Wes Littlefield 12.05.24
I had the perfect 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 by way of comfortable mud and knee-deep water, however searching from my kayak made it a breeze.
I practically 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 when you don’t hunt from just a little 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 are feeling protected and cozy 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 various different good choices in the marketplace, so don’t fret if these aren’t in your price range. The principle issues to search for when shopping for a duck searching kayak are:
StabilityRig-abilityConsolationEase of Re-EntryDrainage
You want a steady kayak so it gained’t flip you and your gear into the chilly water whenever you shift your weight to shoot or encounter tough water. Security have to be your main concern, and this additionally implies that it’s best to at all times put on your PFD (private flotation machine).
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 satisfying. We’ll talk about tips on how to rig your kayak within the subsequent part.
Whereas searching, you’ll spend a whole lot of time in your kayak; if it’s uncomfortable, you possible gained’t wish to use it once more. Consolation additionally has rather a lot to do with the scale. I like to recommend at the least a 10ft kayak.
Although I’ve used sit-inside kayaks for duck searching, I not often advocate them as a result of they’re more difficult to get out and in of, and also you’ll be re-entering the kayak typically to go get your birds. Lastly, I don’t take pleasure in mendacity in a puddle of water, even when I’m sporting waders. That is one more reason I really like the Nucanoe Limitless; it drains in a short time, protecting my gear as dry as doable.
Rigging Your Kayak for Duck Looking
You’ve chosen the proper kayak; now it’s time to rig it correctly. I like to recommend protecting it stupidly easy (KISS Methodology) and testing variations earlier than deciding on a single setup.
I set up a gun mount in the direction of the entrance, offering quick access and securing my shotgun whereas touring throughout the water. Generally, I exploit a light-weight mud motor for touring longer distances, however just lately, I’ve most well-liked 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 might not set up my kayak blind on it. I prefer to hold an open deck; that method, I’m much less more likely to snag on one thing whereas leaving, coming into the kayak, or pulling as much as shoot. In the end, rigging your kayak is a really private expertise. How I rig mine is just not the one approach to do it; it is only one of many, so don’t be afraid to experiment!
The right way to Use a Kayak for Duck Looking
There are various 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 technique you should utilize your kayak is to get to these hard-to-reach areas. A kayak is simpler to cover than a ship, so that you gained’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.
Soar Capturing
Paddling down a creek or small river and dropping the geese (sometimes wooden geese) that soar up as you method it’s a enjoyable approach to spend the day. You miss out on watching them work your unfold, however you don’t want practically as a lot gear, and you may convey a fishing pole to catch a number 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, however it takes some getting used to as a result of the kayak rocks and strikes, creating an unstable taking pictures platform.
When utilizing my yak as a blind, I prefer to get off the financial institution just a little 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 vegetation and from the spot you’re searching, as this makes it look extra pure.
To Retrieve Birds
The final method 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 number of the birds I shot not possible. Heartbroken, I wanted I had introduced my kayak to retrieve these birds.
Sure, a canine can get many of the birds you harvest, however icy circumstances are extraordinarily harmful for duck canine, and generally a canine struggles to get a wounded chook that retains diving on a big reservoir.
Parting Photographs
Studying tips on how to duck hunt from a kayak will open up many extra alternatives. I nonetheless choose 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 wish to learn all of your questions and success tales (or failures; I’ve loads of these, too!) within the feedback!
Good luck this season!
