Hunting for Greenheads in Timber Holes

Hunting Greenheads in Timber Holes

Hunting mallard greenheads in flooded timber is one of the most thrilling experiences in waterfowl hunting. Tight quarters, echoing calls, and cupped wings dropping through the trees create a challenge unlike open-water or field hunts. Timber hunting rewards precision—your hide, calling, and decoy spread must work together in a small space. Whether you’re hunting public timber or booking a guided Arkansas-style timber hunt through Find A Hunt, this guide breaks down the systems serious hunters use to finish greenheads in the hole.

Understanding Mallard Behavior in Timber

Why Mallards Love Timber

• Protection: Overhead canopy breaks wind and pressure.

• Food: Acorns, invertebrates, and vegetation provide rich forage.

• Security: Tight cover gives migrating birds a place to loaf and rest.

Daily Movement Patterns

• Mallards often feed at night or in surrounding fields

• They return to timber holes at first light

• Late morning movement spikes occur on high-pressure days

Setting Up in Timber: Picking the Right Hole

What Makes a Good Timber Hole

• Open pocket in the canopy: Birds need space to drop vertically

• Shallow water: Typically ankle- to knee-deep

• Surrounding cover: Trees and brush to hide hunters

• Fresh sign: Feathers, tracks, and water movement

Scouting Tips

• Listen for mallards “dripping” into timber at dawn

• Look for fresh acorn drop zones

• Note flight lanes where birds consistently pass overhead

Decoy Strategies for Timber Holes

Timber spreads are less about numbers and more about realism and placement.

Small, Tight Spreads

• 6–18 decoys is plenty in most timber holes

• Keep decoys close together to mimic a relaxed loafing group

• Place decoys slightly off-center, leaving a clear landing pocket

Motion Is Critical

Mallards look for movement, especially in dark, shaded timber.

Effective motion options:

• Jerk cords (best in tight timber)

• Spinning-wing decoys (use sparingly—birds can flare in close cover)

• Ripple or agitator devices in deeper sloughs

Use motion cautiously; in pressured timber, subtle movement beats aggressive flashing.

Floating vs. Standers

• Floaters: Best for typical timber water depth

• Standers or sleepers: Add realism on logs and submerged wood

Calling Greenheads in the Timber

Calling matters more in timber than almost anywhere else—sound carries, echoes, and influences how birds center the hole.

Core Timber Calling Tactics

• Greeting call: Loud, strong hail to grab distant birds

• Comeback call: Fast, excited sequence when birds swing wide

• Feed chatter: Soft, rhythmic clucks once they work the hole

• Confident hen cadence: Short, sharp notes that pull ducks vertically

Call Volume

• Start loud, then soften as birds work in tight

• Use echoing to your advantage—sound will bounce, so finesse matters

Reading Birds

• Climbing? Add comeback calls.

• Locking wings? Ease off and let them finish.

• Sliding off downwind? Hit stronger rhythms to turn them.

Hiding and Concealment in the Timber

Mallards in timber scrutinize movement more than color.

Concealment Tips

• Use the tree itself—hug trunks or stand in the shadow line

• Brush your blind with natural debris (oak branches, vines, leaves)

• Keep faces covered and hands still

• Stand low and behind trees instead of in front of them

Layout vs. Stand-up Blinds

• Most timber hunters use stand-up hides against natural cover

• In permanent timber holes, brushed blinds help control movement and gear storage

Shooting in Timber

Key Shooting Rules

• Wait for birds in the hole, not overhead in the canopy

• Call the shot only when wings are set and feet are down

• Watch for birds descending vertically—timber shots are often close and steep

Load and Choke Selection

• Shot: #3, #4, or #2 steel

• Choke: Improved Cylinder or Light Modified

• Range: 10–30 yards is typical

Weather and Timing for Greenheads in the Timber

Best Conditions

• Cold fronts bringing fresh migrators

• Light winds that keep birds down in the trees

• Overcast mornings for comfortable bird movement

• Post-rain conditions that flood low timber

Worst Conditions

• Bluebird days with shifting winds

• High hunting pressure without new ducks moving in

Gear for Timber Duck Hunting

Must-Have Items

• Chest waders (durable, insulated for cold mornings)

• Gloves with grip for wet bark

• Waterproof bag for shells and calls

• Headlamp with red or green mode

• Jerk string and reel

• Dog stand or platform

Optional but Useful

• Stabilizing staff or wading pole

• Shell catcher or belt for quick reloads

• Timber lanyard for multiple calls

Why Book a Timber Hunt Through Find A Hunt

Greenhead timber hunting is a tradition in places like Arkansas, Mississippi, and parts of the Midwest—but timing, water levels, and access are everything. Booking through a trusted marketplace gives you:

• Vetted outfitters with productive private timber

• Local knowledge of water levels, roosts, and acorn crops

• Professional calling and decoy setups already dialed in

• Safe hides, dog stands, and transportation to remote timber

• Clear expectations and success records

Find a spot with a guide who knows the timber and focus on the hunt—not the logistics.

FAQ: Greenhead Duck Hunting in Timber

How many decoys do I need for timber hunting?
Usually 6–18. Timber hunting is about realism and sound, not giant spreads.

Do spinning-wing decoys work in timber?
Sometimes—use sparingly. Birds can flare in tight cover.

What’s the best time of morning?
Right at shooting light and again mid-morning when ducks return to loaf.

Do I need a dog for timber hunting?
It’s highly recommended—recovering birds in thick timber can be tough.

What’s the best call for timber mallards?
A loud, crisp single-reed or hybrid call with good low-end control.

If you'd like, I can tailor this to Arkansas, Mississippi, or a specific outfitter—just share the details.