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Most waterfowlers around the country wake hours before the sun comes up, trek out to their favorite spots, throw out a spread of decoys and sit tight for the feeders to come swooping in.

Others, the most intrepid and daring among them, prefer jump shooting. By and large, jump shooting is the purview of shore-bound duck hunters without the companionship of a dog, but you know what? A kayak can change that dynamic.

That kayak is the NuCanoe Frontier 12. Here’s why it makes a great jump-shooting rig, along with some pointers for success.

Why the NuCanoe Frontier 12 Is Unrivaled for Jump-Shooting

Unlike many other modern kayaks, the NuCanoe Frontier 12 does not incorporate a pedal-drive as a part of the design. That means you have tons of room on the deck in front of the cockpit for gear.

It also means that, should you choose it, you could use it to transport a bag of decoys and hunt the traditional way. But that’s a topic for another time.

The lack of a pedal drive also means you can get into the shallowest water and holes imaginable, which you’ll need to do if you jump-shoot ducks.

The Frontier 12 is exceptionally stable, which means you can stand and shoot if you have good balance - though there’s nothing wrong with sitting.

The colorways of the Frontier 12 are also a boon for waterfowl hunters, as they are cryptic and lend themselves to camouflage, something you’ll need for the impossibly acute vision of ducks and geese.

So, the NuCanoe Frontier 12 is peerless when it comes to a float-hunting, jump-shooting rig. What about some pointers for success?

Sleep In

One important note for float hunters and jump shooters - you won’t be decoying ducks, so you don’t need to get up hours before the rest of the world.

When you set out decoys, you’re targeting ducks that are moving from their roosting areas to feed. Later in the day, you’ll be going after ducks that have already eaten and are loafing around before they return to the roost.

So you can get up later in the morning, even hunt the early afternoon. Both can be productive when you’re not trying to target ducks with decoys.

Cover Up for Success

While you don’t need to get up uber early, concealment is still critical to success when hunting waterfowl. Their vision is impossibly sharp; in fact, ducks have tetrachromatic vision, which allows them to see the three main colors that humans can see, plus a fourth wavelength, ultraviolet light.

Without adequate camouflage and other cover, sneaking up on ducks is impossible. That doesn’t just mean your pants, jacket, face paint, and gun wrap, but your boat.

Granted, the NuCanoe Frontier 12 has some camo-esque colorways that will help keep you hidden, but the best way to go invisible is literally to hide in plain sight with what’s around you.

Cut some of the reeds growing along the bank and drape them over your boat; use some grasses from the shoreline or tree branches overhanging the water. If you’re in a southern swamp and there’s a lot of Spanish moss, drape some of that over your boat. You get the picture.

Whatever you need to do to keep cryptic. 

Tracking Ducks on Moving Water 

Jump hunting ducks on ponds is difficult because it can be hard to sneak up on them from the water. On creeks, rivers, and other watercourses, however, that dynamic can change.

When you’re jump-shooting ducks on a river, you can glass them from far off and try to move closer, but the natural thing to do is to let the current bring you around bends; have your gun ready so that if any ducks flush, you’ll be ready for them.

If you happen to be targeting water that is not moving, keep close to shore so as to conceal your movements. Be as methodical and slow as possible as any movement can easily give you away. Let any present current (or wind) get you closer to the ducks. And, as stated earlier, use natural concealment to help camouflage you and your NuCanoe Frontier 12.

Other Tips

Always keep your paddle on a leash so in case you lose it overboard you won’t be up a creek without - well you know.

Also, bring along a packable fishing rod with a floating plug and treble hooks. This will help you retrieve any ducks in tight spots that you can’t easily paddle over to.

Lastly, keep a few decoys in your pack - the extra room at the front of the Frontier 12 is great for this. Mallard decoys are great because many species respond to them. If you flush a bunch of ducks but don’t get a shot, throw out the decoys and shack up along the shore. The ducks may come back and give you a second chance.

Gear Up with a NuCanoe Frontier 12 Here Today

Ready to try your hand at jump-shooting from a NuCanoe Frontier 12 this fall and winter? Get your new rig here and if you have questions about vessel specifications or anything of that nature, get in touch with us at 512-229-0560 and we’ll help in any way we can.