Retriever Rehab
Expert tips on how to restore an older dog to top retrieving form. By Wade Bourne.
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DU-TV Better Waterfowling Tip: Adding movement to a goose spread
Wade Bourne, DU magazine editor-at-large, explains different options for hunters to add movement to their goose spread.
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Migration Alert: Mississippi Waterfowl Counts Reveal Impressive Numbers
Mississippi hunters pray for cold weather up north to push ducks into their state, and this year their prayers have been answered. A series of powerful cold fronts, hard freezes, and snow storms in the Midwest has triggered one of the biggest migrations of ducks into Mississippi in several years.
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Migration Alert: 800k Mallards Counted in Arkansas
Warming temperatures, rain and thawing waters are changing the duck hunting picture in Arkansas.
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Migration Alert: Waterfowl Numbers Increasing in Louisiana
Hunting resumes tomorrow (Saturday, Dec. 14) in Louisiana's East and Coastal Zones after a five-day split and a 12-day split, respectively. (Hunting in the West Zone has been open since Nov. 16 and closes Dec. 15 for a six-day break.) Biologists with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) are completing their December waterfowl survey as this report was being written.
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Migration Alert: Winter Storm May Bring Fresh Ducks to Arkansas
All eyes north! That's where Arkansas duck hunters are looking as a massive winter storm blankets the state and sends temperatures plummeting. Anticipation of a new push of mallards from northern states is high, though they haven't arrived in appreciable numbers as of this writing.
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Migration Alert: Mallards Funnel into Missouri
The mallards are in Missouri! That's the late word from waterfowl biologists and hunters. Harsh wintry weather to the north and powerful cold fronts have pushed peak numbers of mallards into this state.
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Migration Alert: Michigan Waterfowl Numbers Increasing
A surge of cold air blew through this state this past week, and new ducks and geese arrived with it. Hunting action is improving, and numbers of waterfowl should increase to peak in the next couple of weeks.
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Waterfowler's Notebook: Hunting Small-Water Divers
Going small for diving ducks can yield big results. By Wade Bourne.
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Migration Alert: Wisconsin Waterfowl Numbers Increasing
In summary, diving ducks appear to be increasing in number on Lake Michigan and on the pools of the Upper Mississippi River. In the interior, local dabbling ducks (mallards, wood ducks, blue-winged teal) are providing the most action as hunters wait for colder weather to move new ducks into the state.
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Migration Alert: Prospects Good for Minnesota Waterfowlers
It's certainly not a flood of new ducks, but ringnecks and other early migrants are beginning to show up in northern and central Minnesota, augmenting local populations of wood ducks, teal and other species that have been targeted by this state's hunters since the Sept. 21 opening day.
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Better Waterfowling Tip - DU TV - Calling Multiple Duck Species
Target specific species by using different calling tactics. Wade Bourne explains how to catch the attention of pintails, wood ducks, and other.
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Better Waterfowling Tip - DU TV - Big Water Hunting Tips and Gear
Hunting big water may be daunting for those unaccustomed to the challenge. Wade Bourne recommends facing these challenges, and he provides a few tips to help you be successful.
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Better Waterfowling Tip - DU TV - Creating a Temporary Blind
Building a temporary blind is an art. Wade Bourne explains how he uses some pre-planning to create a mobile, quality duck blind for any situation.
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Better Waterfowling Tip - DU TV - Adding Movement to a Goose Spread
There are multiple options for adding movement to a goose spread. Wade Bourne explains different ways to make your goose spread come to life.
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Better Waterfowling Tip - DU TV - Using Competition Calling Techniques
While competition style duck calling is much different than hunting-oriented calling, Wade Bourne explains a situation when he uses this technique.
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Opening Day Mistakes
Following are some of the most common opening day mistakes committed by waterfowlers, and ways to avoid making them.
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Waterfowler's Notebook: Keeping Legal
The following advice will help waterfowlers stay on the right side of the law this season. By Wade Bourne.
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Better Waterfowling Tip - DU TV - Introducing a Young Hunter
Introducing kids to waterfowl hunting can be difficult due to harsh conditions and migration fluctuations. Here's a few tips to help improve a hunter's first experience.
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Better Waterfowling Tip - DU TV - How to Scout Effectively
Scouting tactics are often overlooked, but being able to effectively scout, and have the correct tools may improve your odds of having a great hunt.
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Waterfowler's Notebook: Seven Essential Skills for Waterfowlers
All duck and goose hunting know-how begins with these fundamentals
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Waterfowler's Notebook: Hunting Spring Snows
Expert advice on how to decoy more light geese during the special conservation season
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Keep It Simple
The author has learned through experience that good duck hunting doesn't have to be complicated
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Migration Alert: Final Duck Hunting Weekend for Southern Mississippi Flyway States
Hunters have until sunset on January 27 to pursue ducks in the last few states in the lower Mississippi River Valley where the general waterfowl season is still open.
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Waterfowler's Notebook: Patterning Late-Season Ducks
Biology plays a bigger role in duck hunting than most hunters realize. Duck behavior is governed by instincts such as feeding, mating, and surviving. In winter, for example, ducks spend much of their time seeking mates for the spring breeding season and building energy reserves for the coming northbound migration.
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DU-TV Better Waterfowling Tip: Preparing for a Hunting Trip
Wade Bourne offers some tips for preparing for a hutning trip. There's a long list of must-have items for any hunting trip, and Bourne explains the reasons why you will need maps, GPS, regulatiosn books, and much more.
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Calling All Geese
Five experts share their secrets for calling Canadas, cacklers, whitefronts, light geese and brant
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Duck Hunting without the Crowds
A sampling of public waterfowling hotspots often overlooked by hunters
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Migration Alert: Wisconsin waterfowl numbers increasing as cold front approaches
The outlook for waterfowl hunting in Wisconsin is improving as duck and goose numbers continue to build along the Mississippi River and on the famed Horicon Marsh.
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DU-TV Tip: Full-Body Decoys
How to utilize full-body decoys to add realism
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Going Public
Many of the author's favorite waterfowling memories were made on public lands, open to one and all.
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Waterfowler's Notebook: King Can
The canvasback is a symbol of the struggles and triumphs of waterfowl conservation
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Lightweight Zipper Waders are the Real Deal
"Zipper waders? I'd be afraid they'd leak."
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Five Small Spreads for Ducks
Here's how to make the most of a limited number of decoys in five common waterfowl habitats. Illustrations by Kevin Hand.
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Bayou Bluewings
An unforgettable teal-hunting adventure in the heart of Cajun country
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My Ultimate Duck Blind: Illustrations
After years of trial and error, DU Magazine author Wade Bourne finally built what he believes is the perfect duck blind. Here's how he did it.
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My Ultimate Duck Blind
Following is an overview of our blind, including where we built it, its design and dimensions, the materials we used, our camouflage scheme, and other special features.
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Video: My Ultimate Duck Blind
After years of trial and error, DU Magazine author Wade Bourne finally built what he believes is the perfect duck blind.
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Five Tactics for Late-Season Ducks
It's late season, when the sport's true diehards are like NFL linemen in the playoffs. Veteran waterfowlers share 5 expert tactics to help successfully end the season.
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Migration Alert: Oklahoma habitat, duck numbers look promising
Dec. 6, 2011: Current weather conditions are good for hunting ducks in Oklahoma – highs in the 40s and lows around 20.
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Scientific Waterfowling
Following are interviews with four preeminent waterfowl researchers. We can learn a lot from these experts, not only about how ducks react to their environment, but also how to apply this knowledge for better hunting success.
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The Highball Duck Call
Waterfowl hunters should use the highball selectively—at certain times and in certain places. Listen as Wade Bourne gives a few tips on how to use this call more effectively.
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Shotgunner's Guide to Waterfowling
Here's how to consistently hit the most common shots in duck and goose hunting
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Waterfowler's Notebook: Keeping a Hunting Journal
Wade Bourne shares insights into the benefits of keeping a hunting journal and shares tips on how you can preserve your own memories from the field.
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Strategies for Public Land
Waterfowl hunting on public land can be either a dream or a nightmare, as two hunts that I experienced several years ago on a local wildlife management area (WMA) clearly illustrate.
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Winter Duck Hunting Strategies
Deep winter offers duck hunters both challenge and opportunity. The late season cuts hunters little slack, but the last few weeks can also provide some of the best shooting of the year.
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Waterfowler's Notebook: Flat-Out Waterfowling
As waterfowl have adapted to these open environments, hunters have devised ways to hunt them there. Perhaps the most effective of these innovations are layout blinds and layout boats. These horizontal hideouts can be carried, poled, or motored anywhere ducks and geese are working.
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Going Public for Ducks
How to make the most of public hunting opportunities in your area
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7 Tips for Late-Season Ducks
It's the fourth quarter and the game is wearing long. Energy levels are waning, equipment is broken, but the outcome of the "contest" still hangs in the balance. A good final effort can tilt the game in your favor, and fortunately, there's plenty of time left to build on the score.
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Create a Landing Zone for Ducks
Use specific decoy patterns to get duck to land on the 'X'.
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Outfitting a Duck Boat
Safety needs to remain a number one concern when duck hunting from a boat. This checklist can help keep you safe and offers some handy hunting suggestions.
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Game Plan for Late-Season Ducks
Adapt to changes in birds' behavior to enjoy top-notch duck hunting in the final weeks of the season
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When Silence is Golden
In some situations, the silent treatment will help you decoy more ducks.
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Duck Hunting on a Budget
Here's how cost-conscious waterfowlers can enjoy high-quality hunting without breaking the bank.
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The Double-Cluck
Knowing how to use this highly effective call will help you decoy more Canada geese.
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Season Kickoff: Teal Time
September teal hunting is a great way to kick off the waterfowl season.
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Point-Blank Waterfowling
These tips will help you get more birds feet down over the decoys.
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Choosing a Duck Call
Personal preference is important when buying a new call, but ultimately, hunters should make a selection based on what they need as well as what strikes their fancy.
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Mega Decoy Rigs
In the right situation, a massive decoy spread can be especially effective.
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Late-Season Decoy Spreads
Overcoming the challenges of winter waterfowling requires both realism and creativity.
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Calling the Shot
These tips will help avoid confusion while maximizing shooting opportunities.
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Warm-Weather Duck Hunting Tips
Ducks and geese change their habits during warm spells, and so should hunters.
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Hunting a Bad Wind
By making the right adjustments, you can overcome the challenges posed by an unfavorable wind direction.
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10 Shooting Tips for Waterfowl
Wade Bourne shares 10 never-fail tips for improving your shot and creating a more enjoyable hunting experience all season long.
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The X Factor
It's a dilemma nearly every public-land waterfowler experiences. Ducks or geese are piling into a particular spot, and it's not where you are. Flock after flock circles and pitches in as you watch and wish.
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Tuning a Duck Call
Wade Bourne explains how to make small changes to improve the sound of your single- or double-reed duck call.
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Take a New Hunter
Help build a strong future for waterfowling and conservation by recruiting a new hunter into the fold.
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Setting the Hunting Season
An in-depth look at the complex, science-based process that safeguards waterfowl populations while maximizing hunting opportunity.
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Reading Ducks
Wade Bourne draws on the knowledge of seasoned callers to teach you how to "read the ducks" and improve your calling technique.
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Simple and Dependable Decoy Rigs
Dependability and simplicity are key considerations when rigging decoys.
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Duck Calling Video: The Feeding Chuckle
Wade Bourne demonstrates and explains the feeding chuckle, a sometimes touchy calling technique that takes time to master.
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Ground Game - Layout Blinds
Lightweight, portable layout blinds provide effective concealment in a variety of waterfowl habitats.
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The Minimalists
By sticking to the basics, these waterfowlers have found success without spending a fortune on gear and gadgets.
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Tips for Using Full-Body Field Decoys
These lifelike decoys are highly effective in a variety of hunting environments
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10 Tips from Top Callers
Expert waterfowlers share their secrets for calling late-season ducks and geese.
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The Single-Quack Series
This finishing call often works like a homing beacon for ducks.
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Duck Hunters Rainbow
Major rain events can lead to some of the season’s best hunting.
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Hunting Midday Ducks
If you routinely head in by midmorning, you might be missing out on some great hunting.
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Tips for Hunting-shy Ducks
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Finding Hidden Duck Holes
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September Teal: Mayhem in the Marsh
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Duck Hunting in Flooded Grainfields
Flooded grainfields are consistently among the most productive waterfowling hotspots
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Four Steps to Better Shooting
Improve your shooting with these steps from Scott Robertson of Elm Fork Shooting Sports in Dallas.
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