When it comes to duck hunting, there are so many things to ponder. Most people enjoy doing late-season duck hunts because it can be more rewarding. However, it isn’t for the faint of heart. Hunters are only human, and they can only take so much of tough conditions and harsh weather. Plus, the birds tend to be a bit spooky and smart enough to steer clear of the decoys. You can stay in the game and reap the benefits if you follow a few late-season duck hunting tips.

Let the Decoys Call

At the end of the season, it’s much harder to find new birds. In a sense, you’re stuck with the ones that outsmarted all the other hunters. Of course, this makes it more lively and exciting, but it also means that you need to use different tactics.

They’ve been shot at and called to since September, so they know how to avoid the hunters. It might be helpful to tone down your calling style. Call aggressively at first, which can get their attention. When you know they’re listening, go silent. The decoys can call for you. Let the ducks work and stay quiet. Sometimes, they might start to fly away, but you can call again to bring them back. Stillness is essential when they’re showing interest in your spread.

It can also help to experiment with various decoy and calling tactics, especially if the birds are more cautious. Don’t just sit and watch them reject your setup. Try something new and keep changing things up until you find what interests them.

Hunt the Thaw

Southeastern Missouri duck hunting presents a few challenges. You’ve probably got a lot of rice fields, soybeans, and the like. They are often flooded during the late season. That means you’ll likely experience subfreezing temperatures that could turn these water areas into sheer ice.

However, the ice will start to melt, which will bring the ducks back to this area to feed. You can, in a sense, target the birds who are returning home from elsewhere. Their guard is down a little because they’re back in familiar territory and hungry.

The key here is to time the thaw right, which means watching the weather forecast religiously to see the warming trend. Generally, it’s best to wait until the temperature is in the 40s with sunshine and winds coming out of the south.

Next, break open a hole in the ice because this is the main attraction for ducks. Set out your spread of floating decoys and full-body decoys along the edge of it. If possible, also you could use some spinning wing decoys. The ducks will see the flash of a wing and come down to look for the hole. Most of the time, they won’t even circle first.

A Word about Motion Decoys

Though spinning-wing decoys are great to grab the bird’s attention, ducks have usually seen them all come late season. They’re more guarded against them. However, some people still use them and vary their use to attract ducks in the later part of the season.

You can also tone them down so as not to spook the ducks. Consider using them only for birds that are flying high in the air. They’ll see the flash of wings and want to get a closer look. When that happens, rely on subtle movements. These can include water agitators, jerk strings, and swimmer decoys.

Avoid Shotgun Malfunctions

Your shotgun sees a lot of extra use and harsh weather during duck-hunting season. Therefore, they might start malfunctioning throughout the coming months. Autoloaders are more susceptible to breakdowns, especially if they use gas-operated actions. Make sure that the piston and magazine tube are clean because powder residue can build up with each hunt. If it’s not cleaned off, the shotgun won’t cycle the shells, and the autoloader turns into a single-shot gun.

It’s best to disassemble the gun after you’re done with each hunt. You should ensure that an oil-free, dry rag is used to get all the powder off these areas. Spray cleaners can be helpful, as well. However, if you utilize them, make sure that the barrel of the gun is pointed downward so that loosened debris and dirt doesn’t get into the action tube.

Conclusion

If you enjoy hunting ducks, you may want to step up your game a bit and hunt later into the season. Missouri duck hunting can be full of missed opportunities, but it can also help you hone your skills and feel more successful when you do get the bird. Consider these helpful duck hunting tips to make the most out of the season.