Duck hunting - the spendiest sport?

[skein]

Is waterfowl hunting the most expensive, equipment intensive hunting sport out there? Seems like it. From shotshells that cost $2 each, to Final Approach blinds that cost near $300, to a decoy spread that costs (I don't even wanna go there), down to the blasted duck call that can go $130 easily (whether you can blow it or not). Factor in a dog ($600 at a good kennel) and training, and whooooboy, we are starting to have some real fun. And then you still have to find a place to hunt!

Notice I didn't say anything about a boat. Ya gotta have a boat for fishing anyway, so don't mark it off against ducks - unless you get a Go-Devil or something, or hang a blind on it. I didn't mention waders or raingear for the same reason, and it doesn't matter that they're shadowgrass.

Travel doesn't count either - hell, I'll go all the way to Burns to shoot sage rats, or Lakeview to hunt coyotes, or Hells Canyon for chukers, and that doesn't even begin to describe what I'll do for deer or elk.

But none of those species require the up-front layout just to get in the ballpark. How do you guys do it?

How did you get started?

Skein

[KingFisher85]

How did I get started into duck hunting?

Well, if first started off back in the day with my old ten pump BB gun. Ya, no joke. I would lay down in the tall grass along the pond over here, wait till the ducks got about 10 yards from me, then line my sights right on there head and shoot. Took about 3 or 4 shots before they were out but I got them. I did get a few doing this.
After a few years I up graded. I got myself a Remington 1100 and then from there it just started to cost more and more money.
The next year after that I said to myself that I need a 3-in auto. Got myself an American Arms Simi auto 12 Ga.
Liked that gun so much that I did not want to take it out in the field I bought myself a Winchester model 1300 in 12 Ga.
The only said part about it is that I still don't have any calls or decoys and I still do wait in the tall grass for the ducks to swim close enough for a shot or two or three.
Gotta love it though.

[Chum King]

Let's see. I got started by jump shooting birds out of small ponds and marshy areas in a seasonal flood plain. I didn't start with any decoys, had a cheap call that I never could turn a bird with (may have had something to do with the lack of decoys too), used a $150 Mossberg for the first eight years I hunted, and used the family mongrel (samoyed, collie, and some kind of terrier) for my "retriever". Back then, lead was still legal for waterfowl and cheap.

Can you still start off cheap? I think so. Jumpshooting takes the least startup cost, or you can add a dozen or two plastic dekes for less than $100. Steel shotshells are affordable, although about twice what lead goes for. I still can't bring myself to spend the money for the other non-toxic shells.

Last season, a couple of us went over to the Warner Wetlands for a three day hunt. Had the decoys, calls, etc. But the birds weren't flying. We ended up trading off manning the blind, while the other guy hiked around stalking and jumpshooting the channels and puddles. We ended up with more birds from the jumpshooting than the blind. Could have left most of the gear at home and done just as well... go figure.

[Lured In]

Skein...don't remind me of how much it costs.

The simple fact is this...

Wood Lohman call from Joe's: $9
Rubber waders (brown) from Joe's: $35
PVC Raincoat or Surplus rainpancho: $15
Mossberg 500 12 ga pump: $200
Steel shells: $10
Flambeau economy dekes (1 doz): $35

With the exception of the shotgun, which my father bought for me when I was 12, this is exactly what I had when I started hunting on my own. Since then I have accumulated somewhere around 9 dozen duck decoys, 6 dozen goose decoys, 4 pairs of waders, 5 jackets, 8 calls, 5 decoy bags, a dog, a $1100 shotgun and the some fine "test tube" fowl weather gear. Among other things that have become necessary to hunt ducks.
[img]graemlins/stupid.gif[/img]

The only difference between then and now is comfort and that now I look dang sexy when in the field, still not shooting ducks. :shocked: :grin:

[GutshotApe]

I started duck hunting at 14. Bought a JC Higgins 12-ga pump gun for $45 brand new out of my paper route earnings. Bought two sample Herter's stryo mallard deeks for about $5 and a cheap $3 call. Rode my bicycle (with the 2 deeks in the basket and shotgun carried across handlebars) to a pond on Longview Fibre land at the Cowlitz/Columbia confluence or to another pond near Mt Solo. Kids can't do that anymore. :depressed:

I've got a lot better equipment now but don't get that many more ducks.

[skein]

ChumKing,

Sounds like we're all in the same boat; a few dekes, a couple calls, some kind of camo, and not a lot of ducks. I, too, have made the opening-day trek to Warner, and have had some pretty good shooting at times. The first year (lotsa water) I got ducks into my decoys, got them pass shooting, and picked up quite a few by jumpshooting. As the water dried up, so did the duck hunting. I didn't even go over this year because I was afraid there wouldn't be any of either - water or ducks. It's such a big area with so many places for them to land that unless there are lots of hunters it's hard to keep them moving.

What's in my head now, and the gist of this thread, is that I either need to be satisfied with the status-quo or I need to make a pretty sizable investment in dekes, calls, and cover. I looked at a box of BigFoot's this weekend - $109 for 4! Let's see, that's $327 a doz. Even the silhouettes were $179 a doz. And so what. I still need that ellusive place to hunt.

I'm probably going to try to hook up with a good pro like David Smith and see how he does it, but by the time I drive over there, pay the guide, eat a couple of meals, maybe spend the night, it's a $300 day. I can't afford too many of them.

Geez, it sounds like I'm whining, but I'm not. I just want to stay with waterfowling (I love it) and want to get the biggest bang (pun intended) for my buck. Who else has gone down this road?

Skein

[ 12-23-2002, 08:44 AM: Message edited by: skein ]

[Flatfish]

It is not a sport. It is a lifestyle.

If it were not for the dog, the ducks wouldn't matter. But I will always have a lab. So the ducks do matter. I am gonna go hunting tomorrow before work. The dog hopes I will kill a bunch. I do too. Besides that, where else can you listen to air whistling thru a flights wings? Or drink coffee, without a care in the world. Just sip on the hot stuff, as you smell the mud and listen to the swamp wake up. Birds flying overhead in the dark. Laughing with friends and family. A sunrise in silence. The pride you feel as the dog puts the whole thing together as you say "Stay" and his eyes automatically look up into the sky searching for birds, as his muscles tighten just a bit, waiting for the gunfire, so he can do his job.


Heck, duckhunting is cheap.

Mark and the dog.

[ 12-23-2002, 04:37 PM: Message edited by: Flatfish ]

[Gun Rod Bow]

Skein,

I tried to get through a year without buying decoys, I nearly made it then decided I need more volume in my goose spread and ordered 3 dz more G&H shells. I still like shells over silhouttes when hunting in the valley.

Gotta have a boat anyway, always gonna have a lab, shot gun shells are a given (like oxygen and beer). If I didn't waterfowl hunt, my lawn would look nice, house would have fresh paint.....like the neighbors. And my trash man would be dissapointed if he didn't have to play "guess what Bruce killed this week" when he dumps my can.

GRB

[bigshark]

Flatfish
You are so right. It is a lifestyle. So what about it being a little strong on the pocketbook. What are you going to do with the money fellas. If we earned it why not do some spending. If we talk to people who are from Europe we know how blessed we are to have super cheap hunting compared to them. We don't have to be born rich and have a family estate that is large enough to hold birds. We can at worst drive to someplace and have hunting. If we compare the cost of a boat that one would keep at Astoria, the fuel,
upkeep, insurance etc. its not too bad. Some clubs are open to hunt three days a week some four and others seven days a week. How often would you go. The weekends and three mornings or afternoons after work? What would it cost us to spend that much time on the boat? Seems reasonabke to me!
Anyway, what do you want to do with that money? More clothes for the wife? Have to build another house to hold them.
Good thing my wife never reads the hunting board. :grin:

[ 12-23-2002, 07:24 PM: Message edited by: bigshark ]

[1pump]

I was lucky enough to start hunting with a guy who had all the gear and years of experience under his belt. I kept my eyes open and asked lots of questions. I didn't have to learn the hard way about skybusting, calling, blinds, hunting spots, decoy spreads, etc.
Every time I see some dweeb take an 80 yard shot or set his decoys too close to shore because he bought hip boots instead of chest waders, it reminds me that I was fortunate to avoid the dumba$$ mistakes a lot of newbies make.
As far as the financial end, I compared it to skiing, my "filler" between duck and springer seasons. It's not too spendy once you acquire the gear, and cheap gear costs more in the long run because you have to replace it later with the good stuff you should have bought in the first place. On a bluebird day your buddies might laugh at you for spending $375 on a Quad parka but when it's raining pitchforks and hammer handles and whitecaps are tossing your dekes, they're the ones who always want to head home "cause it's too cold." [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img]

[Chum King]

Skein,

I haven't made that leap from duck hunting to serious goose hunting. Not that I don't have a bit of goose gear (8 floaters and a couple dozen shells), I just haven't spent the time to target the geese. I guess I'm having too much fun with the ducks. That may change soon as a group of us are plotting out a January Klamath basin hunt.

I didn't have the heart to go back to Warner this year either... of course I usually only make the Warner trip in the years when I don't draw my mule deer buck tag, and we drew tags this year.

In 2001 when we went to Warner, the water was down so low that all the shoreline vegetation was gone. It seemed that all the birds were rafted up out in Flagstaff Lake, and there was no easy means to get at them. With the lack of rain this year, it probably would have been very difficult to set up any where on the birds.

I did forget one additional expense in my earlier calculations. That is the cost of giving back to the resource. For me that means participating in fund raising for Ducks Unlimited. It seems that half my hunting gear comes from our DU banquet raffles and auctions. It looks like we are going to have our next banquet at the Newport Elks Lodge on Saturday April 5 (not confirmed yet), and anyone interested in details can e-mail me for the specifics.

Merry Christmas,
Chum King

[Crashin' Bait]

Guys, waterfowling is not a lifestyle, its an obsession. There's no telling how far one will go when one is high on QUACK.

[willametteriveroutlaw]

Let me see: 600 for the dog
250 for the gun
3 doz duck deeks(200$)
7 doz misc goose dekes(lots$)
1 final approach
5 or 6 calls 150$
One flight of locked up birds makes that priceless.
I started out jumpshooting, then progressed to pass shooting, and went it just got worse from there.
Skein,
You don't need to head east to get geese, take the test and you will have a ton of opportunities with a 100 miles of your house. If you need a direction to get started in Email me and get ya started.

[MetalHead]

Ya what Flatfish said

[Beer Waggin]

I was lucky as well, my little brother and his father-in-law were well into it before I was. They had most of the dec's, boat, boat blind, etc. I bought a shotgun on a Saturday, and shot my first duck the next day. I was hooked when those ducks started comming in with those wings cupped. I thought, man this is easy! Three years and few $$ later, I still don't have everything I'd like to have for it, but I make due.
A new blind WILL be built for the boat this spring, a few new calls will be added along with a dozen Columbia River Decoy's and a few other things.
I can't think of a better thing to do with my Dad, brother and friends on a rainy winter morning!

As far as being the spendiest sport, I wouldn't want to just use the stuff for duck hunting. The boat is fished out of regularly, the gun is used year round for fun, and I wear the jacket and waders for those cold, wet mornings when fishing. So the only thing that isn't used out of season are the blind, the decoy's and the calls. When you compare that to the rifle, scope, clothes and wall tent that only get used a couple weeks out of the year, I think duck hunting isn't that spendy.

[ 12-24-2002, 09:31 AM: Message edited by: NorRivDave ]

[Flatfish]

Tip of the day-

If you do not want to spend a mint.

And you do want to kill ducks( not hunt, but kill. There is a difference.)

Get a couple or 3 dozen duck blocks.The cheapies work well.

Make some goose dekes out of masonite and paint them.

Buy a Remington pump-they sell them by the million for a reason.

The dog is a mandatory. Year round fun.

The other thing is to buy into a duck club.
Clubs start at around 500 dollars per gun to as much as you can spend. Certainly into the thousands per gun.This sounds like a lot of money. It is. But it buys you more opportunity to kill birds than public hunts.

I speak from experience. A Columbia river trip costs about 75-125 a day. 20 days a season, which is not a lot of hunting, and presto there is a membership. Make sure you get a good spot. Ask questions to other previous members before spending money. But you will have more chances at more ducks than anyone on public land. You will save money in the long run too.

That does not take into consideration the sleep factor, along with tired goes effort.Public hunts often require super human efforts to get to the good spot. Can you outhike a 21 year old with dekes on your back? I used to be 21 and painfree. I am not anymore.

We hunted this morning. I got up at 5:45 am. I was in my waders at 6:35 am. We walked to the water.Maybe a half mile-on a road- and waded out to the blind. The birds were not working today. I cannot blame anyone but God for that. We could have shot a bunch of geese, but it is not a hunt day today( NW permit zone), so we let them pass. I sit here at 10:38 am and type this. Well rested. Money in my pocket because I have a blind. I will next year.

Duck hunting is not free. But on a day by day expense, compared to fishing, or public land hunting, a club provides us with more entertainment for less than anything else.

Mark and the wish I had got a duck today dog.

[skein]

Yep, it's an obsession, and if I didn't think so, my lab would remind me. And no, I can't imagine *ever* being without a lab, just check my avatar. So there I am - trapped! :grin:

Outlaw, I've done the test and have the permit, but when I go out with my measly 1 doz Flambeau shells I realize how paltry a setup that is. And I agree with 1pump, cheap ain't always cheap. You really up your odds of success by getting the good stuff, and you actually save money by doing it right up front. So I need to spend some fairly serious money (for me) to get equipped just in decoys.

I also think I've made a mistake by "going it alone." I don't have any close friends who waterfowl like I want to, so there's been no sharing of equipment, expertise, or areas. Gutshotape has invited me out a couple of times, and while we haven't had great success, we have had a good time. (Anytime, GSA, I'm just a phone call away :grin: ) Good spots are hard to come by, and usually stay pretty busy with dedicated hunters who already have a group they hunt with.

I've gone out in the permit area, but some of the places I tried the last couple of years are now No Hunting. Other places seem to be in the flight path but not the approach or landing zone. :depressed:

But - there's waterfowl out there, and probably more huntable areas than I can imagine. I'll find a place or places, because, well, because I gotta go! Any of you guys want to get together for a hunt and maybe pool resources?

Skein

[ 12-24-2002, 02:40 PM: Message edited by: skein ]

[willametteriveroutlaw]

Skein,
Save that 600.00 for 2 dave smith Trips and get a Dozen fullbodies and a FA Blind. Granted the more goose decoys the better, but a dozen and a dozen shells will get you started. When you scout for a place, look for a bunch of birds on the field your going to hunt (250+) and go from there. Most farmers in this area are generally friendly to goose hunters. I wish I could be more help. later on in Jan we could possibly try somthing.

[skein]

Outlaw,

I think that's good advice. From what I hear, Dave Smith gives more than just a hunt; he provides an experience to remember. I think that's exactly the steps I'll take: First Dave, then some of his decoys, and finally a good (Finisher?) blind. Plus maybe an idea or two of my own....

Skein

[nerta]

skein! i'm not sure that waterfowl hunt'n is any more expensive that any other type of hunt'n or fish'n. for example how about keeping horses to pack the gear, dogs to chase the game, tents to keep the body comfortable, trailers to haul the entire world, trucks to haul the trailers. I think all of our hobbies are just about the same. what's really cool is we're going to do ''all'' it no matter what the cost. i quess the real question in my mind is why? and i think i know the answer. :grin: :grin:

[1pump]

Duck clubs are great, if that's your style. I wouldn't mind joining one, but with my limited spare time and goofy work schedule I probably wouldn't get my money's worth out of it. Flatfish is right about researching the clubs before joining. Some clubs hunt every day, some do the Sat-Sun-Wed thing. Some cram everybody into one blind, others are spread out. Some have goofy restrictions. And bringing your dog might cause problems.
I'm a big water hunter who likes his boat and hates walking. I also like the freedom of picking my own place to hunt, and I enjoy the challenge of getting birds on public land/water. There's been years when I shot as many birds as any private land hunter, and many more seasons when I didn't.
Want to shoot a lot of birds? Private land. Want to develop your skills and test your patience? Public land. And I'm not talking about a crowded war zone like SI. I have a lot of great memories of past hunts there, but too many things happen that are beyond your control.

Flatfish- $75-$125 for a river hunt? What do you do, have them catered?? :tongue:

[ 12-24-2002, 04:49 PM: Message edited by: 1pump ]

[crabbait]

Let's see:

Benelli Super Black Eagle
Hevi-shot
War Eagle 18'X6' + 130hp jet and kicker
Dozens of G&H decoys
Too Many Calls
One VERY LARGE Yellow Lab
Goretex, Polar Fleece, Neoprene

Yeah, it's expensive. And that does not include the goose medicine (hundreds of sillouettes, Ithaca 10ga, Finisher blinds, more acrylic calls, camo to match the blinds, etc).

[skein]

Actually this whole thread was set up so I could get an inventory of who had what - dekes, boats, blinds, you know, the whole outfit. Now I know who to bug for a hunt! :grin: :grin: :grin:

Gotcha!

Skein

[Get Bit]

I agree with Flatfish that a club is the way to go. We have one right now 3 miles from the house and it makes things real easy ! I also agree with 1 pump that some clubs are real goofy. I have heard horror stories with dogs, calling, too many guys and the amount of hunt days offered. It's definitely a case of very large egos. Check any club thoroughly before joining.

In the last 3 years I've bought new Outlaw Silos, 3 acrylic and 2 delrin calls,a new eliminator and shotgun. (I shot just as many geese laying under a camo net !) Now I'm looking into some full bodies.Thats not counting the money for the club etc. Are there better things to spend your money on ? I haven't found them. :grin: :grin:

P.S.- Skein : Book that Dave Smith (the man is amazing ) hunt and you will not be sorry !

[skein]

Okay, I'm ready! I'm going to try to set up a hunt with Dave Smith. Are there any other ifishers who would like to join me? It might be fun to gang up on him and get to know each other. I suspect he can take four or five at a time. I'll contact him and check on some dates, and if it's okay with the mods, post 'em and see what we can put together.

Time to get serious.....uh, (more) serious?

Skein

[Flatfish]

1 pump,
the big river requires a big boat( 20' sled, 200 merc W/jet) 25-30 bucks in fuel to tow the boat. Another 20 bucks( this is not an efficient engine) for the boat motor. Don't forget about the oil for the outboard. Add in special stuff like boat blinds, sneak boats, and dekes that will sit well on the big water, and yes 75 bucks is easy to hit. If you do it in comfort, it is real easy to break the 125 dollar mark. Propane heat, subway sands for lunch, it's easy to spend money.
The point of my post was to illustrate that a club pays for itself if you hunt a lot. If you hunt 10 days a season, it is a poor investment.But if you get out 40 days a season...I dare you to kill as many birds as we do for the same amount of money. Not a brag on bags here. Just want to help show the point.
As far as the dog and ego comments,Well we are dealing with exactly that right now. Next year we will not be dealing with that dog, and that ego. So all we have to do is work thru this year.
The big river is a wonderful place to hunt.But, like all things, it is not without it's drawbacks. Clubs have some shortcomings too. For me, the club is the best option. But I sure had a lot of fun coming to that conclusion.

Merry Christmas.

Mark and the dog.

[Tilla]

I agree with Flatfish
I agree with Flatfish again and again.
I've busted my behind in every way imagineable for ducks for years. That's how I learned about "The Art". I enjoy the conveniences of a club. It doesn't "cost" that much more. Costs are different things to different people. Our club involves members more and keeps costs down. We have very little turnover.
It actually keeps me busy year round. I also have up to 900 acres of Retriever training grounds year round. This is important when your trying to keep two or more Labs up to par.

[Flatfish]

GB,
it lets me watch my dog do what he was born to do. And it gives me more chances to do it. It is a bottom line thing for me, because my pockets are not full of money, so I gotta make the best long term investment possible.

I know little or nothing about geese. My victims are chance happenings. Stupid birds that swing in low enough for a shot with steel.

Boats are fun, no doubt. But require more effort, and if very comfortable, money to hunt from. That and a lot of time. The big river is the best chance at birds on public land. Tons of fun too. But it aint a get there at 15 minutes before legal light and hunt til 9 am thing. You could, and certainly enjoy it. But a club buys you opportunities that public simply does not have. I can hunt til 9, take the dog home and clean him and me up, and be at work at T-6 before 11. I guess thats what a club allows

this year I have had the chance to hunt ducks with a world class guy. He has been to Stuttgart in November. He comes from a family of old market hunters. And he is a neat guy. Humbeling to listen to him talk duck. But neat.
Mark and the dog.

[ 12-25-2002, 10:08 PM: Message edited by: Flatfish ]

[Get Bit]

Maybe we need to do an IFISH hunt board goose hunt ! Maybe we can get Dave and Brad to cut us a deal ? Anyone interested ?

Hey Mark ! Sure takes the fun out of hunting doesn't it ?

[ 12-25-2002, 12:17 PM: Message edited by: Get Bit ]

[1pump]

I hunt the river in my 15' boat, but it most definitely ain't in comfort. I look like a garbage barge heading downriver with super mags piled 3 feet over the gunwales along with all the other gear, dog and human bodies hanging on for dear life. Heaters? Wish I had the room. One of these days I'll actually get a dog ramp so I won't have to haul my 80lb Lab over the transom by the scruff of her neck. She gets even by shaking water all over everybody in the boat. If it rains hard I have to bail about 30 gallons of water out so the boat will get up on plane. Then I get home and have to deal with a literal boatload of wet gear. Yes, clubs have their advantages, especially if you want to hunt with minimal gear and hassle.

Gotta go down the road and tear into some prime rib.
Merry Xmas, Happy Hannuka and all that.
:smile:

[Get Bit]

FF,
When referring to the fun, I was talking about all the troubles that go along with a club. I agree that a club is the way to go. When I can get in the car and be there in 3 minutes and hunting in 10, that makes it worth the money. Was not trying to offend you. As far as spendy goes let's see...... I need a Marshrat, full body dekes, a War Eagle boat, floating blind ....... Duck hunting may be spendy but is this fun or what ?

[Flatfish]

Went to the lease this mornine. Had high expectations. Was very sad when I left with the same number of shells I started with. Jeez, I think I jinxed us. About 1500 geese( plus or minus a few hundred...a bunch O birds) landed a couple hundred yards away though. Dad is heading back tomorrow to whack away. I hope he gets a bunch.
I am off to bed( sick )so I hope ya'll get a bundle o feathers this weekend.

GB, I know what you meant. Last nites post is what happens when I drink too much cough syrup (Johnny Walker Red) with the pills that have a sleepy eyed sticker on the side of them.
I did not know last nite what you meant, but I see tonite..Sorta.

Mark and the dog, who wishes dad could call them real high ones better.

[ 12-27-2002, 09:51 PM: Message edited by: Flatfish ]

[Get Bit]

FF,

Same scenario on our lease yesterday morn. Thought the wind would really get things hopping ... Yea... Right ... :whazzup: Hunted Tillamook this morning with the same results. Don't know what to do tomorrow ? Guess I'm going to have to start scouting for geese to shoot anything. Hope things change in the duck scene soon. Hope you feel better.

Get Bit