Extend your kayaking season
Kayaking offers great outdoor experiences throughout the year from inland rivers to the lakes and out through the bays and beyond there are plenty of opportunities whatever your preference may be. Many people put their kayaks up for the winter, while others look to extend their time on the water and begin re-rigging and setting up for the beginning of duck season. Are you missing out?Why duck hunting out of a kayak?
A kayak is great for navigating shallow waterways like marshes and other skinny waters which is the preferred habitat for ducks since they usually dive for submerged vegetation or small crustaceans on the bottom for food. This makes duck hunting from a kayak a great choice. Also, not everyone has a trained hunting dog so in order to retrieve your fallen ducks you can utilize your kayak for retrieving the ducks as well. This way you don't have to wade through the marsh which can take several minutes depending on how far the shot was taken and quickly set back up and get ready for more incoming ducks.
Standard Duck Hunting Gear
Duck decoys
Typically, a dozen decoys are enough to get started and a "U" pattern or even a "V" pattern is effective for working birds in close for a clean shot. Remember, ducks prefer to land heading into the wind so always try to set up with the wind at your back. cross winds are usually okay but never set up with the wind to your face.Shotguns & ammo
Semi-automatics are the most favorite types of shotgun among duck hunters but pump shotguns are extremely reliable also. 3'- 3 1/2" shells work best and remember NO LEAD SHOT. Only steel shot may be used when duck hunting.Camouflage
Just like most hunting, camouflage clothing is required and any additional steps you take to conceal yourself, like face paint, is a plus.Duck calls
Duck calls are used in conjunction with duck decoys to attract ducks and give them the confidence they need to land in the spread. There are various different types of duck calls that imitate different species of waterfowl including geese and teal. It is recommended to match the duck call to the ducks that you are planning to hunt or the ducks that are in your decoy spread.Waders
Waders are an essential tool in duck hunting. It is a good idea to get a good pair of waders with a high insulation value. This will not only ensure a safe trip but a comfortable one and an overall more enjoyable experience.Kayak Hunting & Concealment
NOTE: Remember, safety is always first and all rules regarding hunting in your area and kayaking apply.
We'll assume that you already have a kayak and a shotgun. So what next? Well, ducks can see extremely well so it is important that you keep yourself and YOUR KAYAK hidden just like in most typical hunting scenarios. YakGear offers the Ambush, a camo cover and kayak blind that keeps you and your kayak hidden that uses the Realtree Max-5 camo pattern featuring cattails, reeds, cane and grasses to blend into flooded marshes. Plus corn, wheat, oats and sunflowers to hide you in open fields. It has branches, twigs and leaves that work in flooded timber. And with open areas that mimic mud, water, bark and shadows, MAX-5 covers all the scenarios you might encounter ducks and is a favorite among many waterfowl hunters. Note the added vegetation straps on the Ambush kayak cover and hunting blind. These are used for adding natural or synthetic vegetation to your cover for the absolute best results in any hunting area.
