10 Nebraskaland • January-February 2025
IN THE FIELD
A drake mallard, or greenhead, in Clay County. JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
When most sane duck hunters have given it up for the
season, I'm trying to figure out a way to get one more
chance at late-season mallards. It can be feast or famine, but
for me, fooling just one group is worth the effort.
Trying to find and harvest mallards in late January brings
an extra set of challenges. By this point, they've seen it all.
Decoys, calling and motion decoys aren't nearly as effective,
and unless you get harsh weather, field hunting can be
tough as nocturnal feeding has become the norm.
If you can find water and you've got time to scout, you
can find greenheads. Here are a few tips once you've found
loafing birds.
Pair Them Up
By early January, most mallards are looking to find a
partner. With ducks often traveling in pairs, the most
seasoned duck hunter has no chance at fooling them.
Decoy set-ups need to be different and adjusted frequently.
Setting paired mallards outside the spread can be effective,
especially when you're around a large number of ducks.
Keep your calling to a minimum, and unlike earlier in the
year when you work on hens, focus on single drakes. The
drake "hum," or soft hen quacks, especially early in the day,
can be highly effective as they search for a mate.
Winds of Change
In early November, a brisk northwest wind gets every
duck hunter fired up. Mid- to late-January is completely
different. Already at their wintering grounds, ducks are
anxious to get back to their breeding territory. A couple of
days with warm temps followed by a south wind can get
birds moving north. These birds can be hungry and anxious
to find a place to loaf and drink.
Find Water and Find Birds
Quick warm ups can cause bodies of water to open
back up, especially if you're hunting big water or river
systems. Look for points and coves that are exposed
to wind. Even a small open hole can provide some
great gunning.
One word of caution here: If you're using a dog, make
certain they have enough room to retrieve without walking
on thin ice. Having your dog walk on thin ice with current or
deep water underneath is a recipe for disaster.
By Todd Mills
NEW YEAR GREEN
