Duck Hunting: We have repeatedly talked about duck hunting as one of the most popular types of hunting in the world and perhaps a favorite of hunters; the reasons are fundamentally linked to the pleasant, solitary and silent places in which this type of hunting is practiced.
The scenarios for duck hunting are in fact linked to the splendid places that ducks usually choose to rest and find nourishment during migratory movements.
We must agree, however, that duck hunting becomes more difficult with the years due to the decreasing number of specimens among the populations of anatidae, as well as the increasing environmental constraints that preclude hunting many wetlands, especially in Italy, preferred by the populations of anatidae.
But let's not get discouraged and let's give some indications for those who want to try their hand at this fascinating type of hunting, omitting here the importance of molds and calls, a vast topic whose discussion we leave to another article. The first piece of advice to give is to say the least obvious, almost to seem like a joke but in fact it is not: you go hunting for ducks where the ducks actually are! chosen, perhaps relying on trusted people who can provide us with the necessary information, this will certainly benefit us.
In case we want to try our hand autonomously also in the search for the hunting location, it is useful to keep in mind the four main factors that can guarantee, with a good probability, the presence of ducks in a specific environment: we are talking about the wind, the rain, the presence. or less of sufficient nourishment and obviously the greater or lesser concentration of hunters in that area.
The first of these factors, the wind, is among the most important as a very strong wind in the area we have chosen could force the ducks to take refuge a few meters from the shore, making it easier for us to hunt.
One of the most common mistakes made by hunters who try their hand at hunting anatidae is to become attached to a certain place, where perhaps you already have a hunting lodge, without perhaps taking into account the variable environmental and climatic factors that greatly influence the movements of the ducks are important. In this we see the expert hunter, that is, one who knows the habits of wildlife to the point of being able to identify with the choices that they will make according to their instincts and therefore adapt adequately.
From this point of view it is therefore useless to choose comfortable places, close to the road and easy to reach, locations that any improvised hunter would choose and therefore often crowded. Much better to choose isolated places, where there are small lakes, ponds or in any case bodies of water that are easily palatable for ducks and difficult to reach for humans; the effort will certainly be rewarded by the results achieved at the end of the day and by the pleasure of total immersion in solitary nature. Often to reach the best places for duck hunting it may be necessary to use small boats which, in addition to facilitating the trek, will give us a considerable advantage over fellow hunters who will instead proceed on foot.
Another thing to keep in mind is that Ducks, and ducks in general, are often very intelligent animals with senses, such as sight and hearing, well developed and thanks to which they can easily identify huts or other types of poorly built stalking. and therefore badly camouflaged. Absolutely to be avoided are prefabricated sheds built with plastic panels which, in addition to being very noisy under the action of the wind, are often more than visible, almost sparkling, when wet even only by the normal humidity of the area. In the construction of the hunting lodge for the ducks it is necessary to give maximum inspiration to the imagination and ingenuity, as an expert hunter would do. The ideal solution is therefore to use military camouflage cloths, if you don't want to spend too much money, or if you want, there are more modern cloths, with camouflage (camouflage color) designed specifically to go unnoticed by the sight of birds; the sheets obviously need to be combined with the insertion of leaves, tufts of grass and branches collected on site in order to best camouflage our shed with the surrounding environment. It is almost superfluous to remember that even the hunter will have to blend in with suitable clothing that is able to blend in with the camouflage of the shed and the surrounding environment.
Speaking of duck hunting, however, a mention should be made of the weapons and ammunition used for this hunting practice, a subject that is often underestimated or taken for granted. So what rifles and ammo to use to target the ducks?
Clearly the answer is not unique and a long and articulated discussion could be opened on this diversified topic both for the hunted species and for the hunter. First of all, it is necessary to know that ducks are leathery birds with powerful muscles, hard bones, a good presence of fat, a thick and very resistant skin, all protected by a thick coat of feathers and feathers. All this involves the risk of injuring only the duck which we shot with inadequate weapons and ammunition, thus seeing it flee by losing its tracks by diving into the water or hiding away in the dense vegetation.
To avoid failing in killing the prey, not only making hunting vain but causing unnecessary suffering to these wonderful birds worthy of the utmost respect, it is necessary to use a rifle of the appropriate caliber and an equally adequate ammunition; the one that is best suited for this purpose is the 12 gauge, possibly with magnum cartridges loaded with at least 36 grams of shot. Generally the most used shotgun is the semi-automatic with full choke even if at too close distances it could be excessive; for lovers of over-and-under or side-by-side we recommend barrels with 3-star chokes for the first barrel and 1-star for the second.
So let's say that we have hit the right place, the right shotgun of the right caliber and the right cartridges, our duck goes down far from us but who is going to get it back? Here comes our four-legged friend who accompanies us everywhere and can't wait to hear the shot and run to take the downed prey to bring it back.
For this type of hunting, all dog breeds can do as long as they are good swimmers, even if some breeds are more suitable than others for their instinct and natural abilities: among these there are the Labrador, excellent swimmer, the Drathaar, the Golden Retriever, the Spinone, the Springer, the Chesapeake, the American Water Spaniel and, just to stay in Italy even if little used, the Lagotto Romagnolo.
Characteristics required for the water retriever, often common in these breeds, not only excellence in swimming but also resistance to cold, speed and a very fine sense of smell. Needless to say, in addition to its important role as a retriever, while waiting for the ducks to pass in the isolated places we have chosen, completely immersed in nature, it is always a pleasure to have the company of our trusty hunting dog.