Early Season Duck Hunting in a Drought: FINDING DUCKS When Water is DRY!
Drought conditions got you scratching your head this early duck season? You're not alone! When sheet water is nonexistent and your favorite marsh is just cracked mud, locating birds to hunt can feel impossible. But don't hang up your waders yet! This duck hunting video is your guide to finding ducks in dry fields and minimal-water areas when a drought hits.
See The Mossberg 940 Pro Waterfowl Duck Hunting Shotgun Used In This Video
Scouting Secrets for Dry Weather: Learn the exact spots you need to be checking with binoculars and Google Earth. Hint: It's not the same old spots! We reveal how to locate those precious, unpressured "honey holes" that hold birds when every public spot is empty.
Targeting Permanent Water: In a drought, ducks will congregate on the largest, most stable water sources. We discuss hunting strategies for reservoirs, oxbow lakes, and managed public areas that have the capacity to pump water.
Hunting Dry Fields for Ducks: Ducks still need to eat! Discover how to scout and set up for successful dry field duck hunting, focusing on fields close to roosting water. Learn the best blind techniques and decoy spreads for wary, pressured birds that are feeding in the dirt.
Early Season Decoy & Calling Adjustments: When birds are pressured and concentrated, your normal setup won't cut it. We cover the shift to a minimalist decoy spread (fewer decoys are better!) and using softer, less aggressive duck calling tips to avoid flaring small, localized groups of birds.
The Crucial Importance of Pressure Management: When water is limited, hunting pressure can ruin a spot for weeks. Find out our strategy for a quick hunt and an even quicker exit to keep your newfound "X" from getting burned out.
Success in early season duck hunting during dry times comes down to scouting and adaptability. Stop driving around aimlessly and start focusing on the areas ducks must be using. Watch the video, take notes, and you'll be on your way to a limit, even when the thermometer is still high and the water is low!
Early season duck hunting in New York can be unpredictable scorching heat, low water, and migrating birds that never follow the script. In this video, we scout a brand-new spot just days before opener with temps pushing 87°, then return after the season kicks off for some classic Northeast duck action.
📍 Location: Upstate New York
💨 Conditions: 87°F Scouting | Low Water | Post-Front Cold Snap
🦆 Birds Seen: Mallards, Pintails, Teal, Black Ducks, Geese
Gear Used:
• Mossberg Shotguns
• Decoy Rig Setup
• Waders