For decades deer hunters have manipulated forests and fields to enhance the habitat. Under those conditions, mallards predictably seek out forested wetland habitat to gain a thermal advantage, or put more simply, they seek out a windbreak just as any of us would do given a choice between freezing in a penetrating, cold winter wind, or slipping behind a row of trees to avoid the wind … Timber management should be conducted to provide an abundant and diverse mast crop each year. Timber Mgmtme ge ana nt Timber management can improve the site’s value for ducks by adjusting the species composition and density of the trees present. This simple process has provided ample hunting opportunities.Many duck hunters may not realize that wetland creation is not much different. Green-timber hunters know that timber hunting is best on clear mornings accompanied by cold north winds. It also helps identify small creeks I could use as boat lanes to access areas farther back in the timber. The end game is to find possible areas that might attract ducks and are difficult to access. As hunting season approaches, managers flood their lands. Food plots are part of their overall plan. But hunting mallards in flooded woods (green timber, to those in the know) is the ultimate waterfowling experience, and most of those who’ve tried it agree. The hunter stands beside a tree in flooded timber, blows a duck call, kicks some water and brings mallards or other ducks fluttering down through the branches. Implemented this type of water management on a few places and flood at different times of the year to maximize food source. That will show me high points and lower-lying areas that will be the first to flood. I have some 50 year old pin oaks in a few spots and I fertilize the Pin Oaks every spring. You don't require a boat, a dog or even decoys, although these figure into most people's hunting. Just as field hunters spend countless hours cruising farm country in search of birds feeding in fields, timber hunters are wise to do the same. All duck hunters understand the importance of parking over the mythical “X,” the exact spot ducks want to be in, no matter what. Dab-bling ducks such as mallards cannot feed in water much deeper than 18 inches. Some of the best duck hunting in the South is wide open to the public Various seed plantings help produce abundant forage for deer in wildlife openings. Thin out the gum and maple but leave Cypress and Juniper because of the timber value. Find a Flood-Timber Hotspot to Limit Out on Public-Land Mallards. In any of its forms, duck hunting is a fascinating, even addicting activity. Timber shooting can be distilled down to three essentials—a hunter, a call and ducks. Most managers flood their fields or impoundments to about 6 to 12 inches deep. Preferred mast trees are cherrybark oak, laurel oak, Nuttall oak, water oak and willow oak.