Waterfowling is meant to be fun, but if we don’t challenge routine, we can gradually become inured to the mundane and find ourselves spending more early mornings in bed. Here are a couple of things you can do to recharge your waterfowling batteries, while gathering hunting insights and lore in the process.
Stalking waterfowl
When: Stalking works well on blustery days when scattered flocks of ducks return to the marsh after their morning foraging. Wind and rain move birds into cover, and they may be reluctant to leave. I usually watch for returning birds and carefully note their position, often in relation to distinct features of the landscape. I also use binoculars to ensure their location has been pinpointed. It is also useful at times, to let the birds settle down as they are most wary upon their arrival.
How: I use a layout boat or canoe to navigate to a landmark upwind of birds, well beyond range. Then I cover the rest of the distance on foot, moving slowly. Avoid stalking through open areas or heavy cover that might signal your presence to wary birds. Getting into range entails kneeling or sitting in shallow areas, wearing full camo, including a face mask. Leave the duck call behind — at short range, ducks have an uncanny ability to distinguish natural sounds from others. Above all, be patient, sometimes waiting for birds to settle down following a disturbance.
The shot: When the birds flush, the first 10 yards of flight is going to be into the wind. When a flock jumps up, select a bird at 30 yards or so. Save closer birds for the follow-up shot. Also, be ready for delayed departures, which occur more often than not.
Stalking ducks will keep you busy but warm during those classic days of wind and horizontal precipitation. I have noted and used several locations over the years, with ducks faithfully choosing the same foraging or roosting sites. Be sure to anchor, moor, or otherwise secure your boat or canoe before leaving it in an island location. Also, keep a cell phone on you in case you forget.
Jump shooting waterfowl
Jump shooting is similar to stalking, but is (usually) conducted over the water, using a canoe as the principal shooting platform.
When: Great for inland or sheltered water, anywhere ducks are gathering. From a canoe, jump shooting is ideal for two-hunter operations, with a hunter in the bow focused on departing birds, and a hunter in the stern providing propulsion and marking downed birds.
How: Stealthily paddle the water channels of marshy areas to get within range of birds. The stern hunter’s gun must be unloaded and encased at all times. Note that the most comfortable seat in a canoe may not be the safest option. Test shooting positions for stability with the fully loaded canoe in shallow water, before venturing out.
The shot : When birds get up, every second counts. When I’m alone, I simply drop my paddle out of the way and pick up my shotgun (I bring a spare paddle just for this reason). It’s a challenging task, better suited for people with quick reaction times. I tie a light decoy line from my gun to the canoe as a security backup in case something should happen while I am bringing the gun to bear on a rising bird.
Do it on foot: Walk the perimeters of beaver ponds, probing small bays of green cover or newly flooded areas that often hold woodies, mallards, and the odd black duck. Creeks are another favourite of jump shooters. Any place that is tough to navigate and too shallow even for a canoe, gets the nod for a walkthrough.
Originally published in the August 2023 issue of Ontario OUT of DOORS
You can also push ducks like deer. Works best in long narrow ponds/marshes, rivers and creeks. Each hunter starts at opposite ends. The hunter with the wind in their face is the pusher, the other is the sitter. The pusher walks along the edge of the water body towards the sitter. Ducks will typically fly away from the pusher and into the wind along the waterbody towards the sitter. Just like with deer hunting, don’t shoot the pusher! For safety, both hunters should be on the same side of the waterbody. Use radios. “Two coming your way”.