How big of an area do you guys break up on small ponds to hunt? I hunted a 1/2 acre pond yesterday that was frozen and we broke ice for as far out as we could go, about 40 feet wide and 20 feet out. Set the deeks up on one side to leave as much landing room as possible. However, all the ducks would come look once and take off, I figured we had a big enough area but I guess not. We still managed a few but had a lot that just weren't haveing it. Did they need more open water?

I think it depends. If you open a big hole you can put more deeks out etc. I think that was probably a big enough area but I wouldn't throw out as many deeks. If it looks to crowded in the whole they won't get down in there. You can also put some Magnums out on top of the ice if you have them.

K. so this morning I made a rookie mistake but also had some ice questions. They were def flying but weren't really looking. I had the ice broken up and decoys set. Seemed they were coming in larger groups but didn't want the call. We saw some teal look as if they landed nearby on water so we got up and started to head over there. A few min later 6 teal came buzzing the decoys and circling. They were just a little out of range to make sure we put them down (beginner mistake don't leave the blind or at least leave one gun in the blind). They eventually flew off. So take away was cold and ice they are flying in bigger groups as well. Dont call cause they don't respond to it in ice like they do unfrozen. Questions for yall though: how do you keep the ice broken up in the spread? The ice I broke just froze over again and prob caused several to not investigate cause it just didn't look natural. Is it better to hunt the first 2 days of freeze since there will be less ice and a better chance to keep it broken. Just trying to use this hunt as a learning experience since it is the first time I have hunted ice. I was very impressed by the numbers I saw just weren't cooperative enough to get any shots off.

you have to remove the ice from the hole.

try to break it in big sheets and slide it under.

We use a rake that we leave at the hole. After breaking the ice, we rake it across the top of the water to the side. Then, the motion decoys keep the water moving so that no more ice will form.

Oh a rake is a good idea. K I will make note that I have to completely remove it from the area.

What he said.

I try to break it in one huge piece and slide it under the remaining ice. Walk a circle around where you want the hole, then gently slide the ice under the other sheet.

He's right, move the big sheets of ice OUT of the hole, only need 25 feet in circumference hole, Use jerk string, most of all ONLY use 2 - 3 decoys, Don't call at all! Wear waterproof Gloves!!!! Bring sledge hammer if possible. Get ready, ducks usually suck in like a magnet, It's ALMOST unfair! Nothing funnier than to see ducks landing on ice then sliding!
MOST IMPORTANT, resist the urge/tempatation to walk too far out on the ice to retrieve a duck if you don't have a dog. Soot'em in CLOSE so it's not an issue!!(speaking from bad experience)

Yesterday we broke the ice on about 1/3 of the pond and had motion decoys keeping the water moving but only got 6 ducks to light (2 woodies and 4 greenheads). All the other ducks would fly over look and go somewhere else almost like they were confused on where to go. I'm guessing they were going to big water?

Were you in my blind yesterday?

Where were you yesterday??

Just messin with ya man, we had the same exact thing happen to us.

+1

Yea I thought the day was going to be good one with all the woodies flying, I figured with the really cold weather we'd see more but we saw more when it was in the 50's.

Had one of the best days ever on a frozen pond. After we made a quick limit we sat there and watched Mallards landing on ice trying to make the hole we cleared.

That was back when most of the fields around Pilot Point had peanuts. Those were the days.

Absolutely, I used to hunt Hog Creek at RR right in back of the Turf farm, back when those fields around there had peanuts. I guess around 94.95. Tons of Mallards, used to have groups of 25 to 35 land in our decoys!! Those were the days!!
RR used to be good for bass fishing also, not no more!!

Corn has the same effect. Just make a trail from the turf down to the lakes edge. The Barneys will follow and meet you there!

Hey skillet shot, BlowMe!!

Well DANG what did he say wrong?

Have yall seen this? Pretty expensive for the little ice we get here in tx but a good idea for sure. they have some youtube videos too.

http://www.mallardviewoutdoors.com/