Hunting Blog

When you’re hunting, particularly in an area you’re not familiar with, it’s important to stick to territory you’re allowed to hunt on. Everyone has lined up a shot and caught the glint of a thin wire fence through the scope at one point in their hunting life. But the a great catch can turn into a miserable day quite quickly if you misjudge things

Sometimes it’s not a big deal, the fence is just a marker for the rancher whose land you’re hunting on - other times, it’s a property division. The trouble with property dividers is you don’t know whose land is on the other side.

Taking game without permission from someone else’s land can cause you trouble - but if the other land is across a county or state line you could find yourself in real hot water. Avoiding trouble is a matter of knowing the land you’re hunting - scout it in advance and know the boundary. Another top tip for avoiding problems is to remember the number one rule of hunting: never take a shot unless you know what lies beyond it!

The duck is one of North America’s most commonly hunted species. Our most common duck breeds are the mallard, teal, gadwall and widgeon. Other ducks often hunted across the continent include the northern shoveler, the wood duck, the bufflehead, the ringneck and the bluebill.

The mallard is, according to scientists, the daddy of them all. His striking coloring and distinctive style makes him a favorite for trophy seekers as well. Mallards are omnivorous, eating everything from grains and insects to aquatic plants depending on what’s available. They make their homes near ponds, lakes and marshes as well as in ditches and urban water features.

Whatever the duck, it’s behavior is bound to be similar. So, the best advice is to practice your calling techniques, dust off your decoys and find the best blind location you can. Be patient, think safe and take care of your bird dog while you’re waiting - the rewards are there for the taking.