Even though they're called waterfowl, water isn't the only place to hunt ducks. Hunter Jim Balzer bagged these two handsome drake widgeons while hunting over a snow goose setup in a field. He may never get his feet wet again! Photo by Mike Gnatkowski.

Traditionally, waterfowlers have hunted geese on land and ducks over water. But that mindset may be changing. More and more waterfowlers are discovering that puddle ducks spend plenty of time on dry land. Targeting them in the fields where they feed can pay big dividends.

Manufacturers of hunting accessories are jumping on the bandwagon, too. Several companies are now creating very lifelike field-duck decoys and equipment that makes hunting ducks in fields more practical and productive than ever. Fact is, you can shoot a limit of ducks these days and never get your feet wet!

It was probably 30 years ago when I started hunting ducks in the fields. We'd watch the birds leave the refuge and follow them up to 20 miles out into the surrounding corn fields. Back then we didn't have GPS, lay-down blinds, spinning winged decoys and corn field camouflage. Our success was modest, but when everything clicked, it provided some great shooting for big, fat mallards.

Get Out And Scout About
More than any type of waterfowling, hunting ducks in fields requires scouting. If you're not where the ducks want to be, you're usually wasting your time. The only way to know where the ducks are is to follow them or find them. This requires an investment in time and energy, but you can be rewarded in spades.

Ducks don't spend all their time in the fields. They spend the majority of their time on the water. Finding concentrations of birds on the water is key for success. The birds might be using large natural lakes, marshes, reservoirs, rivers or streams. Certainly, ducks will be using the water throughout the season, but their numbers generally build as the season progresses and the migration intensifies. You need to scout regularly to monitor the numbers of birds around and the potential for field-hunting success.

Remember, you're looking for puddle ducks. Big rafts of divers might look inviting, but it's the puddle ducks -- like mallards, widgeons, pintails and wood ducks -- that are going to be visiting local farm fields.

Some of the best field-hunting for ducks typically occurs late in the season when migration numbers are peaking, water sources are at a premium, and high-energy grain is a necessity. However, that doesn't mean fields can't be productive right from the opening bell.

Last year, opening day saw my son, Matt, my friend, Sue, and myself set up in a hay field adjacent to some flooded woods that a bunch of woodies and mallards were using. Even though we only put out field-goose decoys, we reasoned that some of the ducks headed for the timber might come our way and give us a look.

Not only did the ducks give us a look, they dive-bombed our spread! We quickly shot our limit of wood ducks and a few bonus mallards. We were standing up about to begin picking up the spread when two wood ducks came screaming in and landed almost at our feet! The next morning was a repeat performance, and I enjoyed still another outing last season where we shot wood ducks in our field-goose spread.

Once you find a concentration of birds is when the work begins. Scouting requires an investment in time. The task can be made easier if you and your hunting buddies combine your efforts and maximize your time and scouting.

Ducks typically leave their roost twice daily -- once in the morning and once in the evening. Start close to the water and get a general idea of the direction the birds are headed and light out after them. Go armed with a pair of binoculars, a plat book and a hand-held GPS unit. If you lose the birds, wait along the flight path. Another flight will be along shortly.

Knowing the lay of the land and farming practices in the area can be a big help. Having an idea ahead of time which farms have corn, peas or wheat planted can give you a pretty good idea what direction the ducks might be headed.

You can also do some of your scouting while you're out hunting upland birds or bowhunting for deer. Becoming friends with your local mail carrier or UPS driver can provide some scouting shortcuts, too.