Greenhorn waterfowl questions

Hey everybody I have some basic waterfowl questions. Over the past two years I've come up empty-handed in finding a mentor so this season I have decided I'm going to cut my teeth on my own. I live in the Niagara region and I'm not opposed to driving an hour or so to different spots.

I figure my biggest challenge is going to be finding locations due to all the recent waterfront development. I was wondering if all you waterfowl vets could give me info on how far to be away from a residence, waterways that may not be open to hunting or other info that a newbie might not think of.

I want to get out scouting soon but in order to do that I need to find out if the places I'm going are legal to hunt. Right now I'm mostly using Google earth to find spots along the Grand River and Welland River. I plan on calling a C/O to ask questions before the season opens but I'm hoping you guys can give me some topics I may not think to ask.

Equipment wise I'm fairly set I have my decoys I'll be using a Mossberg 500 with 3" #2's. I have a kayak to get out on the water and 2 dozen Mallard decoys along with a baby mojo. I only need to pick up a pair of chest waders before the season.

Any tips you guys have would be greatly appreciated anything I might need to look into gear wise. I've been watching as many YouTube videos and listening to as many podcasts as I possibly can but that can only get you so far.

My best advice is just find a spot you know is legal and go.
I started hunting waterfowl without anybody to show me the ropes, I started off in popular and busy spots. I watched what other people did, I read books and articles as well. Over the last 7 years I've slowly found places I like that have little pressure. I've also managed to bag a lot more birds and even found a hunting partner.

The "am I breaking the rules?" Slowly fades once you get out a few times. Even if you don't get birds you will learn.

Any public land in Southern Ontario that holds Ducks has likely been hunted at some point. As far as distance from residences, I follow the township discharge of firearms bylaw and use common sense. If you roll up and set up at the end of someone's dock, you might have a confrontation. Outside of that people won't even care you're there.

Hopefully some other guys have a bit of advice.

If you would like to come up to Ottawa in Oct there is a fella on here who quite often offers people to hunt with him, I will be there a few evenings this fall. Just keep an eye out for when he comes online and he will let you know. A few people from the South have been up here. He's well known on this site, I don't mention his name as it would be wrong for me to invite people without his permission but I'm sure he will be out this fall and he is a great person to hunt with and a very good mentor.

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Originally Posted by greatwhite

If you would like to come up to Ottawa in Oct there is a fella on here who quite often offers people to hunt with him, I will be there a few evenings this fall. Just keep an eye out for when he comes online and he will let you know. A few people from the South have been up here. He's well known on this site, I don't mention his name as it would be wrong for me to invite people without his permission but I'm sure he will be out this fall and he is a great person to hunt with and a very good mentor.

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Karen and I will be up for two weekends at his camp, and the whole week between them. Plan to hunt the ponds there on the weekends, but let them rest over the week.

Hint for Frogman.....if you can Hunt during the week and work weekends.

I am going to try to get out more this year, and will be posting for people to join me.

My work schedule gives me random days off, so I could be hunting just about any day of the week.

Keep an eye out, you may caught myself or other looking for people.

Do you want to know how to become a millionaire duck hunting??? Start out as a billionaire..........lol

Keep up the research in the area you plan on hunting, internet info is ok but take it with a grain of salt and never go on that info without checking said info out through the proper resources.......township/regulations/MNR.

Get a little time in with rubber on the road looking for birds and promising area, secure permission and get out and hunt. No better teacher than the birds/nature themselves.

Don’t expect immediate results, stick with it, put some time in and it should all come together for ya!!

GOOD LUCK!!

Thanks for the info and encouragement guys it's much appreciated! I will be sure to keep an eye on the forum as we get closer to the season. my work schedule is a little more flexible than most so I'm hoping to get out on some Monday and Fridays maybe even the odd Tuesday.

I do have some afterthought questions. I know as the temps start to drop the bird start to move more. What temp is ideal for birds to start getting active. Also while out fishing I've seen quite a few wood duck. Should I get some wood duck decoys to mix into the mallards or am I fine with what I have?

I should be able to go out more my contract ends Sept 11 and if it gets renewed it is quite flexible.

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Originally Posted by Snowwalker

Karen and I will be up for two weekends at his camp, and the whole week between them. Plan to hunt the ponds there on the weekends, but let them rest over the week.

Hint for Frogman.....if you can Hunt during the week and work weekends.

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Originally Posted by Frogman89

Thanks for the info and encouragement guys it's much appreciated! I will be sure to keep an eye on the forum as we get closer to the season. my work schedule is a little more flexible than most so I'm hoping to get out on some Monday and Fridays maybe even the odd Tuesday.

I do have some afterthought questions. I know as the temps start to drop the bird start to move more. What temp is ideal for birds to start getting active. Also while out fishing I've seen quite a few wood duck. Should I get some wood duck decoys to mix into the mallards or am I fine with what I have?

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Sometimes the best duck decoy is a goose decoy. If you are looking to get more, I would invest in a couple nice goose floaters. Birds can see them from far away. I use mallard and a couple geese to draw all different species.

As for temperature, I think the change in temp is more important than the specific number. Scouting is the key to finding birds moving.

Woodies are a great confidence decoy. Seeing as how they are usually the first birds to land, sometimes even before light, when other ducks spot them they feel safer landing.

Cheers