Duck shooting in Canterbury
By Malcolm Halstead
While out rabbit shooting recently, the farmer whose land we were on asked if we would like to go and shoot some ducks on another part of the farm. We gratefully accepted and arrangements were made to return the following weekend.
As I had not been duck shooting for a few years, it took quite an effort to locate the necessary paraphernalia in the garage. We had no decoys and no knowledge of the area, so the plan was to attack the day at a leisurely rate and use it as a learning curve for future expeditions.
On the Saturday in question, we left Christchurch at 8.00am for the one hour drive to the farm where we met with the farmer and confirmed the area we were to hunt. While walking towards the willow trees where we planned to station ourselves, we noted the odd mob of ducks disturbed by our presence leaving the area. Jack and I were soon concealed in some scrub and scanning the horizon for any ducks returning to the area. The first few mobs were called too and a few came in, to which I threw some lead at them just as a warning. Well, that's my excuse for missing and I am sticking to it!
After my enforced practise session, one unlucky mallard flew into some lead and dutifully fell out of the sky next to where we were hiding. I collected the duck and put him out on the grass as a decoy. This worked well and seem to bring the birds in closer, which equalled more kills!
By 2.00pm we had seven mallards, one paradise duck and one very unfortunate rabbit who chose to emerge from the logs in front of us. My shooting was far from average, but did improve as the afternoon went on; the same could also be said about Jack's ability with the duck caller.
We are going back this weekend armed with some decoys and the plan to arrive prior to daylight so that some serious shooting can take place. I can't wait!
