Forums.NitroExpress.com

Answered in turn:

1. You can shoot all of them except the Burdekin Duck. Burdekins are black and white and quite distinctive. Just be careful in the early morning or if silloeted against the sun. So you can "in theory" shoot Freckle Duck. Only I've never seen a freckle duck there. Species found are Blackies (same as blackies down south), Whistlers (aka plumed tree duck) Chesnut teal and Grey teal. Blackies and Wistlers would make up 98% of ducks sighted. Watch out for pygmie geese. They can sometimes look like ducks in the early morning gloom.

2. Steel and Bismuth on public lands. Lead on private. Though there has been talk of banning lead for birds territory wide. This hasn't occured yet AFAIK.

3. No. 2's for Bismuth and lead, No. 1's for steel.

4. Some folks do. Goose decoys mainly. Tony and I went halves in some duck FUD's but we never got round to using them.

5. Anyone who launches a canoe in somewhere like Adelaide, Mary or Aligator systems would need their head examined. I would use a canoe in Darwin Harbour, or Shoal bay (the esturine bits that is) and in the upper reaches of a system where there is a good degree of visibility and you can walk the bank of a billabong and see what size of croc lives there. A duck punt is an infinetly better option. When a 15 foot saltie glides up to you for a look, whatever freeboard you've got, isnt enough!

6. No WIT test. You need a waterfowl licence. Its a sticker you stick on your firearm licence. Costs bugger all. Assume you just stick it to your southern licence. If your guide has a bird licence you can hunt under his licence provided you dont exceed his bag.

7. I think blackies. Goose is a very red meat and tough as guts if you dont cook it right. Comes up allright though if cooked quick or in a stew. I like to hit it with some significant seasoning.

8. I'm not into camoflage clothing when I hunt as a rule, but I will wear it when after birds. And take the effort to hide till the last moment. Also dont forget your mozzie reppelant. The rub on stuff for your skin, and the spray on for your clothes.

--------------------
__________________________________

Post Extras