Duck Hunting for Divers
If you are not familiar with the challenge of duck hunting for divers it is just what it sounds like. Some ducks dive underwater when threatened or disturbed, as protection and for feeding, and the challenge is to bag and bring home a catch of these wary ducks. With this added element of the quarry scrambling for cover beneath the water, it is unlike any other hunting. Unlike deer, turkey, bear, or even elk hunting, the duck hunting equipment needed to tackle these waterfowl is both more precise and more intricate than stalking or baiting animals. While duck hunting equipment is not expensive, it requires an exact mix of the precise color schemes and designs in order to make it properly appealing to ducks and geese. Duck hunting for divers is more challenging still, as hunting dogs cannot pursue certain ducks beneath the water, so that a missed shot may not have second chance.
Duck blinds and duck decoys are the most crucial pieces of equipment needed to stalk and bring home a good catch. While a duck’s sense of smell is average, their eyesight is excellent, as they need to be able to see through the light bending surface of a pond or lake in order to catch food and evade predators. A duck blind is no different than a large camouflage rig to prevent the birds from seeing you or a hunting dog. These do not need to be extraordinary — they can be made at home with only a boards and some green, and or camo paint — but need to be tall enough to hide a hunter. There are also boat mounted blinds that are used for open water situations where a hunter is required to hunt from the boat.
Duck decoys, likewise, do not need to be perfect replicas of an actual waterfowl. Ducks are very social birds and will often come over to inspect newcomers and establish a social hierarchy. Their attention, however, is very limited, so there is only a small window of opportunity to hit your target. A duck decoy should only cost about twenty to thirty dollars and anything more expensive is likely only a waste of money. If you are packing your gear into a more remote area, or hunting large water bodies, there are types of decoys that are inflatable, folding, and silhouette styles that are easier to carry than conventional types. Or, you may opt for something a little more realistic, like movable heads on your decoys, or those that are activated by wind or water motion.
All in all, duck hunting for divers is a great challenge and make your hunting season very enjoyable.