Scouting?

[mabr]

Ok, i understand the concept of scouting, but how do you go about it?

Im west of Alexandria and we have ALOT of pot holes and lakes. Do you sit in one place that you have a good view and wait to see if ducks are landing on certain ponds? With so much water around me where should i start.

I was talking with my farmer cousin this morning and i heard a quack, we walked towards the slew behind his house and there sat at least 8 ducks. I drive by this slew every day and never seen them until today.

I know this sounds elementary to most but, Do you use your ears or eyes to find them usually. And at what time do you look for areas to hunt?

[CForar]

Dusk or dawn usually is primetime flying hours for waterfowl. I think you would be best to going out in the morning to an area with large quantity of water and just wait and see what flies by. If you get lucky and see some ducks circling a pond day after day you know that's where to set up. Personally my dad and I prefer going out in the early hours and pass shoot for the first hour or two and then jump shoot ponds for the rest of the day (that's why I suggested you go where there is tons of water).

It's all about personal preference I suppose. I read that waterfowl travel at night so one pond may have no ducks one day and the next may be full of them.

After opening weekend I've had my best luck jumping ponds, but then again you're hunting in an area with more ducks than I so the decoy method may be just as effective.