FAQ's

Question: Why don't more waterfowlers duck hunt using this method?

Answer: Usually, because it's alot of work and involves much patience. There are just too many other easier ways to go about shooting ducks that will yield must faster results. A novice to this sport, like myself, can expect to have more unsuccessful sculls than succussful. I feel it safe to say that even very experienced scullers would consider it a good day if they had results from slightly over half of their sculling attempts. Or perhaps waterfowlers prefer hunting in the timber, on the banks or perhaps do not have the stamina that sculling demands.

Question: Do you have to own a sculling boat to scull hunt waterfowl?

Answer: Typically, the answer would be "yes" if you plan on using a through-the-stern type of method. However, I have seen hunters use kayaks, canoes and other small crafts and scull them with a small oar about the size of a ping-pong paddle. They will usually go over a side or the transome of the boat with one arm and approach the birds at a slight angle in order to conceal their arm movement from the birds. Others that I have seen will use some sort of screening device with a hole or slot to see through. Many times this screen doubles as a sort of sail that will catch the wind and makes the effort that much more easier. At the last moment this screen folds down and gives the hunter(s) a shot(s).

Question: Is it legal to use a small gas or electric motor on your scull boat to get you to your hunting area, then take off this motor and start hunting?

Answer: I know in the state of Alabama it is legal to do this as long as when you actually start to hunt that your motor is not running and all forward progress has ceased. It's probably a good idea, once you arrived at the area that you will be hunting, to remove this motor from your boat and store it under the deck or perhaps place it on the shore somewhere. Check your local state laws.

Question: Where can I buy a scull boat or a kit or plans to make one?

Answer: Go to the "Scull Boat Specs." section of this web site.

Question: Which scull boat will be my best choice?

Answer: Try to answer a few questions like: Are you going to be hunting by yourself or with another person? Most scull boats are available in one-man and two-man models. Are you going to be hunting protected waters or open, unprotected bodies of water or a mixture of both? Consider this along the seaworthy factor of the boat that you're thinking about buying/building. For example, Humboltds are more of a protected water boat due to their very low profile as compared to the larger more stable Merrymeeting types (Brant II, Sculldugery II) which are more roomier and able to take rougher water and be more compatible for a larger person(s)

Question: What's the best way to learn how to scull?

Answer: Go to the "How To Scull" section of this web site and practice, practice.

Question: Is it a good idea to use multiple scull boats to work the same birds?

Answer: Yes, if the guy in the other sculler is your buddy. You could then work the birds quicker, and possibly have more success by "pushing" the birds from different directions or toward one another.

Question: What is the best advice for someone wanting to learn this style of waterfowling?

Answer: To be patient. I've heard it said by very knowledgeable people that if 100 people decided to start scull hunting, that after a short period of time 80 of them would give it up, 10 would be "part-timers" that have added another deminsion to there waterfowling arsenal and the remaining 10 would go on to become "hard-core" scullers that anxiously await for the next time that they will be able to do it all over again.


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