xcleox said:
My 13 year old son and I are making our maiden voyage to North Dakota. Our goal is to duck and goose hunt first and fill in with some pheasant hunting. Since we've done primarily pot hole and stream hunting here in WI we're looking for some general info on field hunting. We're coming out the 20th of October and hunting through Sunday. In a field spread with two people how many goose and duck decoys does one need? I'm assuming you can put out both and draw in either geese or ducks. Do you have to modify your water duck deeks or are they ok sitting on the ground. We do have a lucky duck. How far apart should we spread our decoys? The ducks and geese together or apart. How far away should we park our truck? So many question! Sorry, we just want to be prepared. One last question. We've been told securing permission to hunt shouldn't be a problem? What are your thoughts?? It worries me a bit.
These are great questions. Here is what I have found in my experience.
1. Be able to move to where the birds are. Meaning, as you scout, if you don't find birds in a particular area, move on to the next (within your license zone limitation).
2. Scout, scout, scout....if you find a decent field that birds are using, you do not need a ton of decoys. I think most would agree that scouting is probably the biggest factor in having a successful hunt.
3. Water decoys can work in a field. As said before, try to prop up the decoys or push them into the dirt to avoid them from tipping over.
4. Seperate duck decoys and goose decoys by about 20 yards. If it doesn't seem to be working, readjust your decoys. Try your lucky duck at the base of your duck decoys. If there are more geese than ducks around, turn off your lucky duck. Geese don't seem to like roto ducks.
5. Permission should be fairly easy. Most land is unposted (try to find the owner). The land that is posted often times has a name on it to call. Also, look for yellow triangluar signs that say PLOTS. These are fair game to hunters as long as the crops are harvested (which by 10/20 most will be) However, you can not drive on the land ("walk in access only").
6. Some other things you might want to bring is camo burlap and a good set of binocs.
I am by no means an expert but I think that will get you started. The nice thing about ND is the options are huge in terms of both birds and hunting ground.
As with any trip, the first trip will be a great fact finding mission. You will learn more about hunting in one week than you think. It sounds like you are going to have a fun trip full of new hunting experiences (area, ducks and tons of snow geese that will make your boys head spin).
Good luck and have fun. Please post any follow up questions that you may have.

And also post up some pictures when you are done.