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I just got switched to day at my work, so I can't go out every morning now (I've only been duck hunting for 3 weeks, but I got hooked hard core!)  So I am wondering if anyone has had luck duck hunting in the late afternoon or early evening?  And I could use all the tips I can get about calling, decoy spreds, camo/blinds, and any other tips about water fowl hunting.

Hi chuckwagon and welcome to the JustNorth forums.

Great questions. Glad you are enjoying one of my favorite hunting past times.

if you are hunting public hunting haunts, morning is by far a better opportunity for ducks. These heavily hunted areas have the ducks rather skitish by afternoon.

My favorite afternoon setup is on the river. If you can find the less traveled,  quiet, protected inside turns of small rivers, backwater,  or small islands, you have an excellent chance of ambushing your quarry.

With this type of duck hunting, all that is needed is a good pair of waders, a small decoy spread, and there is plenty of natural cover.

An additional bonus, to the evening hunt ,is bumpimg into the occasional deer.

Several years ago, I was setting up to bow hunt an island on the Mississippi river near St. Cloud, Minnesota. After arriving at my stand, I was welcomed by the sound of a fustrated duck hunter playing Yankee Doodle Dandy on his duck call.

Figuring the evening bow hunt was a total loss, I watched as the two duck hunters made there way off the island. 15 minutes later, from the previous location of these musical hunters , all hell broke loose and a herd of several deer were charging in my direction.

As I pulled back the bow and aimed at the V formed by two trees, an eight point buck, at full run came directly behind my aiming point. Perfect shot and evening venison on the table.

I now love musical duck hunters.

I know once Randyman and Trout Whisperer see your post, they will be a wealth of additional information.

I have no dog (I went swimming for my first duck.  I tried to shoot it over land, but she decided to crawl back into the water.  All I had in my car was my kids raft rated for a max of 160lbs.  Since I weigh in at 280lbs, this would have surely won me 10 grand on america's funniest home videos if some one would have had a camera.)  I am picking up a small 9' inflatable boat this friday and some camo netting to go over it.  I tried the wadders, but I got stuck in the muck and wound up getting just as wet as I would have in just a pair of swim trunks.  And around here, I think there are a few ponds/lakes that hardly anyone hunts.  I was fortunate enough to be able to go on a boat hunt with Mike Adams, the host of the podcast show "UpNorth Journal" and they taught me alot, although we only got the chance to take one shot.  Alot of this is still new to me, but I am loving every second of it.  Man, if you could bottle and sell this stuff........

you need to learn to do some duck callin.....try this and you will be eating duck soup in no time..........

check online with ducks unlimited, michigan dnr, usfw service, for any duck migration infor close to your home waters,

then grab some maps and binos, just before dark eyeball the lakes,

check with local gun clubs, bait shops or trap treams, outdoor stores, trapping assiociations, leave a note, that your lookin for a duck hunt ride along....buy the gas or lunch...offer to pluck the ducks......."if you build it....they will come".......let everyone know you want some duck hunting 101.....

this has been a good fall for ducks so far...not fantastic, but solid,and the big flights have not hit yet...stay in the game, be safe, good luck ,and get a good double reed

tw