| Duck Hunting -- Duck Calls and Retrievers |
From "The Outdoor Zone"
episode TOZ-105 |
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Duck Calls and Calling Techniques Learning about concealment and the use of duck blinds is a first step in duck hunting, but to lure ducks in close requires skillful use of a duck call. Using a duck call is a way of imitating some of the sounds that duck makes -- particularly the sounds they make when feeding or calling other ducks to a roosting or feeding area. Expert duck caller Ed Moore, of Ducks Unlimited, offers some advice and information about calls and calling.
- Duck calls (figure A) come in a variety of styles and brands, and a range of prices. They can be purchased from most sporting-good dealers and hunting outfitters.
- The call is held between the thumb and forefinger, and pressed firmly to the lips -- much like a musical instrument -- so that it can be blown to create the call sounds (figure B).
- Simply blowing into the call will not make for a call that sounds like a real duck. In fact, that approach will almost certainly frighten ducks away. A special blowing technique is required to convincingly mimic actual duck calls. Air is forced up from the diaphragm in short bursts to create distinct calling sounds.
- The basic call is the familiar "quack," a short, relatively quiet series of call. This is the sound made by the hens of certain duck species including mallards.
- Once you've mastered the quack, you can move on to variations including the hail and feeding calls.
- Hails are loud, forceful bursts made in a series, sometimes with each blow being held for a longer duration than an ordinary quack. Long hails are typically used to call in ducks from a long distance away. Softer, shorter hails are used as ducks get closer to the decoys.
- The feed call is a soft "chuckle" or chattering sound that ducks make when they are feeding. This call is frequently used by hunters when ducks are circling close overhead.
- For beginners purchasing a duck call for the first time, it's advisable to purchase an audio tape that has demonstrations of the various duck calls. Listening and imitating the sounds on the tape will be very helpful for learning the tones, rhythms and patterns of the various calls. You may also be able to get a demonstration in calling from an experienced hunter at a hunting outfitter or hunting club.
Retriever Dogs
- Many hunters use trained dogs -- such as labradors (figure C) and golden retrievers -- to retrieve fallen ducks from the field or (especially ) from the cold water. Watching a good retriever work is one of the most enjoyable facets of the experience of duck hunting.
- Dog varieties that have been selectively bred for their retrieving abilities are predisposed to the retrieving (or "fetch") behaviors, but they still require training so that they retrieve on command, and don't become overexcited or distracted, for example, while their owners are hunting.
- Hunters train their retrievers using buoys that can be thrown and then retrieved by the dog (figure D) according to specific signals and commands.
- When it's not hunting season, hunters maintain and sharpen the retrieving skills of their dogs with a variety of practice drills that simulate duck hunts.
RESOURCES :
Ducks Unlimited
Ducks Unlimited Inc.
Website: www.ducks.org
161 Waterfowling Secrets: Waterfowling Tips and Advice from Ducks Unlimited Members
Model: 0961727926
Author: Ducks Unlimited Magazine staff, Matt Young (Ed)
Full title: 161 Waterfowling Secrets: Time-Honored, Field-Tested Waterfowling Tips and Advice from Ducks Unlimited Members
Ducks Unlimited Inc.
Website: www.ducks.org
Duck Hunting (Hunting & Fishing Library)
Model: 0865730652
Author: Dick Sternberg, Jeff Simpson
Creative Publishing International, Inc.
Website: www.creativepub.com
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