By Jeff Matura

Keep Your Decoys Loose - Many duck hunters make the mistake of setting their decoys way to tight. When ducks are sitting tight on the water it's most often because they are alert to danger and ready to take flight. Relaxed ducks on the water are typically spread out in small groups on the water, especially early in the season. Place decoys no closer than 3 feet apart, and at least 12 feet between the groups early on in the duck hunting season.

Don't Over Choke - Before season arrives be sure to pattern your gun with the same shells your going to use during the upcoming duck hunting season. To pattern your gun simply shoot at a large piece of cardboard with a 30" diameter circle drawn on it at 40 yards. Last season I was very surprised just how tight my modified choke was shooting, and switched over to an improved cylinder instead.

Finish That Bird Off - If a duck has it's head up or is swimming after hitting the water from being shot always shoot it again, even if you have a dog. It can be tough for even a dog, yet alone a hunter, to catch up with a crippled duck. Many times a crippled duck will dive underwater and grab a weed, never to be found by either a dog or hunter. Successful duck hunting is all about efficiency and you certainly don't want to loose a bird you have worked so hard for.

Use The Right Shotgun Shells - To many times hunters will blame steel shot when really they're just using to light of a load, or to small of shot. When shooting smaller ducks such as teal or woodies with steel 1 1/8 oz to 1 ¼ oz of number 3s or 4s work very well. For shooting medium to larger ducks such as mallards with steel 1 ¼ oz to 1 3/8 oz of number 1s or 2s is a good choice. Using the right shell for the birds your shooting will result in a lot less cripples.

Don't Get Busted - Not remaining motionless is probably the number one mistake made by new hunters. Even with the best of camouflage patterns a hunter can not make any quick motions. If you have to move wait until the ducks are behind cover to move, such as a tree that you are leaning up against. Also, avoid standing up in short cover and ducking down when seeing approaching birds. Always keep a low profile whn duck hunting.

Hands And Face Not Covered - Why bother buying a camouflage jacket and waders if your going to leave your face and hands uncovered? By not keeping your hands and face covered ducks are going to see your head and hand movement that much easier. Always use a head net or camo face paint along with gloves.

No Place For The Ducks To Land - After you have attracted the ducks to your decoy spread where are the ducks going to land? If there is no opening or landing zone in your spread the ducks will probably leave after circling several times, or land outside of shotgun range. Be sure there is opening in your decoy spread that the birds can land in without having to fly over other decoys.

Don't Over Call - The best advice for this common mistake is if the ducks are doing what you want them to do why keep calling? By continuing to call when not necessary you risk the ducks pinpointing the sound of the calling, being you, and seeing some thing they don't like. You also risk making a wrong sound that the ducks don't want to hear, and flaring them. All in all less is usually best.

Keep Your Dog Under Control - When duck hunting it's just as it's important for the hunter to minimize movement, as it's just as important that your dog doesn't give you up. Your hunting dog must be trained to remain motionless and silent when the ducks are working your decoys. If your dog wants to break when the ducks are working simply tie them to a tree or inside of boat versus ruining a hunt.

Keep Your Gun Clean - When duck hunting it's very to difficult to make the most of every shooting opportunity if your gun is jamming. It doesn't take long when hunting ducks for your gun to get all gummed up. Compressed air works great for a quick cleaning versus always stripping the gun down completely. Carburetors cleaner in a spray can works really good when fully disassembling a gun. Just hold the receiver without the barrel and bolt upside down over a garbage can and spray away. Be careful not to get this cleaner on a camo finish. Also, when hunting in cold temperatures to use a very light oil and don't overdo it.

Dress In Layers To Stay Warm - It seems like the best duck hunting occurs when the weather is at it's worst. By dressing in layers you will be able to walk out to your spot without getting all sweated up, and then add a layer when your finished setting out your decoys. Bottom line is that you can't you won't be able to hunt very long if your shivering in your waders. It's always a good idea to keep spare gloves, an extra skullcap, and some hand warmers in your blind bag.