Don’t Waste Your Time Field Hunting as a DIY Duck Hunter in Canada

A two-hour hunt over water in western Alberta yielded eight ducks per hunter. Each hunter used a twisty tie or twine around the legs of their ducks for identification. Andrew Klatt

Every September, duck hunters head north to the western provinces of prairie Canada. They drive large trucks and haul trailers filled with field decoys and blinds. But if you’re going with a small group of buddies, the best way to hunt Canada is to focus on water.

If you’re a seasoned hunter, the notion of hunting water in Canada might sound surprising. But I assure you, it’s the ideal way to hunt the vastness of prairie pothole country. It offers a more enjoyable experience that doesn’t leave you exhausted. Here’s why and how you should hunt ducks over water on your next DIY trip to Canada.

Leave the Trailer-Load of Decoys Behind

Towing a trailer full of decoys is a major hassle for DIY field hunters. Driving it for over 20 hours, constantly hitching and unhitching, and setting up dozens of field decoys in the dark can be tiresome. Instead, bring a minimal setup of floaters, mallard silhouettes, and spinning-wing decoys. Ten minutes before shooting time, toss out the floaters and start hunting.

The ducks in Canada show their colors in October. Joe Genzel

Opt for a Late Arrival and Avoid Saskatchewan

While it’s tempting to go to Canada in September, waiting until October is advantageous. By then, the number of hunters has reduced, the weather turns colder, and the drake mallards start to turn green. It provides a more fall-like feel and gives you plenty of space in the prairie.

If you can’t wait and have to go early, avoid Saskatchewan. Many American hunters flock to this province, resulting in intense competition. Instead, consider other provinces that offer equally great hunting opportunities, like southeast Ontario.

Water Hunting Is More Fun

Field hunting involves extensive scouting and decoy setting, with the risk of getting skunked due to weather changes or birds switching fields. Hunting ducks over water offers greater relaxation and certainty. By scouting in the afternoon and hunting in the morning, you can count on ducks coming to water. In Alberta, a group of field hunters shot nearly 80 birds right in the decoys during a two-hour afternoon hunt. It was one of their best hunting experiences. Wouldn’t you prefer that over rushing across Western Canada for an entire week?

Small wetlands in prairie Canada provide great duck hunting opportunities. Joe Genzel

Focus on Small Wetlands Together

The pothole region of Canada offers small, neighboring wetlands where ducks trade between for loafing and drinking between feedings. Targeting these shallow waters is the best way to pursue puddlers. Avoid hunting larger wetlands that hold significant numbers of ducks and geese, as it can disrupt field hunting in the morning.

Even during drought, there are still areas in Canada suitable for water hunting. While others concentrate on big watersheds and surrounding fields, you can enjoy shooting unpressured ducks on smaller waters.

Set Up Smaller Spreads and Use Available Cover

The way you hide and the number of decoys will depend on the wetland’s size and location. Utilize natural cover whenever possible. If there’s no cover, brush in a blind with leftover chaff from the harvest. A smaller pond in an agricultural field may only require a few decoys, while larger potholes benefit from eight to two dozen decoys. Include mallard silhouettes along the bank for added attraction.

Motion is key to attracting birds. Use a few spinners and consider adding on-water motion devices like Wonderducks or Mojo Flock-a-Flickers.

Bring a reliable retriever to Canada. Joe Genzel

Bring a Retriever for the Trip

The potholes you’ll be hunting often have a false bottom, making it easy to sink in mud. It’s best to wade out a few steps, throw your decoys, and send your dog to retrieve the ducks.

Larger wetlands can hold rafts of divers. Joe Genzel

Best Locations for Water Hunting in Canada

• Southeastern Ontario: An easily accessible trip for Midwest residents that costs less than driving to Manitoba or Alberta. The area offers plenty of swamps, agricultural fields, and small, shallow rivers. Wood duck hunting is exceptional here, with the opportunity to shoot six a day. Find a field with some sheetwater or a small runoff ditch, set up your blind, silhouettes, and spinners, and enjoy a unique field-water hybrid hunt you won’t find anywhere else in North America.
• Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba: This area contains countless acres of marshlands, perfect for shooting various species of ducks. Early October is ideal for hunting abundant green-wing teal. If you’re in the area, don’t miss the opportunity to hunt the famed Delta Marsh on Lake Manitoba.
• Southeastern Alberta: Explore the wetlands south and east of Edmonton, close to the Saskatchewan border. Countless small potholes in this area hold ample puddle ducks, while larger watersheds attract divers like redheads and canvasbacks. It’s a mix-bag hunting experience that you won’t find elsewhere.