Beginner’s Guide for How to Duck Hunt from a Kayak
Wes Littlefield 12.05.24
I had the best solo duck hunt of my life, and it wouldn’t have happened without a kayak. While duck hunting a large reservoir at a spot that’s only accessible by boat or a nightmare of a walk through soft mud and knee-deep water, but hunting from my kayak made it a breeze.
I nearly had my limit in about an hour (after missing my first several shots…), and this incredible memory wouldn’t have happened without a kayak. You’re missing out if you don’t hunt from a little plastic boat.
Choosing the Right Kayak for your Duck Hunt
Most people don’t like kayaks because they purchase the cheapest one they can find and don’t feel safe in it. I don’t blame them for not wanting to hunt from a tippy kayak; I wouldn’t either. So do your research (like you’re doing now), and get one you feel safe and comfortable in.
I recommend the Nucanoe Unlimited or Frontier 12. These kayaks have an open platform, are extremely difficult to flip, and are very customizable. However, they are expensive. There are many other good options on the market, so don’t fret if these aren’t in your budget. The main things to look for when buying a duck hunting kayak are:
- Stability
- Rig-ability
- Comfort
- Ease of Re-Entry
- Drainage
You need a stable kayak so it won’t flip you and your gear into the cold water when you shift your weight to shoot or encounter rough water. Safety must be your primary concern, and this also means that you should always wear your PFD (personal flotation device).
I love rigging my kayaks (as you’ll soon see) because properly rigging your yak will keep you from losing gear and make your hunt more enjoyable. We’ll discuss how to rig your kayak in the next section.
While hunting, you’ll spend a lot of time in your kayak; if it’s uncomfortable, you likely won’t want to use it again. Comfort also has a lot to do with the size. I recommend at least a 10ft kayak.
Though I’ve used sit-inside kayaks for duck hunting, I rarely recommend them because they’re more challenging to get in and out of, and you’ll be re-entering the kayak often to go get your birds. Lastly, I don’t enjoy lying in a puddle of water, even if I’m wearing waders. This is another reason I love the Nucanoe Unlimited; it drains very quickly, keeping my gear as dry as possible.
Rigging Your Kayak for Duck Hunting
You’ve chosen the perfect kayak; now it’s time to rig it properly. I recommend keeping it stupidly simple (KISS Method) and testing variations before settling on a single setup.
I install a gun mount towards the front, providing easy access and securing my shotgun while traveling across the water. Sometimes, I use a lightweight mud motor for traveling longer distances, but recently, I’ve preferred using the quieter electric trolling motor mounted to the stern (back). I still always bring a paddle as a motor will let you down.
Depending on how I plan to use the kayak, I may or may not install my kayak blind on it. I like to keep an open deck; that way, I’m less likely to snag on something while leaving, entering the kayak, or pulling up to shoot. Ultimately, rigging your kayak is a very personal experience. How I rig mine is not the only way to do it; it is just one of many, so don’t be afraid to experiment!
How to Use a Kayak for Duck Hunting
There are many ways to use a kayak while duck hunting, but the following are the four primary ways to use a duck hunting kayak.
Reach Secluded Spots
One way you can use your kayak is to get to those hard-to-reach areas. A kayak is easier to hide than a boat, so you won’t have to worry as much about hiding it once you reach your duck hole.
It can also maneuver in shallow water, which means you can reach more places that outboard motors can’t go and spots that suck to walk into. Lastly, it is much quieter than a noisy mud motor or outboard, so you’re alerting fewer birds to your whereabouts.
Jump Shooting
Paddling down a creek or small river and dropping the ducks (typically wood ducks) that jump up as you approach it is a fun way to spend the day. You miss out on watching them work your spread, but you don’t need nearly as much gear, and you can bring a fishing pole to catch a few fish!
As a Blind
You can install an aftermarket blind on your kayak that transforms it into a floating layout blind. I enjoy hunting like this, but it takes some getting used to because the kayak rocks and moves, creating an unstable shooting platform.
When using my yak as a blind, I like to get off the bank a little ways, so I set my spread farther out in the marsh or lake and anchor my kayak in a spot that doesn’t look out of place.
I strongly encourage you to brush it using plants and from the spot you’re hunting, as this makes it look more natural.
To Retrieve Birds
The last way I typically use a kayak is when duck hunting is to retrieve my birds. I hunted large reservoirs and icy waters that made retrieving some of the birds I shot impossible. Heartbroken, I wished I had brought my kayak to retrieve those birds.
Yes, a dog can get most of the birds you harvest, but icy conditions are extremely dangerous for duck dog, and sometimes a dog struggles to get a wounded bird that keeps diving on a large reservoir.
Parting Shots
Learning how to duck hunt from a kayak will open up many more opportunities. I still prefer to use a kayak over a boat or walk in on public waters. Now that you know how to get started, I want to read all your questions and success stories (or failures; I have plenty of those, too!) in the comments!
Good luck this season!
