Can hunting Shovelers improve my overall duck hunting skills?

Understanding Shoveler Behavior

Shovelers are a type of dabbling duck that feed on the surface of the water. They tend to congregate in areas with abundant aquatic vegetation, such as marshes and shallow lakes. When hunting Shovelers, it’s essential to identify and use decoys that mimic their unique body shape and markings. A common mistake is using too many decoys; a good starting point is 5-7 decoys, with at least one or two shoveler decoys.

Calling Shovelers

Shovelers have a distinctive call that sounds like a low, quacking “ah-ah-ah”. A well-placed caller and a good imitation of this call can be a game-changer when hunting Shovelers. It’s crucial to learn the different phases of the call, from the soft, rising call to the loud, descending call. A good starting point is to practice calling for 10-15 minutes, twice a day, to develop a consistent and natural-sounding call.

Shoveler Hunting Techniques

When hunting Shoveler, it’s essential to use a blind or a camouflage setup that allows you to remain concealed. A good starting point is to use a 3-man blind, with one shooter and two spotters. The shooters should focus on the edges of the blind, where Shovelers tend to enter the decoy spread. The spotters should focus on the surrounding area, watching for any signs of Shovelers or other waterfowl. By using these techniques and understanding Shoveler behavior, you can significantly improve your chances of success when hunting these unique ducks.