As spring approaches, the bird hunting season begins to pick up because many species begin to head into their winter migration. Many of the larger birds migrate to new places or are attracted by certain conditions. For hunting purposes, there are diverse varieties of birds to choose from. There are the small ones like sparrows, woodpeckers, chickadees, finches, and nuthatches. And of course, you’ll also find larger birds like blue birds, singing birds, owls, and hawks.
The increase in the bird population due to winter migration helps bird hunters get meat in abundance for family cooking or resale. Some sell birds’ feathers for use as fishing gear or other hunting tools. For others, bird hunting is a form of sport. In fact, it has been a very popular sport in the USA since the early days with some people traveling out in groups just to experience the thrills of bird hunting.
No matter your reason, if you’re hoping to hunt some migratory birds, here’s a simple guide to help you.
1. Get Your Hunting License
The first thing that you have to do is have a hunting license for your state. Without having a real hunting license, if you attempt to go bird hunting, you could get caught and prosecuted. It’s crucial for you to get your hunting license because, among other things, it’d enable you know which birds are off limits for hunting. Likewise, you should endeavor to follow the rules and regulations set by the state; otherwise, you can face sanctions, heavy fines, and even imprisonment.
2. Get Your Hunting Equipment And Other Accessories
If you already have a license then you can go to your nearest sporting goods store and purchase your hunting tools, hunting clothing and other accessories. The type of bird you’d be hunting, your hunting location, and other crucial factors will determine the type of hunting gear you’d be taking along.
Some of the essentials include a hunting vest, hunting shotgun or rifle, arrows and other necessary hunting equipment such as a hat, clothing, gun holster, and other accessories. You also shouldn’t forget your bird watching binoculars, spotting scope, and of course food bait for the birds. If required, you should also document your gun type with the states licensing officer to avoid any problems later on. Visit DecoyPro.com for more information on hunting.
3. Know The Best Time To Hunt Migratory Birds
Flock of wild Avocets (Recurvirostra avosetta) seen at dawn in Norfolk UK.
You should know the best season to go bird hunting. The best time to hunt for birds is during the spring season when the birds migrate from their wintering grounds to their spring breeding grounds. This time also offers you the best chance of catching certain varieties of birds since even the strong birds wouldn’t be as strong as they were in their natural habitat before migration.
4. Learn About Bird Hunting
One of the things that you must do before going hunting for birds is to learn about their habits and their migration routes. You can find all the information you need from books or you can also browse the internet. This will enable you to find out the correct migration routes of the birds you want to hunt and also learn about their diet.
5. Practice How To Use Your Hunting Gear
After you get the right hunting gear, make sure that you practice using it before you go hunting. This will enable you to get the hang of using the different hunting equipment before you head out. Also, check that the hunting range you’re hunting in has enough space for the animals you’re hunting. If the range is too small, the hunting will be more challenging. You should also know about the various techniques and strategies used to shoot the kind of bird that’s being hunted.
In most cases, the bird must be shot within a limited area to ensure it won’t escape or fly off. The bird can be captured using firearms, arrows, or hand-to-hand combat. You should also know how to aim at them without missing. It’s inhumane to let them fly off wounded because they’d end up suffering in pain for days before dying.
6. Dressing Appropriate For Bird Hunting
As you’re preparing to go bird hunting, you should be appropriately dressed for your hunting activities. Some of the most common dress options include khaki, jeans, hunting vest and of course, a hat. Your attire should be a bit lose on you so you can move freely while hunting. It’s also advisable to dress light to reduce sweat. Your clothes might seem insignificant but dressing appropriately could mean the difference between you catching lots of birds and you catching little or nothing.
Conclusion
There’s so much to know about hunting migratory birds and the fact is that you can’t learn everything there is to know in a day. With consistency, you’d get the hang of it in no time. Remember to get your hunting license, pack your hunting gear and accessories and of course, dress appropriately for the occasion. You also shouldn’t forget to take water along to stay hydrated.