Never been duck hunting? Well, this year might be the time to try it as we have a bumper crop of water-filled potholes, ponds and wetlands due to our double-dose of monsoon moisture.

All that water could help attract and hold the ducks to our area. Arizona's White Mountains are not considered to be in any of the major “flyways” or waterfowl highways in the US. The flyways are routes that waterfowl migrate along north in the spring to breeding grounds and south in the fall to wintering grounds. Since ducks and geese need water bodies to rest on every night, the flyways run along major waterways or coastlines usually.  

The major flyways in the US include the Atlantic, Mississippi, Central and the Pacific. We are found between the Pacific and Central flyways with most waterfowl coming from the Canadian and northern US prairie pothole region that funnel down the Rio Grande into Mexico and the Caribbean. 

Duck hunting is a great way to participate in the legacy of conservation-minded hunters whose main priority is to maintain healthy waterfowl habitat and populations for the benefit of everybody. Hunters long ago realized that healthy habitats are the key to maintaining wildlife that are dependent on wetlands.

Way back in 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, signed the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act, also known as the “Duck Stamp Act”. This program started a special fund raising program to purchase National Wildlife Refuge lands through the annual sale of a special conservation stamp. The painting for the stamp that is selected every year often makes the artist a celebrity whose artwork instantly rises in value.  This program has been highly successful since many art collectors who don't even hunt will purchase these stamps as collectibles, raising approximately $40 million each year. The Duck Stamp Act has been copied worldwide and now includes an Arizona Migratory Bird Stamp as well as a federal Junior Duck Stamp Program.  

Since hunters have contributed the funding to purchase many National Wildlife Refuges, more than 330 of these refuges are open to the sustainable waterfowl and other types of hunting. Check with each refuge to get specific areas that are open and closed.

Another form of conservation funding coming from the federal government is the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937, which directs an 11% excise tax on guns and ammunition back to the states for wildlife management activities. This “PR” funding named after the sponsors, Pittman and Robertson, provides a major portion of Arizona Game and Fish Department budget along with license sales, the Heritage Fund and Indian Gaming proceeds. Waterfowl hunters as well as the hunting industry fully supported and pushed this legislation through for the benefit of generations to come, like us!

In some cases, the habitat in Canada is ideal for a few years in a row and some waterfowl numbers can expand exponentially, like snow geese recently. In these cases, and in others locally, the shear number of waterfowl can cause habitat degradation, human health and safety issues as well as crop damage. This is where hunting can be an effective tool to help control these populations to reduce these damages. That's why there is a limit of 20 snow geese per day but only 4 Canada geese.

With all of the monsoon rain we received, there are more duck hunting locations than anytime in the recent past. So there should be plenty of spots to get away from other folks for a safe hunt. Obviously, urban lakes are not safe for hunting, even though the shot from guns used to hunt waterfowl only travels a few hundred yards and doesn't carry much energy or penetration power at that range. The ¼ mile rule from occupied dwelling applies to shotguns as well as rifles. So Woodland, Edler, Rainbow, Show Low and Fools Hollow are off limits as well as other water bodies that are too close to people.  

Other more remote lakes that are heavily fished, like Big Lake or Nelson Reservoir, could be legal to duck hunt on, unless there are occupied boats, anglers, or hikers along the shore that are too close. In that case, a little patience and consideration for others will go a long ways to keeping all of these areas open to hunting for future generations.

The Forest Service and Game and Fish have also created and maintained many small waterfowl potholes and water treatment wetlands that have sprung to life this year so they may be worth checking out. You can check with the local Forest Service District or wander effortlessly in Google Earth to find your next “secret spot”. 

With the abundant water filled ponds and the hot sales of the federal and state duck stamps, there has been an apparent increase in waterfowl hunters this year. Many people have recognized the advantages of hunting these species as you don't have to apply for a lottery and wait to see if you were selected like most big game species. You don't need to buy a fancy rifle, scope, range finder, shooting sticks or anything else that goes along with the more expensive big game hunting. Almost any 12-gauge shotgun will work, with full choke barrels providing the longest effective range and possibly a plug in the magazine to limit the gun to 3 rounds total..  Since the season usually runs from October and into January there are plenty of opportunities to get out there when the conditions are best. 

Folks might be also attracted to the different types of duck hunting. They can range from a semi-comfortable heated blind looking over a spread of decoys, or you could engage in a series of low angle crouching sprints sneaking up to a pond in meadow to “jump shoot” the birds when they eventually spot you. The best way to learn the nuances of setting decoys, like how many and in what formation, is to take a hunter education class and meet up with other more experienced hunters.

Learning how to call ducks can be productive, especially when trying to convince a flock of mallards that your small pond is really full of water! Don't even think of using a recorded call though, as this is illegal for migratory birds. Calling ducks and geese is another skill that takes practice to perfect, as does knowing how much to aim in front of the ducks or geese when they set their wings for landing. Time spent shooting clay pigeons at the trap range will certainly help sharpen your aim. Even though there are plenty of TV shows and YouTube videos out there to learn from in case you are new to waterfowl hunting, try to hook up with an experienced hunter to also get some feedback on how you do. A partner might be able to see you flinch right before pulling the trigger or maybe you're not following through on the bird's flight path even after you pulled the trigger.

Since waterfowl have excellent eyesight and color vision, camouflage could become a new color in your wardrobe if you get serious about duck hunting. Make that warm camo that is often waterproof too (you are hunting waterfowl). Using a blind includes a lot more logistics and preparation, depending on the size and setup of the variety of blinds available, but it can pay off in comfort and the ability to weather more weather longer. One of the possible downsides of duck hunting is that you are more likely to get shots at ducks in bad weather as the low clouds keep them closer to the ground. Blinds can also hide the antsy movements of young hunters trying to stay warm and a seat off the cold wet ground. Duck and goose decoys make a blind much more effective so plan on investing in a few and learn how to set them so they look realistic. At least you don't have to spend anything on odor reducing or scent masking when hunting waterfowl.

With any hunting and outdoor activity, safety is always first priority. This is especially true for duck hunting when in a group that is always close to each other, sometimes in a small cramped blind.  Fortunately, waterfowl hunting provides the opportunity to start good habits for young hunters in a relatively controlled environment. Shells don't need to be chambered until everybody is set and you're prepared and not surprised. Safeties can remain on until an order is given to take them off safety. Each hunter can have clear shooting lanes agreed upon beforehand. And since most of the time you are close to each other shooting up in the air, you don't have to worry about crossfires. It's hard for a young hunter to mistake a duck for a person flying through the sky like some people do for turkey and deer (on the ground usually). 

Waterfowl hunting has its challenges though, as a full disclosure reveals. The best hunting occurs just as the shooting hours become legal one half hour before sunrise, which means rising before the birds to get to where you're going and set up in a blind or ready for a stalk to meadow pond. As mentioned, “foul” weather is good “fowl” weather, if you're a hunter with the right clothing and boots.

To legally fill your bag limit consistently, you will also need to become a “speed birder”. That is, you will need to learn how to identify different species and sexes of birds on the fly as they approach you and decide if the bird is legal to shoot before pulling the trigger. Bags limits depend on the duck species, so if you already shot one pintail and 2 redheads, you can't take any more of those species but you could still shoot four male, or drake mallards. The regulations are very clear so refer to them and have them on hand when hunting to simplify and clarify things. You can find a new copy at any Game and Fish office each year.

Another challenge that needs to be mentioned is the retrieval of your downed waterfowl after being shot. Many lakes and ponds that are clear of vegetation simply require a small boat or kayak, or maybe even some chest waders to get to a dead bird in the middle. But others that have thick stands of cattail or other vegetation may require a trained dog to retrieve your game. To hunt some of these habitats without a dog actually borders on the irresponsible and it could be a ticket-able offense as wanton waste if you shoot ducks and don't try to retrieve them. This facet of duck hunting using a dog deserves more than can be said here since it involves hours of training and dedication by both dog and handler. Maybe a future article by someone who knows what they are talking about on this topic?

Duck hunting in Arizona may not make the cover of “Outdoor Life” or any other national magazine as much as elk and deer hunting, but the opportunity still exists to get out when the weather is calling now since there are plenty of locations to find ducks and geese this year. Waterfowl hunting could be a great activity for new or young hunters as they can learn bird identification as well as trying to call them in. Just be ready to hear the plaintive feeding call of a mallard from every corner of your house as the practice sessions get longer and longer and longer.

Remember to report any violations that steal your wildlife resource to Operation Game Thief 7 days a week, 24 hours a day at 1-800-352-0700