Wes Littlefield 12.05.24
I had the very best solo duck hunt of my life, and it wouldn’t have occurred and not using a kayak. Whereas duck searching a big reservoir at a spot that’s solely accessible by boat or a nightmare of a stroll via smooth mud and knee-deep water, however searching from my kayak made it a breeze.
I almost had my restrict in about an hour (after lacking my first a number of photographs…), and this unbelievable reminiscence wouldn’t have occurred and not using a kayak. You’re lacking out should you don’t hunt from a bit plastic boat.
Selecting the Proper Kayak to your Duck Hunt
Most individuals don’t like kayaks as a result of they buy the most cost effective one they’ll discover and don’t really feel protected in it. I don’t blame them for not eager to hunt from a tippy kayak; I wouldn’t both. So do your analysis (such as you’re doing now), and get one you’re feeling protected and comfy in.
I like to recommend the Nucanoe Limitless or Frontier 12. These kayaks have an open platform, are extraordinarily tough to flip, and are very customizable. Nonetheless, they’re costly. There are numerous different good choices available on the market, so don’t fret if these aren’t in your finances. The principle issues to search for when shopping for a duck searching kayak are:
- Stability
- Rig-ability
- Consolation
- Ease of Re-Entry
- Drainage
You want a steady kayak so it received’t flip you and your gear into the chilly water if you shift your weight to shoot or encounter tough water. Security have to be your main concern, and this additionally implies that you must at all times put on your PFD (private flotation system).
I really like rigging my kayaks (as you’ll quickly see) as a result of correctly rigging your yak will hold you from shedding gear and make your hunt extra fulfilling. We’ll talk about find out how to rig your kayak within the subsequent part.
Whereas searching, you’ll spend a variety of time in your kayak; if it’s uncomfortable, you doubtless received’t need to use it once more. Consolation additionally has so much to do with the scale. I like to recommend not less than a 10ft kayak.
Although I’ve used sit-inside kayaks for duck searching, I not often advocate them as a result of they’re tougher to get out and in of, and also you’ll be re-entering the kayak usually to go get your birds. Lastly, I don’t take pleasure in mendacity in a puddle of water, even when I’m carrying waders. That is another excuse I really like the Nucanoe Limitless; it drains in a short time, holding my gear as dry as attainable.
Rigging Your Kayak for Duck Looking
You’ve chosen the right kayak; now it’s time to rig it correctly. I like to recommend holding it stupidly easy (KISS Methodology) and testing variations earlier than selecting a single setup.
I set up a gun mount in the direction of the entrance, offering easy accessibility and securing my shotgun whereas touring throughout the water. Typically, I exploit a light-weight mud motor for touring longer distances, however not too long ago, I’ve most popular utilizing the quieter electrical trolling motor mounted to the strict (again). I nonetheless at all times convey a paddle as a motor will allow you to down.
Relying on how I plan to make use of the kayak, I could or could not set up my kayak blind on it. I prefer to hold an open deck; that means, I’m much less prone to snag on one thing whereas leaving, getting into the kayak, or pulling as much as shoot. Finally, rigging your kayak is a really private expertise. How I rig mine isn’t the one method to do it; it is only one of many, so don’t be afraid to experiment!
Use a Kayak for Duck Looking
There are numerous methods to make use of a kayak whereas duck searching, however the next are the 4 main methods to make use of a duck searching kayak.
Attain Secluded Spots
A method you need to use your kayak is to get to these hard-to-reach areas. A kayak is simpler to cover than a ship, so that you received’t have to fret as a lot about hiding it when you attain your duck gap.
It will possibly additionally maneuver in shallow water, which implies you’ll be able to attain extra locations that outboard motors can’t go and spots that suck to stroll into. Lastly, it’s a lot quieter than a loud mud motor or outboard, so that you’re alerting fewer birds to your whereabouts.
Leap Taking pictures
Paddling down a creek or small river and dropping the geese (sometimes wooden geese) that soar up as you strategy it’s a enjoyable method to spend the day. You miss out on watching them work your unfold, however you don’t want almost as a lot gear, and you’ll convey a fishing pole to catch a couple of fish!
As a Blind
You’ll be able to set up an aftermarket blind in your kayak that transforms it right into a floating structure blind. I take pleasure in searching like this, nevertheless it takes some getting used to as a result of the kayak rocks and strikes, creating an unstable capturing platform.
When utilizing my yak as a blind, I prefer to get off the financial institution a bit methods, so I set my unfold farther out within the marsh or lake and anchor my kayak in a spot that doesn’t look misplaced.
I strongly encourage you to brush it utilizing crops and from the spot you’re searching, as this makes it look extra pure.
To Retrieve Birds
The final means I sometimes use a kayak is when duck searching is to retrieve my birds. I hunted giant reservoirs and icy waters that made retrieving a few of the birds I shot not possible. Heartbroken, I wanted I had introduced my kayak to retrieve these birds.
Sure, a canine can get a lot of the birds you harvest, however icy circumstances are extraordinarily harmful for duck canine, and typically a canine struggles to get a wounded fowl that retains diving on a big reservoir.
Parting Pictures
Studying find out how to duck hunt from a kayak will open up many extra alternatives. I nonetheless favor to make use of a kayak over a ship or stroll in on public waters. Now that you know the way to get began, I need to learn all of your questions and success tales (or failures; I’ve loads of these, too!) within the feedback!
Good luck this season!
