32 Nebraskaland • August-September 2020
off bugs in early September can be an experience killer
for the young hunter. One thing I certainly recommend
before the hunt is to practice shooting clay targets to
prepare yourself for the quick, darting birds.
Low Budget Hunting
Let's face it. Teal, particularly blue-winged teal, aren't
smart. They are the non-conformist of the waterfowl
world, breaking most rules that apply to most species
of ducks. Gear yourself with a spinning motion decoy,
a half dozen decoys (hen mallards will do), and you'll
be in business. There are teal calls available, but quite
frankly, you won't need them. And if you do use them,
use them sparingly when birds are moving away or on the
corners.
No fancy blind is needed either. A bucket surrounded
by some grass or cattails is all you need for concealment.
If they want in bad enough, you can do a lot of things
wrong and still not screw it up. Don't forget to bring your
retriever here. These small birds are hard to fi nd in grassy
areas.
