Being a novice duck hunter isn’t easy. I know. I learned how to duck hunt as an adult, and I made my fair share of mistakes. But learning how to duck hunt has been hands-down one of the most fun things I’ve ever done as an adult.
And in recent years, I’ve gotten to pass along my love for duck hunting as a mentor to new hunters. While doing so, I’ve seen folks make some of the same mistakes I did, as well as others I didn’t expect. These are some of the most common mistakes novice waterfowlers make—and suggestions for how to fix them.
1. Relying on only one mentor
Mistakes in the field, like missing shots and flaring birds, are bound to happen and are part of the learning process. But new duck hunters often screw up simply by relying on one person, or one group of people, to learn how to duck hunt. My own mentor, Holly Heyser, tells her duck hunting acolytes that they need to find other people to hunt with and can’t just go out with her. It’s wise advice. Doing so benefits both the mentor—who has less pressure if they’re not the sole source of duck-killing knowledge—and the mentee—who gets to learn and experience different hunting strategies as they figure out what works for them. Win-win. If you’re struggling to find mentors, consider reaching out to a local chapter of a conservation organization such as Ducks Unlimited and Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, which typically have R3 programming.
2. Slow to the draw
As I mentioned, missing shots is part of the game, and even the most experienced hunters whiff. But one thing novice hunters tend to do is be slow to take a shot in the first place, often missing opportunities altogether. This is understandable; ducks move quickly, and it takes a while for shouldering and clicking your safety off to become second nature. One way to work on this is that when you go to shoot clays—skeet and 5-stand are better games than trap for duck hunters—call for throws without mounting your gun before you do so. You’ll likely miss more targets this way, but you’ll get to practice for realistic waterfowling scenarios.
3. Poor calling
Calling is hard. Period. But it’s one of the things that new hunters can practice at home and in their car. There are a plethora of YouTube calling tutorials to start with. Another thing I recommend is to look up videos of ducks just being ducks on a marsh—and then try to replicate the sounds they make instead of just practicing the same standard hail and feeder calls that all hunters make. When you’re hunting with a mentor or mentors and aren’t a competent caller, don’t blow it for your buddies. Stay quiet, listen, and then practice more. Also, be wary of overcalling, even if you can get your call to sound good.
4. Moving too much
Novice hunters like to fidget—and look up at birds working overhead. This will blow chances and is often part of a larger issue: not concealing yourself well enough. Figuring out proper concealment takes time and experimentation, but staying still is something you can do right away—if you remind yourself to do so. This is particularly important when birds are working overhead.
5. Hesitating to hunt alone
This is another “mistake” that is something new hunters have control over. I’ve noticed a hesitance for novice hunters to only hunt with other people. I get it: hunting with friends is fun. But to truly become competent and develop into an experienced waterfowler, you need to learn how to hunt independently. This may seem scary and intimidating, and it’s why many new hunters hesitate to do this. But the sooner you start scouting and hunting independently, the better.