I do it on 2 local rivers and a bunch creeks
Just a FYI for HUNTING
Most places ( unless public )
The bottom is owned by the person that owns the land on the banks
So if it touchs the bottom you are trestpassing , even an anchor
Fishing things are differnt
IMO the best time to float hunt is 10 AM to a hour before sunset
If you find a interesting strech of river , finding who owns the land realy helps
As you can the pattle in
Jump hunt for a while and then set up for the 1/2 or so hour of wood ducks looking to get to thier roosting spot
That said , a few tricks
2 people is best
A canoe is best over a row boat if the creek or river is't to big
Also a Poly canoe is better , as it makes and you make less noise in it
1 in front shoots and the person in the back pattles
Best places , are corners
Ease up to a corner and look around the corner
Finish off birds QUICK
Better to get one for sure bird , than wounding one and loosing it on the bank
Most shots will be of ducks flushing off the water , I bet 90% flying away
But if there are Woodies around
You may get ....FAST incomers 5' off the water from any direction
Take 3x times the shells you normaly would think you need
As some days the ducks are there in big numbers
But you aren't hitting them and normaly it's a long way to the truck to get more
NO TALKING !!! that is while you are moving
It is best to point where you want to go
The darn ducks can here well
On Med and larger rivers geese maybe around
Normaly no time to switch shells
So I take a extra gun with us
It is loaded with goose loads
A 10-15' wide creek can hold a decent number of ducks if the weather is right
Big water isn't always better
We wear waders
As sometimes you have to get out of the canoe , to get it over logs
Also , as I am sure you know
No motor can be used while you are "Hunting"
Cripple a bird and you can us a motor to chase it down
But by law the boat is suposed to hand powered when you shoot the cripple
A long handled fishing net works wonders to catch cripples and dead ducks floating on the water
Have fun and watch out for houses backed up to the creek or river
John
