The first rule I learned about waterfowl hunting is: be where the birds want to be. Good advice, but sometimes easier said than done. Scouting is a vital part of that and scouting locations early in the season and before is not only a smart move but also a good way to keep you on your game year-round..

Follow along for several basic duck calling tips that you will need in order to become a better caller and in turn increase your chances of bringing the ducks into shooting range.

A new shooter can often wonder where to begin in hunting. First off they need to attend a hunter education course to learn safety, responsibility and ethics. After completing a certification course, they are free to hunt, but where do they start?

My favorite way to kick off the hunting season is a dove hunt. My very first wingshooting experience was a dove hunt with a 16 gauge single barrel and a tobacco field. I think I managed to put three doves on the ground with two boxes of shotgun shells. At the end of the afternoon, I had a sore shoulder and a love for the fast flying birds that fly so hard they squeak.

We all know the gun range mantra of “eyes and ears” and, when we’re at the shooting range, many of us wear this protection without fail. However, it is not uncommon for a hunter to head to the woods without hearing protection in place.