"Back to the Basics"
December 2005

It's December the 9th, we're in the big spilt of Arkansas' duck season. Two days before opening day, our bird numbers looked real good to great, but they usually do right before the first opener … at least in this part of Arkansas. It did appear we had more Mallards than normal, but I say that every year. Water conditions continued to be a major problem … it was as dry as I had ever seen it. We started pumping water the last week in October, so we had water and had it in place long before season opened.

The opener went as expected, most of our hunters limited by 8:30. Most limits included a lot of Greenwing Teal, a Pintail and an occasional Mallard, but there was one group that simply did not want to shoot more than two small ducks … they wanted the rest of their birds to be Mallards. As an outfitter, a Mallard is a duck … BUT there are a lot of ducks that aren't Mallards and these guys were obviously Mallard fanatics. On top of that, the group of four wanted to take turns shooting on singles and pairs and would double up only on larger groups … of Mallards. Oh, did I mention Greenhead Mallards only? Hens were off limits for sure! To say the least, our entire staff was nervous and concerned about the outcome of this group's hunt. The worry and concern was short lived. They came out with perfect bag limits each of the three days they hunted.

Why did this group have such special success? After the first two or three days of season our clients and staff were all talking about the effects of Arkansas' ban on spinning wing decoys … or better yet, what might be termed the reverse effects of the spinner ban.

To consider the so-called reverse effect of the spinners, we have to look at how ducks learn. Basic conditioning is where a large portion, if not the majority, of a duck's ability to survive comes from and that all goes back to basic science and what we learned about Pavlov and his slobbering dog. These ducks first see the spinning wing decoys as they are preparing for the pre-migration … right in their nesting grounds. By the time the birds start their journey south, almost every pothole, grain field and river spread has a spinning wing decoy in place. Each and every time they fly into a decoy spread using a spinner or two, they get a little bit smarter or they aren't lucky enough to fly out. By the time they get to the southern wintering grounds the young birds are dead or educated and the old breeders have yet another refresher course on avoiding spinners under their feathered belts. If I'm correct on the way ducks learn, which I think I am, doesn't it make sense the reverse effect could be true? No spinners mean safety or less reason for alarm?

Do we have that many more Mallards this year? Maybe we do, but I don't believe that's the reason we're seeing more flocks land in the decoys. I can't tell you how long it's been since ducks worked all the way to the water … time and time again. We were even landing large groups of wary Pintail. The combination of a bright sunny day, no spinners and ducks working like your dream of was definitely a welcomed sight, a sight long over due. Controversial or not, my hats off to the members of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission for passing the spinner ban and changing the course of duck hunting in our Arkansas.

Even with the ban in affect, I'll be the first to admit we moved our decoys several times each day, attempting to get our spread set just like the ducks wanted. I'll also be the first to admit, in past years we would simply move the spinners around … which now seems like we were being lazy, but now we're back to duck hunting the pre-spinner way. Now its a combination of your location, your calling ability and your ability to read the birds that will determine the outcome of most of the hunts this year. Of course, a bluebird day is always a welcome sight on any Arkansas duck hunt, but it's a great feeling to know you beat the ducks and Mother Nature with your own ability and knowledge.

Don't get me wrong; I'll still use spinners when we hunt and film in the northern states and Canada. Earlier this year we filmed in the north and the birds seemed to work the spinners just fine. In fact, we not only used two Mojo's, we also used four of Mojo's new "Wing Thangs" and we were very please with our results. Let's face it, I'm all for using every legal edge I can find, but now days … when you come to Arkansas, be prepared for old style hunting at it's best. Be prepared for a bluebird day providing you with an opportunity to see large groups of ducks in the decoys, but before you make the trip be sure to hone your waterfowl skills because in Arkansas we're … "Back To The Basics" and it's more fun than I ever remembered!

Charles "HammerTime" Snapp

Email: snapp1@sbcglobal.net

Website: www.arkansaswaterfowl.com