Duck Hunting
Hunting, the stalking and killing of animals, has been an American tradition since the Ice Age. Waterfowl hunting (a.k.a. Duck Hunting ) is the practice of hunting ducks, geese, or other water living creators for food or sport. There are numerous species of waterfowl that live in the country, each with its distinct habits and living area. As birds have finished raising their young, and are starting to migrate south for the winter, the common hunter starts to get excited. Fall and winter are the typical time of year for hunting throughout the country. Wild waterfowl are great for food, feathers, trophy or down. With the rise and advancement of the shotgun, waterfowl hunting has become more exciting. Modern shotguns are more reliable at further ranges and shoot more rounds faster. There are three elements used by almost all waterfowl hunters…
A gun, the shotgun is the key to waterfowl hunting. Picking the gun you are most comfortable with will make your hunt more successful and enjoyable. A hunting blind, helps hide the hunter and ensure all movement goes unnoticed. Decoys, are artificial game placed to draw waterfowl out of hiding into the open.
Guns and Shells Every hunter needs a gun, most commonly a 12 gauge shotgun. Most hunters will use a number 5,4,3, or 2 shot gun for hunting ducks. Illegal in many areas, bow and crossbow hunting is the most difficult, due to the moving target. Rifle hunting is illegal too, due to the excessive firepower and inherent danger of over shooting and hitting another hunter who is hidden. Duck Calls A duck call used to be a basic woodwind instrument, with a barrel, sound board, and a reed. Today’s improvements have lead to more species specific sounds and easier use. An example is the mallard, who has a “quack” call, other species make different sounds. Even inside each species there are different calls, the male makes a much different call than the female. Blinds “Blinds” is a generic term that refers to a permanent or temporary structure that is used to hide a hunter and conceal their movements. Some hunters choose to make a natural blind out of the natural surroundings, such as tall weeds, vegetation, or a tree. Permanent structures are often also hidden in the natural surroundings to ensure it is completely hidden. Clothing Waterproof clothing is most commonly used during duck hunting season, due to the fact duck season takes place in the fall and winter. Waders are also common when hunting duck in the water, they help ensure you stay dry and warm. Dogs Retrieving dogs are often used to retrieve the duck after it has been shot. The use of a dog allows the hunter to not have to enter cold water to retrieve the prize. Often the prey is not completely killed, the retriever can use its keen sense of smell to track down the prey. This ensures little waist and a higher percentage of birds ending up on the table.