By Jeff Matura
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hunting in the main choke point of the central flyway.
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When I first started hunting ducks on small to medium-sized rivers it took me a while to realize that there are goods times to hunt ducks on rivers and not so good times. But when the right conditions occur the good times can be very, very good!
The key to hunting small to medium-sized rivers is to remember that most small to medium-sized rivers are not preferred habitat for puddle ducks. Although rivers of course offer ducks water, smaller to medium-sized rivers don't typically offer a food source. On the other hand shallow water marshes do offer a food source, which is moist soil plants. So from a puddle ducks point of view it's not that most small to medium-sized rivers are bad, it's just that most marshes are better. This means that most puddle ducks, with the exception of wood ducks, are going to spend more time living in a marsh setting, versus rivers. However, there are several situations when we have enjoyed fabulous duck hunting on rivers while other hunters are complaining there's no ducks around.
Here is a list of situations when duck hunting on rivers can be very good.
1. When a river is located close to a Wildlife Management Area or Conservation Area that has been holding good numbers of ducks, this river can become real hot spot when temperatures fall below freezing as their home on the WMA or CA is disappearing into ice. In this situation the ducks will start living on the river and their food source will most likely be local grain fields or peanut fields.
2. Look for ducks that are going out to feed and are crossing a river or maybe even just a slough. After ducks get done eating, they will look at about any type of water. A small slough or river can be a great spot to intercept the ducks on their way back to their roosting area or Wildlife Management Area. Keep in mind this is a traffic situation hunt so remember to adjust your calling and decoy setup appropriately.
3. Rivers are always natural highways to waterfowl. Many times ducks will leave a Wildlife Management Area and follow rivers to a food source such as grain field. Also, look for rivers that connect areas that are holding ducks, such as two WMAs.
4. Most Wildlife Management Areas are flooded or are located by a river. These rivers and man-made ditches to the river often provide "escape routes" to the ducks on opening day due to the excessive hunting pressure. We have had some really good hunts on these rivers and ditches on opening weekends.
5. Another situation small to medium-sized rivers become duck hunting hot spots is when their water floods over the banks into the timber or a nearby grain field. This is a situation that no duck hunter wants to miss out on!
I want to point out that hunting large rivers such as the Mississippi River and the Platte River here in the Midwest can be good all season long. I believe this is due to the very diverse habitat large rivers offer. In these large river systems not only is there a flowing channel of water, but also flooded moist soil plants and invertebrates in the backwaters that provide a food source for the ducks dabbling ducks.
Safety Tips For Hunting Ducks On Rivers
1. When heading out on a new stretch of river in a boat slow down. Rivers can be full of underwater obstacles such a submerged trees, rocks, and wing dams.
2. When navigating rivers keep to the outside of a bend, as this will be where the deepest water is.
3. Be careful when wading a river as currents during flood periods can create very steep drop-offs. A wading stick can come in really handy crossing a river or setting out decoys.
1. When heading out on a new stretch of river in a boat slow down. Rivers can be full of underwater obstacles such a submerged trees, rocks, and wing dams.
2. When navigating rivers keep to the outside of a bend, as this will be where the deepest water is.
3. Be careful when wading a river as currents during flood periods can create very steep drop-offs. A wading stick can come in really handy crossing a river or setting out decoys.
Jeff Matura has been hunting ducks across the midwest for over twenty years including the states of Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Oaklahoma, and the Mississippi River. Be sure to visit his latest website Duck Call Guide for the best deals on duck calls and duck calling tips.
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