HUNTING: LOOK UP FOR MORE DUCKS.

With Southland duck season beginning Saturday and goose season opening Oct. 23, the second in a series of waterfowl-hunting tips:

Traditionally, while hunting from a blind, all hunters - except the caller - keep their heads down to avoid spooking the decoying birds with their upturned faces. The caller watches the birds approach and ``calls the shot'' when the ducks are in range and in the optimum position for a shot.

This puts the other shooters - who haven't seen the ducks approach - at a significant disadvantage. They must rise up, locate the ducks, pick out a target and try to shoot. During all this, the ducks are flaring away.

By wearing camouflage facemasks, all the shooters can watch the ducks approach and start picking out targets before the shot is called. This saves time and allows everyone in the blind better shots at closer targets.

Also, in warm weather, a mesh facemask provides protection from mosquitoes and other biting bugs. In colder elements, a warm felt or fleece facemask adds to hunter comfort while in the blind and on long boat rides.

- Source: Bill Jordan, Advantage Camouflage

Following is a list of Southern California waterfowl-hunting facilities and their phone numbers: Baldwin Lake, at Big Bear Lake, [phone]; Lake Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, San Bernardino County, [phone]; San Jacinto Wildlife Area and Lake Perris State Recreation Area, Riverside County, [phone]; Raahauge's Duck Club, Riverside County, [phone]; Wister Unit and Finney-Ramer Unit, Imperial Wildlife Area, Imperial County, [phone]; Hazard Unit, Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge, Imperial County, [phone]; Cibola National Wildlife Refuge, Imperial County, [phone]; San Diego City Lakes - Barrett, Otay, and Sutherland - [phone]; Lake Henshaw, San Diego County, [phone]; Lake Cuyamaca, San Diego County, [phone]; Kern National Wildlife Refuge, Kern County, [phone] or [phone]; Mendota Wildlife Area, Fresno County, [phone].

Note: Applications for the state-run areas need to be received by the Department of Fish and Game in Sacramento 17 days prior to the shoot day to be included in the drawing for that date.