Why Timber Holes Are So Effective for Mallards
Mallards love timber holes because they offer:
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Security from predators and hunters
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Shallow, calm water for easy landing and feeding
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Natural overhead cover with open pockets of sky
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Soft lighting that reduces glare and increases confidence
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Thermal blocking and wind breaks inside timber
A properly chosen and set-up hole creates a perfect “landing trap” for mallards.
Finding Productive Timber Holes
1. Look for Openings in the Canopy
Mallards need a patch of sky to drop through. Ideal holes are:
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15–40 yards wide
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Surrounded by standing timber
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Free of overhead limbs that can spook birds
Bigger holes can work, but small, tight openings often produce the most intimate, in-your-face decoying.
2. Prioritize Food Sources
Even in timber, mallards follow food. Look for:
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Acorns
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Seeds and plant debris
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Natural invertebrates
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Flooded hardwoods with fresh water
The best holes often sit near natural food, loafing areas, or roost-adjacent flyways.
3. Use Water Depth to Your Advantage
Shallow water (6–18 inches) is ideal. Ducks feed, swim, and loaf comfortably here—and land with confidence.
4. Scout for Duck Traffic
Spend an early morning watching:
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Direction of incoming birds
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How birds approach the hole
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What height they travel
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Whether they circle or finish immediately
This scouting determines decoy placement and calling strategy.
Setting Up in a Timber Hole
Use Natural Cover
Blend in with:
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Tree trunks
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Shadows
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Cattail or brush pockets (if available)
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Dark, non-reflective camo
Movement will bust birds faster than anything in timber—use a tree as a natural backdrop to hide your silhouette.
Keep Gear Low and Out of Sight
Store bags, shells, and extra decoys:
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Behind trees
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Submerged on a platform
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In low-profile dry bags
Shiny or bulky gear ruins tight-cover hunts.
Decoy Strategies for Timber Holes
1. Use Fewer Decoys
In timber, a small spread often outperforms a big one. Try:
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6–12 decoys
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Mostly mallards
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A few motion decoys (but sparingly)
The goal is realism—not volume.
2. Create a Landing Pocket
Leave an open hole 10–20 yards in front of the hunters.
Mallards prefer:
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Clean landing pockets
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Defined water space
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Obvious “safe zones”
Think of decoys as guiding lines, not just random floats.
3. Use Motion Sparingly
In tight timber:
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Jerk cords shine
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Pulsators help create subtle ripples
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Spinners should be used cautiously—turn them off as birds finish
Late-season ducks especially dislike flashing wings below the canopy.
Calling Techniques for Timber Mallards
Start Soft, Build Slowly
Timber amplifies sound. Start with:
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Soft clucks
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Feed chatter
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Subtle greeting calls
Only escalate if ducks show interest.
Read the Birds
Adjust based on behavior:
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Locking up? Go quiet.
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Circling high? Use comeback calls.
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Dropping but hesitant? Soft feeding chatter seals the deal.
Calling in timber is about rhythm, not volume.
Work in Unison
If hunting in a group, designate one caller. Over-calling ruins timber hunts quickly.
Positioning for Success
Spread Out Around the Hole
Hunters should:
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Stand behind trees
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Create a semi-circle around the landing zone
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Keep faces covered
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Stay still until birds commit
Smashed together groups look unnatural to incoming ducks.
Control Shooting Lanes
Assign safe arcs of fire to prevent cross-shooting birds dropping straight down.
Weather & Seasonal Tips
Calm Days
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Ducks drop straight in
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Keep motion subtle
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Minimal calling
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Brush in heavily
Windy Days
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Birds enter from predictable angles
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Add slightly more decoy motion
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Expect birds to skim treetops before dropping in
Late Season
Ducks get wary—adjust by:
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Reducing decoys
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Using all-natural brushing
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Staying extra still
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Calling very lightly
Safety in Timber Hunts
Flooded timber poses risks:
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Submerged logs
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Deep pockets
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Slick bark
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Low limbs
Move slowly, keep guns pointed down, and always identify birds clearly in dark timber.
Why Many Hunters Book Timber Hunts With Outfitters
Waterfowl outfitters specializing in timber offer:
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Access to prime, private flooded woods
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Pre-brushed holes and proven setups
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Expert calling cadence for pressured birds
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Safe wading routes and shooting lanes
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Well-trained retrievers for deep timber recoveries
If timber hunting is new to you—or you want a world-class greenhead experience—compare guided hunts through our hunt marketplace.
FAQs About Hunting Mallards in Timber Holes
How big should a timber hole be?
Ideally 15–40 yards wide—big enough for ducks to land but tight enough to feel natural.
How many decoys do I need?
Often 6–12 is plenty. Realism beats volume in timber.
Should I use a spinner?
Use cautiously. Many hunters run spinners early and turn them off when ducks commit.
What’s the best calling style?
Soft, rhythmic, and reactive—timber calling is about finesse.
What’s the ideal water depth?
6–18 inches provides perfect feeding and loafing conditions.
Hunting greenheads in timber holes offers some of the closest, most electric waterfowl shooting imaginable. With the right setup, smart calling, and natural concealment, you can consistently finish mallards at spitting distance. When you’re ready to plan a high-quality timber hunt, explore trusted outfitters and book through Find A Hunt.
