how to prepare duck after shooting
Wade Bourne is one of America's best known outdoor writers/broadcasters. "A common mistake many shooters make on incoming targets is they get the gun up to their face too early and ride the bird too long," says All-America sporting clays shooter and instructor … After sharing that helpful hint, my uncle did something else that helped me, too. And it builds confidence that the shotgun can do its job if the shooter does his. Duck shooting season runs from May until August and for many that will mean the arduous job of hunting and plucking before enjoying this gamey red meat. That will draw out blood. (When getting this fitting, be sure to wear bulky outer clothes you'll have on while hunting. There's a lot of empty airspace in an incoming flight of ducks. The more you shoot, the more comfortable you'll become with your shotgun and the more effective you'll be at downing passing ducks. Start on a less challenging station, and shoot it repeatedly until you learn the sight picture (muzzle location relative to the movement of the target) to break clays consistently. When he shoulders his shotgun, his confidence soars, and birds off the end of his muzzle are likely to drop! Why does my mom think the deer numbers are down on her property because she is only seeing two or three on the game cameras? It was Youth Waterfowl Day in Tennessee. Then if it drops, you may acquire another target and try for a double. For many, this is the ultimate moment in duck hunting. Long-range shooting is a game of details, and if any detail is overlooked, it can- and oftentimes does- mean a miss. Get your answers by asking now. After that, a quick rinse and the duck is ready for the fridge. My young friend Rob Clouser was certainly lucky when he doubled on those two mallards, now a half-dozen years ago. Aim slightly below the bird, raise the gun up into its flight path, and pull the trigger when the gun barrel blots out the bird. Join Yahoo Answers and get 100 points today. Another mistake many beginners make is shooting at the whole bird, which can lead to drawing tailfeathers instead of making a lethal shot. Beyond this range, however, steel loses its punch quickly. After the water has boiled, take the bird by its feet and dip it in that water for approximately one minute. To correct this, consciously focus on the bird's eye, and use this as your aiming point. Try different chokes and shotshell loads to see how various combinations perform. Above all make sure you wash it real good, and cook it thoroughly, like chicken some birds can have wicked bacteria. Too many beginners get excited and shoot into the flock at large instead of focusing aim on a single duck. True, you must hold the correct amount of lead to hit a flying bird. They buy a gun off the shelf and take it to the field without regard for such measurements as pull length, drop at comb, pitch and other variables that affect how the gun matches the shooter's physical measurements. Gut it, cut the feet and head off, remove skin throw it on the BBQ. All rights reserved. Grab a handful of flesh, underneath the head and neck and rip it away. If the ice is too thick to easily break into sheets, try something else. If I think a duck or goose is too far, I don’t shoot. However, the combination of variables is infinite (distance of bird, direction of flight, angle of flight, speed of flight, etc.). Cut one wing off with clippers. "These are obedience drills, and Upon your arrival at the range, scout the locations of dry firing areas, safe areas and bathrooms. There is no issue with leaving the head on (the chinese have been doing it with peking duck for thousands of years) if you gut, skin, and age the duck. After brining, simply pat down the ducks or duck parts, then give them a good rub with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Words: Nadene Hall Duck shooting is a sport for some people, an environmental necessity for others. When a Duck is Coming Straight in, Aim, Blot it Out and Fire. And by the way, today Rob is a strapping college student, and he's also still poison on any ducks that fly reasonably close. ), 2. This is one undertaking where preparation and training far outweigh luck in determining success. I have included a link below with some important tips. To clean fowl (ducks, geese, pheasant, etc) in the field, begin by turning it on its back. These loads provide performance equal to or surpassing lead-shot loads. Having good follow-through is the proper conclusion to any athletic effort, be it shooting at a duck, swinging a golf club or throwing a ball. Hire a shooting instructor for a lesson, or ask a veteran skeet shooter to help you. Unbelievable! Many hunters never know the advantage â or the joy â of shooting a fitted shotgun. In the field, I usually just gut the bird and wait till I get home to pluck or skin it. "A duck or goose wrapped in a plastic bag or Ziploc can last six or eight months before you need to get it to the taxidermist," Olson said. Duck hunters up in arms after firearms licensing backlog threatens shooting season James Fyfe 9 mins ago Government's multibillion-dollar Working for Families package set … If you're patient, they will fly well within shooting range. There is no way to consciously analyze each situation and figure the right amount of lead. Also, follow your instructor's advice on how to mount your shotgun, how much lead to hold, following through, etc. 4-6. Always wear rubber gloves when handling ducks because they could be carrying diseases. This helps in two ways.  Tip: Duck Hunting Success in Any Weather. "Here come a couple," Rob said eagerly. Legal shooting hours were already in, and ducks were flying. The mallards are committed and coming straight into the decoys with wings cupped and feet down. By using a very sharp knife, you will now have to remove those is a knife or a gun better at close range? By doing so, you will scald the bird for pinion feather removal. We'd just gotten situated and told the boys to load up. You can sign in to vote the answer. Some shooters â like my young friend â are naturals. Doing so requires good preparation, qualified instruction and more than a little practice. I just like to slow roast it in teriyaki and sesame oil and baste it continually while it cooks. But fortunately, you don't have to! Test Your Shotgun's Pattern With Various Loads and Choke Combinations. Many beginning shooters are intimidated by a head-on shot, but actually this is one of the easiest in the book. He has hosted outdoor TV shows on TNN (Advantage Outdoors) and The Outdoor Channel (Ducks Unlimited TV). It cooks fast and is closer to beef in flavor than chicken. For example, if you are duck hunting in the open water you will be able to place your decoys in a variey of ways to lure the ducks into shooting distance. Judge: 'QAnon Shaman' must stay in jail until trial, Piers Morgan storms off set as co-host calls him out, Biden's pooches sent home after 'biting incident', Poll: Quarter of Americans have lost loved one to COVID, Ex-'Housewives' star walks back harsh Markle remarks, Stimulus recipients likely to save most of the $1,400, Katie Couric becomes first female 'Jeopardy!' Trial-and-error testing will give you the proper sight picture for accuracy at these long ranges. Patterning does three things. Skeet shooting offers great practice for the type of shots waterfowl hunters encounter (crossing, incoming, etc.). Never killed a duck, but with turkeys I prefer skinning them as there really isnt much besides the breast on a wild turkey anyway. Most people have no idea how to properly age the meat and therefore will try to cook it when the muscle is still hardened from RM. He's also won numerous awards for his journalistic expertise. He unloaded all but one shotshell from the Browning automatic I was shooting and said, "Try that. It was one of the best shooting performances on ducks that I'd ever seen, and from one of the most unlikely shooters. One, if you can't see the eye, the bird is too far away; don't shoot! Barrel Care Part 4: How to prepare a barrel before shooting This section is all about the different techniques that can be used to provide a good form of dry lubrication prior to the first shot. Aim slightly below the bird, raise the gun up into its flight path, and pull the trigger when the gun barrel blots out the bird. However, they are very expensive and impractical for budget-minded hunters who shoot ducks frequently. "Great shooting," I said to Rob, who shrugged like, "Well, wasn't that what I was supposed to do?". someone said to me that you just cut off the head and hang it up side down to let the blood out. How to Prepare a Duck For Butchering… Butchering is much easier if the duck’s digestive system is empty. On long passing shots, lead more than you think you 7. Leave the skin on and pluck if you like, the fat makes it taste pretty good if you like it. Steel-shot loads are greatly improved over initial loads that hit the market when lead shot was banned. Practice staying calm in stressful situations. In other words, it takes a structured plan for improvement, and those who devise and implement such a plan will get better. Skin em, gut em, cook them well done. Improvement won't just happen magically. Better alternatives for long-range ducks are loads containing alloy-shot of tungsten, bismuth, iron and other non-toxic metals. This will also help the birds cool down quicker. In the past 37 years, he has published more than 2,500 articles in America's leading outdoor magazines. Several factors come into play in being a good waterfowl shot, and an important one is patience. As other posters said, wash it really good. Take This Duck Calling Quiz to Find Out. The gamey taste comes from rigor mortis. After you hunt and harvest wild pheasant, you need to know how to prepare and cook it and then serve it on the table for a unique family feast. After breaking the ice, sweep the water's surface with the net until you've picked up all the floating pieces. Like duck hunters, retrievers often are required to sit still for extended stretches of time. And when you're paying the price for premium .300 Winchester Magnum, .30-378 Weatherby and .338 Lapua ammo, you want to … Move back 40 yards, then shoot directly at the image with your shotgun stabilized in a shooting rest. This At this range, it's difficult to hold too much lead. When you know you only have one shot, you're If you’re able, arrive early for a Friday practice. But if you don't have a lot of experience in shooting rapidly descending targets, bagging decoying ducks can be a challenge. Cleaning the Carcass. When plucking, you should pluck upwards towards the head, but it is rare to rip the skin when plucking a pigeon, so direction is not so important. No question, hunters who follow these guidelines will see their shooting average on these birds go up. i have never really been hunting, but am interested in it. I always will keep them at least overnight to Go easy on the salt, however, because the brine adds salty flavor to the meat. (Be sure to check manufacturer's recommendations on which chokes to use with steel-shot loads.) Is there a special bang stick to kill sharks for kayakers. However, I’ve never felt anything but shame after taking a flier at a bird and then watching it sail, chest-shot, 400 yards away. I was just wondering how do you prepare it? Here's the bottom line on becoming a better duck shot. They swing a shotgun like a golf pro does a driver or a major league baseball player a bat. Following is a list of 10 tips for bagging more ducks with fewer shots. First shot lubrication will also help to get on the button and consistent shot placement from a … Or, if you already have a waterfowl gun you like, take it to the gunsmith and let him adjust the stock so it'll snug into your shoulder like a long-time dance partner. Why is there such a shortage of guns and ammo for sale these days? Pluck into a bin liner or pluck in the field after shooting. The home of CBeebies. It helps the shooter visualize how big a duck or goose is at 40 yards. Here we’ll go over major parts of pump and semi I keep a hose with a shut-off valve at the ready to wash the carcass, table, and knife. host, Paul Walker's daughter makes runway debut, Unilever to drop 'normal' from beauty products, Shelton jokes about Stefani wedding date, pregnancy, http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/HGIC3515.htm. Although it’s unlikely that you’ll be in a situation as extreme as a school shooting, you can practice staying calm in scenarios that are less stressful. Still have questions? You can let the duck sit in the cold water for a minute or two while the wax sets up, but it should happen very quickly. Thirteen-year-old Rob Clouser was in a hunt club blind with two other young friends and three adult chaperones, including me. doesnt hurt to soak it in salt water overnight either. Instead, make a deliberate effort to slow down when mounting your gun, tracking your target and squeezing the trigger at just the right moment. Then he pulled off to the second mallard and fired again, and it tumbled behind the first duck. A shooter should simply follow the target and use the shotgun barrel as an extension of his line of sight. There's no reason to rush. thanks. No need to hang or pluck feathers. All pages © 2012 â 2020 BPS Direct, L.L.C. As far as bleeding it out, I guess you can but that is usually done with very gamey animals like wild boar. This will also help the birds cool down quicker. One of the worst is stuffing doves or pheasants into a rubber-lined game pocket and leaving them there to "cook," and perhaps spoil, by the end of the day. Continue ripping the skin and feathers off around the torso. Sometimes after a long day hunting you don't want to spend hours cleaning your ducks. Again, it will come in direct response to an effort on the shooter's behalf to improve his skill level. How do you think about the answers? Shooters have a built-in calculator that will instinctively determine how much lead is needed. Never killed a duck, but with turkeys I prefer skinning them as there really isnt much besides the breast on a wild turkey anyway. Or, if the duck is descending to land, aim at its feet and shoot.  Tip: Patterning Your Shotgun for Ducks, 3. I looked out and spotted two mallard drakes passing over the decoys at 45 yards, a challenge even for veteran adult wingshots. Once the bird is dead, it isn’t that difficult to butcher a duck. If he has a proper gun mount, "stays on the bird" and doesn't stop moving the gun barrel when he shoots, holding the right lead will come naturally. One more way that I would like to show you about how to duck hunt without dogs is to field duck hunt. Skin em, gut em, cook them well done. cut off the head if you want, pluck the feathers pull out its guts, and then roast it for awhile depending on how big it is. The same will hold true for other shooters. Other hunters might field dress a bird, let it hang for a couple of days, then try to dry-pluck it. Also, try to plan your but im not sure, all i really know is, that you pluck the feathers. On Long Passing Shots, Hold More Lead Than You Think is Necessary. But this was youth day, and Rob was anxious to burn some powder. So 12 to 18 hours before butchering, remove feed. Consistently bagging ducks with a shotgun is a learned skill like any other athletic endeavor. I pat them dry with paper towels and put them in a closed plastic container in the refrigerator for up to a week before freezing. It shows which combination of choke and load provides the best performance. Many bird hunters have developed some bad habits. (Number 2 steel shot is a good choice for shooting ducks over decoys.) However, when a bird is crossing at 40 yards or longer, hold more lead than you think you need to. Cleaning a duck after it has been caught and killed is not a difficult process. Sometimes, I kick myself afterward. He has hosted a daily syndicated outdoor radio show for 28 consecutive years. HOW TO UPGRADE YOUR AR-15 We’ve built dozens of AR’s and we’ll cover all the best AR-15 upgrades such as handguards, triggers, BCGs, gas blocks, and more. Schools nationwide are training teachers and other staff on how to prepare and defend from an active shooter. Make sure that everyone is done shooting, then go to the location where you downed the duck and store it in a sack until you dress it. Immediately after pulling the duck from the hot wax bath, dunk it into a bucket of cold water to set the wax. Today's premium steel loads are fast and carry plenty knockdown power to bag ducks cleanly to 40 yards. Then, after this first instructional session, return to the range as often as possible for more practice. Rob rose from his shooting hole, swung on the first duck and fired, and it dropped like a stone. Hoever, one particiualr duck decoy spread option that I would suggest trying when duck hunting from a kayak would be this duck … What the heck? Be intentional about aiming and shooting at one bird only. You want to work quickly and keep your table and tools clean to prevent the growth of bacteria on the meat. So, when buying a new shotgun, go to a gunsmith who can help you get the right fit. The usual result is that pieces of skin are torn away and the bird is a mess. By the time the shot charge gets on target, the duck will have dropped into the middle of the pattern. Lay it down on a flat surface. They are gifted athletes with great hand/eye coordination. Keep the barrel moving after firing. One of the biggest mistakes inexperienced waterfowl hunters make is shooting too fast. doesnt hurt to Set up a pattern board, cover it with white paper, and trace a life-size duck/goose image in the center. Many hunters routinely shoot at least a box of shells to bag a limit. Prepare your meals in advance, so your energy won’t fade while you are shooting. Head to the Skeet Range, and Engage an Instructor to Offer Shooting Advice. A Simple Guide to Choosing Lure Colors for Bass, How to Hunt Blue-Winged Teal in September, How One Angler Tackles Small Stream Catfish, Why Deep, Cool Holes are Hotspots for Summer Crappie, Do You Speak Duck? However, it’s important to remember a few pointers in order to ensure the duck is safe to consume. But more, he had benefited from his dad's expert shooting instruction and the opportunity to spend many days in the blind. Most misses are behind the bird. You can let your ducks have access to water. If the duck is on the smaller side and you want a medium to well-done breast, then you want to cook the breast at a higher heat but for less than 4 minutes. But remember that a double starts by hitting the first bird you shoot at. You will need to retain one wing for identification. Using a heavy axe or maul, break open a 3'x 3' hole. For most, however, hitting ducks is ever more difficult and frustrating. Some of the most exciting and memorable duck hunting trips that I have ever been on were when we duck hunted from fields. Can a shooter tell the difference between shooting a blank and a regular lead round? For them, there's nothing easy about mounting a shotgun, holding the proper lead, and downing a flying target. How long you leave it to cook will depend on how you like your duck. Natural talent certainly helps, but shooters with mediocre ability can still develop deadly shooting proficiency. Let’s take a look at the basic steps and you can become an expert in no time. No need to pluck it if you are going to skin it. As other posters said, wash it really good. "We also teach the dogs to sit on stumps, on water stands, and in water for long periods," Stewart says. Other than the Browning BLR, has anyone ever made a commercially-successful detachable-magazine lever-action rifle? A shotgun that's a poor fit will be harder to swing and hold on target than one that's customized to personal dimensions. 8. A quick n easy way clean a duck. 9. So get way out in front, keep the shotgun barrel swinging, and pull the trigger. And two, if you can see the eye, keep your attention fixed on it, which will help you swing your shotgun ahead of the bird instead of behind it. Their excitement was electric. another great way to have duck is shishkabob. When you start to feel panicky, take deep breaths and focus … Watch programmes and play games for Go Jetters, Hey Duggee and Sarah & Duck. The "don't calculate lead" rule works better when ducks are close. This way gets almost all the usable meat. Whatever you do, don't wrap the bird in newspaper or stuff it into pantyhose, which is a fast way to freezer-burn the bird. When a Duck is Coming Straight in, Aim, Blot it Out and Fire Many beginning shooters are intimidated by a head-on shot, but actually this is one of the easiest in the book.