Best times of day to hunt Redhead diving ducks?

Early Morning Hunting

When hunting Redhead diving ducks in the early morning, it’s essential to arrive at your location before daylight. This allows you to position yourself in a spot where you can see the ducks arrive on the water. Typically, Redheads will begin to move around 15-20 minutes before sunrise. Be patient and quiet, as they can be easily spooked by noise. Use a decoy spread that includes a mix of drakes and hens, as well as some diver decoys, to attract the attention of the Redheads.

Late Afternoon to Early Evening Hunting

The late afternoon to early evening is another highly productive time to hunt Redhead diving ducks. As the sun begins to set, the ducks tend to move to areas with shallow water and abundant food. Focus on areas with sandbars, weed beds, or other submerged structures that can attract the ducks. Use a combination of duck calls and decoys to entice the Redheads into shooting range. When setting up your decoy spread, make sure to include some motion and action to simulate the movement of real ducks.

Additional Tips and Techniques

To increase your chances of success when hunting Redhead diving ducks, it’s crucial to use the right gear and techniques. For example, use a shotgun with a full choke to ensure tight patterns at longer ranges. Additionally, consider using a spotting scope or binoculars to scan the area for ducks before they arrive on the water. When shooting, aim for the head or neck of the duck, as this is the most effective way to take them down quickly and humanely.