| | Home :: Waterfowl Hunting Gear
|
| Waterfowl Hunting Gear | Waterfowl hunting refers to the hunting of several
types of aquatic birds, but most commonly ducks and
geese. At the turn of the century in America, there
was a thriving industry that was centered around the
hunting and processing of waterfowl for their
feathers, down, and meat. Over hunting, and the use of
giant shotgun that could kill dozens of ducks at once
led to legislation by the gaming commission.
The most important piece of equipment for a waterfowl
hunter is the shotgun. Due to the nature of the
hunting, and the fact that shots must be made from a
very long distance, makes hitting ducks, geese, and
other waterfowl with single fire weapons such as
rifles, difficult at best, and at most times virtually
impossible. Lead shot cartridges were used for the
longest time, until government regulations forced
waterfowl hunters to use steel shot. Their reasoning
was, that shot that fell in the water was likely to be
eaten by the bottom feeding birds. Lead shot had the
potential to poison the birds.
Perhaps the second most important piece of equipment
required for waterfowl hunting, after the shotgun, is
the retriever. When waterfowl is shot, it is most
times done in a lake or pond. As a result, the hunter
would have to wade in and fish out the birds. Instead
specially trained dogs are used to go into the water
for the hunter and retrieve the birds. Several breeds
of dogs are suitable for this kind of task, most
commonly these are black labs or golden retrievers,
who have the natural instinct to do so, after years of
careful breeding.
While hunting waterfowl, a hunter usually sits in a
blind of some kind, so the birds do not see him in
their descent. These can vary in quality from a hole
in the dirt, to a lavish underground cabin.
|
|
