Tips for Hunting-shy Ducks

Changing your tactics becomes a necessity when hunting conditions are poor. When the wind is slack, the sky overcast and the temperature warm, hunters must adjust. These conditions make the birds spooky, and they take more convincing to lure into range.

The following are proven tips in pulling in ducks made wary by poor hunting conditions and heavy gunning pressure.

Read these tips online!

Reading Water Conditions

What's the most important ingredient in duck hunting success? Going where the ducks are, of course!

As simple as this may sound, many hunters don't make the necessary adjustments. DU TV co-host Wade Bourne explains.

Make Your Voice Heard on Capitol Hill

The New Year means a new Congress for Washington D.C., and new opportunities for DU members to have their voices heard on critical waterfowl issues. We need you to help us make sure the collective voice of Ducks Unlimited is heard on Capitol Hill.

To be a part of the grassroots network and receive alerts about what you can do to help Ducks Unlimited put more habitat on the ground and more birds in the sky, please click here and fill in a little bit of information about yourself.

For more information on the importance of grassroots activism, see Barton James’ article in the Jan/Feb issue of the Ducks Unlimited Magazine

By signing up as a Grassroots Activist you are taking the first step in letting Congress know that wetland and waterfowl habitat conservation is an important issue to you, the voter.

Know Your Ducks

So, you think your waterfowl IQ is pretty sharp? See if you can identify the name of the waterfowl species with following traits:

• I am the smallest of all North American ducks with a short neck and small bill.
  
  
• I have a chestnut head with an iridescent green to purple patch extending from the eyes to the nape of the neck (drake).
  
  
• I make a distinctive high-pitched "preep-preep” sound (drake).
  
  
• I have an extensive wintering range, having been recorded as far north as Alaska and Newfoundland and as far south as northern South America
  
  
• Average Length: M 14.7", F 14"
  
  
• Average Weight: M 0.7 lbs., F 0.6 lbs.

Stumped? Click here for the Answer!

Brush up on your Waterfowl IQ in our Waterfowl Gallery!

DU Hats by Dorfman Pacific Headwear

Dorfman Pacific, the largest assorted headwear company in the United States, manufactures Ducks Unlimited hats. This stylish and functional hat line includes straw, cloth, leather and oilcloth styles with Ducks Unlimited logos. Made with the highest quality standards, these hats will keep you dry and properly protected in any situation Mother Nature may send your way.

DU hats can be purchased at major sporting good stores nationally. Retail prices will range from $18.00 to $36.00. A percentage of net sales will be donated to Ducks Unlimited.

Elk with DU Blackberry Chipotle Sauce

Hunt & Home ™ is a new, exciting DU volunteer program centered around home parties that introduce exclusive, unique products for wild game and everyday cooking. You can have your own Hunt & Home party or become an advisor. Click here for details.

Check out all the DU seasonings, sauces, rices, breads and other cooking products used in the recipe below at the online Hunt & Home catalog. The best part of Hunt & Home is 100% of the proceeds goes directly to support habitat and wetland conservation!

Directions:

*May substitute elk with lean tender beef, bison or other venison

Add olive oil to steaks and toss until evenly coated. Season with salt & pepper. Set aside until ready to cook.

In a small sauce pan, heat the DU Blackberry Chipotle Sauce over low to medium heat until thin and saucy. Remove from heat and keep warm until ready to serve.

Now, get your charcoal grill ready, (you may use a gas grill, but you just don’t get that same flavor). When the flame has just died out, and the coals are stacked and hot, start placing the elk on the grill. Cook each side about 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until rare to medium rare.DO NOT OVER COOK!

Remove the meat from the grill and let rest for 3-5 minutes. Slice on the bias across the grain. Drizzle the DU Blackberry Chipotle sauce over the meat, garnish with fresh blackberries and serve with you favorite DU Wild Rice blend.