Thread: Young fella getting into it

Gday all, I am keen to get into duck shooting for the first-time next season around Waikato. I have never been duck shooting and am fairly inexperienced with a shotgun. Would it be a good start to join the clay bird club? Any Waikato based hunters able to offer some insight on how to break into the sport would be really appreciated. I don't have a dog so would be looking to get a kayak unless I find others to go with. I would be interested in hearing from anyone else who hunts this way. Cheers in advance.

Can I suggest you pop over to the introduction thread and say hello ?
Welcome to the Forum

Welcome to the forum.
Your local gun club would be a good starting point.

I would suggest joining local gun club, also do the "Duckshooters" sporting shoots that come up, H&F list their ones in their catalogue but you can find more of them on a quick google search. Great way to get some time behind the butt and meet like minded people.
Aside from that some time spent pre season checking out spots with public access, it can be very very frustrating at times so be patient, and hunting without a dog is also difficult but can be done

Final suggestion I have would be to also grab yourself a pair of waders, they will help

a duckhunters tale by kieth draper may well give you some real insight...he shot the waikato river for years....
with a kayak and a handfull of decoys the world is your oyster....go fishing from your yak and find place where a few birds hang out,loaf around.... suss out spot to park yak,chuck out the dekes close to where you can hide...and just wait...there will possibly be a few abandoned maimais that you could claim and remake...
after opening weekend many of them will not get used again..paddle out to them and shoot for the day...and leave it tidy afterwards...
dont over complicate it...and understand that shooting many ducks IS NOT the meaning of a good days hunting... a days hunting is good,and ducks are a bonus.