Some scouting trips fill your phone with waypoints and your head with confidence. Others remind you that public land duck hunting, which is a key part of Salt and Feathers, is more about learning than immediate payoff.
I spent several miles walking new ground in waders with nothing but a shotgun in case I jumped a wood duck. The river was low, the birds were scarce, and I came home without pulling the trigger. But it was still a productive day.
Scouting Public Land Duck Hunting When Water Is Low
Low water changes everything. Areas that normally hold ducks were dry, shallow, or all that was left was the three-foot-wide feeder creek. What stood out was how much ground was exposed that would normally stay hidden.
Being new to this area, I had spoken with several people at work about this scouting trip and a common theme stuck out.
“The river is low”
The first location had been highlighted to me be a coworker who dicsussed that he often had ducks swim up to him while he was sitting on the bank of the slough deer hunting. They had done this so often that, even though he has never cared to duck hunt, he now brings a shotgun along for the trip in case the deer have decided not to move that day,
Ever slough at this location though, was either empty or only had an inch or two of water.
No ducks!
I did however walk up on three does in the first slough and a decent “for Florida” 8-point buck in another. I will have to report this information back to my coworker.
The second location was a area of flooded cypress. Everyone said I would need a canoe/kayak to be able to get through the deeper parts, but since I found the water to be so low earlier, I figured I would give it a try.
I was able to move around the area without running into too deep of water. Although, a couple of times any extra squish to the mud would have put water in my waders. I could see though that the high-water stains on the cypress trees should that in normal water levels, I would have needed a scuba suit or a kayak.
One thing this trip reminded me is that scouting public land duck hunting walk-in spots during low water might not show birds today, but it builds a map for later in the season.
Finding Ducky Holes That Do Not Pay Off Yet
I did not see many ducks. Outside of a group of five wood ducks sitting mid river. I was real tempted to pull the trigger until I reminded myself, I had no way to retrieve a duck from the river. The place felt empty. But I found several ducky holes that just felt right.
Tight cover. Natural funnels. A solid supply of acorns ready to be flooded, and a key variable in my book easy walk in access.
These are the spots that will probably shine after a few good rains or and a cold front. Scouting is not always about what is happening now. Sometimes it is about knowing where to be when conditions change.
The Lesson I Keep Relearning: Bring Water
The most immediate lesson had nothing to do with ducks.
I forgot drinking water again!
This is a known issue for me, whether it be a scouting trip or a day offshore, I always forget to bring water. My wife has even started setting out water for me the night before an offshore trip to ensure I remember it.
She didn’t here… so I blame her for my lack of water this trip.
Walking miles in waders, a little over 9000 steps to be more accurate, through bottoms and some good ole black mud drains you faster than you think. Scouting days can turn into survival walks if you are not prepared. A small bottle of water weighs nothing and can make a big difference when you are far from the truck.
Why Slow Scouting Days Still Matter
Public land duck hunting is built on days like this. No shots fired. No straps filled. Just observation, mistakes, and mental notes.
Even more for me learning this new area, any time spent in the woods adds to the knowledge bank, as Ducks Unlimited points out. While, yes, it is hunting season currently and I would not have minded having a few woodies to throw on the grill for dinner, this was only my first time setting foot in this WMA.
This trip achieved its primary objective, get out away from the daily stressor and into nature.
Just remember, every slow scouting trip stacks the odds for later in the season.
Wrapping Up
I did not come home with feathers, but I came home with knowledge. The river showed me what it hides at normal levels. The walk showed me which spots are worth the effort.
Public land duck hunting is a grind.
Next time the water rises or the weather shifts, I will already know where to start walking.