Shoot at a small clam

Press, 12 April 1979, Page 5

Shoot at a small clam

By

BEN HOPE

It seems strange when you think about it, that duck hunters should tend to congregate so heavily in certain places during the shooting season. Trout fishermen and deerstalkers are not nearly so gregarious and generally will sneak off on their own. Perhaps duck shooters have a competitive streak in them and get fun out of beating the next door fellow to his limit, although there is not much sense in this attitude. Such a strong competitive attitude inevitably leads to over eager shooting, shooting at high flying ducks and ruining the sport for all. Opening day. given good weather for shooting, may mean a limit bag. After that, shooting can be difficult as ducks quickly adjust and sit, out at sea during the day or in sanctuaries. One way to nab a duck or two is to shoot a small dam, or a drain. Ducks

have to feed and those birds at sea will come in at night to feed in sheltered areas such as small farm dams, drains or creeks. Sometimes they will come in on dry land if the feed is there. In resorting to nocturnal feeding and flying, ducks can come in at dusk, so the evening is not a bad time to sneak out along a drain, to a dam or perhaps a series of farm dams. Wherever it be, make sure you have permission. There are two basic ways to shoot a small dam. One is to creep up to it and try to knock a bird down when the ducks flush. After that you can sit down under nearby cover and wait to see if a n y birds return. Frequently they will do so. The other way is to set out a few decoys and wait. Just two or three will do the job adequately. The purpose of the few decoys is to lull the birds The trick is to scatter

into thinking it is safe to come down. them here and there. In this way they will look like undisturbed and contented ducks. Bunching them may suggest frightened ducks, according to one school of thought. Most pot holes, dams or creeks have a few willows along them. Make use of them for cover. Ducks, particularly the wily mallard. are quick to spot any sudden or unnatural changes in the landscape. Duck calling max help too, but do not overdo it. A little happy duck gabble will be more convincing than an all out quacking session. if you decide to stalk at a creek, dam or drain, always work with the wind behind you. Ducks invariably flush into the wind, so they will probably start your way as they get off the water. Even if they do turn as they see you. you will have gained in the distance they have risen towards you and the extra time. I once had a nice little duck pond tucked awav in the hills. It entailed half an hours walk but it was worth it. There always were a few ducks there, sometimes a dozen or more, and that was through the season. Sometimes 1 would down a couple of ducks and then lake up the rifle and hunt the nearby bush for deer. On one memorable morning, I got half a dozen ducks and a good stag. I repeat, do not forget to get the land owner’s permission. It is very important — let us give outdoor sports a good name.