Waterfowling Tips & Tricks
We are currently building this new section of the Colorado DU website. The Waterfowling Tips & Tricks will consist of member and visitor submitted tips or "tricks of the trade" related to waterfowling and wetland conservation. If you would like to submit your own tip , please click here. The first 30 individuals to submit content that is used for the website will automatically win a FREE DU multi-function pocket knife.
With the very cold weather we are having in the state, try laying out more shell goose decoys. With temps down geese like to lay low to stay warm. This resembles a more life like spread. Remember to put a couple of the look-outs on the edge of your spread.
Provided by Marcus Howard of Fountain, CO (12/23/2004)
If you notice that ducks are flaring just before gun range, step out of the blind, look at your spread and blind to see if something is noticeable. If you see something chances are so do the ducks! So conceal whatever it is, this includes our faces. Just some camo paint to break up our faces helps a lot.
Provided by Chris Cruz of Colorado Springs, CO (12/26/2004)
Keep in mind that wearing camouflage means being concealed and or to be disguised. On those late season days with fresh snow and fresh ducks, even the hunters with the best of camouflage clothing can be spotted by wary greenheads. This applies especially to the die hard hunters who always use natural cover while hunting over decoys. If everything else around you is covered in white, you might as well be covered in white too. Something as simple as a white long sleeve shirt to go on top of your jacket can make all the difference. As long as you break your outline well enough to make yourself look like a stump or a few pieces of wood spread out on the snow, you’re in for closer greenheads. Good luck out there and have a safe trip.
Provided by Lallee Yang of Westminster, CO (12/29/2004)
Waterfowl hunting is more then just waking up before sunrise and getting out of a comfortable bed and throwing yourself into the fridged cold mornings to try your luck at coaxing wild birds into your decoy spread. It's enjoying everything I've just described. And if your not comfortable and warm your day could result in a misserable day in the field. Layering is the key to staying warm. With the technology that we have these day's in clothes you can do this with ease and without bulking up to the point where you can't move. Your base layer should be thin and made of any numerous wicking materials. Your next layer in my opinion should be a layer of warmth like fleece. Your final layer is your hunting clothes. If you do this I garauntee that your day will turn out to be a good one.
Provided by Jason Willis of Longmont, CO (1/14/2005)
A trusty old thermos can gather bitter-tasting buildup over the years. You can have fresh tasting coffee or tea again. Simply fill with warm tap water and drop three denture cleaning tablets inside. Let stand overnight. Empty and rinse thoroughly. A repeat application of one tablet after each use will keep your beverages tasting fresh. Generic denture tablets can be purchased quite inexpensively at drug stores or Wal-Mart.
Provided by Bill Sullivan of Colorado Springs, CO (1/26/2005)
The label printed on shotshells wear off quickly after repeat handling, making it hard to determine the shot size. Take a sharpie marker and write the shot size on the brass base of the shotshell. I use Roman numerals to avoid mistakes.
It also makes it easier for those who use shell belts and bandoleers.
Provided by Bill Sullivan of Colorado Springs, CO (1/27/2005)
Always know where you want the geese or ducks to land. When you've established that, you put your most realistic looking decoys there. Then the geese or ducks will only be concentrating on the best looking decoys so you don't have to worry about the flaws of the other decoys.
Provided by Jonathon Pelnar of Fort Collins, CO (5/3/2005)
When you enter the field, you should always plan on being early enough that you are set up by first light. Or if you like to set up in the light, at least all of your shells' heads are on. Also you should make sure the blind is camo and looking mighty invisible so you don't get seen.
Provided by Jonathon Pelnar of Fort Collins, CO (5/18/2005)
When hunting over ice, make sure that the ice is thick enough. If it is questionable, make sure that the water isnt that deep. Never hunt over ice by yourself!
Provided by J. W. Looft of Fort Collins, CO (6/22/2005)
I grew up hunting ducks in Missouri; little different here in Colorado. I found a trick that works here and back in Missouri. On the smaller creeks in Missouri and all the shallower rivers and creeks here in Colorado, spot and flush. Use your dog to flush ducks out of holes in creek then rush in, put two or three decoys out and sit back a little ways and wait. Must have good dog that can stay still and hide with you (use some netting to help). Wait about 5 minutes from time ducks are flushed and while waiting, sometimes you might have to blow on a call a few times. Just call like ducks do when they are happy in a hole and watch they will be back in that hole in no time.
Provided by Jeremy Hildebrand of CO (7/25/2005)
There is an infinite variety of decoys available. They are made out of variety of materials: Cedar, Cork, Foam, and Plastic.
Cedar and Cork look beautiful and ride the water just like a real duck, however these are all handcrafted and fetch exuberant prices that the average hunter can not afford.
Foam and plastic will also draw ducks. Foam is better because it is solid and can absorb being shot, rides the water better, and are more easily repainted. Foam decoys are still fairly expensive.
Plastic decoys are cheap and still very realistic looking. Try mallard decoys that are all magnum size - these are slightly larger than life size so they have additional drawing power, but they are still close enough that ducks will swim into them on a regular basis.
Provided by Kyle Stodola of Golden, CO (9/1/2005)
One effective tip in shallow-water is to keep the water muddy. Wade around in the decoys and kick up mud to appear as though ducks have been feeding. A muddy zone in an area of clear water is easy for ducks flying overhead to spot, and it acts as a natural magnet to pull them down for a meal.
Provided by Kyle Stodola of Golden, CO (9/1/2005)
I hunt with several friends that also have decoys. To insure that I get all my decoys back at the end of the day I mark the bottom of my decoys with my initials using ( Liquid White Out ) it will stay on for several seasons.
Provided by David Dirgo of Denver, CO (9/15/2005)
A tip that may already be known by many hunters is that Waterfowl need open or running WATER. When lakes/Reserviors are frozen, more birds can be found on/near Rivers and Creeks,especially when they go there to roost in the evenings. Unfrozen lakes are preferred,however. At first light, if you jump birds on small ponds,river sidewaters, or small lakes and they fly before you can get your decoys out...... Many times, this SAME flock will RETURN around noon or late in the afternoon. Be patient! They like this specific spot for resting and overnight roosting!
Provided by John Murphy of Lakewood, CO (12/24/2005)
In a situation where birds ARE flying into your decoys, and there is a greater number of birds being generally seen, you should be careful about WHEN you send your dog out to fetch or WHEN you go out to pick up the downed bird[s] yourself. Be sure no more birds are coming into the decoys before venturing out of your blind to avoid spooking other incoming birds away. Many birds are diverted away from your blind area because they see this fetching or pick-up activity. The only exception would be if a bird falls in moving water and must be retrieved quickly! If you think more birds will come in SOON, it doesn't hurt to let the downed birds lay there awhile!
Provided by John Murphy of Lakewood, CO (1/14/2006)
Almost everybody who hunts waterfowl has experienced the added difficulty of hunting public lands. Sometimes these areas are less than 300 acres and will have up to 6 or 7 decoy spreads which will all be competing for any waterfowl that is in the air. Everybody wants those ducks or geese to come into their spread which results in loud calling, sky busting, and worst of all, frustration when you are hunting! I have found that on those crowded weekends where the parking lot is full at 3:30 am that combining efforts often is very rewarding, and for people new to the sport is an incredible learning opportunity. Don't be afraid to combine decoys and hunt with another person, you will have the opportunity to shoot more waterfowl.
Provided by Hunter Pierson of Denver, CO (1/16/2006)
As far as duck hunting in Colorado goes, if you put a little petrolium jelly on the cord and the bottom of your decoys they will remain ice free for the cold days. If you are looking for lead for weights, please contact your local tire shop and find out when they recycle their tire weights and get there a few days prior. I have recieved anywhere from 8-10 # of lead and bought a cheap pot from the local thrift store to heat the lead. This is a cost effective way to weigh down your deaks and keep them ice free for the season....
Provided by Mike Tetley (5/30/2006)