These sleek and majestic birds are one of the most beautiful in the sky. Their long, chocolate-colored heads and necks, together with their trademark "pintail" feathers, make this bird a prize possession on any California waterfowler's duck strap. Just like the mallards in flooded timber and surf scoters on the coast, the hunters chasing the weary pintail also have specialized methods they practice to increase their chances at harvesting these most prized ducks.

As in most successful waterfowl hunting, "location, location, location," is, of course, one rather important factor. While pintail may be found in most flyways, (at least in some concentrations anyway) the Pacific flyway is a hunter's best bet in bagging this duck. Waterfowlers in California kill more pintail than any other state in the nation. In the 1996-1997 season at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge alone, hunters bagged over 2,000 Sprig. (That number was even higher in the 1997-1998 season.)

Why are California hunters so successful in harvesting this bird? As mentioned, location certainly plays a key role. Habitat is also a critical component. Many of the pintail killed in California each year are shot on flooded rice fields or on flat, open National Wildlife Refuge ponds. Wide-open water (or "big water") on National Wildlife Refuges such as Sacramento, Delevan, and Grizzly Island, result in the presence of consistently high numbers of pintail. In some cases, hunters end their hunts with limits of pintail, failing to kill any other species of waterfowl.

Of course, proper decoys selection and placement, calling, weather and a little luck, are also factors.

Decoy Selection

I find that pintail, especially in larger flocks, can be rather picky birds. They will circle decoy spreads numerous times, craning their long necks looking for the slightest sign that some minor detail isn't quite correct. Decoy selection is critical in this situation. Placing northern shoveler decoys and wigeon decoys together with mallard and sprig decoys creates the illusion of birds loafing, intermingled, in the refuge closed zone. Artificial looking decoy spreads such as mallards (exclusively) or woodducks are generally not desirable. The key here seems to be that one should be creative and flexible. Don't be afraid to add or remove decoys if your spread doesn't seem to be fooling the ducks. In addition to decoy selection, having as many pintail decoys as possible is likewise helpful. It seems that since pintails like open water, larger decoy spreads are called for if one is seeking to attract as many Sprig as possible.

Calling Pintail

In my opinion, heavily hunted pintail steer clear of typical refuge calling. That is, Sprig tend to shy away from hunters wailing on cheap mallard calls. Instead of battling with the crowds, try softer whistles on a whistle call such as a "Wingsetter." Combining pintail calling with wigeon cadences and soft hen sprig quacks on a mallard call can be a deadly combination while in the field. The most important aspect of calling pintail is to remain realistic. Take a trip through the nearest closed-hunting zone and listen carefully as the birds interact. Soon you will begin to understand how the pintail react with the different birds, both on the water and while on wing. Again, flexibility is key. If the pintail are not responding to what you are offering, try something different. I have even attracted flocks on pintail with diver like trills on mallard calls!

Weather

Weather is another matter which stands out as an important factor in terms of when one should and can hunt pintail. In California's Central Valley, when the north wind is blowing, a "high" pressure zone will normally be the result. These high pressure- generated north winds will usually bring clear "bluebird" skies. Unlike most duck hunting, this is a perfect time to hunt pintail. While most ducks will be sitting down in such weather, pintail customarily take this opportunity (a nice afternoon northwind) as the perfect time for a flight about the country. Consequently, when nothing else will be flying, a sunny and breezy California Fall afternoon is a great time to hunt pintail.

Additional Tips

There are a few more tricks you can use to increase your chances of taking limits of Sprig. Because of their skittish nature, one should be properly camouflaged, have a well-brushed blind, and keep physical movement to an absolute minimum. Pintail will flare from the decoys if even one aspect of the presentation is awry. Indeed, minor matters such as poorly hidden decoy bags can result in pintails flaring from the blind, which otherwise could have been decoyed into shooting position.

While the above-mentioned tips may seem simplistic, they are often overlooked by California hunters. If you are planning a California hunt this upcoming season, stay tuned for my next article which will offer some helpful advice to "freelance" out-of-state hunters.