10 Best Duck Hunting In Arkansas

Updated on: May 2023

Best Duck Hunting In Arkansas in 2023


Arkansas Duck Hunter's Almanac

Arkansas Duck Hunter's Almanac
BESTSELLER NO. 1 in 2023

Calling The Wild: The History of Arkansas Duck Calls - A Legacy of Craftsmanship and Rich Hunting Tradition

Calling The Wild: The History of Arkansas Duck Calls - A Legacy of Craftsmanship and Rich Hunting Tradition
BESTSELLER NO. 2 in 2023

First Shooting Light: A photographic journal reveals the legacy and lure of hunting clubs in the Mississippi flyway

First Shooting Light: A photographic journal reveals the legacy and lure of hunting clubs in the Mississippi flyway
BESTSELLER NO. 3 in 2023

Primos Hunting 859 Duck Call, Du Special Edition Yo' Sista

Primos Hunting 859 Duck Call, Du Special Edition Yo' Sista
BESTSELLER NO. 4 in 2023
  • Mint polycarbonate, Arkansas style single-reed
  • Polished band
  • Features a small sounding port designed for subtle calling
  • Mint Polycarbonate, Arkansas style single-reed
  • Polished Band
  • Features a small sounding port designed for subtle calling
  • Perfect for call-shy ducks and hunting timber or marshy conditions

Four Coming In - Duck Hunting Shirt by Committed Waterfowl Pullover Hoodie

Four Coming In - Duck Hunting Shirt by Committed Waterfowl Pullover Hoodie
BESTSELLER NO. 5 in 2023
  • For the duck club, field, blind, water, delta, boat, shooting, gym, or outdoors in Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Texas, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Mississippi, California, Michigan, North & South Dakota, Missouri, Illinois or any other state.
  • This duck calling & hunt shirt is the best Christmas or Birthday present for a mallard drake & banded hen hunting dad. We call this shirt a great hunter gift idea.
  • 8.5 oz, Classic fit, Twill-taped neck

Muddy Water

Muddy Water
BESTSELLER NO. 6 in 2023

In The Hunt - From Stuttgart, Arkansas

In The Hunt - From Stuttgart, Arkansas
BESTSELLER NO. 7 in 2023
  • Array

Four Coming In - Duck Hunting Shirt by Committed Waterfowl Tank Top

Four Coming In - Duck Hunting Shirt by Committed Waterfowl Tank Top
BESTSELLER NO. 8 in 2023
  • For the duck club, field, blind, water, delta, boat, shooting, gym, or outdoors in Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Texas, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Mississippi, California, Michigan, North & South Dakota, Missouri, Illinois or any other state.
  • This duck calling & hunt shirt is the best Christmas or Birthday present for a mallard drake & banded hen hunting dad. We call this shirt a great hunter gift idea.
  • Lightweight, Classic fit, Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem

Boone and Crockett Bands

Boone and Crockett Bands
BESTSELLER NO. 9 in 2023

Twelve Coming In - Duck Hunting Shirt by Committed Waterfowl

Twelve Coming In - Duck Hunting Shirt by Committed Waterfowl
BESTSELLER NO. 10 in 2023
  • For the duck club, field, blind, water, delta, boat, shooting, gym, or outdoors in Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Texas, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Mississippi, California, Michigan, North & South Dakota, Missouri, Illinois or any other state.
  • This waterfowl tee shirt is for men, women, boys, girls, youth, toddlers & kids. This duck calling & hunt tshirt is the best Christmas or Birthday t shirt present for a mallard drake & banded hen hunting dad. We call this t-shirt a great hunter gift idea.
  • Lightweight, Classic fit, Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem

Fall and Winter Approaching: Do You Have the Mettle to Be a Duck Hunter?

Hunting ducks is growing in popularity, and is defined by those who like to "rough it." This article will help you decide, or at least grasp the concept, of whether a day of this hunting is for you or not.

#1. You gotta have a shotgun. No pistols, rifles, or air pistols. For some reason, a lot of people think an air pistol or rifle could kill a duck, but these strong creatures would just be at the most maimed, which is of course cruel. You want a one shot kill, and that is why I recommend a 12 gauge shotgun with a wide spread shot. That will guarantee you this "ethic of all ethics," along with a much larger harvest. Youngsters or those who are small of stature, might want to use a 20 gauge, due to its lack of comparitive kick. Just remember, be sure to have either shotgun firmly against your body before firing, or you'll get a bruise.

#2. The worst weather is usually great for duck hunting. Most of my success has been on the coldest of days, standing up to my chest in the water, after breaking up ice. That's right, you are giong to walk in the water with waders, bust up ice with metallic tools, and stand still. Windy cold days bring the ducks into shore, and with the right call, you'll have a generous amount of them by days end. Also, most days start at exactly 0600 hours, so you aren't going to sleep in. Have you ever fallen into a river during an icy cold day? There are those who have, and those who will. You are going to trip over a branch eventually, and once you feel that cold water on your face, you won't need coffee to wake you up anymore.

#3. Hunting without a dog is unethical. You have to have a bird dog, such as a English Springer Spaniel or a Labrador Retriever. This can't be your typical family pet, but rather a dog bred for such activities. Often, these are considered the "sporting version" rather than the "show one," and training is extensive. While they do have hunting instincts, you will have to spend a lot of time with them, involving recovery, as well as getting over any fears of being "gun shy." A proper dog, will wait in the blind, and as soon as the shotguns are blasted, go in the water to retrieve its quarry. That dog scores extra biscuits from me.

#4. The cost can be a bit much. There's loads of equipment, other than the shotgun, the shells, the clothing, and the pooch. A lot of duck calls cost in excess of $100, and you might want some heating equipment, and a boat is most useful. Most states require duck stamps that cost around $10, in addition to the $15 annual federal one. If you need a guide, a four hour trip will probably run $150-$200 per person, plus tips. The decoys depending on how realistic you want them to be, can seriously count as a "second mortgage."

#5. The patience required is too much to bear for some. A lot of cold days, that would be ideal for duck hunting, I've come home with only one or two birds. Sometimes I've been completely skunked, and that's horrible, especially when riding around a boat during those days full of icy rivers. Yet what's the most frustrating, is when you think the ducks are answering your calls, and then they turn away before being in shotgun range. Also, you are going to miss a lot of the diver types, regardless of how good of a shot you are. Be sure you hit the right type, as some are protected, and can carry a $500 fine, your firearms and equipment being seized by the state, and a whole host of legal headaches.

These are just a few issues involving duck hunting, but this covers the most important aspects. You will have a lot of fun, and I laugh at some of those days that I was miserably freezing my tail off. A campfire, or warm house, is very much appreciated after a day of standing in a icy river. Each trip has been enjoyable for the most part, and a lot of my friends have joined me in my addiction. When the ducks are "commiting", or getting ready to land by your decoys, the fast paced action makes up for the hours of boredom and suffering. That's why I recommend it, and am looking forward to this season being another good one.

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