re: duck hunting: what does "call sparingly" mean?

quote:

---

if the ducks are 150 yds away and not heading toward you it can't exactly hurt, can it?

---

I am gonna step in here. When Hunting small ponds, sloughs, impoundments, bar ditches, etc. The ducks that you see probably already have their mind made up if they are coming to you or if they are going elsewhere. First thing you have to do is identify the bird. Figure out what they are and if you want to shoot them. Next thing and this is the most important and it takes a lot of practice and a lot of hours spent looking at ducks. You have to have a good understanding and knowledge of the duck's wingbeat. Some ducks have slower ones some faster so you need to be able to pick out if there is a change of pace from the norm. Ducks that are flapping just a 1/4 second slower will tell you if they are looking or not. If you pick up a slower wingbeat in a big duck hit him with a soft quack or soft wench. Grey duck single note works as well. If the duck commits put the call down till he passes and call at his arse, repeat that until the duck is killed. Small Water Small Calling Small Spread Small Blind NO ROBO.

Now if the bird has a faster beat and is going away or not really looking then they are going to a predetermined spot. Call all you want not gonna help really. If you do however pick up birds flying away but they are hole-ing up somewhere close, you can scream at a little to pick em up and give you a chance. Its all about perception and what you immediately identify and then react on that.

If you hunt big open water we can discuss as well.