Any waterfowl bowhunters out there?

[jhg]

I think I may try to expand my bow hunting "pallet" if you will. goose hunting seems a logical chioce as its done close by, sometimes bookends the workday and would be a blast to boot.

Other than the insane amount of decoys and junk you need, how should I start toward this?

Like, what is the best way to practice- shooting at thrown targets??

Joshua

[fireball31]

thrown targets work pretty well. I had my brother in law throw targets down to me from an elevated deck.  I've been practicing on the upswing to in hopes of nailing a couple ducks in our upcoming two day duck season.  Good luck, and make sure you post some pics if you do well.

[Ragnarok Forge]

Use very few decoys and keep them close to your hide position.  You are going to want them really close to have a good chance.  Huge spreads let the geese come in at the edge of your spread making it hard to get a good shot.

I like to let them almost land and then shoot at them as they just start to flair off.  They stall in the air at that point and are easier targets.

[Rick P]

Duck with a bow is a blast! I mostly jump hunt but often will put out a small set and call. Paid 5 bucks for the call and use less than 12 decoys in close.....they cost about $30?

Like Ragnarok says wait till just before they flair off. It's really weird they literally hang there for a second, kinda like they are trying to decide if landing is a good idea or not. On the wing this is your best shot opportunity.

[bawana bowman]

I generally shoot ducks the same way Ragnarok says he does geese.
Keep decoys tight, allow openings within spread and on edge of spread for landing area for birds.
Try for shots as birds flair when committing to land.
Always amazes my duck hunting buddies to see me connect on a bird with a longbow. They never seem to remember the misses, but never fail to tell stories about the ones I connect on.
They all use shotguns. Funny how I sometimes shoot as many birds as they do, with nowhere near the number of shots. Semi-autos; what a waste of shells.
The big thing is, if your hunting among gun hunters be sure they are willing to allow you a chance at the birds before they begin blasting away!
I hunt with a bunch of understanding guys that appreciate my limiting the chances of a kill. In respect of that they will allow me 1st chance at the bird if I call the shot.
In return I don't rag them about using shotguns!

[oxnam]

If you are going to be jump shooting them, I would focus on clay pigeons out of a thrower.  Hard to break, but very good practice.  One thing that will help get the ducks close is hunting small drain ditches or creeks.  If you decoy on small water like that, you won't need a ton of decoys and should make arrow recovery easier.

[bowhuter82]

I dont waterfowl hunt but I do have a buddy that made a thrower that will throw 12" disc in the air and you want to talk about a blast.

[Gene Charbonneau]

Never tried it, but noticed lots of ducks recently here on the Kennebeck river just down the road from me.

I guess you guys use "flu-flu's"?
What kind of heads?
Any tips on retrieving arrows?
  :confused:  

Thanks

[blind one]

I have a buddy that use his bow fishing rig so he can retrieve the arrows when hunting birds over open water. I havent tried it yet ,but it sounds like fun......Roy

[fireball31]

yup, most states you have to use flu-flu's.  I use snuffers.  You will need a broadhead the birds are tough and a blunt will not do the job.

[twitchstick]

I have done it a little at frist just jump rivers then added decoys as I could afford them. Duck and geese hunting around here isn't the best but it is fun. I only was able to go once this year but did get one solid miss.