Hunting Fun

In America, duck hunting season is generally in the fall and winter, when the birds migrate to a warmer climate and have raised their young. Hunters usually make use of three elements in pursuit of their quarry-shotguns, duck blinds, and decoys.

Duck calls are also used to attract the birds, and hunters frequently bring trained dogs to retrieve the ducks that have been killed or injured.

There are two main categories of ducks:

Puddle ducks – These can be found in rivers and shallow marshes, and their feeding process is known as “dabbling.” They often feed in fields of grain, and they can take off from land or water immediately.

Diving ducks – These have large, deep rivers and lakes for their habitat, and they feed on fish, mollusks, shellfish, and aquatic plants, often diving far below the surface. Their large, webbed feet enable them to swim under water for long distances. They must swim along the surface for several yards before they can become airborne, and they are hunted on lakes, ponds, oceans, and bays.

Hunting safely on land or water

Every hunter should consider taking a hunter education course to benefit from the tips provided on engaging in the sport safely and learn the most up-to-date hunting techniques. Here are a few things to keep in mind whenever you are hunting:

Obtain a detailed map of the area you are visiting, look it over before you go, and take it with you as well. Remember to bring a compass, and be sure that you know how to use it. This may be your only solution if you become disoriented or lost in the field.

If you live in an area where the weather can change quickly, carry a basic survival kit with a knife, a rope, waterproof matches, water, first-aid supplies, and some type of temporary shelter. If you are venturing out on the water, remember to wear a life preserver.

Have some idea of your buddies’ emotional and physical limitations (and your own as well), and don’t permit anyone to exceed those limits.

As a hunter, your best means of concealment may be to create a temporary, natural shelter from marsh vegetation or grasses. (You can then hide in a shrub, a clump of grass, or a tree.)

More complex duck blinds of this type have large branches or logs that are bent together or lashed together with rope. They are usually found in protected areas where a more permanent type of structure is not allowed, and to be effective in concealing hunters from the birds, they should be three dimensional. Boat blinds may be hand-made or purchased from the manufacturer.

Today, decoys are usually made from molded plastic, and they are a long-lasting product with a great amount of detail that comes at a reasonable price. Some even come with life-like movement that increases their attraction for water fowl.



By: Jonathan Hayman

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