new to duck hunting

[fishnhuntnboy]

Hey i am new to this site. My dad showed me this site while i was up in Minnesota. Well i live in Indiana and a friend and i are going to start duck hunting and was wondering if i could get some useful information of what to do and decoy setups.

It would be great if you can help. Thanks

[carpshooterdeluxe]

well; first off there is so many different ways to hunt ducks....decoys in a little pothole slough, big water spreads on a lake for divers, field hunting, jump shooting, etc. determine what type of hunting you are going to be doing then just start asking lots of specific questions here, and other forums, research waterfowling websites, subscribe to a magazine such as wildfowl or ducks unlimited, etc. welcome to the addiction that is waterfowl hunting!

[fishnhuntnboy]

Well me and a buddy are starting this year. We have been scouting out places on a lake in like little coves that branch off of the lake. I think max depth would be like 4-5ft of water.

I went and bought decoys and im not sure of patterns or what. I have been looking online but havent found much. Also string wise how much should i put on?

What kind of shells and size would be best. I have an 11-87 that i just bought for turkey hunting.

I am trying to stay away from buy alot of stuff for duck hunting. I want to make sure i like it before i buy alot. I have put myself in the hole before doing that.

Thanks

[Farley]

One thing that's a constant for decoy placement is have 2 groups of decoys, with a space in the middle for a flock to land. Also make sure the wind is at your back, ducks, more often than not, will land and take off into the wind. Other than that make sure you are hidden very well and as long as there are ducks around, you should get some shootin in. Cover your face when ducks are working your dekes too, it sticks out against the weeds.

[Eckie]

For my "line", I use regular decoy line and I tied swivel snaps (hooks) every 5-6 feet apart. I made the line long enough to hold a dozen bluebill dekes that will hook onto my snaps (hooks). On the end of this I attach my weight, which is simply a coffee can that I filled with cement and inserted a U bolt when the cement was starting to set up. I used a larger snap on the end of the line to connect to my weight. Total cost for this - under $20(not including decoys ) The shape of the coffee can works perfect as no weeds get stuck to it. How much line you'll need between the weight and your first decoy will depend on the water depth (I use 10-12 feet-I normally hunt in 3-8ft off shore and place my line outside of my "pocket") so I can be sure the first deke isn't drowning. IMO, the line works awesome with any wind (provided the wind is at your back) because it's always straight and adjusts perfectly for the birds to use to bank against and land.

Good luck this fall!

[fishnhuntnboy]

Cool thanks for the info. That will help out alot. So i would be good to put about 6ft of line on my decoys.

Well thanks for the help if there is anymore advise you can get me that would be great.