Seven factors of successful hunting
The opening of the hunt is a real holiday for true fans of this activity. I want it to be remembered for a long time, and not cause distress and disappointment. To do this, you need to follow certain rules for preparing for this event. It is clear that each hunter has its own traditions, so here are only generalized factors that affect the impressions that will remain with him after the discovery.
Opening date
One of the factors that does not depend on the participants, but can thoroughly spoil the mood and leave behind a negative residue, irritation and spoiled mood is the postponement of the deadline or the establishment of temporary bans, which in principle is equivalent. These restrictions only penalize law-abiding hunters who will honestly wait for permission from the authorities. Poachers don’t care. They will definitely take the opportunity to “skim the cream” in the hunting grounds. This, of course, does not mean that you need to be like “free shooters”, just really want the authorities to understand this, too, and take into account the desire of people to do their favorite hobby in a timely manner.
Location of the upcoming hunt
A very important point that determines the final result of the upcoming hunt is the correct choice of location. This issue should be approached very carefully and responsibly.
If there are permanent places that are used for departure for a number of years, then you do not have to worry too much. But even in this case, you need to visit your ” own ” reservoir in advance and check the hunting places. Since the last visit, field roads may become unusable – they may be filled up with dead wood, flooded, washed away by rain or flood, and you will have to look for other ways or repair entrances when only a few hours remain before the control time. And the reservoir itself can change greatly: dry up or spread out, overgrown with bushes along the banks, etc. In order not to lose valuable time, you need to choose a beautiful and convenient place for future Parking. Exploration will help determine the presence of ducks on the paths on duckweed, droppings and down. In autumn, ducks do not take off when approaching, they sit firmly in the thickets, so these signs are fundamental. You can find fresh trails and spent cartridges, which is extremely unpleasant and indicates that the “bespredelschiki” have already visited this place, so you will have to look for another.
Team
The vast majority of fans go to the opening with the company, and it is very desirable that they are well-known people. In the formed team, everyone knows each other’s characters and habits well, and they understand their friends from the start. Here all the responsibilities are distributed, everyone is engaged in their own business. Therefore, there are no conflicts, and small troubles quickly turn into a joke. When deciding to join an unfamiliar company, you should think carefully and weigh the pros and cons.
Weapons and ammunition
At the opening of the hunt, where feathered game will be used as trophies, you can successfully use any smoothbore hunting rifles of 12 to 20 caliber. Various types of rifled weapons are not safe for this type of hunting because of the large killing range, and, according to many experienced hunters, are considered “not sports”. It is necessary to check the serviceability of the weapon and its “application”. A rifle, more often just purchased, may not be suitable for the hunter according to his physique (long or short stock, uncomfortable bed, etc.). In this case, annoying misses are inevitable, since he can’t aim properly. It is especially offensive if it turns out to be on the hunt. You can fix the weapon yourself, but it is better if it is done in a special workshop by specialists.
For hunting wild duck cartridges are equipped with shot number 6 or 7, its size is quite enough. You can use a larger shot, but the probability of getting wounded is much less if the bird gets 5-7 small pellets, rather than 1 or 2 large ones. It is almost impossible to find a wounded bird in the reeds without a dog.
Trained dog
Having a trained hunting dog at the opening is very profitable. Without it, it is unlikely to find and pick up more than half of the downed bird. Dense thickets of plants along the lakes reliably hide trophies. Four-legged friends can easily solve this problem, they will find game in the reeds and bushes, get it out of the swamp and water. A breed cops look up and served duck Spaniel, drathaar, likes and others.
Liquor
Rarely do people come to the opening of the hunt to spend it on the “dry”. There is nothing wrong if friends drink a glass, returning from the morning dawn, or at the evening fire. Worse, if the company “notes” immediately upon arrival at the place and until the morning dawn, spoiling the holiday and yourself and people. Especially since a drunk man with a gun in his hands is a real danger to others.
Clothing and accessories
It is clear that comfortable, light, not restricting movement clothing, selected for the season, will allow you to feel comfortable in the morning and evening dawn. Hunting stores offer a huge selection of hunting equipment for every taste and at various prices. Do not forget that in the last month of summer, the weather is capricious, hot days are replaced by quite cool nights, so a set of warm clothes will not be superfluous. It is necessary to take with you a change of shoes and thin socks, which, after returning to the camp, are put on instead of wading boots and woolen socks.
If the reservoir where you plan to hunt is large enough, you must have a boat, at least one for the entire company.
It is desirable to have not only tents, but also sleeping bags, it will be much more convenient to rest than on the car seat. An armful of fragrant fresh hay, thrown as a mattress, will make sleep even more pleasant and strong.
It is mandatory to take care of means of protection from insects-mites and mosquitoes. It is clear that a meeting with an infected tick threatens very serious trouble, and an uninfected one can cause a lot of trouble. Well, flying bloodsuckers can thoroughly spoil the pleasure of hunting, especially since in the morning and evening in calm weather they literally “get wild”.
This list can be continued for a long time, describing various accessories for organizing a bivouac, recipes for cooking game, and so on. But, if the main preparatory work is clearly done, then most likely, the opening of the hunt will be successful and will leave pleasant memories and impressions for the entire next year.