The dirty dozen
12 common mistakes that can totally @#$%&! your duck hunt—and how to avoid them in the first place
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#2 IGNORE WHAT THE BIRDS ARE DOING
Generally, when ducks are relaxed and resting on a marsh, they will often spread out to loaf. When they’re nervous, however, they’ll often swim into a tight bunch to take flight in one big group if necessary. If they’re feeding in a dry field, on the other hand, ducks will be aggressive and congregate on the best feeding spot, spreading out only when the pickings are slim and they must search for food.
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With all that in mind, it’s imperative to arrange your decoys in the same formation the birds were in when you saw them while scouting. If you create a scenario that otherwise resembles nervous or scared ducks, or suggests there isn’t a prime food source, the incoming birds will shun your spread, leaving you to wonder what went wrong.