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Listen to Billy Saturday
mornings on
California Sportsmen with
Sep Hendrickson

AM Sports 1140 Radio
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Myth #1 ~ Ducks on
water
call to ducks in air. |
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No, not,
never. Ducks are attracted because of the color of your
decoys, location, and random sounds that ducks make on
the water.
Ducks in a pothole surrounded by tules don't summon
ducks hundreds of yards away. The airborne ducks hear
these random sounds but they're not communicating.
There are certain sounds, however, that are more
inviting to ducks, and they will attract waterfowl to
your blind. Get those sounds and you're in business.
Expert instruction and field experience will help you
learn these sounds. |
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Myth #2 ~ Windless
days are
worst to hunt |
Myth
#5 ~ Diving ducks in
saltwater taste fishy |
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This depends on how many birds are in your areas. But
calling is far and away more effective on windless,
bluebird days.
In Pintail areas, give me a 75 degree day and every
flock pair or single will respond to a Pintail whistle
from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Remember, waterfowlers generally leave the hunting area
by 9:30 a.m., so later on there's no calling or gun
pressure. |
Wrong ! As soon as you retrieve a diver, immediately
draw it, otherwise it will sour.
Then, diving ducks will taste every bit as good as, or
better than, puddle ducks. |
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Myth #3 ~ You can
call most
birds |
Myth #6 ~
Expensive duck
calls work better than
cheaper models. |
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Some yes, most no. Save your breath.
You can tell which birds or flocks will respond to a
call by watching the beat of their wings.
If they flutter erratically, you can call them. If they fly erratic,
you can call them. But if they are flying high in
formation and hell-bent for leather, drop the call.
Pick and choose the birds to call. Calling at every
flock makes the ducks call shy, and your confidence will
fade when they don't respond. |
Don't
believe it !
If you know what, when, and how loud to blow, any duck
call will work.
Most hunters waste their money switching calls every
year. Instead, why not try to perfect your skills with
the one call that's comfortable for you. |
Myth #4 ~ You need
hen
decoys in your spread. |
Myth #7 ~
The Mallard call
will attract all
species of
ducks. |
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Ducks are attracted to color--they can't distinguish one
species of hen from another.
Birds will readily respond to colorful spreads because
they can see them easier from greater distances.
If there is one technique that will have an immediate
impact on your success rate, it's using all males in
your decoy spread.
So get out the paint brush and paint your hens. Or
better yet, use flat primer paints in a spray can. |
Yes, up to
a point. However, as the season progresses, the use of
whistles for whistling birds is more effective.
Hunters don't use whistles because they don't understand
what whistling birds want to hear. In fact, as mallards
become mallard-call shy, they'll readily come to a
pintail whistle later in the season.
Remember, also, that ducks will respond better to
calling when there is very little gunning pressure in
your area. |
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Email Billy at
billyg@sonic.net |