The Secrets to Hunting Puddle Ducks

What are puddle ducks

Where to hunt puddle ducks

Decoy spreads

What do puddle ducks eat

Calling at puddle ducks

How are puddle ducks different than diving ducks

Part of what makes waterfowl hunting so special is the variety of species you may end up harvesting in a single hunt. Puddle ducks are among the most common types of waterfowl, but each individual species possess a uniqueness in color and characteristics. When scouted properly, you as a hunter can significantly increase your odds if you know the specific type of duck you are targeting and their preferences for decoying. This article is informs hunters about puddle ducks, their habits, and how to have more successful hunts when chasing them.

What are puddle ducks

Puddle ducks are a classification of waterfowl known for being found in and around shallow bodies of water. When compared, many of them differ in color, size, and tendencies. Hunters often refer to them as “dabblers”, “big ducks” or “puddlers”. Common puddle ducks found in North America include:

• American Black Duck
• American Widgeon
• Blue-Winged Teal
• Cinnamon Teal
• Green-Winged Teal
• Gadwall
• Mallard
• Northern Pintail
• Northern Shoveler
• Wood Duck

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Where to hunt puddle ducks

Any shallow body of water across the United States can hold puddle ducks. Flooded fields, flooded timber, and even cattle ponds are all common locations. After hunting in the Mississippi flyway for more than 10 years, I have noticed the bodies of water along a river system have the most potential for holding a large concentration of puddle ducks.

Different species of puddle ducks can be found in each flyway across North America. That said, there are certain species that are rarely harvested outside a particular location. For example, black ducks are primarily found in the Atlantic Flyway, and cinnamon teal are almost exclusively found in the Pacific Flyway. Mallards, teal, and gadwall have a significant presence in all flyways across the United States.

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Decoy spreads for puddle ducks

Each hunter or group of hunters have their “go to” decoy spread when it comes to puddle ducks. Some are larger and consist of all types of decoys, while others remain small and specific. When it comes to choosing a decoy spread for puddle ducks, I believe it is best to alter your setup based off your surroundings. When hunting mallards and gadwall, try including a dozen Canada goose floaters. Or, when hunting teal, make your spinning wing decoys visible to the low and fast flying birds.

Some hunters believe you have to have decoys that match the specific species you are targeting. For pintail and widgeon, I do agree that throwing out realistic pintail and widgeon decoys increases your odds of success. Contrary to that, I have bagged all types of puddle ducks over a couple dozen mallard and teal decoys. My suggestion is to take notes while scouting, and adjust your spread accordingly.

What do puddle ducks eat

Puddle ducks consume a wide variety of seeds, plants, and invertebrates throughout their lives. Much of what they eat is determined by the time of year and which stage of the migration they are in. In the spring, their diet consists mainly of invertebrates found in shallow water. Once they begin their migration south, carbohydrates which include seeds, plants, and agriculture crops are their main source of nutrition.

Calling a puddle duck

Most species of puddle ducks are responsive to duck calls throughout the season. Single-reeds, double-reeds, and cut-down calls are are popular choices among hunters. Also, carrying a pintail or widgeon whistle on your lanyard is effective if those are the species you are targeting. As a hunter, it is important to identify the ducks that are circling your decoys and use the right call to get them into your decoys.

Standard duck calling

Mallards, gadwall, and shovelers are typically responsive to traditional quacks and feeder chuckles produced on duck calls. The degree to which they are responsive depends on the time of year, how pressured they are, and how good of a caller you are. Learning to blow a duck call effectively will pay dividends when hunting puddle ducks.

Whistling ducks

Pintail, widgeon, and teal are puddle ducks that whistle to communicate. Also, mallard drakes and black ducks are known to whistle as well. Blowing a whistle to these species of ducks can be an extremely effective tactic. Justin Martin from Duck Commander explains more in the video above.

Wood ducks

Of all puddle ducks, wood ducks are the least responsive to calls. If you have been in the marsh or timber in the morning, you have most likely heard their notorious whistles to one another. Imitating a wood duck sitting on the water is difficult, but if you can do it properly, your odds of decoying them will increase. Jase Robertson from Duck Commander demonstrates in the video above.

How are puddle ducks different than diving ducks

Attribute	Puddle Ducks	Diver Ducks
Diet	Seeds, plants, invertebrates	Fish, invertebrates, seeds
Location	Shallow water	Deeper water
Speed	Medium to Fast	Fast to Very Fast
Responsive to calling	Yes	Not likely

Find the Ducks!

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