How does a kayak help you be more successful duck hunting public land?
The number one key to being successful duck hunting is being where the ducks want to be. In order to accomplish this challenge a hunter has to have a good mobile setup and system in place. In this post we are going to break how to be mobile while duck hunting public land. We will discuss the importance of mobility which will increase your success in the field. The most versatile vehicle we have found for accessing difficult duck holes is a kayak. The more mobile a hunter is the better he can access a hot spot or adjust if needed to get where the ducks want to be. The kayak has countless benefits for duck hunting. One of the main benefits is extreme mobility.
Why use a kayak for public duck waters?
Duck hunting public land is a challenge. If you hunt public water and want a few good tips, this post is for you. Do not let the challenge of hunting public water discourage you. Some of the best duck hunters I know only hunt public water. The best duck hunter I ever had the pleasure of hunting with hunted public water his entire life. Of course public water presents many challenges but with a good strategy and some good scouting you can be very successful. One on the keys to beating the many challenges of hunting public water is being mobile. You have to be able to access duck holes easier then other hunters. Also, you have to be able to adjust quickly when the ducks are not landing where you anticipated. The biggest key to being successful duck hunting is being exactly where the ducks want to be. All the challenges we just mentions can be overcame by utilizing a kayaks. Kayaks are extremely versatile. You can also use them to expand your hunting range. There are a number of benefits kayaks offer duck hunters.
Advantages kayaks offer
- Easy to transport
- Can pack a load of equipment
- Stealthy on the water
- Can easily be towed by motor boat or atv
- Can be use for other outdoor activities
Easy to transport
If you have a car, suv, or pickup truck you can transport a kayak. You do not need a trailer or any special equipment to transport one. They are increadibly easy to haul and most do not weigh over eighty pounds. A kayak is the cheapest boat you can find yet, one of the most versatile.
Carries a big payload for a small boat
Even though kayaks seem to be small, they can carry quite a bit of gear. You should always follow the owners manual and go by the weight limits for your specific kayak. We hunt out of kayaks every year. We can pack our ammo, guns, food, extra cloths and other equipment. They provide enough room for everything we use while duck hunting public water.
Stealthy and silent
A kayak slipping through the water is the ultimate stealth vehicle. We kill ducks each year by just floating our kayaks down creeks. This is a deadly tactic for hunting wood ducks. If you are interested in this tactic then check out our post about duck hunting the creeks. If you are on a scouting mission you need to be silent. Why you ask? Two reasons, you do not want to disturb the ducks before a hunt and the second reason, you DO NOT want to give you position away to other hunters scouting for hot duck holes.
Expand your hunting range
Kayaks can easily be pulled behind a boat with just about any sized outboard. We do not recommend dragging them over land with an atv, but we have towed them for short distances while using atvs without causing damage to our kayaks. If you have any common sense, then I am sure you can do it as well without damaging the hull. We have also, towed them by hand over short distances with equipment loaded in the boat. With a lot of practice, you can hop logjams and beaver dams. If you are going to attempt hopping logjams or beaver dams, practice with a full load of equipment in a safe environment in shallow water. DO NOT attempt hopping any obstacles for the first time while hunting or in cold conditions. This is a dangerous task that can lead to drowning and/or hypothermia.
The ability to tow a kayak by hand or atv will increase opportunities for duck hunters to access secret spots from different access points other hunters cannot use due to the lack of mobility by a regular duck boat.
The ability to tow kayaks behind boats will expand your hunting range substantially. You can simply get as far as your regular boat will allow to your secret duck hole, then use your kayak to travel to the final destination.
I have a word of caution. I highly recommend when the time comes to transition from the motor boat to the kayak, do so in shallow water. All ways have extra clothes stored in a dry place incase you fall in the water. All ways wear your personal floatation device at all times while on the water in your boat and kayak.
Kayaks offer many other benefits
Not only is a kayak a great tool for duck hunting public water, a kayak can be just as useful for fishing. Its a tool that offers countless benefits for the avid outdoorsman. They are a great vehicle for accessing public land for deer hunting. One of the most common uses of a kayak is fishing. Here at American Hunting Safari, we use them for deer hunting, duck hunting, fishing, and camping trips on creeks.
When using a kayak, always read the owner’s manual and wear you personal floatation device while on the water. Use caution when using them. There is a great chance you will get dumped in the water the first few times you use one, but do not give up. You will get the hang of it in no time.
Summary
We hope you enjoyed reading this post. Here at AHS we use kayaks for hunting public water and we have enjoyed great success using them over the years. Kayaks are very affordable and extremely mobile. Their mobility will allow you to have a distinct advantage on public water. However, they can be dangerous. Practice using them in a safe environment before using them in the field.
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Thank you for reading!