devildog28]
#1794666
11/01/10 08:20 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14,278
Fooshman
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14,278 |
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Re: Beginner Question
[Re: Fooshman]
#1795608
11/02/10 01:24 AM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 21
AMMO
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 21 |
+1 on the whistle. most times I would take that over a call if I had to choose.
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Re: Beginner Question
[Re: AMMO]
#1795637
11/02/10 01:30 AM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,661
_Scooter_
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,661 |
Pick up the ducks as soon as possible. It usually happens that some more will come in right when you're butt is hangin' out in the open picking up ducks or messin with decoys, but hey- that's waterfowling. as far as calling. x2 on the whistle- get one that does a mallard grunt and you're in business.
Wasn't born in Texas, but I got there as fast as I could.
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Re: Beginner Question
[Re: _Scooter_]
#1797185
11/02/10 03:33 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 167
jmmorgan82
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 167 |
Where we go you need to get those birds asap or a gator might steal em from you.
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