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HOW TO HUNT DUCKS THE EASY WAY
Follow these six easy steps to enjoy your first duck hunt this season.
Duck hunting is one of the easiest hunting sports for new shotgunners to expand into. Ample public-land hunting opportunities abound for waterfowlers and the gear you’ll need to get started is not overly expensive.
Hunting ducks is also a great way to spend some quiet time with your kids or grandkids, while introducing them to gun safety and hunting. Best of all, you can get started with just a few simple tips. Follow these six easy guidelines to start enjoying gorgeous sunrises in the blind and the thrill of whistling wings coming in to your decoys this season.
KEEP IT SIMPLE
Learning to become a proficient waterfowler takes time and experience, but you can begin enjoying the fun right now. If you have a friend or someone at your local gun club who can take you out your first time or two, that’s best. They can share their knowledge and you’ll pick up a lot of tips on your first trip out.
Hiring a guide can also get you started down the waterfowling path quickly as they have years of knowledge and all the gear you’ll need. I recently spent two great days hunting ducks at Beaver Dam Lake (see sidebar) in Tunica, MS. Their full-service operation featuring experienced locals guides and top-notch accommodations is a good example of how a well-run operation can bring the excitement and tradition of duck hunting to newcomers and veteran waterfowlers alike.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
The beauty of waterfowling is that it doesn’t involve a huge investment. You probably have a lot of what you need to get started right now, but here are a few of the essentials to consider.
Shotguns: While nearly every major gun manufacturer makes waterfowl-specific shotguns, the autoloader or pump you’re using for trap and skeet may be just fine for your initial outing. Either 12- or 20-gauge guns will work perfectly well for waterfowling when paired with proper loads designed for ducks and geese.
Chokes: For ducks in close over decoys using steel shot, improved cylinder (or even skeet) is ideal. For longer-range pass-shooting opportunities, you’ll want to step up to modified.
Loads: Check your state regulations, but non-toxic shot is required for waterfowl in most areas. No. 2 steel is a good all-around choice, but you should pick up several different brands/types of non-toxic shot to see what patterns best in your gun. Splitting the ammo costs with a friend or two and patterning your guns together at your local range will help all of you get off to a good start.
Decoys: A dozen decoys will easily get you started making simple spreads that will bring ducks in close. Look for close-out sales at the end of the season or pick up a set of used decoys on Craigslist to minimize costs.
Camo: A simple waterfowl parka with a hood, worn over layered clothing will block the wind, keep you dry and let you blend into surrounding cover. I used insulated bibs and a wader jacket top with a zip-out liner from Banded camo on my recent hunt and it worked really well. Given that temperatures can be at freezing in the mornings (even in southern regions), make sure you bring warm gloves and an insulated hat that covers your ears.
Waders: In the early season when temperatures are still relatively warm, hip boots or the waders you like to fish in will work fine. As temperatures grow colder, you’ll want to transition to insulated knee-highs or waders. Again, shop online for bargains.
Calls: If you book a guide, they’ll do all the calling, but you don’t need a fancy call to do it yourself. Ask your local dealer what they recommend, but choose a model that’s easy to make a few simple calls with.
Hearing protection: Don’t forget earplugs as the report of guns in an enclosed blind is greatly amplified.
TRY THIS BASIC SPREAD
While decoy spreads can become an elaborate art form, they don’t have to be. A basic “fishhook” or “J” pattern with just a dozen or two decoys is all you need in many small pothole areas or shallow warm-water sloughs, to get plenty of ducks headed your way. It’s perfect to use on days when you have a strong wind blowing consistently from one direction. (A simple “C” or “horseshoe” pattern, with the open ends of the C extending out from the shoreline, works great on days when winds are lighter.)
Put a few “feeding decoys” right in front of your blind.
Extend the foot of the fishhook out and away from the shore on the upwind side of the blind. These visible decoys will be your attractors.
Let the tail of the hook trail down and out from the shoreline to the downwind side.
Ducks will normally come in heading upwind, see your attractor decoys and hopefully set down right in the open hole created by the hooked end of the spread.
Set your blind up on the open (downwind) end of the pattern.
Figure about 30 to 40 yards from one end of the hook pattern to the other.
Try to keep the sun at your back as much as possible. This will keep the sun in the birds’ eyes to minimize their picking up your movements.
Brush in your blind and keep your movements to a minimum.
DO’S AND DON’TS
Don’t overcall.Let the decoys do the work. Here are some simple pointers from veteran Beaver Dam guide, Lamar Boyd, on how to bring ducks into your spread.
Minimize movements: Ducks are sharp-eyed. Keep movements to an absolute minimum, especially when birds are on the approach to your decoy spread. Any false movements or upturned faces that catch the sun will cause birds to flare.
Be patient: Wait for ducks to fully commit to landing before you pop up to shoot.
Know the regulations: Regulations on bag limits and what kinds of ducks you can legally harvest vary by state. A quick visit to your state’s DNR website will familiarize you with the regulations for wherever you’re hunting.
Be safe: Gun safety is always of vital importance and is critical in crowded blinds and excited conditions when ducks come in. Go over the ground rules with your party to make sure muzzles are always pointed in a safe direction and safeties are always on unless you’re shooting. Make sure everyone unloads and actions are clear before anyone ventures out to pick up downed birds.
THE ABC’S OF LEAD
Like any moving target, ducks require lead. The biggest mistake beginners make in shooting any moving target is that they simply stop the gun. They see the bird, they swing to the bird and then they stop.
You must keep the muzzle of the gun moving out in front of the bird and train yourself to “follow through” even after you’ve pulled the trigger. When taking passing shots on ducks, the simple acronym “butt, beak, bang” can help. Here’s how it works:
A. As the duck crosses in front of you, bring your muzzle up from behind the bird.
B. Swing through his butt and past his beak, then pull the trigger.
C. Keep the muzzle moving out ahead of the bird after you’ve fired to finish your follow-through
Hunting Seasons in Indiana 2025: Big Game and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide
Plan your 2025–26 IN hunt with our state‑by‑state guide—season dates, bag limits, licenses, bow & rifle rules, and key game species from whitetail deer to wild turkey to ducks. Whether you’re drawing a compound bow in oak‑lined woodlots for mature bucks or setting a shotgun for early‑season teal over flooded timber, Indiana offers diverse seasons and clear regulations to ensure safe, ethical harvests.
What Is There to Hunt in Indiana?
Indiana’s landscape of hardwood forests, agricultural fields, and riverine wetlands supports a variety of game. Hunters can target whitetail deer across DMU zones, call in wild turkeys in spring’s blossoming forests, or pursue black bears under limited‑entry hunts. Small game like rabbits, squirrels, ring‑necked pheasants, and ruffed grouse thrive in coverts, while wetlands and lakes draw migrating ducks, geese, and rails for waterfowlers deploying decoys at dawn.
Indiana Big Game Hunting Seasons 2025–26
Whitetail Deer
Youth Firearm Weekend: Oct 17–18, 2025
Archery: Oct 20 – Nov 26, 2025
Shotgun & Deer Rifle: Nov 22 – Nov 28, 2025
Muzzleloader: Dec 1 – Dec 7, 2025
Late Antlerless Deer: Dec 26 – Dec 31, 2025
Indiana’s deer seasons span archery, modern firearm, and muzzleloader windows tailored to manage herd size and ensure broad hunting access. Bag limits and DMU tags guide how many antlered and antlerless deer each hunter can legally harvest.
Wild Turkey (Spring & Fall)
Spring Gobbler (Archery): Apr 4 – May 5, 2026
Modern Gun Spring: Apr 25 – May 5, 2026
Youth/Women’s Spring: Mar 28 – Apr 3, 2026
Fall Archery Only: Sept 1 – Sept 30, 2025
Indiana blends archery and shotgun methods for spring turkey seasons, with youth and women’s days encouraging new hunters. A fall archery season provides an additional opportunity, emphasizing turkey habitats and calling techniques.
Indiana Small Game & Waterfowl Seasons 2025–26
Small Game & Upland Birds
Ring‑necked Pheasant: Oct 17, 2025 – Jan 10, 2026
Ruffed Grouse: Sept 16 – Feb 28, 2026
Cottontail Rabbit & Squirrel: Oct 17, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026
Shotgunners and bird dogs thrive during upland seasons, walking CRP fields and woodlots for pheasants, grouse, and cottontails. Bag limits and daily possession rules keep populations stable.
Waterfowl & Migratory Birds
Ducks (three zones): Nov 7 – Nov 27 & Dec 16 – Jan 31, 2026
Canada Goose: Oct 24 – Dec 4; Jan 16 – Jan 31, 2026
Youth Waterfowl Day: Sept 26, 2025
Rails & Coots: Sept 1 – Nov 9, 2025
Mourning Dove: Sept 1 – Nov 9; Dec 1 – Jan 15, 2026
Shooting Hours: Sunrise – sunset; non‑toxic shot required
Indiana’s waterfowl seasons align with peak migrations, drawing hunters to WMA impoundments and private wetlands. Federal duck stamps, HIP registration, and a valid state license are mandatory for all migratory‑bird hunts.
Bag Limits by Species
Whitetail Deer: 1 antlered buck; antlerless deer by DMU permit
Wild Turkey: 1 gobbler per spring; 1 per fall season
Ring‑necked Pheasant: 2 per day; 4 in possession
Ducks: 6 per day; species sub‑limits apply (teal, mallard, wood duck)
Canada Goose: 3 per day
Rabbit & Squirrel: 8 rabbits; 8 squirrels per day
Coyote & Furbearers: No limits on private land; WMA rules vary
Bag limits protect healthy wildlife numbers while providing ample opportunity for hunters. Always confirm season‑specific limits and possession rules in the official regulations summary.
License & Tags Information for Indiana Hunters (2025–26)
All hunters must carry a valid Indiana hunting license and any required permits or tags:
DMU Deer Permits: Over‑the‑counter or managed by lottery for antlerless quotas
Turkey Permits: Spring applications; fall archery open at license purchase
Migratory Bird Stamps & HIP Registration: Required for ducks, geese, and rails
Hunter Education Certification: Mandatory for first‑time youth and adult hunters
Licenses fund wildlife management and habitat conservation; secure yours early and note application deadlines for limited tags.
Hunting Methods: Bow, Rifle, Muzzleloader
Indiana authorizes multiple hunting methods:
Archery: Compound and recurve bows, crossbows (with permit)
Firearms: Center‑fire rifles, shotguns (slugs & buckshot) during firearms seasons
Muzzleloaders: Designated season following general firearms
Dogs & Bait: Allowed for waterfowl, turkey, and furbearers on certain WMAs
Choose your method based on season, species, and personal skill. Indiana regulations specify legal calibers, draw weights, and use of dogs and bait.
Regulations & Resources
Indiana DNR regulations outline:
Shooting Hours: Sunrise to sunset; migratory‑bird hours vary
DMU & WMA Boundaries: Critical for legal harvest; maps available online
Mandatory Harvest Reporting: Deer and turkey must be checked online or at stations
Special Management Areas: Certain WMAs, CRP fields, and CWD zones have additional rules
Before you head out, always verify season dates, bag limits, and license requirements on the official Indiana Department of Natural Resources website to stay compliant and ensure a legal, ethical hunt.
This guide was created based on information from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR): https://www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/files/fw-hunting_trapping_seasons.pdf
With well‑defined archery, firearms, and migratory‑bird seasons, straightforward bag limits, and clear licensing requirements, Indiana offers diverse hunting experiences across its forests, fields, and wetlands. Plan ahead, follow regulations, and
Hunting Seasons in Alaska 2025: Big and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide
Plan your 2025–26 Alaska hunt with our Last Frontier guide—season dates, bag limits, licenses, bow & rifle rules, and key game species from moose and black and brown bears to caribou and Dall sheep.
What Is There to Hunt in Alaska?
Imagine glassing a herd of caribou in the Brooks Range, or picking your way through coastal alder for telltale tracks of Sitka black‑tailed deer. Alaska offers premier hunts for moose, caribou, Dall sheep, mountain goat, black and brown bears, and ptarmigan under the same sky. Waterfowlers will find teal and mallards along delta sloughs, while trappers can pursue wolf, wolverine, fox, and beaver nearly year‑round. Even marine mammals are available to qualified subsistence hunters, adding another layer to Alaska’s vast game roster.
What Animals Can You Hunt Year‑Round in Alaska?
While most big‑game seasons follow tight windows to protect breeding cycles, furbearers such as wolves, wolverines, and foxes may be pursued any day of the year in many units. This open season approach helps control predator populations and gives trappers additional months to earn on the fur market—or thin numbers where necessary. Always check unit gear restrictions and reporting requirements before setting traps.
Alaska Big Game Hunting Seasons 2025–26
Moose: Archery mid‑August to late September; rifle early September to early October; draw‑only units require advance application.
Caribou: General seasons Aug 1–Sept 30 (unit dependent), with many units offering Tier II limited‑entry hunts.
Dall Sheep & Mountain Goat: Aug 10–Dec 31 in select areas; tags via lottery.
Black Bear: Spring (May 15–July 1) and fall (Aug 5–Sept 25) seasons.
Brown/Grizzly Bear: Spring (Apr 20–May 25) and fall (Aug 20–Sept 30), with additional hunts on Kodiak and the Alaska Peninsula by special draw.
Between stalking bulls on windswept ridges and glassing for ewes on steep talus, Alaska’s big‑game calendar demands both patience and planning.
Alaska Small Game & Waterfowl Seasons 2025–26
Ptarmigan & Grouse: Aug 15–Mar 31, perfect for snowshoe hare and willow ptarmigan.
Ducks: Sept 20–Nov 27 (north/south splits), daily bag of 7 with species limits.
Geese & Swans: Sept 1–Nov 27, bag limits of 5 geese and 1 swan per season.
Furbearers: See year‑round section; trapping seasons overlap upland game dates.
Never overlook the quiet thrill of a marsh hunt at first light, or the solitary satisfaction of a well‑placed decoy spread.
Bag Limits by Species
Moose & Caribou: 1 per permit (bull or cow depending on tag).
Dall Sheep & Goat: 1 per lifetime for rams; ewe tags by draw.
Bears: Up to 2 black bears per season; 1 brown or grizzly per season.
Ptarmigan & Grouse: 5 per day, 10 in possession.
Ducks & Geese: 7 and 5 per day respectively; 1 swan per season.
Predators & Furbearers: No daily limit, but mandatory harvest reporting applies.
With these limits in mind, you can harvest responsibly while avoiding fines and closures.
License & Tags Information for Alaska Hunters (2025–26)
Securing the right ADF&G permits is as crucial as tuning your rifle. You’ll need:
General Hunting License (resident or nonresident).
Tier I & Tier II Tags for moose, caribou, sheep, and goat.
Registration Tags for black and brown bears.
Harvest Reporting within 15 days of your kill.
Federal Duck Stamp & HIP for migratory‑bird hunting.
Subsistence Permits for rural residents pursuing marine mammals.
Plan your draw applications early—some tag lotteries fill within minutes of opening.
Hunting Methods: Bow, Rifle, Muzzleloader
Whether you draw the long‑bow for treeline hunts or sling a center‑fire rifle downriver, Alaska accommodates every style:
Archery: Traditional and compound bows, plus crossbows in designated units.
Firearms: Caliber and gauge minimums vary by species; check your unit booklet.
Muzzleloaders: Special seasons for rustic pursuit of moose and sheep.
Dogs & Bait: Restricted to certain bear hunts—always confirm before packing a bait bag.
Few thrills compare to arrow loose under the midnight sun or a slug’s echo across a near‑frozen creek.
Regulations & Resources
Success in Alaska hinges on more than marksmanship—it demands respect for regulations that keep the Last Frontier wild:
Shooting Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset (extended for archery in some units).
Unit Boundaries & Maps: Essential—carry printed or download offline to GPS.
Harvest Reporting: Via online portals or registration stations within 15 days.
Special Zones: Chronic Wasting Disease areas, predator control regions, subsistence sections.
Alaska’s hunting tapestry weaves together ancient subsistence traditions and modern wildlife management. From iceberg‑flanked bays to spruce‑lined riverbanks, each tag carries a story—one of careful stewardship, thrilling pursuit, and profound respect for nature’s rhythms. Bookmark this guide, secure your permits, and prepare for an unforgettable journey into the wildest reaches of America.
Before you head out, always verify season dates, bag limits, and license requirements on the official state wildlife agency website to stay compliant and ensure a legal, ethical hunt.
This guide was created based on information from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G): https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=wildliferegulations.main
