That’s Quack
It’s four o’clock in the morning and only two things are stirring, the duck hunter and the ducks. Both foes prepare for the daily clash of survival and triumph, with the most strategic side winning.
Duck hunting is a strenuous event that speeds up the heart rate of any man. Junior Spencer Day said, “The thrill of hunting and the outcome of the hunt are enough for me to get out there and get at it.”
Although a hunter’s ultimate goal is to reach the legal limit of ducks killed, different opinions on how to succeed vary. Junior Max Crank said, “I prefer to hunt rice fields, with water being secluded to a corner or maybe two. Laser-leveled fields of today make this setup more difficult to find. In my opinion, Peckerwood Lake is the best, because you’ll kill ducks season-round. ”
Day said, “I like flooded timber the best. Most places around Stuttgart have great flooded timber.”
Junior Harry Cummins said, “My favorite place to hunt would have to be our green timber just a few miles east of Humnoke. The conditions seem to always work in our favor there.”
The weather conditions and setup are key factors in a successful hunt. Such conditions include wind, sunshine, clouds, and water. The setup consists of a sheltered duck blind, a decoy spread, duck calls, and camouflage.
Crank said, “My friends and I make sure to have the decoy spread just right. We often throw a robo-duck out there towards the sun. This pretty much determines a good or bad hunt.”
Regarding the weather, Cummins said, “The best weather conditions in my opinion are the nastiest conditions possible. Waterfowl migrate when temperatures drop. This is a part of their eating cycle. I also prefer cloudy days over sunny days. When the sun is out, the glare on your face can flare ducks easily.”
Most hunters agree that the 2016 season was slow. In December, Day said, “This season hasn’t gotten cold enough yet and has lacked water. Opening day, we only killed six, but since then we’ve had quite a few good days. I have a feeling the ducks are on the way, so it should only get better.”
Cummins said, “This season has been unusually dry. Without a well to pump your land with water, it will stay dry. I have been lucky enough to have water all season, resulting in some fantastic hunts. My best hunt so far was the day we killed ten limits of mallards by 7:45 in the morning.”
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