Duck hunting in September

September = Duck hunting

A duck hunting report by Rasmus from Lucky-Hunter

Finally, it was the 1st of September and the hunting season was about to start! With a newly acquired right to hunt on a large lake, the choice for the hunting style was quite easy. The first morning was to be spent duck hunting with decoys – It turned out to be a good choice.

Preparation for the hunt

In the days leading up to the hunting season, I had talked to Søren from Lucky-Hunter about how the hunt could be approached. We looked at maps of the hunt, weather forecasts, and equipment that would make sense to bring.

Due to the size of the lake, decoys were needed to try to steer any ducks into range. For the sake of the “work” of towing all the gear, I chose that I would like to settle for a relatively small set-up, in a good quality. So we found just enough decoys to fit in a single bag. We also spiced up the set-up with a couple of the different “motorized decoys” and a duck call for maximum effect. Specifically, I brought: 8 Avian-X Mallard – 10 Avian-X Teal – 1 Lucky Duck Agitator – 1 Lucky Duck Splasher – 1 Mallard duck call

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The joy of anticipation

The evening before the hunt, my father and I were out at the hunting area to make a little boat ready by the lake. We hadn’t actually seen the hunting area before and I have to say that we were pleasantly surprised! First of all, we were greeted by fantastic nature in the fine late summer weather. In addition, there were both ducks and geese in the lake, and despite the fact that it was only 7 O clock, the flight was already underway. About 50-70 mallards laid exactly where we had planned to hunt in the morning. So expectations were well raised when we drove home to bed.

A fantastic duck hunt

The morning started at 03:20 in the morning, when the alarm clock rang. The gear was already packed and ready, and the only thing that had to happen before departure was to jump into the hunting gear and get the shotgun from the gun cabinet.

At 4:00 we were four eager hunters and an even more eager labrador, by the small boat. So, with headlamps on, hunters, gundog and decoys were loaded into the boat and the trip went 150 meters out to a small island located in the middle of the lake.

With solid ground under our feet, we headed another 100 meters down the island to the chosen spot, where we had seen ducks the night before. The decoys were laid out to the best of our ability. The idea was to make a formation with a good landing zone, and also within a good shooting distance. The formation consisted of two groups of decoys, with a good gap between them, so that the real ducks had room to land. In addition, both the “Agitator” and the “Splasher” were turned on, and placed in each group of decoys.

Satisfied with the formation of decoys, there was nothing to do but wait and see if any ducks would come into shooting range.

The first ducks arrive

Quite soon after the decoys were placed, it was shooting time and the guns were loaded and the senses sharpened. Although it was still to dark to see anything, the mallards could be heard in several places on the large lake. So expectations were still sky high.

15 minutes into the duck hunting season, the characteristic sound of ducks flapping their wings could be heard quite close, and out of the darkness came two mallards. The ducks were well in range, but we let them pass by to see if they would come down to the decoys. The first few ducks didn’t want to do that, and instead they flew onwards.

Fortunately, we didn’t have to wait long before a lone duck was on the wings. It had now become a little brighter, and the duck saw the decoys from far away, and steered straight towards us. As it hung 10 meters above the decoys, a single shot rang out, and the dead mallard marked the start of the season.

A good flight

The first duck had been delivered, and now things were going fast! For the next half hour, there were good numbers of both mallards and teal on the wings. Most of the ducks saw the decoys, from a long distance, and came in nicely at very reasonable distances. This resulted in the young labrador being busy fetching ducks. At one point we had to break the gun and help the dog, to not confuse it with too many shots/dead birds.

Just as quickly as the good part of the flight had started, it ended again. It gave us time to stand and talk about the experience we had just had.

Cool situations

While we were just standing and chatting, we could see that the ducks were still flying around the lake. The flocks had become smaller and there were not as many, but there were still birds in the air. So we loaded up and got back in place. Now we had to wait a little longer for the chances, but in return we got some of the best situations of the morning, as everyone’s eyes were on single birds.

The best situation for me, was when I called a duck in to our dog handler. He had been busy directing the dog, and therefore hadn’t really gotten a shot all morning. So i said that I would try the duck call and see if I could call in a duck for him.

I called to the best of my ability and 3 mallards, which had otherwise been in a safe area, took to the wings and came towards us. The ducks were curious, but still shy after the morning’s shootings. So they kept a safe distance as they circled to find out where the call came from.

After a few rounds, two of the ducks pulled away and flew back out of range. The last duck however, took a few more rounds, and now started calling. I tried to imitate the duck’s call, and could immediately see a reaction. After a few minutes in total, the duck finally decided to come in to the decoys and the dog handler was able to get it in a nice shot while the rest of us watched – What an end to a great morning hunt!

Pictures from the hunt