Forums46
Topics537,739
Posts9,728,553
Members87,037
|
Most Online25,604 Feb 12th, 2024
|
|
|
Duck hunting gear
#8006405
10/12/20 12:48 AM
|
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 351
Nick1
OP
Bird Dog
|
OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 351 |
Planning on getting into duck hunting. Been dove/ deer hunting for years. Duck is a new arena for me. I currently have beretta 300. Great gun. Question is, what other gear will I need? Yes I googled it, but wanted to hear from average real guys that duck hunt regularly. Recommended shells, waders, calls, etc are greatly appreciated
AND, if you know of a guide who won’t mind taking a newbie out, let me know.
|
|
|
Re: Duck hunting gear
[Re: Nick1]
#8006419
10/12/20 01:01 AM
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 392
js4242
Bird Dog
|
Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 392 |
Breathable waders - Academy will work until you decide if you like it - I then stepped up into SIMS Calls - None - watch ducks and learn - A whistle if you really feel the need to blow on something until you figure things out Shells - Whatever your shotgun and chokes shoot best
|
|
|
Re: Duck hunting gear
[Re: js4242]
#8006422
10/12/20 01:06 AM
|
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 351
Nick1
OP
Bird Dog
|
OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 351 |
Breathable waders - Academy will work until you decide if you like it - I then stepped up into SIMS Calls - None - watch ducks and learn - A whistle if you really feel the need to blow on something until you figure things out Shells - Whatever your shotgun and chokes shoot best
What shot and ounce of shells you recommend?
|
|
|
Re: Duck hunting gear
[Re: Nick1]
#8006482
10/12/20 01:39 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,154
KWood_TSU
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,154 |
Shells- boss can't be beat Waders and other gear- sitka. People on here like to make fun of sitka, but it's dang good stuff. Calls-737. Decoys- lifetime and lucky duck
Amat Victoria Curam - Victory Loves Preparation
|
|
|
Re: Duck hunting gear
[Re: KWood_TSU]
#8006483
10/12/20 01:42 AM
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 18,554
ducknbass
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 18,554 |
Shells- boss can't be beat Waders and other gear- sitka. People on here like to make fun of sitka, but it's dang good stuff. Calls-737. Decoys- lifetime and lucky duck The dude ain't about to drop 3 grand to see if he likes something. Seriously dude. Shells 3" steel #2-5 Academy waders would be alright to do a test run. I wouldn't worry about calling ducks yet. Grab a haydel dr85 and start practicing. Decoys lifetime are nice. But for checking it out grab a couple dozen from academy. Build up the lifetime after you decide you like it.
Last edited by ducknbass; 10/12/20 01:43 AM.
|
|
|
Re: Duck hunting gear
[Re: Nick1]
#8006492
10/12/20 01:48 AM
|
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,414
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
|
kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,414 |
Planning on getting into duck hunting. Been dove/ deer hunting for years. Duck is a new arena for me. I currently have beretta 300. Great gun. Question is, what other gear will I need? Yes I googled it, but wanted to hear from average real guys that duck hunt regularly. Recommended shells, waders, calls, etc are greatly appreciated
AND, if you know of a guide who won’t mind taking a newbie out, let me know. I’d go to a Academy pick up some cheaper waders, I wouldn’t buy a duck call, just get a whistle, then get on Facebook market place or Craigslist and buy dozen old decoys. Shells just get non toxic from 2-4#’s Boom you are set.
|
|
|
Re: Duck hunting gear
[Re: Nick1]
#8006522
10/12/20 02:13 AM
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 694
Windrider
Tracker
|
Tracker
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 694 |
3” 1.25oz steel 2 or 3 Modified choke Cheap neoprene waders with boots that have at least 600 grams of insulation.Brown is fine. Thin wool socks for early season, thick wool socks for late season A set of wool or fleece long underwear Any brown jacket you may have hanging around Pants and a top that are not made primarily of cotton. Cheap is a fleece top and cotton/spandex blend pants. If you can find a set of fingerless rag wool socks on Amazon for cheap, you will grow to appreciate them. A jerk string setup with a half dozen cheap decoys on it and a way to carry them. Academy stop for these and the shells.
No blue jeans or cotton duck pants under your waders. You’ll sweat and be really cold when you stop moving around No bright colors. Black, brown, and tan will be your friend.
If you don’t like it you can repurpose everything except the extra shells, jerk string a decoys.
Thought for the day: Ducks were almost hunted to extinction long before camo was invented.
|
|
|
Re: Duck hunting gear
[Re: Nick1]
#8006531
10/12/20 02:18 AM
|
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,002
68A
Extreme Tracker
|
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,002 |
Start cheap. Buy second hand or cheap decoys, academy waders, don’t worry about a call.
|
|
|
Re: Duck hunting gear
[Re: ducknbass]
#8006817
10/12/20 01:45 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,154
KWood_TSU
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,154 |
Shells- boss can't be beat Waders and other gear- sitka. People on here like to make fun of sitka, but it's dang good stuff. Calls-737. Decoys- lifetime and lucky duck The dude ain't about to drop 3 grand to see if he likes something. Seriously dude. Shells 3" steel #2-5 Academy waders would be alright to do a test run. I wouldn't worry about calling ducks yet. Grab a haydel dr85 and start practicing. Decoys lifetime are nice. But for checking it out grab a couple dozen from academy. Build up the lifetime after you decide you like it. Why not? Ýou can dang near resell sitka for what you pay for it, or but it used. Recommending steel is just stupid too. Academy waders suck. I bought a pair and took them back the same day. Boots aren't made for walking at all. I wouldn't worry about calling ducks either, but I liked buying a good call from the get go.
Amat Victoria Curam - Victory Loves Preparation
|
|
|
Re: Duck hunting gear
[Re: Nick1]
#8006841
10/12/20 01:57 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 18,554
ducknbass
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 18,554 |
Learn to finish ducks=steel works.
Let me know if you'd like some good tutorials probably some I can find on youtube for ya.
|
|
|
Re: Duck hunting gear
[Re: Nick1]
#8006860
10/12/20 02:10 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 86
TBS12
Outdoorsman
|
Outdoorsman
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 86 |
Yeah, don't recommend steel shot at all. Everyone knows it doesn't kill birds....
|
|
|
Re: Duck hunting gear
[Re: Nick1]
#8007154
10/12/20 04:50 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 392
js4242
Bird Dog
|
Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 392 |
I get the whole buy once cry once but not in this case. Unless you have experienced the grind of a season or two you have no way to know if its for you. Telling the guy he should go get the most expensive gear on the market is not doing him any favors. Especially if you don't know what he can afford or not afford. People on this site state we're not helping the new guys by blasting them on some questions. I don't think recommending the most expensive gear out there is helping either. Its not realistic for a lot of folks and could be discouraging for some. I hunt both private and public (mostly). Walk in and from a boat. Agree Academy waders are not the best - but for $100 and pretty much a no questions asked return policy, to me its a no brainer for a first season. Keep them as a back up if you move up to a better/reliable brand or use them as a guest pair. I don't hunt with fancy/expensive decoys either and have no problem finishing ducks. Maybe those fancy ones work better, but I've never been on a hunt with some so I don't know. Steel kills birds just fine if you finish them. Know your weapon and your abilities with it. Maybe the steel alternatives kill them better, but knowing your capabilities with it is more important.
|
|
|
Re: Duck hunting gear
[Re: KWood_TSU]
#8007196
10/12/20 05:22 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,788
wal1809
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,788 |
Shells- boss can't be beat Waders and other gear- sitka. People on here like to make fun of sitka, but it's dang good stuff. Calls-737. Decoys- lifetime and lucky duck The dude ain't about to drop 3 grand to see if he likes something. Seriously dude. Shells 3" steel #2-5 Academy waders would be alright to do a test run. I wouldn't worry about calling ducks yet. Grab a haydel dr85 and start practicing. Decoys lifetime are nice. But for checking it out grab a couple dozen from academy. Build up the lifetime after you decide you like it. Why not? Ýou can dang near resell sitka for what you pay for it, or but it used. Recommending steel is just stupid too. Academy waders suck. I bought a pair and took them back the same day. Boots aren't made for walking at all. I wouldn't worry about calling ducks either, but I liked buying a good call from the get go. If you cant kill them with steel out to 40 yards, something is wrong. Sitka is over priced. The jacket I bought at walmart has a torn pocket, so I use the other pocket. A decade later I am still using it. It was on the $19.99 rack.
Last edited by wal1809; 10/12/20 05:26 PM.
|
|
|
Re: Duck hunting gear
[Re: Nick1]
#8007265
10/12/20 05:59 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,645
garrett
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,645 |
is sitka still made in china or did they move manufacturing?
Attention rickym, this is not a troll post, just a good hearted fun type of post
|
|
|
Re: Duck hunting gear
[Re: Nick1]
#8007268
10/12/20 06:04 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,075
aerangis
Extreme Tracker
|
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,075 |
Sitka is overpriced and a serious waste of money. Same with magic shot shells. (if you want to spend the money go for it; its your money)
1. Academy or Walmart for inexpensive clothes & gear (3 mil neoprene boot-foot waders from Academy)
2. A half dozen floating decoys (Academy).
3. One Mojo (dove mojo is fine)
4. Inexpensive shells from Walmart or Academy
Get the $48 Annual Public Hunt (APH) Permit. TPWD will mail you a booklet with maps showing places to hunt waterfowl and other game for free with the permit.
|
|
|
Re: Duck hunting gear
[Re: Nick1]
#8007280
10/12/20 06:18 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,645
garrett
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,645 |
from my understanding its just knock off Kuiu clothing with better marketing
Attention rickym, this is not a troll post, just a good hearted fun type of post
|
|
|
Re: Duck hunting gear
[Re: Nick1]
#8007316
10/12/20 06:58 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 26
TShooter247
Light Foot
|
Light Foot
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 26 |
If you are thinking about learning to call Whistles are the best place to start. I have found that the videos from Elite Duck Calls does a great instructional for beginners. Elite Duck Calls
|
|
|
Re: Duck hunting gear
[Re: Nick1]
#8007318
10/12/20 07:01 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 11,926
#Hayraker
Chihuahua
|
Chihuahua
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 11,926 |
Make sure you get an 870 in case you ever need a boat paddle. I hear they are the best.
My advice is make friends with someone who already duck hunts and use their stuff. So you only need waders and shells. Definitely buy a call but leave it at home until you learn to use it.
#sigline
|
|
|
Re: Duck hunting gear
[Re: Nick1]
#8007320
10/12/20 07:02 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,645
garrett
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,645 |
usually kwood replies pretty quick, he must be at a prairie dog hunt protest
Attention rickym, this is not a troll post, just a good hearted fun type of post
|
|
|
Re: Duck hunting gear
[Re: Nick1]
#8007323
10/12/20 07:04 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 11,926
#Hayraker
Chihuahua
|
Chihuahua
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 11,926 |
prairie doggin in his schitka gear from CHINAA
#sigline
|
|
|
Re: Duck hunting gear
[Re: Nick1]
#8007325
10/12/20 07:07 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,645
garrett
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,645 |
Attention rickym, this is not a troll post, just a good hearted fun type of post
|
|
|
Re: Duck hunting gear
[Re: Nick1]
#8007333
10/12/20 07:12 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 18,554
ducknbass
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 18,554 |
|
|
|
Re: Duck hunting gear
[Re: Nick1]
#8007335
10/12/20 07:15 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 11,926
#Hayraker
Chihuahua
|
Chihuahua
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 11,926 |
how do you feel about gophers and moles? I say kill them also
#sigline
|
|
|
Re: Duck hunting gear
[Re: Nick1]
#8007341
10/12/20 07:23 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 18,554
ducknbass
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 18,554 |
Kill them with lead. Not copper
|
|
|
Re: Duck hunting gear
[Re: #Hayraker]
#8007358
10/12/20 07:44 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,075
aerangis
Extreme Tracker
|
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,075 |
My advice is make friends with someone who already duck hunts and use their stuff. So you only need waders and shells.
this
|
|
|
Moderated by bigbob_ftw, CCBIRDDOGMAN, Chickenman, Derek, DeRico, Duck_Hunter, hetman, jeh7mmmag, JustWingem, kmon11, kry226, kwrhuntinglab, Payne, pertnear, rifleman, sig226fan (Rguns.com), Superduty, TreeBass, txcornhusker
|