Duck Hunting | Have we lost the Romance? | Best DIY Texas Rigs

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Do you think that we've lost the romance of duck hunting?

[@isaaccrumpton8686]

I work so hard to keep my decoys looking good because I only got a couple. I usually repaint my decoys to look like black ducks after they wear out

[@GHenry5150]

I don’t think the romance is gone, I live in Tampa, FL I’m going into my 4th duck season and the first in my family or friends to take up duck hunting, it’s become my passion, I make all my own decoy rigs, and am currently planning to repaint 18 of my mallard decoys into Black Bellied Whistling Ducks (mallards are practically nonexistent here). Since I’ve started duck hunting, I’ve introduced 3 family members and 5 friends into the sport, 5 of them are now avid waterfowler’s like myself.

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

GHenry5150 great story. Glad you and your friends and family are getting into the obsession! Thanks for sharing!

[@jeremybreeden77]

Thanks for another great instructional video! That's a neat way you tie that loop and I'll have to give it a try. One bit of advice I was told last January while goose hunting with my 70 year old uncle in Nebraska about photographing your harvest. He's been hunting for a long time and threw away a lot of photos of "pile" shots because all he could remember about them is he must of killed some birds and put them on a tailgate. Take pictures with scenery in the background, with buddies holding the harvest, with your dog in the photo etc... and they'll mean a lot more to you down the road.

[@mikeries8549]

Yes. Make sure they're geotagged before you post them. 😎

[@Goosemaster1810]

Well done Joel. I’m much like you I enjoy everything about the waterfowl life. I try to make it a year round thing by doing most of the things myself.Decoy rigs, gear maintenance, an my favorite making my own silhouette goose decoys. Black and whites plus I paint many in full Canada goose colors. It’s a great hobby and keeps the flame burning all year.Theres so much more to it then just pulling a trigger. Enjoying Gods creation, valued family and friends is what it’s really all about. God Bless and keep em coming👍🏻🇺🇸

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

I figured this about you!! Thanks brother! 👍🏻😁🇺🇸

[@michaelbaio4119]

I feel the same way about the passion for duck hunting. It’s not about the kill. It is so much more. It’s about the art of the hunt. Painting decoys. Finding the spots. Talking to the ducks and just enjoying the sport from a respect point of view

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Right on, that's what I'm talkin' about!

[@JamesNeumane]

I'm starting my 55th season of duck hunting. Still can not sleep the night before opening day .

[@Drblood6721]

A true gentleman and a scholar. Great tips! As I'm just getting into it, I feel I still have the romance and annoy my significant other with my talk of it non-stop but I don't know if I'd ever go as far of painting a decoy... I'm no artist by any stretch and I don't need any more excuses to flairing ducks.

[@chickgirl567]

Thank You Mr. Strickland, I am obsessed with hunting, fishing and habitat work. I'm new to a blind and am HOOKED! Though an outdoorsman forever, hee hee, EVERY one of your videos has something(s) new for me. 🙂

[@jeremyfranks9587]

Love how you close every video! God bless you too.

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Jeremy Franks thank you👍🏻

[@csf.outdoors7933]

Romance and pageantry, pure bred dogs with pedigrees, its about to be that time of year again! Cause when the wind blows south and the sky turns cold, leaves fall down and it starts to snow, I know a big push of birds is going to be coming! So the brothers and me are going to stand by a tree, blow on our calls, and watch the wings, cupped up like parachutes coming down from the heavens. By 7 o clock we've got a 3 man pile, it been a good morning and the dogs did well, but I'm starting to see that it dont mean nothing. Cause its the time spent with family and friends, learning to work together through the thick in the thin, which really makes this sport I love so special.

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Right on! THAT’S what I’m talking about!

[@mikeholston9263]

Joel I have used all the weights you have talked about including spark plugs. In my younger days I drilled 1/8 hole in RR spoke to keep string from coming off. Good stuff brings back A lot of good memories. I recognized all the old decoys. I’m new to your videos enjoying them all. Keep up the good work.

[@gooseflatwaterfowlers]

I think a lot of hunters do take little things for granted in duck hunting. When I think about hunting it’s the smell of waxed canvas bags cutting of brush and the smell of corn being cut in fields near by. The smell of gunpowder and the smell of ducks that’s what it’s all about. When the chill gets in the air late in October the mood of a hunter changes and it does with dogs especially mine it’s like they know the change in the air means the season is near. During the season it watching ducks circle listening to their wings hearing them call back at you is something that I love watching. That’s why I’m a duck hunter it’s not about taking pictures it’s about the little things and the time spent in the woods.

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Very well said 👍🏻

[@phillipaton658]

This year I’ve bought my first set of decoys and I made my own Texas rigs out of vinyl coated pvc line and egg weights. Instead of taking the easy way and buying pre-made Texas rigs, I wanted to make my own. I agree with the fact that people have seemed to miss the point of duck hunting. Really looking forward to this season. God bless you Joel!

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Thanks! I can hardly wait for the season to get here! Hope it’s great for you.

[@MsMegabuck]

thanks joel for nice video. after 46 years into guiding i an not to old to learn. and yes its fun during the off season to do stuff with our gear and blinds. duck season is fun 365 days a year. nice videos.

[@gunguru7020]

I fall deeper in love with duck hunting every year. Been at it for 35 years and I couldn't shake this bug if I wanted. It is a year long passion and pursuit. I have lost women, jobs, and plenty of money pursuing this passion. All of it worth it!!

[@mikeries8549]

Lost women were needing to be lost. 35 years. Hm that's around 1985 as your first year. You've had some really good ones. This year is already looking like we're going into a colder pattern with more like the calendar migrations before you started hunting. I started in 75.

[@gunguru7020]

@@mikeries8549 1985 is it. My mother and step father married that fall. When they went on their honeymoon I stayed with a family friend who took me duck hunting on opening weekend. I had a single shot 20 ga. and I was given a box of shells. They didn't last long but I did get a pintail hen. I can still see the shot. Took awhile before I got another one!!

[@gunguru7020]

@@mikeries8549 1975! Good for you. Lead and the point system. It sure has been interesting over the years to see the migration changes. I think I love it most that you still don't know why they do the things they do! When you get em figured out pass it on!

[@jordancamp2305]

I agree the romance has been lost by many. I spent last 2weeks fixing and brushing blinds and messing with decoys and love it. I got a spot that I rarely even shoot a single bird when I hunt it, but I simply love the spot. Talk about all the odd stuff used for weights...when I was about 13 and started hunting ducks, their was nobody to show me the way or help me but I loved it and kept trying. I got my 1st 6 decoys at a rummage sale and wanted to hunt a little creek close by but had no weights, only thing I could find was my dads wrench set...so I tied on 6 of his wrenches and rode my bike to the creek. Boy talk about an angry father when I got home. Great video, keep em comin!

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Thanks. Good story too. Thanks for sharing 👍🏻💪🏻👊🏻

[@jonelms6732]

Growing up farming in North Alabama, we used water keel Carry Lite decoys. For the weights we used old cotton picker spindles. Wrap the string around the keel and the spindles would fit very snug inside the keel. It worked great at the time (80's) but when we found the Texas rig that was a game changer!

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Cool story!

[@themississippioutdoorsman3107]

I started making mine last year with 400lbs mono and bought 3-4oz egg sinkers in bulk and have had great success and are extremely cheap!!!

[@jeffreybrooks4061]

I agree in all types of hunting and fishing i make my own crappie jigs from squirrel tails that ive killed. It is so satisfying to know i caught a crappie off a jig i made from a squirrel that i killed. It is therapeutic and satisfying

[@BLASTER-vb5wu]

Thanks for the tips Joel. We always love learning from your tips and tricks!! Keep it up!!🦆🦆🦆

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Thanks brother I appreciate you!!

[@roberttownsend6067]

I always felt getting ready for duck season was part of the game. going to the local hardware store every time I walked in he would say what duck hunting project you got going on.

[@mikeroberts3868]

I brought out some of my late 70's herters, and flambeau just to clean them up and had some of the young guns bust out laughing. I had to remind them that those old relics in their day landed their limits time and again under the point system. Would not trade for the memories. But I sure hope I never have to go back to the old waders. LOL

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Right on! Yeah I agree... including the old waders from "back in the day"!

[@teekay1785]

we also cut tire inner tubes the correct diameter to slightly stretch around keel to hold string on about 1/2 inch wide circle of inner tube.

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Good idea💡

[@pastp3805]

I love working on the gear ! I just got a new shack on a practically private lake so I will be converting to mostly long line for this fall. I just love working with those clips...I grew up hunting lakes so it will bring back memories. The dog will probably have issues but she will figure it out ! I enjoyed looking at your weight collection...I’ve used most of them over the years.

[@pepepepert]

A friend just gifted me a dozen decoys from over 25 years ago. One is very old. I've kept some rigged the old way he had them and some will be setup on a home made decoy spreader. The very old one I will use opening day then I will add a desk mount to it and wrap it up as a gift for him. Most were rigged with old nuts and the wrap around weights.

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Cool stuff and great idea!

[@brandoncorley1514]

I LOVE lifetime rigs!! Especially the DIY kit!!

[@aaronsnatic2446]

Always working on something for duck season or thinking about that next to do before the season. Done with repaints for this season and in middle of constructing jerk rig and repairing an old mojo teal.

[@mattbugg4568]

I have been building a lifetime spread of foam decoys. I also have built cutdowns for me and my hunting partners. The thing that weights on me is the fact that I'm 45 and soon carrying a pile of decoys into the places hear will be tough and my father is getting to be elderly so he won't be able to make the walk soon. So I have been looking for a peice of property that doesn't break the bank or a boat where we can hunt and not have to hike in or keep a permanent spread where we just have to drive out to a blind. But it will probably be ending up joining a club and going once or twice a season, where I usually hunt 2-3 times a week.

[@hankandrews9051]

This is a perspective I haven't thought about. It's really the same thing in many other parts of our lives too- not just hunting. It does seem like we do live in a throw away society. I know I've been guilty of it some myself. Thanks for the thoughts, and I like the twist you made on the texas rig too! Another great video! God bless you.

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Thank you! ‘Twist’ no pun intended huh? lol

[@hankandrews9051]

@@SurvivingDuckSeason haha right!

[@troyseal9877]

Your best video yet.

[@shanefranklin4644]

I also get 400lb mono but I like to use a mushroom style weight. The lip on the mushroom digs in and let's you use a little bit lighter weight that still really anchors well if you have wind or current. One advantage of using a snap swivel to attach to the keel is that you can move the entire rig from one decoy to another with no cutting or dissassembly at all. Not that we would ever have a decoy get shot or anything! 🤔

[@DuckalopeOutdoors]

I made a video on my channel of some concrete anchors too for my V boards due to the tide, wind, and depth. I used an Eye bolt instead of wire for it though. It fits in a tool box for storing them too!!

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Good stuff 👍🏻

[@teekay1785]

Note second paragraph. We melted and poured a lot of the strap weights and made the "spoon lead weights" with the copper wire handles. Still have a lot of the victor decoys which would eventually crack in the cross shaped keel in ice. I also have about a dozen of those basically worthless sand filled g and h plastic weights you showed. I never bought any but to promote them they sent one or 2 with each dozen of the super magnum decoys when they first came out. Unless you put lead shot in them they just dont anchor well but they do conveniently slide on the keel. I didn't like they concrete weights though easy to make in the styrofoam cups they took up too much room and messed up decoy paint if wrapped around decoy and if loose next to decoy in bag got the strings tangled. The X pieces of metal or wood to separate decoys and trot line type rigs connecting them We had one hole where I put stakes in ground like rebar or the twist in dog stakes and ran rope on ground between them in criss cross pattern then attached small pulleys to decoys and ran a line with swivel on end through the pulleys and clipped weight on. We made line so that when water at lowest level the weight would barely touch bottom and when water came up to general highest about 3 frrt the weight was still about a foot from decoy. This keeps the decoy from having a lot of slack line to blow into other decoys and get tangled up . It also made it possible to pack the decoys closer together. I really liked this arrangement and you really dont need a pulley if u use the vinyl coated stainless leader like I do now and a stainless key ring through the decoy hole. Its still a lot of trouble but worth it in my situations . You could even do it in a field and put in and remove each year with a bunch of rolls of string or rope etc. or just mark parallel rows of anchors and leave a foot wide undisturbed land along each row.

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

That’s good stuff right there! Yeah Johnny does the concrete weights on the decoys he leaves out all season. Makes it a little more understandable. We don’t leave dekes out, but he swears that the specks he has don’t care because it’s always new birds moving through.

[@woodduck635]

I like the "Strickland Loop"!!! But for guys who already have their Texas rigs set up, some shrink tubing over the crimps might save some fingers. ???

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

good thought!

[@johnemrey9877]

We use railroad spikes for our 800 decoys. 18 oz hold our handmade poly ethylene decoys at Reelfoot lake since we leave them out all season

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

That's cool! 800 is a BUNCH! How many spots do you have them in?

[@SuperBoomer95]

I used to just use decoy string, and strip weights, but just bought a bunch of used decoys strung the same way as you showed. Not I have all my decoys like that. But I bought big mono line and copper/nickle crimps from Amazon for fairly cheep. And run threw the decoys

[@teekay1785]

I need a workout. Lets go make some TEXAS RIGS LOL!! I like the way you do the weave to keep circle to throw out with.

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

LOL

[@kylebuzzard9920]

Awesome video, i literally just bought the DIY rig, and am building my own this year, the way I want them!

[@migipv628]

Whats the link for the diy kit? Or website

[@kylebuzzard9920]

Migi pv lifetime decoy rigs. I wanna do J weights since I use slotted bags. So I have that and some GHG 4oz weights with bungees.

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Migi pv link in the video description.

[@gunguru7020]

I have hunted over the Southern Flyways Decoy rafts. I own 6 and have tried about every condition and have situated them in most configurations. Fast to set up,, tear down and move. I gave them 3 seasons. I have moved on and would be hesitant to recommend them for big water divers and definitely not a fan on shallow water puddle ducks. I believe the problem is the black fabric square is visible and flares them. However, I am one guy and I am sure that folks are crushing em with em.

[@mikeries8549]

Ducks have gotten so wary that what's flaring them is a black hole. They look down and see us in a blind that's worked well for decades. Gradually I've had to add more and more camoflage. It used to be where my old school camo boat blind made of gore text from the late-70s was the shit. Now? Laughable. I'm tying dyed raffia on all over it to where it looks like a big clump of buck brush. The only weakness now is the shooting hole I left. I'm thinking I will "guilly suit" my hat and drake pullover to fill up the hole. I'm serious. All it takes is them looking down into an empty hole and bye bye. Camo has gotten crazy good so use it.

[@gunguru7020]

@@mikeries8549I believe in camo and put in the work. I wish I could post pics of my boat for you to see. Fixed blind. Caged around and over the outboard. Solid raffia hangs over the boat and into the water. Can't see through it. Layered with a palmetto palms front to back. Bamboo on top of that zip tied together over the top to close it up. I redo the palms 2-3 times a year and the bamboo every weekend. Thats what it takes for me to kill wary, seasoned and stale ducks all year in GA.

[@rogerjohnson4785]

When you're on a tight budget weedeater string will work

[@TAFSdefenseaccount69]

If there isn’t a “You know what I’m talkin’ about.” Shirt by the end of the season I will be upset.

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Haha! Good idea!

[@DrakeMiester]

It's been a throw away age for far to long. I never pay any attention to instagram hunting,way to commercial for my tastes . I still use window weights for my goose floater decoys. I still run them 30 year old G&H decoys,it it ain't broke. Them G&H anchors were a good idea,never caught on I guess. The Texas rig is so much netter than wrapping lines up,just grab and drop in the slotted decoy bag !

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Yeah the g & h weights were good in theory. Not necessarily in practice.

[@samschetter3847]

I have those g&h decoy weights and some Victor's decoys !!

[@joshuaneuroth9488]

Great video. Inspired me to get off amazon and stop shopping. I got some old wire and old weights. Time to get to work.

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Go for it!

[@johnbarton3292]

Great info, keep it up!!!👍👍👍

[@cfoutdoors243]

Great vid Joel. With social media it seems to be all about the piles of birds anymore. I know there are still some out there that carve their own decoys. I'm one that likes to repaint mine when they start looking a bit ragged. I still have passion for the hunt and love to watch birds drop into the dekes with feet down. I wonder how visible the blue cable would be to birds from up above.. might be a good idea for a vid on how visible the decoy line is to birds in different water clarity, maybe some drone footage from above. Always like the content of your vids and always find something helpful in them.

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

It's an interesting question: blue cable being seen. Lots of guys use it. I suppose the real question is does it bother the birds. I'll be using them in my spread this year. I'll give my thoughts about it.

[@toddlarson883]

Great stuff works great when your buddies shoot your decoys

[@willieb1514]

Hey man i wanted to ask your opinion on wearing sunglasses while duck and goose hunting? People make a big fuss about concealment but then they have big reflective sunglasses on peeping through their blind at the birds and i just can't imagine that they don't see it.

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Willie B yeah I know what you mean. I don’t wear sunglasses when I hunt. As long as they keep their head down while the ducks are working, I don’t mind.

[@ethanmathias7974]

Hey Joel, What do you do outside of Cypress Crossing in Arkansas to help better the future for duck hunting? Always curious to hear what others do to make hunting better for the years to come.

[@RetrieverTrainingAlone]

"Pile pic on instagram" I share your feeling...I rarely post photos of dead ducks but instead share with friends on Facebook the journey...the boat ride in, fun at duck camp, sunrise/sunset, grilled duck over alder coals, live moose/beaver/otter photos, etc. For texas rigs, I like weed-wacker for line as it is very large diameter/stiff monofiliment and also inexpensive, loop and turle knots instead of crimping...straightens out easily with one pass under a rubber boot. For rigging deeper water (6 foot), I use long-lines with fishing lead core line. It is easier to pickup with a boat...just grab one line and in comes 6 dekes at a time. I use slotted bags with my long lines for quick setting out with the boat.

[@crowman5936]

Put shrink fit tubing on the cable before you crimp then pull it over the crimp to heat and shrink it then no ripped up hands throwing it.

[@jonclark9757]

Well, did you get a “Flyways” book yet, or did you wanna wait til after this season to have a discussion? Love to hear your thoughts on the Quota Zone back in the day (since you are one for past history in waterfowling). Teal season, September resident Canadas.....alot happening in Arkansas this month. Let me know when you wanna catch up where we left off.

[@crowman5936]

Getting gear out and repairing and putting everything in order is Duck Hunting Foreplay.

[@FirePirate099]

I’m guilty of the railroad spike weight as well. 👍😂

[@huntswithabowoutdoors4618]

Ive used a door hinge before lol

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Door hinge 😂

[@johnemrey9877]

Use the railroad plates in open water in the mud. Like wrestling alligators pulling them in

[@JuniorB.KC41]

You should melt down all the old lead weights u have and u can get u a mold and make your own Mushroom and Tear drop weights for Q-rigs. Save ya some money too.

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Fresh Flights yeah I should do that!

[@oldtowboater]

That's what we do

[@StumpfForFreedom]

I'm hand stitching old pants into a blind to go on the front of my paddleboard, so that I can take it down the river I grew up playing in as a child and do a float hunt. How's that for romance?

[@user-gh7jc4wd5w]

Do a what’s in your blind bag

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Check this video out. I show what gear is in my blind bag. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnTNeWmLmMuhmJY

[@reidriflemaintanence8452]

I’m on my second season of waterfowl hunting. When I first heard how much money some guys had sunk into decoys and gear it made me sick. Just like fishing, the hunting industry is so saturated with “must have” gear, and price seems to be associated with effectiveness. I can’t imagine our great grandfathers spending thousands of dollars to shoot birds, and I reckon they depended on the meat a lot more than we do. If the romance is lost it’s because they’re was money to be made. If the romance is going to be restored, I think it’s gonna be by cheap fuckers, running old guns and diy gear

[@undeadnproud1651]

Speaking of interesting anchors for decoys, the wildest thing I've ever seen anyone use was a rusted up pair of pliers that was haphazardly tied on a nylon string to a faded mallard decoy

[@samschetter3847]

I just punt my decoys out

[@adrianlouviere7650]

Ducks Ducks DUCKS That's what my wife says I think about. If she wants my attention she says she has to quack like a duck. She knows me pretty well, cus we have been married over 47 years. The night I asked her to marry me I had the condition that I would continue to duck hunt. Now 72 I don't get to do it like I once did but I still think of it all the time. Here I am looking at Videos about ducks. I can't help it. Now if I can only find some ducks this hunting season. They don't come to Louisiana anymore. That HURTS! I guess I will start carving some wood decoys. HELP ME, LORD!

[@SurvivingDuckSeason]

Yeah, once it’s in your blood, it’s there! It’s so sad that the ducks have changed so much and don’t get all the way down the flyaway like they used to.

[@JoshuaWilcox-c3c]

This is why Americans are in 1.142 trillion in credit card debt

[@jackjones7504]

Mallard Beat Down - Teal Smack down - 6 Limit session - All titles of Duck hunting Videos on Y T - The Romance of Duck Hunting was Lost a long time ago - dont start me on all the High five ing and hotting and hollering in the blinds , the Shouting and roaring at Lunatic dogs breaking . Way to many 5 Minute experts on here Oh and dont mention the Beards ! . You are the only sane duck hunter on Y T , so yes Joel the Romance is dead - Now where did I park my Monster truck , Mud Buddy thing that drives my Dawg and me over my new ponds , while I shoot Pigeons oh tame pigeons Backwards through the Rear window with my Quadruple barreled 410 while dragging my magnets tied to my peanuts , phew that was nearly as exhausting as hearing him say it , no cough etiquette there either .

[@lousassle9655]

The new generation has ruined it for me. I used to eat,sleep and drink duck hunting, but the ENTITLED generation has ruined what was once a great sport. I find piles of birds in ditches, trash in fields and around ponds just a general lack of respect!!!!