Small rivers and streams are perhaps the easiest to jump-shoot woodies from. Because the water is small and surrounding banks have overhanging trees, wood ducks will frequent the area. Some of the state's smaller rivers and tributaries, such as the Appomattox, Pamunkey, Mattaponi, North and South Anna rivers, flow quietly through the Tidewater and the Piedmont regions. These small rivers have few public boat launches, but hunters who use a map can determine the length of a float from one highway bridge to another and then put in right at the road with a canoe or kayak.

Another option is to hunt the lower river tributaries and sloughs. Once again, be cognizant of the location of licensed blinds before doing any shooting. When hunting the sloughs and tidal tributaries of the lower river, such as the James, Chickahominy and Rappahannock, some form of propulsion will be needed to move along. This type of hunting can be done with a quiet trolling motor-driven canoe or johnboat, or by paddling a kayak or canoe. Sometimes when the tide is moving at a good clip, a small craft can drift along slowly and offer good shooting opportunities with little paddling required. Shooting may not be done from a motor-driven craft until all forward progress has ceased. Keep that in mind if using a trolling motor.

No decoys are needed for jump-shooting. A paddle, shotgun, shells, waterproof clothing, binoculars and an emergency kit will do the trick. Hunters simply paddle along quietly, scanning the water ahead for ducks. Using the binoculars to study the banks where trees overhang is a very good idea, as wood ducks will often hunker down behind cover. Take care when approaching a bend in the tributary or slough. If possible, get out and wade along the shoreline to peek ahead before nosing around the corner. If wading is not an option, then either use a small craft to avoid warning your quarry of your arrival or at the least sit in the front of the craft with your shotgun handy for the flushing of the birds.

Sloughs and tidal tributaries are especially good for wood duck hunting, as the birds are common in this environment. The sloughs can go on endlessly winding back and forth through wetlands. I like to carry a GPS with me, such as the Lowrance iHuntC, because I can see where the next bend is allowing me to ambush the ducks.

Keep in mind when hunting tidal areas that the fresher the water the more likely it is that wood ducks will be found. They are not fond of briny conditions. The headwaters of sloughs and tributaries are particularly good places to find wood ducks.

If hunting tidal sloughs, be aware of the tide. Going upstream at the middle of an incoming tide is a good idea because the hunter will have a full six hours or more to get into hunting territory and get back out before the tide leaves the boat or canoe stranded behind fallen trees that have crossed the tributary.

Painting a watercraft a dull olive drab and then mottling it with strands of tan or marsh grass colors will further aid the effort to get in range of the ducks. Be careful not to use actual leaves and sticks to camouflage your craft. That is illegal -- but painting it is not. Keep low in the boat and don't move any more than you have to.

If two hunters are in the canoe, one guy can paddle while the man in the front can do the shooting. After a duck is harvested, a swap can be made. This is a common practice among jump-shooters and a good one to keep things safe while on the water.

DEBATE OVER THE PROPER GUN AND SHOT
There are several schools of thought on what gauge is the best one to use for wood ducks. It all comes down to personal preference and the situation that one is hunting in. Avid waterfowler and wingshooter Ngoc Do prefers to use his Weatherby over-and-under 20-gauge on many of his swamp hunts where he is standing next to a tree on the water's edge. He enjoys the challenge of hitting a fast-moving woodie with the 20 gauge and the smaller bore does not damage as much meat at the close ranges.