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Waterfowl hunting (also called duck hunting, goose hunting, or wildfowling) is the practice of hunting ducks, geese, or other waterfowl for food and sport. In many western countries, commercial waterfowl hunting is prohibited, and duck hunting is primarily an outdoor sporting activity.

Many types of ducks and geese share the same habitats, have overlapping or identical hunting seasons, and are hunted using the same methods. Thus is not uncommon to take several different species of waterfowl in the same outings.

History

Prehistoric waterfowl hunting

Wild waterfowl have been hunted for food, down, and feathers worldwide since prehistoric times. Ducks, geese, and swans appear in European cave paintings from the last Ice Age, and a mural in the Ancient Egyptian tomb of Khum-Hotpe (c. 1900 BC) shows a man in a hunting blind capturing swimming ducks in a trap. Muscovy ducks were depicted in the art of the Mochina culture of ancient Peru by 200 BC, and were likely hunted by many peoples of the Americas before then.

The rise of modern waterfowl hunting

The rise of modern waterfowl hunting is tied to the history of the shotgun, which can kill more reliably at greater ranges than a weapon that shoots a single projectile. In the 19th century, the seemingly limitless flocks of ducks and geese in the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways of North America were the basis for a thriving commercial waterfowl hunting industry. With the advent of punt guns- massive, boat-mounted shotguns that could fire a half-pound of lead shot at a time- hunters could kill dozens of birds with a single blast. This period of intense commercial waterfowl hunting is vividly depicted in James Michener's historical novel Chesapeake.

Conservation and the Duck Stamp Act

By the turn of the century, commercial hunting and loss of habitat lead to a decline in duck and goose populations in North America, along with many other species of wildlife. The Lacey Act of 1900, which outlawed transport of poached game across state lines, and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, which prohibited the possession of migratory birds without permission (such as a hunting license), marked the dawn of the modern conservation movement.

In 1934, at the urging of editorial cartoonist and conservationist J.N. "Ding" Darling, the US government passed the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act, better known as the Federal Duck Stamp Act. This program required hunters to purchase a special stamp, in additional to a regular hunting license, to hunt migratory waterfowl. Revenues from the program provided the majority of funding for conservation for many decades and funded the purchase of 4.5 million acres (18,000 km²) of National Wildlife Refuge land for waterfowl habitat since the program's inception. The Duck Stamp act has been described as "one of the most successful conservation programs ever devised." Duck stamps have also become collectible items in their own right.

Modern hunting techniques in the Americas

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Waterfowl hunting season is generally in the winter and fall. At this time of the year, the birds have finished raising their young and are migrating to warmer areas. There are three elements used by almost all waterfowl hunters: a shotgun, a hunting blind, and decoys. The decoys are used to lure the birds within range, and the blind conceals the hunter. Once the birds are within range, the hunters leap up from the blind and quickly shoot the birds before they are frightened off. Duck or goose calls are often used to attract birds; sometimes calls of other birds will also be simulated to convince the birds that there is no danger. Waterfowl hunters also often use dogs to retrieve dead or injured birds; there are many retriever breeds, such as Labrador Retrievers and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, specifically bred for the task.

Guns and shells

The most commonly used guns are 12 gauge shotguns, usually with number 4, 3, 2 or 1 shot for ducks or teal and larger shot, such as BB or even T-shot for geese. In many areas, buckshot and larger shot is illegal to use for taking migratory birds. Ten,16 and 20 gauge guns are also used. Although it is legal to use a bow or crossbow to take migratory waterfowl in many areas, most hunters prefer taking migratory birds with a shotgun because of the difficulty of striking a moving bird with an arrow or crossbow bolt. Taking migratory birds with a rifle is illegal as well due to the inherent danger of lobbing long-range bullets into the air; also, the ability to take birds on the water at long ranges would give hunters an unfair advantage and endanger hunters who may not be seen on opposite shore.

Waterfowl hunting with lead shot, along with the use of lead sinkers in angling, has been identified as a major cause of lead poisoning in waterfowl, which often feed off the bottom of lakes and wetlands where lead shot collects. In the United States, UK, Canada, and many western European countries (France in 2006) all shot used for waterfowl must now be non-toxic, and therefore may not contain any lead. Steel is the cheapest alternative to lead but steel has a much less effective range than lead because of its lower density. 30 to 40 yards is considered the maximum effective range for duck hunting.

Although steel is the most prevalently used shot, many hunters do not like its shooting properties. Steel is less dense than lead, therefore, its effective range is decreased due to a faster decrease in velocity. Many companies have improved steel shot by increasing muzzle-velocity and making more consistent 'shot' or pellets. Within recent years, several companies have created 'heavier than lead' non-toxic shot out of Tungsten, Bismuth or other elements with a density similar or greater to lead. These shells have a more consistent patterns and greater range than steel shot. The increase in performance comes at a higher cost.

Calls

In old times, a duck call was a very simple woodwind instrument. It had a barrel, a sounding board and a reed. Hunters would grunt into the call while saying "hut", "quit" or "ut". With the improvement of calls and calling techniques the best callers are able to use no voice. The most prevalent and hunted duck in the United States, the mallard, makes the well known "quack" sound many associate with ducks. Other species make many different sounds, ranging from high-pitched whistles to very low, grunt-like quacks. There are calls for almost all species of ducks. Pintails, teal, wood ducks, diving ducks and other ducks including the calls of both the male, or drake and the female, or hen.

In many species, the call of the drake (male) is different from that of the hen (female). Mallard drakes make a lower pitch, longer quack than the hen mallard. This call is often used while feeding and when a mallard drake is landing. It gives the other birds a heads up. The quack of a mallard drake requires voice and is replicated by humming into a special whistle-like call. This whistle is often called a 6-in-1 whistle, due to the fact that it can replicate six different duck species sounds.

In teal, the drakes make a call of short bursts of a high pitch whistle. The "teet! (pause) teet! (pause) teet!-teet!" or any other order of repetition. This call can be made by blowing short bursts of air into the "6-in-1" whistle.

The majority of duck sounds such as quacking people have heard and are familiar with comes from females, or hen, mallards. Hen mallards are extremely vocal and this is probably why the number one call for duck hunting in North America is a hen mallard call.

Blinds

There are numerous types of structures that qualify as duck blinds. Blinds can be temporary or permanent. They are very effective at concealing hunters and making their movements un-noticed.

For hunting over water, the types of blinds are almost unlimited.

A blind may be constructed out of plywood. Many of these permanent blinds look like a small shack with an opening that faces the water and a portion of the sky.

Often creating a temporary, natural blind as a method of concealment is a hunter's best bet. This is done by using native grasses or marsh vegetation and natural material and simply hiding in a tree, clump of grass or a shrubb. More sophisticated natural blinds may have large logs or branches leaned together or lashed together using rope.

Temporary blinds are common in protected and public areas where a permanent fixture is forbidden. Temporary blinds can be very simple and usually require a three dimensional enclosure to conceal hunters from circling flocks.

With the growing popularity of motorcraft such as boats in waterfowl hunting, many individuals have chosen to use boat blinds also known as pop-up blinds. Boat blinds are used to conceal a hunter when hunting out of a boat. Boat blinds can be hand made or are available from manufacturers.

There are two common types of blinds for land and field based waterfowl hunting: pit-blinds and layout-blinds. The pit blind is a solid structure that is placed into a hole in the ground or on the bank of a waterbody. Lay out blinds allow a hunter to have a low profile in a field without digging a hole. It is made of a metal frame and canvas. The hunter crawls in and lies down in the blind. When birds are coming in the hunter can sit up and shoot.

Clothing

Duck season takes place in the fall and winter where the weather can be harsh. Waterproof clothing is critical to duck hunting. Most duck hunters hunt over water, and they stand in water or in a boat. In order to stand in the water and stay dry the hunter must wear waders. Waders are waterproof pants (usually made of a neoprene like material) that have attached boots and are completely waterproof. Typical waders are chest high, but waist high and knee high waders are sometimes used in shallow water. Duck hunting can be a very cold sport and the hunter must be well insulated from the cold. Ducks also have great vision which requires the hunters clothing to be well camouflaged.

Many clothing manufacturers such as Drake, Herters, Whitewater and Mad Dog have incorporated use of modern apparel technologies to provide added comfort and protection from the diverse weather elements that waterfowl hunters can be subjected to.

Dogs

Duck hunters quite often employ a dog to retrieve downed birds. Most often hunters use retrievers, though Spaniels and some versatile breeds can also fit the bill. The use of a dog provides a number of advantages. As duck hunting often takes place in cold wet locations, the use of a dog frees the hunter from potentially dangerous forays into cold water to retrieve the bird. Such efforts can be dangerous for the hunter, but are managed by a dog quite easily. It also allows for the recovery of wounded birds that might otherwise escape. A dog's acute sense of smell allows them to find the wounded birds. The use of a dog prevents waste and ensures that a higher percentage of the birds shot end up on the table.

Wildfowling in Europe and the UK

Wild ducks and geese are hunted over foreshores and inland and coastal marshes in Europe. In Britain, the sport is known as wildfowling. Birds are hunted with a shotgun, and less commonly, a large single barrelled gun mounted on a small boat, known as a punt.

Only certain 'quarry' species of wildfowl may legally be hunted in the UK, and are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. These are Mallard, Wigeon, Teal, Pochard, Shoveler, Pintail, Gadwall, Goldeneye, Tufted Duck, Canada Goose, White-fronted Goose (England and Wales only), Greylag Goose and Pink-footed Goose. Other common quarry targets for the wildfowler include Common Snipe, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot and Golden Plover.

An intimate knowledge of the quarry and it's habitat is required by the successful wildfowler. Shooting will normally occur during the early morning and late afternoon 'flights', when the birds move to and from feeding and roosting sites.

Wildfowling has come under threat in recent years through legislation. Destruction of habitat also has played a large part in the decline of shooting areas, and recently in the UK "right to roam" policies mean that wildfowler's conservation areas are at risk.

In UK wildfowling is largely self-regulated. Their reppresentative body, WAGBI (Wildfowlers Association of Great Britain and Ireland), was founded in 1908 by Stanley Duncan in Hull. This Association changed its name in 1981 to become the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) and now represents all forms of live quarry shooting at European, national and local levels. There are also many wildfowling clubs around the coast of Great Britain, often covering certain estuary areas where wildfowl are found in large numbers.

Regulations, sportsmanship, and safety

Waterfowl hunting is highly regulated. In most western countries, hunters are required to obtain a hunting license and face strict limits on the number of birds that can be taken in a day (bag limits) and the total number of birds a hunter can possess (possession limits).

In the United States, hunters must also purchase a federal duck stamp and often a state stamp. It is illegal to shoot ducks from a motor vehicle, a moving boat, or to shoot sitting or swimming ducks; this is also considered unsportsmanlike and possibly unsafe. Many practices that were once common in commercial duck hunting before the turn of the century, including laying baits such as corn, use of live ducks as "decoys," and use of guns larger than a 10-gauge, are now prohibited. In most areas, shotguns that can hold more than two or three shells must be modified to reduce their magazine size. Legal hunting is limited to a set time period (or "season"), which generally extends from fall to early winter, while birds are migrating south.

It is also considered good sportsmanship to make every possible attempt to retrieve dead or injured waterfowl the hunter has shot. Shooting before birds are within range is also considered poor form, as this often merely injures the birds and may drive them away before other hunters can fire.

Many states and provinces of Canada require hunters, including waterfowl hunters, to complete hunter safety courses before they can obtain a license. Waterfowl hunters fire short-range shotgun rounds into the air over often deserted bodies of water, so accidental injuries are rarer than in other hunting activities such as big game or deer hunting.

Hunting areas

In the Midwest and central United States, wildfowl hunting generally occurs on lakes, marshes, swamps, or rivers where ducks and geese land during their migration. Cornfields and rice paddies are also common hunting grounds, since geese and ducks often feed on the grain that remains in the field after harvest. In some areas, farmers rent or lease hunting rights. Some farmers or hunters form hunt clubs, which can cover thousands of acres and have resort-like amenities, or be as simple as a shallow pit blind dug into a field. On the East and West coast of America and many parts of Europe, waterfowl hunters often focus on the seashore. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service maintains millions of acres as National Wildlife Refuges open to public hunting.

Stuttgart, Arkansas is the self-proclaimed "Duck Capital of the World." As a major rice producing area, eastern Arkansas and nearby areas attract millions of birds each year eager to eat rice lost during harvest.

Conservation

Waterfowl are indigenous to marsh and wetland areas, which are shrinking at alarming rates. Wetland conservation and restoration is critical for the continuance of waterfowl hunting. Organizations such as Ducks Unlimited are making a concerted effort to maintain and expand waterfowl and marshland conservation to ensure safety and expansion of the sport.

References

1. Waterfowl Ecology and Management (1994) by Guy A. Baldassarre, Eric G. Bolen, D. Andrew Saunders, Pp. 3-6.
2. Waterfowl Ecology and Management (1994) by Guy A. Baldassarre, Eric G. Bolen, D. Andrew Saunders.
3. "Artistic License- The Duck Stamp Story." Smithsonian National Postal Museum.
4. State of California. "Selected 2006 Waterfowl Hunting Regulations."
5. Sanderson, Glen C. and Frank C. Bellrose. 1986. A Review of the Problem of Lead Poisoning in Waterfowl. Illinois Natural History Survey, Champaign, Illinois. Special Publication 4. 34pp. full report from scholar.google.com (cache)
6. A.M. Scheuhammer and S. L. Norris. 1996. "The ecotoxicology of lead shot and lead fishing weights" Ecotoxicology Vol. 5 Number 5 pp. 279-295
7. State of California. "Selected 2006 Waterfowl Hunting Regulations."
8. TPWD:2006 2006-2007 Texas Hunting Season Dates, Grouped by Animal

See also

• Delta Waterfowl Foundation
• British Association for Shooting and Conservation
• California Waterfowl Association
• Decoy
• Duck
• Ducks Unlimited
• Game bird
• Hunting
• Muttonbirding
• Waterfowl
• Wetland
• Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust

External links

• Delta Waterfowl Foundation - Waterfowl research and conservation
• Ducks Unlimited - Wetlands and Waterfowl Conservation
• The Book of Duck Decoys - Sir Ralph Payne Gallwey, 1886 (full text)
• British Duck Decoys of To-Day, 1918 - Joseph Whitaker (full text)
• Midwest Decoy Collectors Association The de facto international collectors group
• British Association for Shooting and Conservation - Covering wildfowling in the UK

• Hunting
• Hunting in the United States
• Winter sports