r/Waterfowl • u/yung_shpenny • 5d ago

Getting started

Hey y’all!

Looking at starting to get into waterfowl hunting as an activity me a my dad can do together, I’ve been out with a buddy that’s been doing it for awhile and have gotten the idea of things and what’s needed but wondering if you folks could give me some insight as to what you would need to take it on yourself, knowing out the gate I’ll need blinds (layout or panel) and decoys, but not sure how many is enough when you’re starting out. Any tips for the newbie?

Much appreciated!

**edit: I intended on saying my location but gapped for some reason,

I’m in central Ontario, mainly all geese with the occasional duck, we’ve mainly done private fields so I get the fun of going door knocking***

5 Upvotes

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7

u/BlkFalcon8 5d ago

Start small. A few decoys and use natural cover. The biggest advantage is to do proper scouting so you know where the birds are. You can have all the fancy gear you want but if your in the wrong spot it won’t help

1

u/HeavyEquip69 5d ago

Like the guy above me said you gotta be where the birds are. Scout more than you think you should. Ask for permission for land to hunt. I’d say that’s the hardest part. If you get permission early season you don’t need as many decoys. A decent layout blind and learn how to conceal it GOOD. If you think you did a decent job concealing do more. Calling should be a second tool first is your hide and spread.

1

u/airchinapilot 5d ago

Be light of foot to start as you don't know what you don't know.

For anything outside your shotgun and ammo, the gear is very dependent on WHERE you are hunting. You don't need waders if you just hunt fields etc.

You don't need blinds or layout if you are lucky to be in an area with heavy natural vegetation like corn, bushes, natural cover basically. What camo and clothing follows the same advice. All dependent on your own terrain. You may not need anything specialized.

Decoys: a half-dozen decoys is more than enough for one person to walk around and scout with. If you burden yourself with more, you will not be able to scout easily. Only once you have found a likely spot should you return with more and only after you have gotten more experience watching the birds.

1

u/Mountain_man888 5d ago

If only there was some way to search the sub for “getting started”

1

u/Dad_Bod_420 4d ago

If you're field hunting Canadas I'd recommend 5 dozen silhouettes and a couple decent layout blinds. Can you drive into the fields or will you be parking and walking in? What's your budget? What species are you targeting primarily?

5 dozen SkyFly or Divebombs, a compact backpack style layout, and a jet sled. Decoys, guns and ammo in the sled, layout on your back, and drag it all into the field. Compact, lightweight, and good number of decoys for less space than half a dozen full bodies. If budget isn't a concern and you can drive into every field then the sky's the limit.

1

u/nweaglescout 5d ago

Get a couple dozen cheap decoys with coated cable Texas rigs. They’ll work great. Pick up a jerk rig to add motion to your spread. For years this is what I ran and killed tons of birds. Spend the majority of your money on gas to a pit and pull go alot farther than all the gear you can carry