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Started By
Message
re: Lets have a discussion about marsh hunting
Posted on 11/10/15 at 11:04 am to Redfish2010
Posted on 11/10/15 at 11:04 am to Redfish2010
quote:
I believe it.
we better not be on a flat this weekend baw.
bringing dog so we aren't chasing ducks. hope to kill em! put some limits in that new boat
Posted on 11/10/15 at 11:13 am to PapaPogey
How do you primarily hunt? Boat blind, ground blind, etc?
- homemade boat blind
Are you hunting big bodies of water or smaller ponds?
- I hunt mostly public marsh. Usually try to find a small cove or pocket but it depends on where I find a good patch of tall grass to blend into.
How many decoys are you using and in what orientation?
- I have 10 poule d'eau decoys in a group with one or 2 swimming in, and about 18 total teal and grey ducks, with a red head and widgeon mixed in. Put poule d'eau and the widgeon/ a few teal to the left and a scattered group of the rest on the right, with one or two approaching them. This is all I've ever needed.
What do you think is the key to your success if you have any?
- honestly, not sure. That's why it's called hunting.
Tips:
Calling - Don't call unnaturally. A few quacks and a slow feed call is all I've ever used. Never hail called in my life. A teal call and a whistle are very effective.
Concealment - blending with surroundings is important. A boat blind covered in late-season dead palmetto stands out in early season green grass. Movement and talking loud also has an impact.
I'm in no way an expert But I put a little meat in the freezer every year.
- homemade boat blind
Are you hunting big bodies of water or smaller ponds?
- I hunt mostly public marsh. Usually try to find a small cove or pocket but it depends on where I find a good patch of tall grass to blend into.
How many decoys are you using and in what orientation?
- I have 10 poule d'eau decoys in a group with one or 2 swimming in, and about 18 total teal and grey ducks, with a red head and widgeon mixed in. Put poule d'eau and the widgeon/ a few teal to the left and a scattered group of the rest on the right, with one or two approaching them. This is all I've ever needed.
What do you think is the key to your success if you have any?
- honestly, not sure. That's why it's called hunting.
Tips:
Calling - Don't call unnaturally. A few quacks and a slow feed call is all I've ever used. Never hail called in my life. A teal call and a whistle are very effective.
Concealment - blending with surroundings is important. A boat blind covered in late-season dead palmetto stands out in early season green grass. Movement and talking loud also has an impact.
I'm in no way an expert But I put a little meat in the freezer every year.
This post was edited on 11/10/15 at 1:35 pm
Posted on 11/10/15 at 11:13 am to Redfish2010
More than likely, Saturday.
Posted on 11/10/15 at 11:59 am to PapaPogey
quote:
easily the most challenging of all forms in LA.
Had to wing that out there didn't you.
Posted on 11/10/15 at 12:22 pm to 34venture
Is it possible to hunt public land purely using a kayak? If so where would you launch?
Posted on 11/10/15 at 12:26 pm to Redfish2010
quote:
Us too
going to be a good hunt I have a feeling.
Posted on 11/10/15 at 12:31 pm to WHODAT514
Lots of places to hunt via kayak, just look for the public WMAs that have road access and paddle on in. Just beware that the closer to the road/launch you hunt, the more pressure.
Posted on 11/10/15 at 12:45 pm to TheBoo
How do you hunt....
90% of the time in a pirouge, occasionally a duck boat. Normally hidden in cane islands or the bank. However many times use willow tree limbs and make a blind in the slap middle looks like hell but kills the crap out of ducks.
Large or small water...
I hunt both, but majority is very large bodies of water.
How many decoys...
anywhere from 2-10 dozen, more the later in the season it gets. I like two groups with a landing area in the middle. I use the heck out of mojo decoys I don't find they flare off them often and they are a big help in open water.
Key to success...
I have no idea, have hunted long enough I can normally read the ducks and have a feel for what they are doing at a particular time of year. Also have many proven spots over the years. Also been doing it long enough to learn lessons the hard way.
90% of the time in a pirouge, occasionally a duck boat. Normally hidden in cane islands or the bank. However many times use willow tree limbs and make a blind in the slap middle looks like hell but kills the crap out of ducks.
Large or small water...
I hunt both, but majority is very large bodies of water.
How many decoys...
anywhere from 2-10 dozen, more the later in the season it gets. I like two groups with a landing area in the middle. I use the heck out of mojo decoys I don't find they flare off them often and they are a big help in open water.
Key to success...
I have no idea, have hunted long enough I can normally read the ducks and have a feel for what they are doing at a particular time of year. Also have many proven spots over the years. Also been doing it long enough to learn lessons the hard way.
Posted on 11/10/15 at 2:05 pm to PapaPogey
quote:
since it varies from place to place and is easily the most challenging of all forms in LA.
Posted on 11/10/15 at 2:22 pm to TheBoo
quote:
Calling - Don't call unnaturally. A few quacks and a slow feed call is all I've ever used. Never hail called in my life. A teal call and a whistle are very effective.
Had some guys hunting close to us hail calling at everything they saw, it was pretty ridiculous.
Posted on 11/10/15 at 3:47 pm to Redfish2010
quote:
I can't speak for everywhere but in Atchaflaya delta it can quickly leave you stranded
We helped pull a stranded boat back in the water this weekend. Figured we could use some good karma out there for the future. Tide had dropped in the 3-4 ft. range while we were out there hunting.
Posted on 11/10/15 at 3:59 pm to Motorboat
quote:
when we hunt the marsh, we take in a pirogue, ram it into the short cane and cover up best we can. Use only a few decoys and leave the mojos at home.
Posted on 11/10/15 at 4:52 pm to PapaPogey
quote:
How do you primarily hunt? Boat blind, ground blind, etc?
Are you hunting big bodies of water or smaller ponds?
How many decoys are you using and in what orientation?
What do you think is the key to your success if you have any?
1.) Hunt in the marsh. Don't build blinds. Use cover around you and supplement with better stuff as needed. MOST definitely do not hunt boat blinds. Hunting in the grass will make you more mobile, more adaptable, and you'll stand out way less than the dude 200 yards away from you hunting out of some huge boat blind. People argue until they're blue in the face about that, but if you pull up to a bank in a 4ft tall boat blind, and all the marsh around you is 1.5ft tall, the ducks are gonna laugh at you.
2.) Depends on the time of the year. Hunt where the ducks are. 80% of what we kill are grey ducks. Later in the year, greys tend to like smaller pot holes as opposed to bigger water.
3.) See #2. Later in the year, more confidence decoys and less greys. No mojos. Ever.
4.) Not being confined to any specific technique or method. Adapting with the ducks.
As you said, hunting the marsh is the hardest form of duck hunting there is - I don't care what anyone says. That being said, if you learn it the right way, you'll have the opportunity to kill a lot of ducks. I hunt in St. Bernard, and hiding is tough. The guys down in Venice really don't know how easy they have it with 300ft tall roseau patches to hide in. The most important thing is to be well hidden - wherever you are.
This post was edited on 11/10/15 at 4:55 pm
Posted on 11/10/15 at 4:57 pm to PapaPogey
Hunt flooded rice fields in El Campo, Tx
Usually scout the day before and see what areas they are concentrated on. Have several makeshift blinds of canvas and sticks.
Probably put out 2-3 dozen decoys. Maybe a few snow goose floaters. Usually kill pintails, teal and spoonies. Sandhills can also get pretty thick
Usually scout the day before and see what areas they are concentrated on. Have several makeshift blinds of canvas and sticks.
Probably put out 2-3 dozen decoys. Maybe a few snow goose floaters. Usually kill pintails, teal and spoonies. Sandhills can also get pretty thick
This post was edited on 11/10/15 at 4:58 pm
Posted on 11/10/15 at 5:12 pm to PapaPogey
wax lake/atchafalaya bay, open water
we build a blind on the boat with wax myrtles and tie up/anchor
2 or 3 doz decoys max, usually less
we either get out and walk the kills or have to untie and haul arse depending on the wind/current
no real rhyme or reason to success there, they either want to get where you are or they don't. I hardly ever call
we build a blind on the boat with wax myrtles and tie up/anchor
2 or 3 doz decoys max, usually less
we either get out and walk the kills or have to untie and haul arse depending on the wind/current
no real rhyme or reason to success there, they either want to get where you are or they don't. I hardly ever call
Posted on 11/10/15 at 6:31 pm to PapaPogey
New private marsh lease this year and we are fortunate enough to have some nice cane patches on them. I built a drive in boat blind in front of them; two in smaller ponds about 2 acres and one in a bay. I put four boat loads of cane and palms to dress up the blinds. Then we drive in and put up the pop up blind. I know it's still early but we had grays landing in the Decoys at 900 yesterday so I feel like we were pretty well hidden.
Using about three to four dozen decoys ( grays, teal, widgeon, and black ducks) and actually found more success without the mojos.
As for calling, I primarily use the teal whistle and gray call along with a mallard quack. It works well but probably bc my hail call sounds like a duck being murdered lol
Using about three to four dozen decoys ( grays, teal, widgeon, and black ducks) and actually found more success without the mojos.
As for calling, I primarily use the teal whistle and gray call along with a mallard quack. It works well but probably bc my hail call sounds like a duck being murdered lol
Posted on 11/10/15 at 7:34 pm to PapaPogey
Question: do y'all prefer small potholes where the whole pond is in gun range or larger bodies and hunting the points?
Posted on 11/10/15 at 7:48 pm to jimbeam
I hunted a small hole pond last weekend that was adjacent and connected to a bigger body of water, but I really don't know what's better. I prefer a small pond and it's much easier to retrieve your birds especially if you have a dog with you.
Posted on 11/10/15 at 8:51 pm to jimbeam
quote:
Question: do y'all prefer small potholes
Yes, preferably surrounded by oak trees
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