"How to" hunt open water Mallard's

New Zealand is my home, but its also home to some of the best open water mallard shooting in the World. This is Lake Ellesmere (Te Waihoa), and it's where I learnt the art of Water fowling. It's beautiful on a sunny day....but hunts best in a cold Southerly, rain and hail!

Why do I love it so much?

Unlike other form of Duck hunting, you are not simply waiting for the birds to return home to a roost site, or to a feeding ground. You are hunting birds that have been literally blown off the water due to the weather. So what works for me?

• I try to pick a location that's both visible to passing ducks, but sheltered. I find sheltered bays, or areas in behind sand bars and islands work best, but also flooded areas on the fringes of the downwind end of the water body can produce good shoots
• Having the right equipment is also a huge plus. Hunting the fringes and flooded areas requires you to be mobile - a layout blind works best here.  
• The right amount of decoys, is also needed, just to make your spread visible to the passing ducks, so motion decoys can also be a bonus - but don't rely on them as late season birds may flare off them. 
• Don't set decoys too far downwind. These ducks are tired, and often they will drop down the first chance they get. I make sure all my decoys are within range when hunting big water for mallards.
• Calling is still important, and a powerful call is best suited to cut through the wind, while something softer is best in finishing them into the decoys.
• Concealement is a huge factor. On these dark days, your face and hands stick out from a long way out, make sure to cover up
• Ammunition and choke selection is also critical. Remember that your pattern will be blown around in the wind, and you may have to take pass shots at bird that don't fully commit (if you want too). A mid-extended range choke, and a heavier than average cartridge are a help, and I've found 3 inch, 36gr #2 works best for me. 

You don't need all of these elements to bag a duck or two, but in my experience, they sure do help, and they work for me!

Lake Ellesmere - Its scenic in the sunshine, but if you ask me, it looks best covered in cloud and rain!