Afternoon duck hunt?

[dmcca212]

Hi all,

My friend and I have always hunted ducks in the morning around here, but since it's been so bad this year we've decided to sleep in on the weekends and try to hit em in the PM. Seems to be a lot flying later in the day anyway so why not give it try. Anyway we have no clue as to when the best time to go out for an afternoon hunt on the water. Suggestions??

[MN Greenheads]

shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[Lunker]

In my experience, afternoon/evening hunts can be very hit or miss. That said, it's pretty much the reverse of morning. The "best" time is just before sunset, but there seems to me to be a movement a bit earlier, similar to the "late morning flight" for those who believe in it. I would say get out there so you can hunt 2-3 hours or so before sunset. Though in my evening hunts this year, I have seen more birds setting up about 3 hours before sunset than I have in that supposedly good last hour. Good Luck

[SpitnArgueDuckClub*]

This year we have had our best shooting 10am to 2 pm.

[airdriver]

I have done ok this year in the pm hunts. I show up four hours before shooting stops. After setting up I get about 3 hrs, shooting, but some days are great other days, nothing. It's worth a try.

[jparrucci]

About 10 minutes AFTER sunset is when most birds seem to appear. I really, really wish we could hunt 30 minutes after sunset.

[joekleinjr]

set your decoys 2 hours before sundown, sometimes works for me

[Lunker]

I went out for an afternoon/evening hunt today. VERY SLOW...Saw one large flock of goldeneyes way up high, and six mallards. Thankfully the six mallards were coming right into me Managed two on what would have been otherwise a lousy hunt.