Finding wounded birds can be a tricky task especially without a dog.
I have noticed, that quite often wounded waterfowl heads straight to nearest cover. This cover can be just a very small vegetation group.
I have searched birds from too far away when they have been very near the spot where they did first fall. They have been in so tiny cover, that I have overlooked those places.
When still alive wounded birds are often almost totally submerged and therefore hard to notice.
April 08, 2009
Tips to buying decoys
When you buy decoys you have to consider many things. Most important factor is what you need: the species, water-keel or weighted-keel or are they for land setups.
Usually it is best to leave the cheapest ones to shop, especially if they are not made to last.
Water-keel or weighted-keel?
It is better to buy weighted-keel decoys if you don't have to carry those long distances, if the weight is a serious issue then go for the water-keel models, but otherwise weighted-keel. Weighted-keel decoys swim more naturally and they are easier to set up, because they can be just tossed to water.
Decoys have to look natural and relaxed waterfowls, but it is as important, that the paint stays on. Paint goes off very easily especially from the cheapest ones, so if you don't want to paint your decoys soon after buying, buy good quality decoys.
I have very good experiences from the Greenhedgear's HotBuy decoys. They are very good quality decoys for the price they cost, although there are some faults too: the hole for the anchor rope is fairly small and there is no clip to attach the rope to stop it swinging around during transport.
Buy enough decoys; the size of the bird flocks and hunting pressure determines how much decoys you need. It is good to buy at least 10 -15 or more depending about the areas you hunt.
Usually it is best to leave the cheapest ones to shop, especially if they are not made to last.
Water-keel or weighted-keel?
It is better to buy weighted-keel decoys if you don't have to carry those long distances, if the weight is a serious issue then go for the water-keel models, but otherwise weighted-keel. Weighted-keel decoys swim more naturally and they are easier to set up, because they can be just tossed to water.
Buy good quality decoys
Decoys have to look natural and relaxed waterfowls, but it is as important, that the paint stays on. Paint goes off very easily especially from the cheapest ones, so if you don't want to paint your decoys soon after buying, buy good quality decoys.
I have very good experiences from the Greenhedgear's HotBuy decoys. They are very good quality decoys for the price they cost, although there are some faults too: the hole for the anchor rope is fairly small and there is no clip to attach the rope to stop it swinging around during transport.
Buy enough decoys; the size of the bird flocks and hunting pressure determines how much decoys you need. It is good to buy at least 10 -15 or more depending about the areas you hunt.
March 30, 2009
Dog's neoprene vest.
Dog's neoprene vest is a must, especially during cold weather, when waiting for the birds in a duck blind or in a boat.
The main benefit is, that the dog stays warm and this is especially important when it is cold weather. Other benefits are protection against snags, sticks, sharp vegetation and so on.
Good fit is crucial
The vest doesn't hinder dog's movement in any significant way and the vest sits better after some use. I have cut the vest around the dog's genitals for more comfortable fit. I sew the seam to be sure, that the vest doesn't fall apart.
When you choose the right vest, pay attention, that it is enough tight. It is supposed to sit like wetsuits. Too loose vest looses some of it's efficiency.
Tips to skinning a bird.
It is good to skin fish eating divers and remove the fat to avoid fish taste. I usually skin only the fish eating divers not all divers.
It is best to start the skinning making a cut to bird's back, from top to bottom. When you make the opening cut to bird's back you avoid cutting the breast meat.
Begin skinning from top and working towards bottom (tail). Cut wings and legs at the joints (after meat part) with knife or scissors. When you have skinned the bird just cut the abdom cavity open and take the guts out as usually.
Tips to finding and shooting upland birds.
When you seek upland birds you have to pay attention to terrain. Most often you find upland birds near edges of forest or different forest types.
It is also good to pay attention to ground floor. Places where there is berries are good places to seek upland birds. Especially good places are hills and the edges of hills where grows berries.
Stop now and then to flush the birds
Upland birds have a tendency to flush when hunter stops and the nerves of a hiding bird fails. It is a good practise to stop now and then. You have to pay attention, that you stop in places from where you have a good shooting position to the birds presumed flush direction.
If you can't have a clear shot, don't shoot, because it leads just to wounded birds. It is better to watch the birds flight for clearer shot and/or to see where the bird is heading to get a new flush and a new shooting opportunity.
Tips how to accustom dog to game
I have accustomed dog to game with cut and dried bird wings. It is a good practise to collect wings from different bird species and it is better to have plenty of wings, because they don't last long in rough use.
It is good to give the dog a chance to sniff the bird wings occasionally, especially if there is some problems with the game. You can also tie the wings to a dummy to bring realism to retrieving.
Frozen birds
My dog have had some problems accepting crows, but I have found a way to come over this. I have frozen crows in a plastic bag. Occasionally I take the crow out of the freezer and I let thedog to sniff it.
I also might give the dog a couple retrieves with the crow. After use I just put the crow back to the plastic bag and back to freezer. I don't let it melt down, I just use it straight from the freezer. Using this practise the crow withstands numerous uses.
March 18, 2009
Field dressing birds
Field dress birds cleanly and fast:
Pluck feathers from belly right above the bird's anus. Pluck enough feathers so, that you can make about 2 inch cut sideways of the belly. Pinch bird's skin between you fingers, pinch enough skin so, that when you cut it, it makes about 2 inch. Cut the skin between your fingers with a knife and after cutting it, cut more with the knife if necessary.
If you have a special hook for dressing, use it to pull the guts out. Pull gently and only as far as they easily come, then assist with hand to finish gutting.If you don't have a hook, put two fingers inside the cut and pull the guts out assisting with your thumb.
If you are in the field take just the guts out and the gizzard if you are not going to use it. If you are going to use the gizzard leave it intact.When you are at home finish the gutting before or after hanging. I suggest, that you hang birds at least until the rigor mortis is gone (the muscles are relaxed) .
To field dress immediately or not?
Personally I don't usually dress birds at the field, I do it at the base camp or at home. Of course if it is very hot or long time to wait, then it is good to dress the birds at the field.
For the best meat quality it is best to dress birds immediately, although this is not as important with birds as it is with mammals, because of different body structure. It is also good to strain the blood out. This is best done by cutting the neck below the cervical spine (the bone stays intact).
Pluck feathers from belly right above the bird's anus. Pluck enough feathers so, that you can make about 2 inch cut sideways of the belly. Pinch bird's skin between you fingers, pinch enough skin so, that when you cut it, it makes about 2 inch. Cut the skin between your fingers with a knife and after cutting it, cut more with the knife if necessary.
If you have a special hook for dressing, use it to pull the guts out. Pull gently and only as far as they easily come, then assist with hand to finish gutting.If you don't have a hook, put two fingers inside the cut and pull the guts out assisting with your thumb.
If you are in the field take just the guts out and the gizzard if you are not going to use it. If you are going to use the gizzard leave it intact.When you are at home finish the gutting before or after hanging. I suggest, that you hang birds at least until the rigor mortis is gone (the muscles are relaxed) .
To field dress immediately or not?
Personally I don't usually dress birds at the field, I do it at the base camp or at home. Of course if it is very hot or long time to wait, then it is good to dress the birds at the field.
For the best meat quality it is best to dress birds immediately, although this is not as important with birds as it is with mammals, because of different body structure. It is also good to strain the blood out. This is best done by cutting the neck below the cervical spine (the bone stays intact).
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