Equipment for the Duck Hunt

The duck hunt is something that you must plan for and something that’s very hard to do spontaneously. That’s because there is a certain amount of equipment that you need to do a proper hunt. You can’t just wake up one day and decide you’re going to go duck hunting at night. Of course you need the proper duck hunting license and a permit for your gun. But even if you have those, you still need to do some preparation work before you go on the duck hunt.

Duck hunting gear seems to improve with each passing year. Take, for instance, the type of ammunition used. Duck hunters used to use lead shot. Today it’s common to simply use shotgun shells. While some purists still insist on using the old methods, shells will travel farther at a faster speed. So you can be farther away from the bird and still get the shot.

An important advantage of shell ammunition over lead shot is that there is no lead in the shells. Lead shot would actually leak a small amount of lead into the flesh. When you use shells, you don’t have to worry about eating lead when you enjoy your duck dinner.

When you’re planning for the duck hunt you also want to make sure you have proper camouflage. Unlike the type of camouflage hunters wore 20 or 30 years ago, today’s camouflage hunting outfits are lightweight and moisture absorbing. They’re also waterproof on the outside. This serves a few purposes. Being light weight means that if you need to wear thermal underwear beneath them you won’t feel like you’re wearing 10 layers of clothing. And if it’s warm out, you’ll stay cooler.

The fabrics absorb your sweat and pull it away from you so that you’re more comfortable while the waterproof outside keeps the rain out and keeps your sweat in. Camouflage gear like this is ideal for hunting deer and other mammals because it can help suppress your scent. This is less of a concern with duck hunting but you still want the waterproof camouflage gear to keep you comfortable.

You’ll need decoys for the duck hunt. You can get very expensive decoys that are practically photorealistic or you can get inexpensive decoys. As long as they resemble ducks and float, you should be fine.

Next comes the choice of the hunting boat or a duck blind. Duck boats are designed a little bit differently than other types of boats. They’re very flat and low to the water to give the hunter a low profile and draw less attention. Some people choose duck boats that have been painted in a camouflage manner and have all the amenities aboard like a box for gun storage, a cooler for sandwiches and beverages, and even special places to store duck decoys. Others are very basic and cost considerably less.

If you opted for a blind instead, you can find someone who already has a blind and is willing to rent or loan you time in it or you can simply get some wood and build your own.

Photo Credits: peteSwede

Originally posted 2010-04-10 09:41:31. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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How to Load Your Own Shotgun Shell

zombierepellantHunters and sportsmen alike that would like to save money should look into reloading their own shotgun shells. Not only can shell loading be a hobby within a hobby, it will also give the hunter or sportsman a chance to make their own custom shells to match whatever game or target they prefer to shoot.

The difficulty of this exercise is moderately challenging, and can be expensive at first, but will save you money over time, sooner if you shoot a lot. You will need empty hulls, a reloader (the most expensive piece of equipment, and also the most important), primer, powder, wad, and shot. We will now go step by step through the process of reloading your own shells.

1 – Remove any spent primer from the casing, and resize the shells brass at the bottom. Be sure to pull the handle of the reloader all the way down, else you ma produce a defective shot shell.

2 – Place your new primer in the second station with the shot shell on top of it. Pull the handle down. Be sure the primer is level and even with the brass, and is not sticking out.

3 – Put the shell into station three and pull the handle. Now move the top bar to the left of the machine with your other hand. Let the handle up, and put the wad in the guide. Pull the handle again. This will place the wad at the bottom of the shell. While the wad is still depressed, move the bar to the right.

4 – Move to station 4, and pull he handle to make the starter crimp. Before you finalize the crimp, look into the shell and be sure the shot is on top of the wad. If things do not look right, stock and cut open the shell so you can figure out what you missed.

5 – If all was okay in the previous step, place the shell into station 5, and pull the handle to complete the crimp. Congratulations, you have just made your first shotgun shell.

Warnings and Tips

A good reloader for novices to start with would be the MEC Jr. 600, which is a single stage reloader. This means each step is completed with a single lever pull. An experienced shell reloader can fill a 25 shell box in as short as 7 minutes, and 10 minutes at the most. Components of the shells, the lead or steel shot, the wads and powder, and the primer can be ordered off the internet, or at the local sporting goods retailer.

Once fired hulls can be had for as little a three cents for each hull, or if you have the time, for free off the ground at local trap and skeet shooting ranges. Be sure to follow manufacturer instructions. Alterations to a recipe can lead to shells exploding in the barrel, causing grievous injury, or even death.

Photo Credits: Three if by Bike

Originally posted 2009-10-08 03:18:24. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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