Basic Bird Hunting Information for the Uninitiated
Everywhere in the country there are different types of birds from waterfowl like ducks and geese to turkeys, quail, pheasant, dove and more. In fact, bird hunting of these different avian species is quite popular and for the uninitiated, you should know that a hunting license or permit issued from your state is required to legally bag these birds. Seasoned hunters often train and bring bird dogs along when hunting as they will help with the spotting of these feathered creatures to even the odds of shooting them.
A Hunting Lease is Needed
Unfortunately, the days of just roaming the countryside bird hunting are long gone and now you must seek out a hunting lease or someone you know who owns land that you can hunt on. Along with the requisite licensing and permits, you must have an allotted area now in which to hunt, particularly if you are seeking particular bird species such as certain types of quail and pheasant that are hard to find.
Through you local outdoor sporting goods stores and even the internet, you can find resources for bird hunting leases. In some situations, you pay a fee just to have access to hunting land while other packages may provide ammunition, food, bird dog services and/or lodging such as a cabin or bunkhouse. Your pocketbook is your guide when choosing the timing as well as the location of your bird hunting trip.
Tools for Hunting Your Feathered Friends
A shotgun is the primary weapon of choice when bird hunting, regardless of whether it is waterfowl or game birds you are aiming for. There are different types of shotgun styles such as the bolt action, pump-action, and semiautomatic, double barreled and the lever action with most of them using shotgun shells filled with tiny pellets. When fired, the shells explode, showering little pellets out, thus increasing your chances of hitting your intended feathered target.
Bird hunting has been also accomplished with hunting rifles although they are normally used for larger prey and official hunting contests. Overall, bringing down birds of all different sizes is easier with the shotgun because of its power, ease of use and fewer regulations to abide by in terms of bird hunting laws.
If you are new to the whole bird hunting game, join a shooting club in your area so that you can practice shooting a shotgun. Skeet shooting and clay pigeon target practice are popular pastimes that will help you with your bird hunting shooting skills. Before you know it, you will be out in the field somewhere waiting patiently to bag some ducks or pheasant.
