How to Improve Your Duck Hunting in the Off-Season

After that final day out in the blind, all you can think about is next year. The long wait between the end of the season and the start of a new one often feels dull. During this time, a hunter must ask, “How can I improve?” Whether it’s struggling to hit the broad side of a barn or finding new spots with less pressure, here are a few ways to work on your duck-hunting skills.

Shooting

Improving your shooting, especially if you’ve purchased a new shotgun, is extremely important. One way to get better is by going to the range with plenty of shells and practicing. Any form of target shooting—trap, skeet, or sporting clays—will help, but sporting clays are the closest simulation to a duck flying past your blind at unpredictable angles. Work on your swing through and the best way to lead targets at different speeds and distances.

Another key step is patterning your gun with your preferred ammo and choke. Knowing your spread and effective range will help you lead your shots and make better decisions on which shots to take—or avoid. For example, if you typically shoot 3-inch steel shells at 1,500 fps and switch to bismuth shells at 1,150 fps, the change in speed will affect your timing and accuracy when leading your shots. Practicing these adjustments in the off-season will set you apart from the sky busters on public land.

Skeet Shooting

Scouting

If your usual spot has been underwhelming, it’s time to find a better one. Start by using an old-fashioned map or GPS mapping tools like OnX Hunt to locate ideal duck habitats. Look for wetlands, shallow waters, secluded mudflats, or sandbars—places ducks prefer. Don’t be hesitant to look a mile in or so to get away from lazier hunters.

Once you’ve identified a promising area, get out there and scout. Spend a few hours visiting different spots to look for signs of ducks or catch them in action. The best times to scout are early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the ducks are most active.

Finding the X

Editors Note:

When looking for public land spots that hold ducks or are part of a flyway it can be worth it to check more isolated spots. Especially later in the season after ducks have been shot at by every schmuck and their drinking buddies the ones that do hold tend to be more careful! Try going down a smaller tributary or run off of a larger body of water with a lot of pressure. One of my best late season spots is a good 45 minute canoe ride from any launch or access point, but because of that there is no pressure from other hunters. It’s a true public land gem that’s worth the extra effort.

Calling

Nobody likes the guy who swears he can call but makes noises so bad they scare away even the coots. To avoid being that hunter, focus on one call, such as a mallard call. Watch tutorial videos and listen to real mallard sounds to understand their tone and cadence.

Then, practice as much as possible. Driving to work? Start quacking. Home alone? Start quacking. Got a nagging partner? Start quacking. In all seriousness, repetition is the key to becoming a good caller. No one picks up a call and sounds like the Duck Commander overnight.

Ending Note

By working on these aspects during the off-season, you’ll be more prepared for the next duck hunting season. Hopefully, these tips will help you start limiting out instead of having to shoot a diver just to avoid going home empty-handed.

Sometimes Diver Ducks are too hard to pass for the editor!-CW