Breaking The #1 Rule Of Waterfowling | Wood Duck Hunting

"Don't hunt the roost" was one of the first things I was told when I started waterfowl hunting, but on this hunt I decided to break that rule. It was the last day of the October duck season in Virginia and I took the kayak back to a small beaver pond to try an evening wood duck hunt. I was only expecting a few birds to come in before the end of shooting time, but as soon as I got to the spot there were woodies buzzing everywhere. Hope you enjoy!
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[@joewhite1583]

Outstanding job retrieving those birds. Most folks would have given up. A true sportsman!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Joe!

[@TaterSaladz]

The fact you spent the time to find all 3 earns much respect!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Steve! I appreciate you watching!

[@brianstamper6841]

I had a hunt like this last season on a relatively small pond. Pulled a triple maybe 20 minutes into my hunt, spent the next two hours retrieving the birds. What I thought was solid ground at the back of the pond turned out to be floating islands, and I had no dog or kayak. The sun came out as well, and it was hot working in waders. Pond was soft bottomed and far over my waders. I eventually found a long enough stick to fish the birds out, but after walking back and forth through the marshy ground for a couple of hours I was flat exhausted. Packed up my 3 birds and made for home. I detest losing birds, so as others have said, props for sticking it out.

[@nasserkuzbari2205]

WOW, you need a dog, but you did well in getting all birds you shot. Always a pleasure watching your videos.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Nasser! It was a struggle for sure. Live and learn though

[@markmorgan3091]

Just a tip, when that kinda kill happens,in my experience,start from your mark on bird n start walking circles around your mark , getting bigger with each circle,never lost a bird doing this

[@HokeOutdoors]

Great tip! I use this all the time for doves but always seem to get too caught up in searching for waterfowl to actually have a strategy about it. Something I'll work on this season for sure though

[@markmorgan3091]

@@HokeOutdoors this works,may take awhile sometimes,but worth it!

[@coprilettodelnapoli5466]

I move row by row

[@BreckTaxi]

I hunted woodies in the evenings countless times and it never affected them because they come in so late that you only got time to shoot a couple or so until stop time. After stop time is when they pour in.

[@HokeOutdoors]

That's what I've seen when scouting them in the evening too, I was very surprised how many came in before sunset on this hunt

[@lookkyleison90]

Proud of you man!!! That's a awesome ass video. Respect. At first I was disappointed cause you sailed em.. but effort put forth to retrieve em 👍👌 nice.... and every duck hunter knows u never hunt wood ducks in the evening on their roosting hole... Usually they won't come back to that roost.

[@lookkyleison90]

3 forsure never came back to that roost ;] hahaha

[@HokeOutdoors]

Haha thanks Kyle! I was pretty pissed at myself too as soon as I saw him sailing, got lucky on that one though

[@lookkyleison90]

Beast !

[@chucksmith5002]

Thomas glad you put in a good effort to find your Birds that was in insane with all them woodies in there enjoyed it.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Chuck! I couldn't believe how many of them poured in there before sunset

[@K1ddoh]

Man just walking through that made me feel out of shape. Definitely a tough job but you did solid man! Can’t wait to see what you produce this season.

[@HokeOutdoors]

I appreciate it! Duck hunting in swamps is still the best workout I've ever found

[@HighPrairieSportsmen]

Way to stick with it and find those birds buddy!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Would've ate me up if I had lost those birds

[@FreedomWon20]

young man..... you can't say you didn't get your PT in that day.... damn boy!!!

[@HokeOutdoors]

It was a pretty rough one, especially since it was one of the first hunts of the season and still around the 60-70s

[@FreedomWon20]

@@HokeOutdoors Well good on ya for sticking with it and finding those lost ducks.

[@MidValleyMercenaries]

I'm ready for the heavy breathing and getting soaked. Great hunt to take advantage of the last day of the October duck season

[@HokeOutdoors]

Won't be long now! Hopefully I'll be in a little better shape going into this season though so less heavy breathing

[@shawn5141]

Fun evening. Shotkam footage was a big help and a great idea. We've lost 5 this year. (Including one that was winged) but its sickening regardless. Searched for a couple hours with no luck. Enjoyed the video as always

[@sammylacks4937]

Thomas you are as smart a duck hunter as well as hard working at it as I have ever seen. I don't watch many duck hunting channels but I really enjoy yours. Thanks . How's your dad haven't seen him on a hunt with you this season.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Sam! I appreciate you watching and the kind words as well! My dad has been busy but good, he did have some health issues that kept him from hunting a good bit of the season last year though unfortunately

[@mikehoke5830]

Well done Thomas! Glad you found all three

[@ChasingGreen]

Huge props for staying and finding that bird. Says a lot about a man

[@virginiaswampboys199]

Agreed

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks brother! I know you would've done the same

[@featherspreaderinc3146]

Watching this makes me appreciate my set up and style even more.

[@HokeOutdoors]

It’s not easy but I still enjoy it!

[@keatontimmonsyt]

Loving the new videos this time of year! Usually I’m watching a bunch of old videos this time of year.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks for watching brother! I really didn't mean to save this many but just ran out of time to edit them last year

[@keatontimmonsyt]

@@HokeOutdoors It’s definitely getting me pumped for season!

[@brucehudson3241]

It happens. Yes, a retriever is a big help in situations like this. Nice woodie hunt!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Bruce! I’ve just gotta make better shot selection choices if I’m hunting without a dog

[@brucehudson3241]

We all have done it. Right now, I am dogless, but am reconsidering. I feel OK field hunting without one, but over water, it gets tricky. I am thinking of maybe something a little smaller than a Labrador or Chesapeake, maybe an American Water Spaniel or Boykin Spaniel.

[@coopernickerson7470]

Good job finding those birds. Good cardio workouts. Amazing place you got there, literally wood duck mega.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Cooper! It's a pretty sweet little spot! Just wish they went in there to feed instead of roosting in it

[@asoulail7228]

@Hoke Outdoors Can I come fishing with you my friend

[@TheVersatileHunter]

Good hunt. Glad you put the effort in to find all the birds.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thank you!

[@hokuinsai4299]

Teal Season almost here! 😎🤙🏾

[@HokeOutdoors]

Jus a couple weeks away now!

[@braydenedwards10]

Great job on the shootin it’s hard hunting in the evening without a dog

[@HokeOutdoors]

It definitely is! Won't be doing it again without a retriever anytime soon

[@braydenedwards10]

@@HokeOutdoors this number that commented saying I won that’s fake right

[@MLef111]

Another great episode. Job well done looking for those birds.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Maurice!

[@virginiaswampboys199]

You’re a good shot, no doubt about it.

[@HokeOutdoors]

I appreciate it! VA hunting definitely makes you hone your shot pretty quick or you're going home empty handed a lot of days

[@psaoutdoors4302]

Great stuff brother man!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks brother!

[@gilwhitmore9682]

I am glad you were able to retrieve those birds. Fortunate that none of them were cripples. They would have been in West Virginia by the time you got to where they went down if they were! That swamp is some thick stuff. I have done a few evening pass shoots. I set up at the back end and shot them in front of me. If I hit them they came down near and in front of me. Much easier to find that way. I don't if you could do that in that soup bowl of a spot or not. Anyway, I enjoyed watching the adventure. What is the status of your private pond that you were working on last year?

[@HokeOutdoors]

You're definitely right about the cripples and I need to be more selective with my shots next time cause I won't always get so lucky. The private pond is on pause for the moment since I'm working up in MN for the summer. When I get back to Virginia I plan to go talk to the landowner to see if I can hunt it again this season but I doubt I'll have time to plant anything

[@huntershunters7185]

waiting for more

[@HokeOutdoors]

Just released a new one today!

[@williambothel1776]

Sounds like heart attack mud to me, the way your breathing😂, jus like the Mississippi River backwaters

[@RyanMOutdoors]

Got dark in a hurry!

[@HokeOutdoors]

Yes it did! The overcast weather was definitely working against me there towards the end

[@TheCoastalGunner]

Nothing like an afternoon wood duck roost hunt.......we do it the last afternoon of our first split up in orange county NY.... has zerooooo impact for the 2nd opener a month later as most of those woodies have pushed down to you guys an being replaced by birds from our north.....while your shot selection wasnt perfect you manned up and found your birds while most keyboard commanders would of kept shooting till they had dead birds in hand.....great video once again brother

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks brother! It's definitely not a hunting style I would like to make a regular thing but for certain situations it works well!

[@coprilettodelnapoli5466]

You must change this cartridges absolutely.

[@user-mq2sp1hn9x]

Well done it's good fishing

[@nickdysarczyk5582]

Awesome thanks for sharing

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks for watching!

[@cesarlepro3479]

nice shots man

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks man!

[@craigcaulder8849]

Great video

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Craig!

[@DuckalopeOutdoors]

Wood Duck galore!

[@HokeOutdoors]

They were pretty thick!

[@leesmith5288]

He is a credit to the waterfowl sport

[@HokeOutdoors]

Just a guy trying to have fun and get some ducks for supper. I appreciate it though!

[@jakewatrous378]

Hey Thomas, random question I hope you can help me with. I’m getting ready to move back to Va from SC and want to know how floating rivers for birds works. I’ve never done it in SC. Can you legally float/hunt any navigable creek/river as long as you have a legal put in/take out point? Thanks in advance, and keep up the awesome videos!

[@ethanhill9562]

Most rivers are public which means you can hunt it

[@HokeOutdoors]

Thanks Jake! For the most part you can float anything you can get a kayak or canoe in without having to cross any private land. The only thing that would differ from that would be rivers that have kings grant land under them, but those are few and far between. Best bet is to call the local game warden/office before you float a creek or river just to double check

[@sidneibatistadacosta8375]

Boa noite vc atira muito bem caçada top

[@pedrojsanchezalvarado5569]

Muy chebres sus cazerias amigos

[@tgoutdoors8614]

Let’s go🎉

[@muddycreeksportsman8574]

Man watching this made me tired! Good job locating those birds in that stuff! Even more of reason to get a shotkam

[@HokeOutdoors]

I definitely slept well that night! A dog would've been more helpful than the shotkam but had to make due

[@josephgomes8543]

Y!ou got very lucky to find ANY of those birds. Try restricting your shots to those that will fall where you can get to them. Or get yourself a Labrador retriever

[@toorealoutdoors1418]

Not sure if this has been asked or not but what camera are you using to vlog?

[@HokeOutdoors]

I typically use a Sony A7 or just use my phone

[@beaudye833]

With the shots you make you need a dog to scent em down for ya 😂

[@HokeOutdoors]

One would’ve definitely helped on this hunt, I’m just glad that all 3 were dead when they hit the water or I would’ve lost a bird for sure

[@TheJByrd]

Do you run a remote on your GoPro or just reach over to the one on the front of the boat and leave it running?

[@HokeOutdoors]

It just leave them running, I've found that you miss too much if you're trying to use a remote with them

[@TheJByrd]

@@HokeOutdoors doesn’t that make it harder for editing later? Constantly changing out batteries?

[@htsoutdoors8410]

Do you do follow through or sustained lead? Just curious

[@htsoutdoors8410]

Also what choke

[@Squakie]

Is this a public spot in VA

[@johnmatthews1313]

What wood duck call do you use.

[@HokeOutdoors]

Duck Commander Woodie

[@bobbyslater1987]

What type of wood duck call do you use?

[@HokeOutdoors]

Duck Commander “woodie”

[@jb.outdoors3042]

What’ GoPro do you use

[@HokeOutdoors]

Hero 10

[@cesarlepro3479]

nice contente

[@asoulail7228]

Is there a way for me to tell you that he is from Iraq and I want to hunt with you and see who hunts more 😍

[@jacobroper702]

Hey what kind of shotgun do you have

[@HokeOutdoors]

Franchi Affinity 3

[@user-yd2zi8gz7x]

❤❤❤❤❤❤💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆

[@jason9970]

To right lad why do wildfowling without a dog to pick ur ducks

[@cesarlepro3479]

first like les go

[@coprilettodelnapoli5466]

You need a labrador😂

[@HokeOutdoors]

I'd love to get one, unfortunately it's not quite that simple

[@coprilettodelnapoli5466]

@@HokeOutdoors oh🥺

[@pedrojsanchezalvarado5569]

🇪🇨🇪🇨👍

[@jaacksun4674]

Reminds me of how we have to do it in Alabama. You can’t really call a woodie just gotta smack em if you get a 30 yard fly over shot

[@HokeOutdoors]

I’d contend that you can call a woodie, they just are more stubborn in general than other species. Water motion is your best friend if you’re trying to get woodies to decoy

[@josephmoravec8146]

4 birds down in thick cover before you finish retrieving the first, at dusk, in different directions from one another, no dog, and no help. You are a crack shot but that is not good sportsmanship and probably even illegal at least in some states.

[@HokeOutdoors]

It was poor decision making for sure, can't imagine it being illegal in any state though as long as you're not shooting after sunset. I'm not proud of the shot selection I displayed but it's something I can learn from and avoid making that mistake again

[@josephmoravec8146]

You are probably right on that one but it caught me off guard when you kept taking birds down while not even finding the first. I wish that I had zero questionable shots in my hunting history. You did what was right and spent the time looking for all of them in the end. Keep up the good work.

[@Big-Campbell]

Get a dog, any dog.

[@typical250]

Jesus..why would you shot at birds like that?..absolutely terrible. Learn how to decoy and actually hunt.

[@mckinleyreece9448]

Wow you’re cool

[@HokeOutdoors]

This is “actually hunting”, drop the holier than thou attitude and make a solid argument. It makes no sense to go into a roost hole to decoy birds when you can pass shoot them and effectively put less pressure on them by doing so. I love decoying woodies and that’s my goal on every morning hunt I go on, but for this situation it simply doesn’t make sense