Anatidae hunting is known and practiced all over the world precisely because most of the birds belonging to this family are migratory who follow certain routes to move to various states in search of a climate and a congenial environment where they can nest and grow their young. .
Generally the ducks are hunted in our country in the winter period but in other European countries the local legislation allows to practice the hunting of ducks until the whole month of March; one species in particular characterizes the anatidae hunting of this period between winter and spring, we are talking about the Garganey (Anas Querquedula). It is an aquatic bird belonging to the order Anseriformes, family Anatidae, and is part of the group of the so-called "surface ducks" as they only immerse their heads to feed themselves rather than completely immerse themselves under water. The Gargles can have a body length of 37-41 cm for a weight of about 400 grams and a wingspan of 60-63 cm. Characteristic of the Garganey is the olive-green color of the wing mirror; the males of this species have a dark head, with a blackish vertex and a white crescent from the eye to the nape, as well as the front part of the light gray-blue wing. The females of the Marzaiola, on the other hand, have a brownish livery with a particular streaked design on the head.
The nidification of the Marzaiola takes place in the month of April in freshwater ponds, even if not very extensive, sheltered and with sparse vegetation, or in flooded grassy lands or in humid areas. Couples are formed in winter, before the spring migration, thus arriving already formed in the nesting places. The Marzaiola is widespread from the Arctic to the Mediterranean areas, including Siberia and the Arabian deserts. In Europe, the Garganey nests continuously in the Balkan and eastern regions, with a more fragmented distribution in the western areas. In Italy it is mainly migratory, breeder and only occasionally wintering.
In our country the Marzaiola is indicated among the species at risk due to environmental changes therefore the hunting of this species in Italy is not uniform: in some regions it is allowed to practice it while in others it is forbidden. In the Italian regions where the hunting of the Marzaiola is allowed, the best period goes from the third Sunday of September to January 31 and it can be practiced both in wandering form and in stalking unless otherwise prescribed by the Venatori Calendars. On the other hand, one of the most popular places in Europe for hunting Marzaiola is Romania, in the area close to the Danube Delta; the area is characterized by medium and large lakes with extensive reeds frequented by various species of water birds that pass through in large numbers, choosing it as a resting place.
The hunting grounds for Garganey in Romania are often reserve areas that exceed 13000 hectares, nestled between the stretches of water that form the Danube Delta.
If the local authorities close the Danube Delta to hunting, many agencies have the possibility of organizing hunting trips in reserves located outside the Delta, but in any case within the corridor that constitutes the migratory route of the Marzaiola, characterized by wetlands. with lakes or marshes surrounded by crops of corn, wheat, alfalfa, sunflowers, etc.
In most cases, the organizers and managers of the reserves have already set up barrels, boxes and posts to be used to hunt the ducks; flat keel boats are also available to use as a cuvegge. In hunting reserves, a limited number of hunters can be hunted at a time and per week and it is often the managers' care to make only one reserve area available at a time, letting the others rest for at least eight days in order to guarantee tranquility to the game and avoid a excessive, as harmful, hunting pressure.
The Marzaiola is a challenge for many hunters, especially those who love demanding hunts, precisely because of its cunning and suspicious character. The gargane has crepuscular habits and for this reason it spends the daytime hours resting, while in the evening it goes in search of food; moreover, this duck particularly loves habitats rich in vegetation, which makes its hunting even more difficult.
To be able to hunt in Romania, it will be advisable to contact a hunting association operating in the territory or to a specialized agency, which will be able to organize the trip, the movements, the necessary documentation and obviously the hunting days and accommodation close to the hunting area. When booking the hunting trip in Romania, it is advisable to check that the package chosen includes assistance on site, already upon arrival, of a guide who knows Italian and who helps with any paperwork, means for travel, accommodation in apartments or residences possibly with full board, the necessary Romanian hunting permit and access to reserved hunting areas.
To hunt the Garganey you need specific molds, and you can choose to carry it out from sunrise to sunset. Of course, in order not to waste even a moment of the hunting day, you can opt for a packed lunch.
Despite the long hours of hunting available, very few associations guarantee a minimum of killing but some agencies, in contact with the organizers of the hunts, can warn hunters of any weather problems in the area or of scarcity of game therefore, at the time of purchase of the air ticket, it is advisable to take out a special insurance in order to decide whether to cancel or postpone the hunting trip even a few days in advance; in any case, many agencies, in case of days lost due to bad weather or other causes deriving from the organizers' responsibility, allow to recover with other days agreed with the customer.
To enter Romania, one's own identity card is sufficient, valid for expatriation for those who come without weapons; for those who want to carry their weapons, it is necessary to have a passport valid for at least six months. Those who prefer to bring their weapons with them must be in possession of the European Weapons Charter in order to be able to import them into Romania; it is possible to carry a maximum of two rifles, even of the same caliber, with one hundred cartridges per gun.
However, the organizing agencies often advise against bringing your own rifles and cartridges in order to avoid wasting time at the airport for filling out various paperwork; weapons and ammunition can be rented in the chosen caliber and brand, especially Italian, at the local armories already by booking through the organizers. The ideal shotguns for hunting the Garganey are smooth-bore, to be loaded with shot cartridges number 5, 6 and 7.
To practice hunting in Romania, it is necessary to have a regular Italian Port of Arms and valid RC insurance, and you must also request, through the organizing agency, a specific license and authorization for hunting in Romania, which can generally be obtained in about fifteen days. In Romania, on the Danube Delta, the Garganeys are cunning and expert since they usually arrive there after having escaped the hunters of most of Europe therefore this area is not just any quagmire or a swamp where the ducks are obliged to stay for food and survive but it is a natural and uncontaminated paradise where most of the available territory is considered by them to be familiar; this means that the wild tend to get nervous, running away, at the slightest strange noise or at the sight of anything that is not part of the nature of the landscape. All this gives hunters who undertake this adventure a difficult challenge that can give great satisfaction.