Ten Valuable Duck Hunting Tips, Part 1 of 2

Some helpful duck hunting tips include:

1.       Plan, Plan, Plan – Even if a hunter is not a traditional planner, duck hunting requires good planning. Is it advisable for waterfowl hunters to keep a journal of previous seasons, noting which areas are better for particular conditions. Hunters should note the following:

a.      What areas produce the best number of birds during storm fronts?

b.      What areas are best for calm, clear days?

c.       Are there certain areas that attract waterfowl in rain or snow, in particular during freezing conditions?

d.      What do I need to know about hunting near river ways, dikes and wetlands?

2.      Oh, Duck Call – As with any type of hunting, practice makes perfect. Duck calls are no exception. Hunters should not dust off their duck calls opening day, but practice in the months and weeks leading up to hunting season. This will ensure that the harmonic calling and delightful squawking sounds mesmerize the ducks. Some websites even allow hunters to tape their calls, call in and compare them to actual duck calls, guaranteeing that hunters are spot on for opening day.

3.      Shotgun Checkup – A doctor’s call is not to be ignored or go unnoticed. No hunter should ignore proper gun maintenance. Before reintroducing a gun to hunting season, it requires a thorough cleaning. Small compressed air tanks are excellent, helping reduce powder residue and further loosen dirt, debris and grime from the receiver and trigger assemblies. All metal surfaces should be treated with a high-quality gun lubricant. Keep in mind: it is advisable that all A5 and BPS weapons receive a thorough cleaning by a professional gunsmith. While a hunter has his/her weapon disassembled, he/she should confirm there are no excessive worn or damaged parts. If so, these items should be replaced by a gunsmith. Always test fire a weapon before hunting to ensure it is proper working order.

4.      Practice Makes Perfect – Like with any activity or sport, constant and steady practice helps create sheer, blissful perfection. While in hunting there is no such thing as absolute perfection, based on nature’s somewhat unpredictable behavior, a hunter should always hone his/her shooting skills. Practice also helps improve accuracy and aim, ensuring that fewer animals are wounded and kill shots are imminent.

5.      Decoys – Whether a hunter spends his/her summers repairing worn decoys or he/she simply prefers to buy a new set, decoys should be in tip-top shape come hunting season. All decoys should be inspected for frayed anchor lines or dry-rotted areas. The knots tied in decoys should be checked for strength and some hunters prefer to switch to tangle free lines.