There is obviously something I am not getting about luring the ducks in. I've been duck hunting about 40 times in the past 4 years and have shot three ducks!

This morning, my father in law an I were out at it again at Kaw Lake in northern Oklahoma. We camped out last night and couldn't sleep because there was so much noise from all of the ducks around! We set up the night before. We had 24 decoys plus a rotating wing decoy. We built a nice big blind right on the shore in front of our decoys. We were both in full camo. I set up our decoys in a big U or V shape with a channel right in front of us for the ducks to land.

I put the rotating wing decoy close to shore with the back towards the lake. I don't know if the ducks are buying this rotating wing thing though. I noticed other hunters today that didn't have one and they were having ducks come in like crazy. They were picking their setup over ours.

Could it be my duck calling? I have a cheap Wal-Mart duck call. I've read how to call and figured I am okay. I've noticed that if we have any ducks come in, I'm not calling them. Maybe when I'm calling I'm saying in duck talk "Get your ass outta here! You're gonna get shot!"

We only had two ducks come in today and I shot one of them down. He landed about 50 yards out so I'm walking out to get him. I thought he was dead because he wasn't moving. I get almost all the way out there and the duck swims off. He was long gone by the time I got back to shore. That's the third time that's happened to me. You think the duck would be like "Okay! You got me"! Then it would swim up to you so you could wring its neck.

Anyways, I think I'm doing everything right but obviously not. Does a real good duck call matter? Should I lose my rotating wing decoy? Am I setting up my other decoys right? Could my blind be too obvious? If anybody has any thoughts or advice, I'd appreciate it! Thanks! Matt

when you shoot a duck and it's falling, look at it. if it's still alive, shoot it again on the way down. even a 3rd time if need be. if the head is looking down, it's alive. if the head and neck are trailing up, it's dead.

A big blind is not a good idea ,it will look out of place .
Also you have to think about how the blind will look from over head not ground level. A big black hole with movement in it will scare ducks every time.
For the 2 of you ,2 stumps 20' or so apart or logs to sit against is better with a little cover in front .
Don't look up at the ducks your eyes and face will flare ducks
Yes bad calling and calling at the wrong times will scare away ducks as fast as anything else. There are programsfor your computer that helps you sound better, you will need a mik.
I like the Primos Wrench but there are lots of good calls that are not a lot of $
When you nock a bird down ,1 of you should be watching it while the other goes to get it with a gun.
If it starts to swim or it's head comes up shoot it ,one or both of you.

if your wear blaze orANGE that might be your problem !!!! lol

I am fairly new to calling and have taken the approach of if the ducks are doing what I want, I don't call. Seems to work better, I get them to turn and come, then shut up, if they stop circling and head off, call again. If they are circling, I just shutup.

Seems to work.

Also, I hunt with my two sons, 12 and 14, MOVEMENT is a killer! You ever try to get an excited energetic 12 year old to not move his head while ducks are circling behind where he can't see them?

--Bob

Hey KC10Chief,

Have you had any better luck since this post?

Man, you are persistent, 40 time and shot 4 ducks!!!.

First were there ducks on the water where you were setup. Even the best decoys and spinners often won't get birds to come in if they would rather be somewhere else.

Are your decoys clean and freshly painted. If they are dirty or old and dull that will cause birds to flair. It sounds like your blind also may be a source of birds flairing. I like to use natural surrounding materials for my binds, logs, grass, sticks etc. then "frost" them using burlap.

also don't stick to one decoy setup. Watch how the first birds react and if they seem disinterested get out and start moving the dekes around.

You didn't mention anything about wind or cloud cover etc. All of those have a bearing on whether birds will commit.

And finally the calling thing is one of practice.

I would try a different blind placement and different decoy placement first and work on you calling.

Also find a hunting bud with a good dog, it will make retrieving those downed bird much easier.

Nemont