Konsta Laitinen
If you're a new gun owner and have recently gotten your hunting license, the next thing to do is to accompany some friends on a hunting outing to learn the ropes. Duck hunting provides a challenge — there's customarily a lot of waiting around, following by a few brief moments of activity in which you need to be accurate. As with all types of hunting, duck hunting has a series of often-unwritten rules that your fellow hunters will expect you to know. Failing to adhere to these rules may not get you invited out again, so make sure that you know how to proceed. Here are some tips for being a good sportsman.
Don't Shoot Unless The Ducks Are Close
Beginners may be tempted to make the mistake of shooting as soon as the ducks are visible in the air, rather than assessing whether they're close enough to shoot. It's poor sportsmanship to shoot when the ducks are too far away. You'll likely hit some of them with your shotgun pellets, but the ducks' distance will make them difficult or impossible to retrieve. The result, then, is that you'll have unnecessarily hurt or killed a number of ducks. When you wait until they're close, you'll be able to hit some and easily retrieve them.
Be Smart About Angles
Some duck hunters are sticklers for sportsmanship to the point that they won't shoot ducks from the back. This means that if a handful of ducks takes to the sky but flies away from the hunters, they won't shoot. Not all duck hunters take this approach, but make sure to ask about those in your group. The last thing you want is to be the only one standing and shooting when everyone else views doing so as poor sportsmanship.
Leave The Blind How You Found It
The group of hunters you're joining will likely have multiple blinds set up around the hunting area. These small shelters, often located on the edges of water, will serve as your spot for the duration of the hunt. Be sure to be respectful by leaving the blind exactly how you found it when you get ready to leave at the end of the day. This means picking up any empty shotgun shells, food wrappers, water bottles, and any other gear that you've used. Many duck hunters are avid environmentalists, and won't take kindly to you leaving any garbage in nature.
A few months ago, I realized I didn't really enjoy my vacation time that much. Instead of getting outside and doing something fun, I found myself chilling in front of the television and trying to figure out what to do with my free time. Fortunately, a friend of mine mentioned joining a local sports league and trying out a few new hobbies. I was nervous at first, but I knew that she was right. I started playing in a sports league, and it was a great time. I was able to lose a little weight and enjoy the great outdoors. Check out this blog for more information about recreation and sports.