The Duck Blog

Realtree waterfowl editor Brian Lovett has been an obsessive duck and goose hunter for more than 30 years, chasing his passion on the Dakota prairies and the marshes and open water of his home state of Wisconsin. He's been a writer and editor in the outdoors industry since 1991.

Pages

Mixed Duck Spreads on Big Water

November 3, 2022   |  The Duck Blog

Many duck hunters specialize in scenarios that focus on puddlers or divers, but not both. After all, you won’t shoot many bluebills in flooded timber, nor will you put many wood ducks in a layout boat. But in some big-water situations, usually involving a hot aquatic food source such as...

Calling the Shot with Big Groups

October 30, 2022   |  The Duck Blog

Deciding precisely when to shoot is often tricky, especially during tough conditions or when birds don’t finish well. It becomes more difficult when hunting with large groups, as folks sometimes aren’t on the same page or, worse, can’t help moving or peeking up at birds. Still, unless you’re a hermit,...

The 7 Best Days of Duck Season

October 21, 2022   |  The Duck Blog

Every day of duck season is good, but let’s agree that some are better than others. Sometimes those especially good hunts might involve full straps. Other times they revolve around friendships or special occasions. But during every campaign, you can usually count on specific types of days that make you...

Game-Changers: How Ducks React to Shifting Conditions

October 13, 2022   |  The Duck Blog

It seems silly to say that ducks are in a constant state of flux. After all, they’re involved in massive, extended migrations during fall and winter. Even when ducks seem static, they continuously switch locations, habits and preferences at a micro level, often because of environmental changes. And when those...

The Toughest Conditions for Duck Hunting

October 6, 2022   |  The Duck Blog

The old saying holds true: The best time to hunt ducks is when you can go. If you wait for perfect conditions, you probably won’t hunt much. Still, experienced waterfowlers recognize that the elements sometimes conspire to make some days far tougher than others. What are the most difficult conditions?...

5 Types of Public Duck Openers

September 29, 2022   |  The Duck Blog

You love opening day, but you loathe it, too. It’s easy to see why. The opener is your first chance to get afield after a long off-season, and bird numbers — whether locals or early migrants — are often good. However, hard experience has taught you that everyone else with...

2022-2023 Pacific Flyway Duck Hunting Forecast

September 22, 2022   |  The Duck Blog

Many waterfowlers have probably never hunted the Pacific Flyway. But with legendary destinations such as California and other states, what are you waiting for? Sure, drought has plagued many areas the past few years, including California and Oregon’s famed Klamath Basin. But overall hunting prospects look good for 2022-2023. Check...

2022-2023 Central Flyway Duck Hunting Forecast

September 15, 2022   |  The Duck Blog

Our third round of Duck Hunting Nation rankings focuses on the fabled Central Flyway. Check out our grades for states from the northern prairies to the Texas Gulf Coast, including insider info. Dive into state-by-state details in each link. Colorado This big-game mecca features solid duck hunting and really good...

APHIS Reverses Ban on Waterfowl Importation

September 15, 2022   |  The Duck Blog

Traveling waterfowlers rejoice: The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has reversed a recent decision that effectively banned hunters from bringing duck and goose meat from Canada into the United States. On Sept. 12, the agency announced new provisions allowing the importation of hunter-harvested game birds...

2022-2023 Mississippi Flyway Duck Hunting Forecast

September 8, 2022   |  The Duck Blog

Our second roundup of Duck Hunting Nation rankings features the waterfowl-rich Mississippi Flyway. Check out our 2022 grades for states from the North Woods to the Mississippi Delta, with insider info that might boost your success. And dive into state-by-state details in each link. Alabama Duck hunting in ’Bama is...

Bird Flu Prompts Import Ban on Waterfowl from Canada

September 8, 2022   |  The Duck Blog

In a reversal of previous policies, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Inspection Service announced this past week that hunters cannot bring meat from ducks, geese and other game birds shot in Canada into the United States. The rule, prompted by concerns about the recent avian influenza outbreak,...

2022 Atlantic Flyway Duck Hunting Forecast

September 1, 2022   |  The Duck Blog

Early goose and teal seasons are upon us, and general duck seasons are just weeks away, so it’s time to reveal the latest Duck Hunting Nation rankings. Check out our 2022 grades for the Atlantic Flyway, with insider info that might boost your success. And dive into state-by-state details in...

Pages