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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Which Type of Hunting is Right for You?

squirrelCamping, fishing and hunting are popular outdoor sports. What makes someone want to do any of those instead of just taking a hike through the woods and going home, or taking a stroll through a field to do some bird watching?  Many people prefer the sense of them against nature; living in the wild and fishing and hunting like we used to have to do to survive. Sleeping under the stars and cooking what you caught or killed for dinner is almost a primal need for some people, even though we have comfy beds to sleep in and grocery stores where we can buy meat.

Hunting might be more technological today than ever with laser scopes and precision weapons, thermal underwear and heat packs, but people still want to hunt because of that primal urge that has never seemed to go away-man against nature, struggling to survive. If you want to hunt, but you’re undecided about exactly how to go about it or what you’d like to hunt, here are some basics to help you decide.

Can you tolerate cold weather? A great deal of hunting is done during the winter season.  Even more passive methods of catching game like trapping are often done when the temperatures dip. If you’re deer hunting or trapping, for instance, you might need to be out before dawn in extremely cold weather.  Are you well-suited for this or do you think you would be miserable doing this as a hobby?  At the very least, consider the cost of the equipment you’ll need.  You have to have protective clothing and you must dress in layers, with one of them preferably wool. Warm boots that will keep your feet from getting wet, proper headgear and excellent gloves will all be necessary.

Can you climb a tree and sit perched in one for hours?  Deer hunting will involve you setting up a deer stand in a tree–often not the easiest of tasks, especially if you’ve never done it before.  Do you have someone to help you set up the stand originally?  Do you like the idea of climbing up into the stand in the dark and sitting there for a prolonged period of time?  If that doesn’t appeal, you might choose to hunt something other than deer.

Do you want to go after big game? Some people enjoy the challenge of squirrel hunting.  Squirrels are small, they move quickly and it can be difficult to bag one or the several required for a good meal. But some people dream of taking down the giants like bear, moose and elk. First, consider that just because you want to hunt bear or other large game doesn’t mean you’ll be allowed to.  Often areas where you can hunt have draws and only those who draw the tags are allowed to even try. And consider the cost.  Often its necessary to travel, and you might need a large gauge (and more expensive) gun as well as other specialized equipment.

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Originally posted 2009-01-08 15:07:39. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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