Category Archives: duck hunting

duck hunting

The Joy of Duck Hunting

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Duck hunting is one of the most popular hunting sports in the world. It is as much a social calling as it is a hunt, in fact, representing a whole set of cultural standards and etiquette rules that many people do not even consider. It has a whole culture all its own, from a proper dress code to duck hunting dogs and assistants. The world of duck hunting is ripe with cultural significance, but is also has a dark side and represents a less than desirable aspect of human nature. Regardless of the point of view, there is something to be learned about duck hunting that may shed some light on either side of the ethical quandary.

Duck hunting is mainly a sporting activity around the world now, as commercial duck hunting has since been banned in most of the developed countries. Duck hunting is, in fact, as old as time itself. There are early indications that ducks and geese were somehow hunted during the Ice Age. Cave drawings indicate that duck hunting was a sound practice early on in human existence, giving way to ducks and swans appearing on cave paintings in Ice Age Europe. There is also evidence of duck hunting in Egypt, as a mural on the tomb of Khum-Hotpe displays a man capturing ducks in a stream. Ducks were also likely hunted by early man in the Americas, as early Peruvian art indicates.

With this international history, duck hunting enjoys a popularity that spreads around the world. It is especially popular in North America, where the largest number of localized ducks can be located. Most ducks use the Mississippi River as a migratory guide, so many duck hunts take place along the river to use it as a guide for finding ducks. Arkansas is a major hotbed of duck hunting, with Stuttgart being considered the “duck hunting capital of the world”.

Duck hunting is often considered popular because of its simplicity. The tools of the trade are simplistic enough, from a decoy set to a shotgun and duck call. The essence of duck hunting is based around the trickery of using the decoy and the duck call in tandem to lure the ducks out and into the air towards the decoy. After this takes place, the ducks are in open range for the hunt and the firing begins. These hunts take place around rivers, streams, lakes and any other bodies of water where ducks can be found.

There are many aspects that stand in contrast to duck hunting, of course. Most waterfowl conservation experts agree that the hunting of any type of waterfowl does little to help any situation. In fact, most marsh and wetland areas are shrinking at tremendous rates, giving rise the the criticism that duck hunting effectively diminishes an already diminishing habitat. There are several organizations that constantly spar with duck hunters over this reality.

One organization is the popular Ducks Unlimited. Ducks Unlimited is an international organization that stands as the leader in non-profit marshland protection and the protection of waterfowl. Ducks Unlimited sometimes works with hunters to protect the marshlands and protect the hunter’s way of life. The main goal of Ducks Unlimited is the conservation of localized habitats where ducks can be found, enabling hunters to continue protected and logical hunts of ducks and enabling the survival of more ducks by creating better places for them to live.

Still, some hunters ignore this philosophy and have no interest in any protection of habitats. They, instead, pillage the duck areas and hunt ducks that should not be hunted. Duck hunting remains a controversial sport because of this aspect, unfortunately, and will continue to have a dark side as long as hunters remain blissfully ignorant as to the realities of organizations such as Ducks Unlimited. Without the cooperation of hunters and marshland protectors, duck hunts may be a thing of the past.

duck hunting

The Joy of Duck Hunting

Leave a comment

Duck hunting is one of the most popular hunting sports in the world. It is as much a social calling as it is a hunt, in fact, representing a whole set of cultural standards and etiquette rules that many people do not even consider. It has a whole culture all its own, from a proper dress code to duck hunting dogs and assistants. The world of duck hunting is ripe with cultural significance, but is also has a dark side and represents a less than desirable aspect of human nature. Regardless of the point of view, there is something to be learned about duck hunting that may shed some light on either side of the ethical quandary.

Duck hunting is mainly a sporting activity around the world now, as commercial duck hunting has since been banned in most of the developed countries. Duck hunting is, in fact, as old as time itself. There are early indications that ducks and geese were somehow hunted during the Ice Age. Cave drawings indicate that duck hunting was a sound practice early on in human existence, giving way to ducks and swans appearing on cave paintings in Ice Age Europe. There is also evidence of duck hunting in Egypt, as a mural on the tomb of Khum-Hotpe displays a man capturing ducks in a stream. Ducks were also likely hunted by early man in the Americas, as early Peruvian art indicates.

With this international history, duck hunting enjoys a popularity that spreads around the world. It is especially popular in North America, where the largest number of localized ducks can be located. Most ducks use the Mississippi River as a migratory guide, so many duck hunts take place along the river to use it as a guide for finding ducks. Arkansas is a major hotbed of duck hunting, with Stuttgart being considered the “duck hunting capital of the world”.

Duck hunting is often considered popular because of its simplicity. The tools of the trade are simplistic enough, from a decoy set to a shotgun and duck call. The essence of duck hunting is based around the trickery of using the decoy and the duck call in tandem to lure the ducks out and into the air towards the decoy. After this takes place, the ducks are in open range for the hunt and the firing begins. These hunts take place around rivers, streams, lakes and any other bodies of water where ducks can be found.

There are many aspects that stand in contrast to duck hunting, of course. Most waterfowl conservation experts agree that the hunting of any type of waterfowl does little to help any situation. In fact, most marsh and wetland areas are shrinking at tremendous rates, giving rise the the criticism that duck hunting effectively diminishes an already diminishing habitat. There are several organizations that constantly spar with duck hunters over this reality.

One organization is the popular Ducks Unlimited. Ducks Unlimited is an international organization that stands as the leader in non-profit marshland protection and the protection of waterfowl. Ducks Unlimited sometimes works with hunters to protect the marshlands and protect the hunter’s way of life. The main goal of Ducks Unlimited is the conservation of localized habitats where ducks can be found, enabling hunters to continue protected and logical hunts of ducks and enabling the survival of more ducks by creating better places for them to live.

Still, some hunters ignore this philosophy and have no interest in any protection of habitats. They, instead, pillage the duck areas and hunt ducks that should not be hunted. Duck hunting remains a controversial sport because of this aspect, unfortunately, and will continue to have a dark side as long as hunters remain blissfully ignorant as to the realities of organizations such as Ducks Unlimited. Without the cooperation of hunters and marshland protectors, duck hunts may be a thing of the past.

duck hunting

The Joy of Duck Hunting

Leave a comment

Duck hunting is one of the most popular hunting sports in the world. It is as much a social calling as it is a hunt, in fact, representing a whole set of cultural standards and etiquette rules that many people do not even consider. It has a whole culture all its own, from a proper dress code to duck hunting dogs and assistants. The world of duck hunting is ripe with cultural significance, but is also has a dark side and represents a less than desirable aspect of human nature. Regardless of the point of view, there is something to be learned about duck hunting that may shed some light on either side of the ethical quandary.

Duck hunting is mainly a sporting activity around the world now, as commercial duck hunting has since been banned in most of the developed countries. Duck hunting is, in fact, as old as time itself. There are early indications that ducks and geese were somehow hunted during the Ice Age. Cave drawings indicate that duck hunting was a sound practice early on in human existence, giving way to ducks and swans appearing on cave paintings in Ice Age Europe. There is also evidence of duck hunting in Egypt, as a mural on the tomb of Khum-Hotpe displays a man capturing ducks in a stream. Ducks were also likely hunted by early man in the Americas, as early Peruvian art indicates.

With this international history, duck hunting enjoys a popularity that spreads around the world. It is especially popular in North America, where the largest number of localized ducks can be located. Most ducks use the Mississippi River as a migratory guide, so many duck hunts take place along the river to use it as a guide for finding ducks. Arkansas is a major hotbed of duck hunting, with Stuttgart being considered the “duck hunting capital of the world”.

Duck hunting is often considered popular because of its simplicity. The tools of the trade are simplistic enough, from a decoy set to a shotgun and duck call. The essence of duck hunting is based around the trickery of using the decoy and the duck call in tandem to lure the ducks out and into the air towards the decoy. After this takes place, the ducks are in open range for the hunt and the firing begins. These hunts take place around rivers, streams, lakes and any other bodies of water where ducks can be found.

There are many aspects that stand in contrast to duck hunting, of course. Most waterfowl conservation experts agree that the hunting of any type of waterfowl does little to help any situation. In fact, most marsh and wetland areas are shrinking at tremendous rates, giving rise the the criticism that duck hunting effectively diminishes an already diminishing habitat. There are several organizations that constantly spar with duck hunters over this reality.

One organization is the popular Ducks Unlimited. Ducks Unlimited is an international organization that stands as the leader in non-profit marshland protection and the protection of waterfowl. Ducks Unlimited sometimes works with hunters to protect the marshlands and protect the hunter’s way of life. The main goal of Ducks Unlimited is the conservation of localized habitats where ducks can be found, enabling hunters to continue protected and logical hunts of ducks and enabling the survival of more ducks by creating better places for them to live.

Still, some hunters ignore this philosophy and have no interest in any protection of habitats. They, instead, pillage the duck areas and hunt ducks that should not be hunted. Duck hunting remains a controversial sport because of this aspect, unfortunately, and will continue to have a dark side as long as hunters remain blissfully ignorant as to the realities of organizations such as Ducks Unlimited. Without the cooperation of hunters and marshland protectors, duck hunts may be a thing of the past.

duck hunting

Great Duck Hunting Dogs are worth Their Weight in Gold

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Waterfowl hunting, also referred to as goose hunting and duck hunting, is an outdoor sporting activity enjoyed by people all over the world. Many hunters use duck hunting dogs to retrieve their downed ducks. Duck hunting dogs not only retrieve dead ducks from cold water and difficult terrain, where a hunter could possible be injured but duck hunting dogs also search for and recover wounded ducks. These wounded ducks could escape or die a slow, painful death. Because of their keen sense of smell, well-trained duck hunting dogs usually have no problem finding and retrieving ducks shot by the hunter.

Small game hunters using shotguns normally have gun dogs or duck hunting dogs, which primarily hunt waterfowl and small game. The three classes of gun dogs are pointing breeds, flushing spaniels, and retrievers, which are all good duck hunting dogs. They train pointers to locate their prey and stand motionless, pointing at the bird or small game. These duck hunting dogs point or freeze to keep from flushing the game until the hunter gets into position. Most pointing dogs will retrieve downed birds. Pointers are loyal, affectionate dogs that make wonderful pets and love to hunt. English pointers, German shorthair pointers, Irish setters, English setters and German wirehaired pointers are great duck hunting dogs.

Flushing spaniels or flushing dogs are duck hunting dogs that hunters have used for several hundred years. Hunters train them to stay close, usually within thirty-five or forty yards. Flushing spaniels work close, so the hunter gets great shots at the fast flying ducks the dog flushes out. English Springer spaniels are great flushing duck hunting dogs and make a great housedog. These dogs are loyal, compassionate, and extremely intelligent, with natural hunting abilities. English springer spaniel flushing duck hunting dogs work hard, are good tempered and love hunting.

Retrievers are duck hunting dogs that recover the ducks or other waterfowl without damage to the game, because of their soft mouths. They are quick to learn, easy to train, enjoy hunting, and love to please. A well-trained retriever can mark, follow hand signals, retrieve to hand and knows many more commands. The hunter commands his or her retriever to mark and the dog looks up for a falling bird. There are times when it is necessary for a retriever to follow hand signals. Hunters must be able to direct their dogs remotely, in some situations, so hand signals are extremely important. The “retrieve to hand” command is where a retriever puts the waterfowl directly into the hunter’s hand. Great duck hunting dogs are worth their weight in gold to a hunter.

duck hunting

Safety Is of Utmost Importance If You Own a Duck Hunting Boat

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If you own a duck hunting boat such as a Jon boat, duck-boat, or even a rowboat and hunt ducks or waterfowl around ponds, rivers, streams, lakes and other waterways, it is extremely important for you to have the proper boating education. Hunting and boating deaths and accidents have declined over the last few years, since they instituted both suggested and mandatory education programs. Duck hunters must keep up on non-mandatory duck hunting boat education efforts and observe the legal rules, so that boating accident statistics continue to improve. Hunting while you are boating adds new dangers and new dimensions. Hunters need to observe both hunting and boating rules and boating techniques, due to the added danger elements of boating and carrying a duck gun together.

A duck hunting boat such as rowboat and Jon or duck-boats often do not have the lateral stability of some other boats. They are easier to broach or swamp, just by weight distribution shifts within the boat. A hunter in a duck hunting boat also endures the dangers of weather changes, which could lead to harsher weather elements. One major threat to both sportsman and hunter is the danger of hypothermia during the fall and winter season, which is when waterfowl and duck hunters are usually out. Another added danger is multiple hunters in a small duck hunting boat. Hunters need to map out their fields of fire and make sure that they maintain them exactly. Factored into this mix, hunters need to understand about movement inside the duck hunting boat caused by dogs jumping and hunters swinging their rifles or shotguns.

Returning home safely with no accidents, after spending your time in a duck hunting boat shooting at waterfowl, is a perfect way to enjoy this sport. Like any indoor or outdoor sport, you require education and preparation. Both waterfowl hunting and boating, including a duck hunting boat, requires mandatory boating and hunting education in most places. Many states require people to take a boating safety course before he or she can obtain a boating license and hunter safety course before they issue you a waterfowl license.

Hunters with their duck hunting boat license often choose Jon boats for duck hunting. They design this flat-bottomed duck hunting boat, usually made of wood or aluminum, to stand up to the rigors of the weather. Some of the durability features include formed-in, rounded keels, superior cast lifting handles, coined and extruded ribs, and durable, tough paint finishes. They also offer options such as a pedestal seat, dual console, center seat, vinyl heavy-duty floor covering and even digital stereo CD players.

duck hunting

Shopping For Duck Hunting Jon Boats Does Not Have To Be a Difficult Job

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Over the last couple of years, duck hunting boats have varied and changed quickly but for duck hunters, choosing the right boat for their particular hunting situation is still the same. The most important step in buying any type of duck hunting boat, including duck hunting Jon boats is deciding what boat type will meet your specific needs for the area you hunt. For people who normally hunt on small potholes or sloughs and often have to use a push pole, a double pointed, light weight, small duck boat is idea and easy to drag if necessary. However, this type of duck boat is neither safe nor practical for hunting on open, large lakes or big bodies of water.

For hunters who hunt ducks in flooded timber, such as areas in Arkansas, duck hunting Jon boats with a mud motor or short shaft motor are ideal. Duck hunting Jon boats are wood or aluminum flat-bottomed boats, which they designed specifically for hunting and fishing. Duck hunting Jon boats normally have one to three seats, an outboard motor mount and are inexpensive, easy to maintain, have maximum usable space, and a simple design. There are several upgrade options available when shopping for duck hunting Jon boats. Many hunters find duck hunting Jon boats idea for lakes and rivers with weed patches and shallow backwaters.

When choosing a duck hunting Jon boat or any type of duck hunting boat, take into consideration the number of people you will normally have in your boat. If you hunt alone or with one other duck hunter, you only need a boat large enough to be safe. For someone who hunts in flooded timber with a couple of friends and a dog, you require a much bigger boat. Two hunters plus their gear fit into twelve-foot duck hunting Jon boats but duck hunting Jon boats sixteen feet or longer are necessary for more than two guys and their duck hunting gear. Selecting duck hunting boats or duck hunting Jon boats that meet your needs is not difficult, if you take into consideration the area where you hunt and how many hunters, how much gear, or even hunting dogs, will normally be in your boat.

For duck hunting Jon boats used in very shallow water, a mud motor is a great choice and maximizes the Jon boats design. Using mud motors on duck hunting Jon boats where there is an excessive growth of weeds is a far better choice than using an outboard style motor.

duck hunting, hunting dogs

The Famous Walker Hunting Dogs

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When you look at the Walker hunting dogs, you will remember them the rest of your life. I had one here as part of our rescue unit, and to this day I hear his beautiful baying and the company of his gentle and sweet personality. Of course, he treed cats on the property—did not hurt them, mind you, but treed everything in sight because that is what they do best. Choosing Walker hunting dogs for hunting or an exercise companion is a joy in itself, as compared to other hunting dogs.

The Walker hunting dogs have quite a history, going clear back to the 1700 days of George Washington when his “Tennessee Lead” chased foxes across Virginia. The dog was carefully and meticulously bred by George Washington and his friend John W. Walker with the foxhound, continuing on for centuries. The Walker hunting dogs were the result of this careful breeding, with the goal of high quality hunting foxes. Today, they are popular with the deer hunters because of their lean bodies, and speed with quick movements. The origin of the English Foxhound is where the importance lies for the fastest and most agile of hunters.

One major requirement that is almost mandatory is top-notch quality training, something that is of the utmost need for this breed of hunting dog, the famous Walker hunting dogs–as when on the hunt they hear nothing but their own baying and the scent of the prey. Completely oblivious to the commands of the hunter, just like a basset or beagle, this dog cannot go to the field and hunt without the utmost training for basic commands and then on into high agility training. A few commands on sit or stay just won’t cut it, believe me. It would be almost impossible to stop them on your own, with their powerful shoulders, while weighing up to 70 pounds and over two feet high.

Several types of Walker hunting dogs have passed down into our hunting world, with the Treeing Walker the most popular for hunting rabbit, fox, raccoon, and sometimes large game such as bear or wild boar. As stated, their disposition is what has added to their popularity as a hunting dog. They love children and other dogs, and more than enjoy sleeping in the bottom of the bed during the night—a gentle giant with the heart of a cuddly bear. But be prepared for the multitude of bays that herald anything from someone at the door to the scent of a squirrel or cat outside, as each baying sound of the Walker hunting dogs sounds off to a different job.

duck hunting

Duck Hunting Is All About Good Sportsmanship

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Duck hunting is an outdoor sporting activity for both sport and food. Many different types of geese and duck have identical or overlapping hunting seasons, share the same habitats, and people hunt them use the same basic methods. It is very common for men and women duck hunting, to hunt geese or other species of waterfowl at the same time if it is their hunting season. In the United States and most western countries, duck hunting is highly regulated. Not only do they require a duck hunting license but also have strict possession limits and bag limits. Bag limit means the number of ducks they allow a duck hunter to shoot in a day while possession limits refers to the total number of ducks a hunter possesses. The legal duck hunting season varies but is a set season or timeframe, which is usually when the ducks are migrating south. Duck hunting normally goes from fall to early winter. Most states and many Canadian provinces require duck hunters to complete safety courses in hunting before they are able to obtain a duck hunting license.

In the United States, duck hunters must buy a federal duck stamp and in some states, they require a state stamp. To keep duck hunting safe and sportsmanlike, it is against the law for duck hunters to shoot swimming ducks or sitting ducks. It is also illegal when duck hunting to shoot ducks from a moving boat or motor vehicle. They also prohibit guns that are over ten-gauge for duck hunting. In most places, hunters must modify their shotguns to reduce the size of the guns magazine, if the gun holds more than a couple of shells. Although duck hunters can use decoys, it is illegal for them to use live ducks as lures or put out corn or other items as baits. Duck hunting is about good sportsmanship so duck hunters should always try to retrieve any injured or dead ducks they shoot.

Waterfowl and duck hunting in central and the Midwest United States usually take place on rivers, swamps, marshes, and lakes where many geese and ducks land when they are migrating. Another common hunting ground is farmer’s cornfields where, after harvest, there is often some grain left on the ground, which both ducks and geese love to feed on. In some places, farmers actually lease or rent duck hunting rights on their property to hunters. Duck hunting is a great sport or recreation but like any other sport, there are rules and regulations that hunters must follow.