FLG Team Retriever Cody Ready For Action
Well, the 2010-2011 waterfowl season has come and gone and I’m already thinking about next year. It was a good season. I’m not a person to keep track of numbers but I know we did limit out a few times. This was only my second season of hunting here in Oklahoma so I am still on this huge learning curve. I grew up hunting waterfowl in the northern states and Canada so this is a whole new ballgame down here in the south. Here are some of the things that I’ve learned:
- Don’t EVER think you can pattern these birds. Every day is different! Anything, and I mean anything, will change these birds: Wind, temperature, weather, hunting pressure, food supply, and/or water levels.
- Don’t get in a routine of calling birds the same way day in and day out. Watch how the birds react to your calling and adjust your calling to what they are reacting to in a positive way. Also, different size groups will react differently to your calls.
- Concealment is everything which also means, in my opinion, keeping the sun out of your face is more important than keeping the wind at your back. We had more luck this year having the birds come in on crossing shots then we did having them funnel in straight out in front. Also, when hunting fields, dig your blind in if it is allowed by the landowner.
- 4. Change up your decoy spread. New migrating birds like to see big groups on the water. If the birds have been around awhile, they prefer smaller groups. Also, those wary birds will tend to land out away from shore a little so be prepared for longer shots and position your decoys as such. For example, don’t crowd your blind with decoys; get them out away from you.
- You should spend WAY more time scouting than hunting to have good, quality hunts. The dash of my truck is still stacked high with maps, plat maps, etc. I use my vehicle GPS to mark locations where I want to hunt and if I’m walking a field or motoring around on the river or lake, I use my handheld GPS to mark exact locations where I see birds.
- Finally, go with your gut!!! If you’ve scouted well and come up with a plan for the next morning, stick to it if at all possible. There were many times that I’ve changed my mind last minute and it’s turned out to be a bad decision.
And now to add a few more things that I’ve learned that aren’t quite related to the above:
- When choosing a hunting partner, make sure they don’t have leaky waders
- If you take your kids hunting, make sure it is warm enough out that if they fall in the river they’re not going to be in danger
- Don’t think that your dog is invincible and protect them as much as you can because a good Labrador will not stop. They are dedicated!
- If you are inviting friends to come hunt with you for the first time, make damn sure there is a nasty cold front coming through or they will have a bad hunt and won’t come back next year.
- Make sure the plug in your boat doesn’t have any debris in it when installed
- You get what you pay for when buying decoys
- When hunting out of a big boat that is too heavy for 2 people to lift, watch your water levels throughout the hunt to make sure you don’t end up beached… (4 times)
Hope these tips help you become a more successful hunter. This game we call hunting is forever a learning process. Don’t be stubborn. Be willing to learn and change….
Josh “Rooney” Dickerson