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Hey duck hunters

kelly.jayp

kelly.jayp

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2017
Messages
1,473
Location
Charlotte, NC area
My 17 year old has a buddy who has taken him out and he’s enamored. He wants gear to get set up for Christmas. I do not duck hunt - can any of you that do chime in on waders calls and decoys? I know I want to get good quality waders - as I know the importance of this from fly fishing- but are there good alternatives to $300 Drakes that will leave room in the budget for other stuff? For decoys and calls what I am reading is that mallards are good general starter sets but maybe throw in some wood duck too. If there are any gurus here I’d appreciate it!


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By no means an expert but I enjoy it.

For waders it depends on what he’ll be hunting and what part of the US your in?
In KY we can have single digit temps or 70s during duck season. I typically go for a 400 or 600 gram boot which I feel is a happy medium. I’ve had several brands of waders and it’s all about how you take care of em. Make sure you dry em out and don’t go plowing through brush and ice like a madman. If he’s just getting in to it maybe look at waders from Academy? By no means top of the line but they should get the job done for under $100. If he likes it he can always upgrade.

Decoys can be a source of contention among people. I’ve used Flambeau brand(cheap) and have killed many limits over em. If they are hunting small water a dozen or two is plenty. Open water is a different story. I mix in some teal and woodies but he should be ok with just mallards starting off.

A decent shell/blind bag, water proof gloves and some time learning to call and he’ll be off and running!
 
I’m your huckleberry. Be preparing be broke till he leaves home and for him to be broke once he’s on his own lol. Banded makes a good breathable wader. Never had and Drake waders, I quit buying their garbage a long time ago. They made quality gear at one time now they sell Walmart quality crap and premium prices far as calls he needs a couple poly carbonate double reed calls to learn on. The cheap ones. No need buying $100-$150 call for someone that has no clue what they are doing. As far as dekes go just find good deals. Dekes are all over the board and that market changes so rapidly. If he will be walking in carrying the dekes a long way Dakota has a new mallard that is light and packable. Let me know if you have any specific questions or need more info.
 
Cool. He will likely do most of his huntin in central NC public rivers or smaller or coastal SC.


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Awesome we hunt duck hunt coastal NC all the time. Rogers sporting goods makes a cheap set of waders that holds up well been averaging 3 to four years of use per set. As far as big brands with duck hunters everyone’s favorite is the best and none of it is cheap. Decoys buy after season when they get marked down 80%. And calls we’ll need to learn how to call before that expensive rabbit hole. If you want to see what it’s like I live in Maysville NC will happily take you and your boy out in my mud rig for puddle ducks I’m the swamp or divers on the big water.
 
I am going to budget 300 for him to start up so it sounds like I can get him a decent start. Never heard of Banded so I will check those out. What’s a decent price on dekes and do I need more than just mallards?


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The amount can get wild quickly. 300 can get you started quality gear gets expensive and as far as duck decoys there are tons of debates we base our spread off of what’s typically in the area so if we see woodys every day with some gadwall we run woodys and gadwall GHG and avian x make mixed packs but I would wait till after season when 6 packs drop to 30 dollars instead of 80 I would focus more into quality jacket and waders before decoys and calls.
 
These guys hit it right on the head but I would suggest a dryer for his waders! And I like Flambeau decoys also fairly light and cheap!!!! But I would throw in some woodies especially if he is going to hunt any swamps but they can help on the small rivers also!!! If you need any more in depth advice let me know my uncle has been a guide on rivers and open water so I will be glad to help! And like @Squirrels said be prepared to stay broke cause it gets expensive!!!!LOL
 
I've had a pairno cabelas neoprene waders for 10+ years that have served me well. My decoys are a mix of green head gear aND snap lock. They always do the trick! Remmy 870 superman aand he's good to go! You'll blown through that budget on ammonia one weeknend, so tell him it's about $2 a shot and to make it count! Have fun, I loved growing up ducknhunting with mynfather.
 
Recurveaholic said:
These guys hit it right on the head but I would suggest a dryer for his waders! And I like Flambeau decoys also fairly light and cheap!!!! But I would throw in some woodies especially if he is going to hunt any swamps but they can help on the small rivers also!!! If you need any more in depth advice let me know my uncle has been a guide on rivers and open water so I will be glad to help! And like @Squirrels said be prepared to stay broke cause it gets expensive!!!!LOL
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Boot dryer for sure!!!!
 
Awesome. Thanks guys. He will be able to use my Stoeger m3500 to hunt with. I only use it for turkey right now. I’m a member of a local gun club with an amazing shotgun range for skeet and trap so I think I have him covered there. The waders are first priority so I will start looking into those. Worst case is he can use his fly fishing waders and boots. We fish cold tailraces so it’s a good plan B. Thinking a jacket is a great idea now that you mention it. He has deer camo but nothing for marsh areas. What’s the recommended “general” pattern if I don’t know the habitat he will primarily be in - plus that it can be different as he bounces around?


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Pattern is highly dependent on how and where for hunting ducks when in doubt by him pruning blades and a giant pack of zip ties can’t beat what’s around you for blending in makes any natural pattern work good enough lol
 
Even my boats get some of what’s around added to the blind for wherever we are at that hunt
 
One more thought if he is going to be hunting around any briars or the like do not get neoprene waders they will tear up and leak super quick!!
 
A.Mas said:
Even my boats get some of what’s around added to the blind for wherever we are at that hunt
Click to expand...
A.Mas said:
Pattern is highly dependent on how and where for hunting ducks when in doubt by him pruning blades and a giant pack of zip ties can’t beat what’s around you for blending in makes any natural pattern work good enough lol
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This is what my uncle does with his clients if they have the wrong camo!!!
 
Does any of this go on sale around Black Friday? Or am I kidding myself. I know post season is best but I’m looking at Christmas


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