Things You Need to Know to Have the Best Duck Hunting Trip

Are you a first-time duck hunter? Don’t let your inexperience throw a spanner in the works! Whether you’re planning to hunt at Reelfoot Lake or anywhere else, knowledge is power — and preparing for your expedition is key to a successful hunt.

Theoretical knowledge is never a substitute for the hands-on experience you’ll gain during your duck hunting trip, but it’s an essential starting point. Let’s explore some of the things you need to know to make the most out of your trip!

Preparing for a Successful Duck Hunt

An aspect of planning duck hunting trips depends on you, the hunter. The factors within your control include:

• Making sure you understand local regulations, so you never fall foul of them during your hunting trips. Things to be aware of during duck hunts include hunting seasons and bag limits, for example.
• Safety considerations, including equipping yourself with a first-aid kit and a way to signal for help, should be a top priority.
• The supplies that enable you to turn your day on the lake into a success include appropriate and species-specific decoys, duck calls, blinds, and waders.

The weather also greatly influences duck behavior, so hunters will keep a close eye on the weather forecast to increase their odds of success.

Understanding Duck Behavior

Successful hunters need to be intimately familiar with the species they’re targeting. Like other wildlife, ducks have predictable behavioral patterns. Understanding them will make your duck hunting trip infinitely more successful, and some of the things you need to be aware of include:

• Duck flight patterns. Ducks actually have predictable flight paths as they move between their feeding grounds, loafing areas, and roosting locations. Once you understand how ducks move, you’ll never wonder where the term “sitting duck” came from ever again.
• Feeding habits. Did you know ducks mostly feed in the early mornings and late afternoons? Knowing more about the plants, seeds, and animals (like worms, frogs, and mollusks) ducks eat will help you down them during duck hunts, because you’ll know exactly where they hang out.
• Communication and social behavior. Understanding the calls ducks use to warn and call each other is invaluable when you’re hoping for a successful hunting trip — and you won’t get very far when you use the wrong duck calls.

Enjoy a Fruitful Trip with Reelfoot Lake Duck Hunting Guide

Our experienced duck hunting guides come armed with everything you need to ensure your duck hunts are everything they can be — a beautiful mix of exhilaration and relaxation. With the local knowledge our veteran hunting guide brings to the table, you can focus on mastering an exciting new skill, knowing that everything you need is taken care of.

Stepping into the wild world of duck hunts has never been this easy! When you’re ready to turn your boyhood dreams into an adrenaline-filled reality, call us. We are thrilled to share our invaluable local knowledge with you via guided duck hunting.