I've seen a lot of great advice but this the cardinal rule that you don't ever break-you will probably find someone nice enough to take you out and show you how to hunt but the spot that he takes you to is not your new spot. That is definitly not cool and is a good way to get in a fight.

Kelly

I'm all for a guided hunt and JJ is the best around but I would suggest first before you book go hunting first.

I think just from my personal experience since I was a self starter and have hunted with JJ, it is better to get a few hunts under your belt before you go to a guide and kill everythig insight. After all the skunked hunts aint nothing better than going home with a limit of ducks, pulling up to the water 5 minutes before LST, and having someone else do all the work.....

If you do it the other way around it might spoil you and you never go back again...

I myself am self taught and the best thing is experience. Trying new things and never doing the same thing twice unless it works. Also if you go public hunting just be curtious, if some one is already hunting a spotyou were going to hunt dont be the jack wagon that just walks 100 yrds down and set up because you nor them will probably shoot anything. Always have a back up spot incase this happens. Good luck

What are you trying to say Roy????

J.J.

if you hunt public land there is no such thing as showing up too early. i have gone as far as to show up at 1am, set up, turn on a couple flashlights and hang em on my blind, get comfy and sleep for an hour or two. when i start hearing the first boats and walkers showing up i make sure i keep my lights moving so they know where i am. most people are smart enough to keep their distance. sometimes barney needs a little encouragement to move a little farther away.

alright so I gotta add a layout blind to the list.... I shoulda taken a real job not an internship for school credit, this list keeps getting longer and more expensive!

Duck hunting is the most costly hobby and can get down right expensive in a big darn hurry.

Hey thanks, I have been looking for that pic.....

Hooligan this is my 3rd year to hunt with decoys, calls, and dog. I pond jumped them most of my life. When I throwed the dog, the calls, and the decoys into the mix it took on a life of its own. I was a deer hunting fanatic until 3 years ago. I didn't even go last year at all....
Pay attention to what you see and hear when you have a chance to catch ducks on the water. I really watched how the birds were positioning themselves and how they reacted to other birds, that sort of thing. They have all these patterns that you can set your spread up in but I learned that the ducks are more attracted to something they are used too. Around here; especially when they are feeding, they just seem to form one loose large group, all breeds of birds mixed together and that is how I lay out my spread.
On calls I'd get a Buck Gardner Double Nasty II, cheap and lots of it and super easy to blow, a mallard whistle, and a teal thistle, both whistle can be had really cheap too. You can start out with the whistles and practice on your regular duck call at home or when you are driving down the highway. Even if you buy a Double Nasty or something similar I'd leave it at the house at least for the first season and work on it for a few minutes every day until you are satisfied with the sound you are getting. The whistles are no brainer calls and more often than not will out perform anything that quacks because the birds have been quacked at so much and then shot at I think they are actually afraid of them. You really have to be good with a "quacker" to get results. I practice everyday since I got my DNII a few months ago and I am really going to use it a lot this year but my whistles will be there with me if I don't get results.

Don't forget the camp face paint!
Seriously, another have said, a guided hunt early on or a trip out with an old timer will help start learning the in's and out's
Good luck

Im wit blacklan outfitters an we r in north Texas pretty close to the red river so we get alot of bird movement. We would b more than happy to take u out an show u some tricks. Checkout our web site. www.blacklandoutfittersguideservice.com

Your link no workie homie!

J.J.

Lol sorry I put it on there wrong. Its www.blacklandoutfitters.com. check it out an tell me what u think

I started many years ago with 2 dozen decoys, got the public hunting permit, walked in, and shot some ducks. Guides the first year are going to spoil you. Public hunting from the shore, (waders etc) will get you into the sport. The more you are willing to walk, the better the shooting can be. I started on Ray Roberts, dont bother with opening weekend, but after that you have your pick of places. DO get there early,and wave your flashlights at people getting close. If you go to some popular spots you will find others that are there by themselves, and get to talking at the vehicle, and if they seem ok, suggest you hunt together. I did that many times, turned out well.

WhiskyandMe,

I checked out your websight. Looks very nice very professional sight you have there awesome!

Walking in will be my primary means of hunting until some serious funds are raised. Between some type of blind and the rest of the gear it is gonna be some time before I have the spare change for a guide.

I really appreciate everyones help and advicd

For the guys that walk in, what kinda blind do you use?

4 pieces of rebar and some camo netting is a cheap, easy portable blind. Throw some native brush around it and you will be good to go.

Try to hook up with someone who knows what they're doing... Thats the best way to truly learn... Theres lots of little tricks that people dont like to talk about.

Ark that'd be ideal but being somewhat new to Texas and to duck hunting I don't know anyone yet but I'm working on it

Got another question, this one is about waders but didnt want to hijack someone elses thread.

Can I use my fly fishing waders, theyre light tan, would it be better to get a patterned pair? Just trying to save money where I can if I can

yes



no

Strap with green and the boat batts are dead when you go to head in

very high proabability that you will fall in the water at least once this season... and most seasons after...

you don't have to have the most expensive stuff out there, try on some waders before you buy, Tx rig deeks are much easier, get a whistle, facemask or paint!

good luck with it and welcome to the addiction.

appreciate all the info everyone. Now is october would roll around already I'd be happy!