Virginia Deer Hunter seeking to learn about Waterfowl Hunting
12-12-2010, 12:28 PM
#1
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 295
Virginia Deer Hunter seeking to learn about Waterfowl Hunting
I was sitting in a tree stand yesterday, waiting for a deer to walk by. From the stand, I could see geese and ducks come and go and hear the waterfowl hunters shotgun blast. I thought to myself, maybe I should venture into bird hunting. Any advice on getting started? I am in the Northern Virginia Area.
12-12-2010, 01:33 PM
#2
Good luck... That's all I'm going to say...
There is so much to learn about waterfowling, and the ridiculous, crazy, insane, totally bizarre, laws regarding blinds and property/riparian rights - it just boggles the mind.
The waterfowl guys constantly complain about a lack of ducks and geese, and what seems like a great area to hunt waterfowl, you can't hunt - because it's a protected area or the private land owners feed the waterfowl and won't let anyone hunt them.
Not only that, if you do get into waterfowling, get a good pair of waders with a ton of insulation. I have frozen my a$$ way too many times - and one time, I swear to God, I was on the verge of getting hypothermia!
Waterfowling takes serious dedication, and I'm afraid that in order to really score some ducks, you gotta know someone who knows someone, who can get you into one of the duck marshes as a guest.
There is so much to learn about waterfowling, and the ridiculous, crazy, insane, totally bizarre, laws regarding blinds and property/riparian rights - it just boggles the mind.
The waterfowl guys constantly complain about a lack of ducks and geese, and what seems like a great area to hunt waterfowl, you can't hunt - because it's a protected area or the private land owners feed the waterfowl and won't let anyone hunt them.
Not only that, if you do get into waterfowling, get a good pair of waders with a ton of insulation. I have frozen my a$$ way too many times - and one time, I swear to God, I was on the verge of getting hypothermia!
Waterfowling takes serious dedication, and I'm afraid that in order to really score some ducks, you gotta know someone who knows someone, who can get you into one of the duck marshes as a guest.
12-12-2010, 03:01 PM
#3
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Where the ducks don't come no more
Posts: 4,420
Hahahaha wow.....
There ain't that much to it. Yes there are quite a few equipment needs and additional licenses to acquire... but even in VA (where killing a big buck with a bow consitantly is pretty hard to do) you can infact kill ducks reliably. I have been doing it on my own since I was 16..... I'm 27 now.... and still kill over 100 ducks in this state alone a year. I own no land... my family owns 1/2 an acre in a neighborhood. What I hunt is public land I found by scouting and paying attention to my surroundings. Its not impossible or even that hard... its just that people are lazy and accept things as they might at first appear. The waters of this state are public. Period. Go a-hunting my friend.
There ain't that much to it. Yes there are quite a few equipment needs and additional licenses to acquire... but even in VA (where killing a big buck with a bow consitantly is pretty hard to do) you can infact kill ducks reliably. I have been doing it on my own since I was 16..... I'm 27 now.... and still kill over 100 ducks in this state alone a year. I own no land... my family owns 1/2 an acre in a neighborhood. What I hunt is public land I found by scouting and paying attention to my surroundings. Its not impossible or even that hard... its just that people are lazy and accept things as they might at first appear. The waters of this state are public. Period. Go a-hunting my friend.
12-12-2010, 04:29 PM
#4
Spike
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Southwest, VA
Posts: 44
I was sitting in a tree stand yesterday, waiting for a deer to walk by. From the stand, I could see geese and ducks come and go and hear the waterfowl hunters shotgun blast. I thought to myself, maybe I should venture into bird hunting. Any advice on getting started? I am in the Northern Virginia Area.
TUck
12-12-2010, 05:54 PM
#5
Spike
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Portville,NY
Posts: 12
Buy a duck call that has a tape or dvd with it to teach you how to use it. A couple of decoys will work to begin with. You don't need dozens, just a few. Scout a lot and find where the birds want to be. Make sure you can get them off the water after you shoot! If it's to deep to wade and you don't have a dog or boat, use a fishing rod with a top water bass plug to retrieve them. If you think you may not be able to retrieve what you shoot at a certain location then hunt someplace else. Get on Ducks unlimited web site and learn how to I.D. waterfowl.
Happy hunting and be safe.
Happy hunting and be safe.
04-29-2014, 09:00 AM
#7
Spike
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Southwest, VA
Posts: 44
Well I was finally able to find a few places to hunt at the end of deer season last year. To late to get on any ducks, seemed like they showed up once duck season was over but got quite a few geese. Still looking for more options on places to hunt for next season on the sw side of the state if anyone has any opinions please let me know. I have to say it is quite addictive!
Thanks,
Tuck
Thanks,
Tuck
