by Matt Young

All waterfowlers share a common desire to improve their hunting skills and, consequently, enjoy greater success in the marshes and fields. This is especially true with DU members, whose ranks are filled with many of the world's most dedicated and experienced waterfowlers. The following is a selection of classic waterfowling tips submitted by DU members over the years, all of which are sure to help you become a more successful waterfowler.

Calling Tape

How does your duck calling sound? If you are a beginning duck hunter or a seasoned veteran, you can improve your calling by listening to yourself. This can be accomplished by recording yourself with a tape recorder. Listen for weaknesses in your repertoire, then practice to improve them. -Matthew Johnson, Lawrence, Kansas

Living Blind

Many hunters spend a weekend or two each fall cutting willow and oak branches to brush their duck blinds. One weekend last spring, I dug up the rhizomes (roots) of cattails and young willow saplings and planted them in the mud around my blind. They grew well over the summer and made my blind much less conspicuous this season. In the future, a little pruning will be all that is needed to prepare my blind for the hunting season. -Mark Ernst, Bedford, Texas

Good Medicine

Don't throw away your prescription bottles; use them for choke tube containers. I mark the bottle with waterproof tape, color-coded and labeled to indicate the make, gauge, and choke constriction. The bottles are durable, waterproof, and compact, making them a perfect replacement for misplaced choke tube cylinders. -Robert Goding, Holland, Michigan  Continue Reading >>