Wood Ducks on Purpose

A focused approach to wood ducks demands tactics as unique as the birds

BY BRIAN LOVETT

Wood ducks might be the all-American waterfowl. Many, if not most, hunters pursue them during the first portions of regular duck seasons, commonly taking them along with teal and other early migrating puddle ducks.

Yet as most experienced fowlers know, North America’s only native perching duck species is one-of-a-kind and often doesn’t act like other ducks. To truly focus on taking wood ducks, you must hone a special approach that takes into account their unique habits and environs.

The Right Water
Woodies inhabit wooded swamps, bayous, backwaters, creeks, and rivers, shallow marshes and ponds, and even the shorelines of larger lakes. Sometimes you’ll find them intermingled with other common, early season puddle ducks. In many other cases, they stick with their own kind at spots that don’t seem to attract other waterfowl. Their diet is varied, but wood ducks are especially fond of acorns, which partially explains their affinity for frequenting flooded timber and tree-lined waterways. 

Wood ducks typically leave their nighttime roosts at the first hint of light and fly to secluded spots to feed and loaf. During evenings, they’ll return to the roost just before dark. That behavior illustrates the golden rule of wood duck hunting: Be where they want to go or travel at first light, and be ready. Often, that’s a ditch, creek, backwater, tree-lined corner of a marsh or even a cut crop field (more on that later). If you’re not reasonably close to the ‘X’ or along an established flight line, wood ducks are likely to ignore you. Unlike many other puddlers and diving ducks, wood ducks aren’t overly gregarious, and they’re not very susceptible to running traffic. That is, a dandy decoy spread and good calling usually don’t influence their urge to go from Point A (a roost) to Point B (a feeding spot). Scout hard to find destination areas, and set up there in the dark. Make hay while you can, too, because woodies tend to fly early and might only pitch in for a half-hour or so. 

Decoy Strategies
Decoys can help convince wood ducks to finish, but they often aren’t necessary. A dozen or fewer usually suffice at small-water spots. Use wood duck decoys if you like, but mallards or teal work fine, too. And what about that sweet-sounding wood duck call on your lanyard? Keep it in your pocket. I have an easy rule about calling woodies: Don’t. 

Additionally, err on the side of calling the shot with woodies. Sometimes they finish, but many times they don’t. If birds swing into good range, take them. Many days, they might zip right past and never look back. Also, be diligent about swatting cripples. Woodies aren’t as tough as goldeneyes or long-tailed ducks, but they are resilient and have an uncanny knack for escaping into cover or the undercuts of banks. Then, when you’ve shot your limit of wood ducks at a small spot (or as many as you care to shoot that day), get out. Let that spot rest in hopes that woodies will return. 

A word about roosts: It’s tempting but usually best not to hunt them. Hunting a woodie roost during morning doesn’t usually work, as birds typically leave before legal light. Hunting a roost at night can yield a spectacular shoot, but you’ll blow up that area for the foreseeable future—maybe even the entire season. It’s usually better long-term to pick away at woodies at their daytime haunts.

A Canoe Can
Jump-shooting wood ducks along streams and rivers is a grand tradition in many areas. It’s a simple and straightforward form of hunting. Before the season, scout for oxbows, bends, flats, or even streamside sheet water where wood ducks hide out during the day. Then, quietly wade the creek—or better, slip downstream in a canoe with a partner—to sneak close to woodies and shoot them as they flush. 

Use bends in the waterway and streamside cover to hide your movements. Be as quiet as possible. Avoid splashing in shallow areas or bumping a paddle against the canoe, which will alert woodies to danger. Get ready to shoot the instant you round a corner or see signs of birds along the bank’s cover. Turn your body so you’re in good shooting position. In a watercraft, the paddler should swing the boat to face forward while the shooter prepares for action.

Again, be extra proactive about finishing off wounded birds, which can escape easily in current or in thick streamside cover. 

Outside the Woods
Also, don’t forget about harvested crop fields for wood ducks. Yes, wood ducks frequent cut grain fields, just like mallards and geese, especially during years when mast is relatively scarce. Small-grain fields—wheat, oats, rye, barley and others—attract woodies early in the season. Wood ducks will also hit corn and bean fields as those are harvested.

Again, the same general hunting rules apply. Be where woodies want to go at first light, and be ready. You don’t need a special spread—two to three dozen honker decoys work fine. That’s especially efficient because geese might show up later in the morning, after the woodies are done flying. You might even pick up a bonus mallard or two.

When wood ducks are hot for a field, they often zip right in without circling and land before you can even mount your gun. Still, as with water hunting, don’t be overly picky about shot opportunities. If a group swings into range, call the shot—and then carefully mark downed birds.

October as Pumpkin Spice
An autumn without wood ducks would be like Christmas without presents. They’re a special treasure. This season, fine-tune your approaches for hunting this unique duck. The rewards—in the form of great table fare and beautifully plumed birds—are well worth the effort. 

Brian Lovett is perched in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.