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First time duck hunting
#5450493
12/01/14 02:12 AM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 441
shea.mcphail
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 441 |
Hey guys,
First time poster and first time duck hunter. Going out with some buds to a private property for some duck hunting. Bringing my 20 gauge with 50 shells #2 shots. I have a camo jacket from hog hunting and the fiancé is getting me an insulated bib for Christmas. Got some old military boots from my uncle (not water-proof). I also have cotton socks and hunting gloves. Bought a waterfowl field bag from Cabelas today. Friend told me I don't need to worry about waders. Any other recommendations for a first timer?
20 gauge is a pump action with full choke.
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Re: First time duck hunting
[Re: shea.mcphail]
#5450536
12/01/14 02:24 AM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,491
Jacob645
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,491 |
I'd use an improved cylinder or modified choke if you have it.
Face paint or mask.
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Re: First time duck hunting
[Re: shea.mcphail]
#5450544
12/01/14 02:27 AM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 23,830
beaversnipe
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 23,830 |
Well, if you going tomorrow, you gonna freeze your socks off with that cotton.
I try to avoid cotton by all means, no cotton t shirts neither. When you sweat in cotton, you will be cold. Rubber 1000 insulation boots are my best friends, i have 2 pairs so i can rotate. Hunting gloves makes it hard to reload. I never wear them. In a 20 gauge i would shoot nr 4 instead of nr 2 if birds are within 30 yards, and i would use IC choke. Insulated bibs, i use them all the time. Beretta makes really good ones.
Last edited by beaversnipe; 12/01/14 02:28 AM.
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Re: First time duck hunting
[Re: Jacob645]
#5450546
12/01/14 02:27 AM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 441
shea.mcphail
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 441 |
I have an over under 20 gauge as well with a modified and IC. I'll use that instead! Thanks!
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Re: First time duck hunting
[Re: beaversnipe]
#5450556
12/01/14 02:30 AM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 441
shea.mcphail
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 441 |
Well, if you going tomorrow, you gonna freeze your socks off with that cotton.
I try to avoid cotton by all means, no cotton t shirts neither. When you sweat in cotton, you will be cold. Rubber 1000 insulation boots are my best friends, i have 2 pairs so i can rotate. Hunting gloves makes it hard to reload. I never wear them. In a 20 gauge i would shoot nr 4 instead of nr 2 if birds are within 30 yards, and i would use IC choke. Insulated bibs, i use them all the time. Beretta makes really good ones. We are camping out on Dec 19th after we get off work. Going to be pretty damn cold. I'm going to look in to those rubber boots. Thanks for the recommendations!
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Re: First time duck hunting
[Re: shea.mcphail]
#5450571
12/01/14 02:34 AM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,491
Jacob645
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,491 |
If it's really cold, I layer with insulated underwear, long sleeved warm underarmor type shirt, fleece pullover, then wind proof/water proof jacket.
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Re: First time duck hunting
[Re: shea.mcphail]
#5450601
12/01/14 02:42 AM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 23,830
beaversnipe
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 23,830 |
[quote=beaversnipe]Well, if you going tomorrow, you gonna freeze your socks off with that cotton.
I try to avoid cotton by all means, no cotton t shirts neither. When you sweat in cotton, you will be cold. Rubber 1000 insulation boots are my best friends, i have 2 pairs so i can rotate. Hunting gloves makes it hard to reload. I never wear them. In a 20 gauge i would shoot nr 4 instead of nr 2 if birds are within 30 yards, and i would use IC choke. Insulated bibs, i use them all the time. Beretta makes really good ones. [/quote
We are camping out on Dec 19th after we get off work. Going to be pretty damn cold. I'm going to look in to those rubber boots. Thanks for the recommendations! Here is the link for the beretta bibs. http://www.berettausa.com/en-us/beretta-outlander-bibs/cu3933100860/I tried a bunch of bibs and these are very good and comfy. Just be carefull when you cross the wire fence. They are not cheap, but x mas is around the corner. When its cold i wear a mamoth fleece pants under the bibs and when its super cold, i wear long johns, fleece pants and bibs. For the rubber boots, buy one size up. If you shoe size is 9, buy a 10. Use woolen socks, a pair of liners when its cold, and when its super cold i throw in a pair of handwarmers in the boots. Works great!
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Re: First time duck hunting
[Re: shea.mcphail]
#5450626
12/01/14 02:50 AM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 412
Fishuhalik
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 412 |
Make sure you have a camo ball cap & keep your face low when they're coming in or use face paint or a full face mask. Those birds'll spot your shining face every time
Cigarettes are like hamsters. Perfectly harmless til you put it in your mouth & light it on fire
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Re: First time duck hunting
[Re: Fishuhalik]
#5450637
12/01/14 02:53 AM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 23,830
beaversnipe
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 23,830 |
Make sure you have a camo ball cap & keep your face low when they're coming in or use face paint or a full face mask. Those birds'll spot your shining face every time They spot shiny engagement rings a mile high. Take it off.
Last edited by beaversnipe; 12/01/14 02:53 AM.
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Re: First time duck hunting
[Re: shea.mcphail]
#5450668
12/01/14 03:09 AM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 11,961
Simple Searcher
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 11,961 |
I remember my first duck hunt. I laughed more than I hunted. It was so cool, we would lay low behind cover when they were coming in. Then jump up suddenly, BLAM, BLAM, BLAM, BLAM, BLAM. I don't know why I thought it was so funny ambushing ducks and watching them fall out of the sky, but I was hooked.
"Man is still a hunter, still a simple searcher after meat..." Robert C. Ruark
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Re: First time duck hunting
[Re: shea.mcphail]
#5450720
12/01/14 03:29 AM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 441
shea.mcphail
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 441 |
Thanks for all of the recommendations. I'm ready to get out there and get started.
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Re: First time duck hunting
[Re: shea.mcphail]
#5450738
12/01/14 03:35 AM
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 10,458
Ramball36
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 10,458 |
If it's cold wear your warmest stuff, don't move your head around, and have a good time. At least wait until year two before you start overthinking it
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Re: First time duck hunting
[Re: Ramball36]
#5450782
12/01/14 03:49 AM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 412
Fishuhalik
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 412 |
If it's cold wear your warmest stuff, don't move your head around, and have a good time. At least wait until year two before you start overthinking it ^this hahaha!!
Cigarettes are like hamsters. Perfectly harmless til you put it in your mouth & light it on fire
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Re: First time duck hunting
[Re: shea.mcphail]
#5450880
12/01/14 04:56 AM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 43
Madewell
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 43 |
I am new to duck hunting too. I'm like a sponge. I appreciate these threads.
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Re: First time duck hunting
[Re: shea.mcphail]
#5455344
12/03/14 05:35 AM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 733
ArkansasTraveler
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 733 |
Fancy gear helps, but a lot of people have killed a lot of ducks with old gear.
Wear camo, keep your face down, listen to whoever is taking you, pick out a single duck when you shoot...don't just shoot into the middle of the flock, wear a lot of layers...you can always take some off, and most importantly have fun and enjoy the beauty of nature
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Re: First time duck hunting
[Re: Simple Searcher]
#5455409
12/03/14 11:16 AM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 13,416
jdk1985
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 13,416 |
I remember my first duck hunt. I laughed more than I hunted. It was so cool, we would lay low behind cover when they were coming in. Then jump up suddenly, BLAM, BLAM, BLAM, BLAM, BLAM. I don't know why I thought it was so funny ambushing ducks and watching them fall out of the sky, but I was hooked. I remember the hunt that got me hooked. We were hunting in a canyon. Every shot echoed down the canyon. It was awesome. Shot like a pro. 3-man limit in 30-ish minutes. 100% hooked.
Instagram @justinkingwoodworking
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Re: First time duck hunting
[Re: Ramball36]
#5455410
12/03/14 11:17 AM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 13,416
jdk1985
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 13,416 |
At least wait until year two before you start overthinking it X100
Instagram @justinkingwoodworking
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Re: First time duck hunting
[Re: shea.mcphail]
#5487257
12/19/14 02:41 PM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 441
shea.mcphail
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 441 |
Well tomorrow will be my first duck hunt. Thanks for the tips and wish me luck!
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Re: First time duck hunting
[Re: shea.mcphail]
#5487261
12/19/14 02:43 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,661
_Scooter_
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,661 |
Wasn't born in Texas, but I got there as fast as I could.
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Re: First time duck hunting
[Re: shea.mcphail]
#5487829
12/19/14 07:30 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,659
Hopedale
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,659 |
Well, if you going tomorrow, you gonna freeze your socks off with that cotton.
I try to avoid cotton by all means, no cotton t shirts neither. When you sweat in cotton, you will be cold. Rubber 1000 insulation boots are my best friends, i have 2 pairs so i can rotate. Hunting gloves makes it hard to reload. I never wear them. In a 20 gauge i would shoot nr 4 instead of nr 2 if birds are within 30 yards, and i would use IC choke. Insulated bibs, i use them all the time. Beretta makes really good ones. We are camping out on Dec 19th after we get off work. Going to be pretty damn cold. I'm going to look in to those rubber boots. Thanks for the recommendations! Get a few pair of wool socks, like these: http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/smartwoo...1906+4294963566You may want to get the new boot a half size big to accommodate for a thicker sock. And make sure if you get a rubber boot it is insulated.
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Re: First time duck hunting
[Re: shea.mcphail]
#5487869
12/19/14 07:50 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032
Navasot
Hollywood
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Hollywood
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032 |
Texas is go for a no fly zone... repeat no fly zone. Ill be sleeping through this war
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Re: First time duck hunting
[Re: Simple Searcher]
#5489103
12/20/14 03:53 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,156
Inky Doc
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,156 |
I remember my first duck hunt. I laughed more than I hunted. It was so cool, we would lay low behind cover when they were coming in. Then jump up suddenly, BLAM, BLAM, BLAM, BLAM, BLAM. I don't know why I thought it was so funny ambushing ducks and watching them fall out of the sky, but I was hooked. ^^^Roger that!!!
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Re: First time duck hunting
[Re: shea.mcphail]
#5490100
12/21/14 03:28 AM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,809
dogcatcher
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,809 |
Combat Infantryman, the ultimate hunter where the prey shoots back. _____________"Illegitimus non carborundum est"_______________
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Re: First time duck hunting
[Re: dogcatcher]
#5491032
12/21/14 09:45 PM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 441
shea.mcphail
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 441 |
I shot my first duck on Saturday! Unfortunately, the bird dog was chasing another bird to the other end of the pond. I was never able to recover mine.
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Re: First time duck hunting
[Re: shea.mcphail]
#5492746
12/22/14 04:34 PM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 441
shea.mcphail
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 441 |
I think I have duck fever already. Since I returned from the camping trip all I can think about is going again. My family has land out in Canton with four tanks (two which I have seen with ducks). Can't wait to hit that place up after we go for Christmas. Also wouldn't mind trying out dove hunting.
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