by Douglas Black

Created on: August 07, 2008

Hunting is either a sport you love or hate, but much like other pastimes hunting has many different facets depending on the target. If you have ever hunted for ducks or other birds of flight that are common to ponds, streams or other waterways, than you my friend have partaken in the sport of waterfowl hunting.

Waterfowl hunting to many sportsmen is considered to be both an act of skill and the ability to be extremely patient. Before I unravel the mystic world of waterfowl hunting I do urge that you become very familiar with your state or provincial laws regarding waterfowl, or you may not be a happy camper by the end of your trip. Since many waterfowl are protected by wildlife sanctity there usually are only specific season in which these birds of flight can be hunted.

The tools of the trade:

Like many sports there is a need for specific gear to partake in the sport. Waterfowl hunting can be done with either minimal apparatus or a volley of gadgets and gizmos, but the main tool of the trade stems from the mighty shotgun.

There are several manufactures and models to choose from, but for intensive purposes you will eventually end up with a twelve-gauge shotgun. Sure you could probably use a ten-gauge or 16-gauge, but the most popular choice is still the 12-gauge. The common barrel type used for waterfowl is the double barrel, due to the ability to utilize a choice of choke on any specific shot. Shotguns do come in various shapes and styles ranging from the action, choke and the style, however the ammo comes in only three available non-toxic forms.

Bismuth shells are quite expensive but they can sometimes be handy since they can be used in almost any shotgun, even older guns that were never designed to fire a steel projectile.

Tungsten shells are equally expensive but I have had much more success using tungsten composite rather than traditional steel or bismuth shells.

Steel and lead shells have been around since the earliest shotguns have been used, but despite the poor track record some hunters still use the cheaper ammo. Realistically any ammo has the yield potential to kill a waterfowl, but the choice is eventually becomes much more personal.

Calling all ducks!

Yes you have heard those annoying birdcall devices, but take if from a seasoned hunter they really do work. Duck or birdcalls are used to entice other waterfowl to land. Usually with the aid of other equipment like decoys, a flock of waterfowl is easily convinced that a spot is safe to rest. This might seem

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