Ohio River Duck Hunting Guide
The Ohio River is a 981-mile-long river in the United States, which serves as a natural border between Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois. But that’s not everything the Ohio River is known for. Due to its length and vast habitats, it’s also one of the most popular rivers for duck hunters in America.
This guide is a suitable read for any duck hunter who is looking at hitting the ground running on any part of the Ohio River. It’ll go into more detail on the river, the species that inhabit it, as well as some invaluable tips and tricks that are guaranteed to positively impact the hunting experience of hunters who are yet to hunt in this part of the country.
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An Overview of the Waterfowl Species on the Ohio River
Wildlife agencies that work within the parameters of the Ohio River claim that there are dozens of different species of waterfowl that inhabit it. And that comes as no surprise, considering the sheer size of the river. Although the species of waterfowl hunters are likely to come across will vary based on location and the time of year, the most common species include:
Mallards
Teals (Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal)
Wood Ducks
Diving Ducks (Canvasback, Redhead)
Geese
Swan
The variety of waterfowl available to hunt is exciting, but remember - hunters should always come prepared and stay flexible as each of those species has its own intricacies, patterns, and behaviors.
Tips & Tricks For Hunting Ducks on the Ohio River
Duck hunting the Ohio River comes with its own set of opportunities and challenges that hunters need to overcome. To improve the chances of having a successful hunt, take the following tips and tricks into consideration before embarking on a river duck hunting journey on the Ohio River.
Spend Time Finding the Birds
Local hunters advise against setting up camp just about anywhere. And although there are tens of thousands of waterfowl along the river during the peak of the season, spending time finding the birds first is highly recommended.
Doing some scouting prior to setting up camp will allow hunters to obtain basic insight into the patterns and behaviors of the waterfowl in the area, which will help them with choosing the best location for setting up their camp.
Use Decoys and Spread Them Wide
Ducks and waterfowl in general are social beings. Experienced duck hunters on the Ohio River claim that waterfowl are far more likely to be attracted to a certain area if there is already a significant presence of their own kind.
And while hunters can’t use real waterfowl as bait - they can and should make use of decoys that mimic their target. What’s more is that the decoys need to be spread wide, as that will create a more realistic and enticing area to land for actual waterfowl.
Bonus Tip: Learn About the Local Rules & Regulations
When it comes to duck hunting, be it on the Ohio River or another area of the United States, making sure that you are all in the clear with the law is crucial. Staying within the parameters of the law will not only make for a more enjoyable duck hunting experience, but morally and ethically speaking, it’ll also allow the average hunter to enjoy the sport a whole lot more.
Hunting on the Ohio River is administered by the state Departments of Natural Resources (DNR) for Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. For specific regulations, please refer to the hunting sections of the DNR offices for Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
It’s important to note that these regulations apply broadly, and any specific regulations pertaining to island properties within the river will follow the respective state's DNR guidelines.
Conclusion
Hopefully, after reading this guide on duck hunting the Ohio River, you now have a little more insight as to what you can expect and the steps needed to have a successful hunting session.
And remember, although becoming a better waterfowl hunter on the Ohio River does come with practice, conducting research and obtaining the right information is also a crucial step that most hunters tend to overlook.
