Make your waterfowl hunt a success
The most successful hunting trips are usually the result of exploration. If you want to bag some birds, you have to put in time beforehand to know where your best hunting spots will be. Scout the area first and you will have something to shoot at later.
The best way to search for waterfowl is to find the resting area and feeding grounds for the birds. Feeding areas can change every few days as the food supply in the area becomes scarce or is picked up by birds, so don’t wait too long to hunt after exploring a feeding area. Birds tend to feed fairly close to the roost, so even if they do move towards you, they most likely haven’t gone too far.
Stay as hidden and discreet as possible. A telescope allows you to stay at a safe distance, but still be able to see the game well. After the birds clear the area, you can zoom in to get a closer look. Observe the exact location of the birds for feathers, droppings, and other tell-tale signs of their prey.
Know your game birds
A good hunter knows his prey. Find out which senses are most acute and adjust your strategy accordingly. Cover your scent and stay downwind as much as possible. Hide with camouflage, do not make sudden movements and use adequate cover.
Know the habits of the game birds you are hunting. Know their feeding schedules, movements in the area, and what they consider to be their home base. Also know your fears and hesitations.
Know your hunting grounds
Study the flight path and typical landing areas of the waterfowl you hunt. Find out where the birds want to be, so that when you hunt again, you settle in your favorite spot. If you choose the wrong location and try to call the birds where you want them to land, all of your calls and pleas may fail if the birds choose to land just outside the shooting range.
Another way to explore an area is to ask local residents what they have seen in the area. Even postmen or other people who frequent the area can give you some advice.
Despite all your best exploration efforts, changes in weather or a sudden change in bird habits can turn a hot spot into a cold one, so be prepared to change your strategy if necessary.
If hunting on public land, try to find places with less hunting pressure. These areas are generally more difficult to reach, but it will be worth the effort, and fewer hunters will attempt to seize your spot if it is difficult to reach.
To overcome the pressure of hunting, you can also try to arrive earlier or stay later than other hunters, or you can use the opposite strategy to your competition, for example, placing more or less decoys than other hunters in the area.
