New to raising ducks

[jnicholes]

@Texag87, thanks for the input. I've processed ducks and geese before, usually takes me about 20 to 30 minutes per goose, and 15 to 30 per duck.

Those were wild, though.

 

[Texag87]

I quit duck and goose hunting many years ago when they banned lead shot. The lead substitutes they had at the time were not sufficient for clean kills at normal ranges. Ducks would be injured and while you were going after them, a nutria would grab it and go down a hole. Geese would be close enough for a shot, and you knew you hit them by the honk. They would keep flying a mile or so then drop out dead. I cannot stand animals suffering so I quit. We cleaned a few domestic ducks on the farm. It took as long as a goose if not more.

 

[jnicholes]

@Texag87, what I do is I have a special gun attachment, which is a modified choke on the end of the barrel. It basically condenses the shot. When I hunt, I always try make sure it's a clean kill. So far, I have been successful. You also need High Velocity shot, otherwise, it will injure the geese, but they'll Fly Away then drop.

Basically, right shot and choke are a must. I have had geese fly away after I shoot them then drop. That was when I was using incorrect shot. You need BB shot.

Out of the 8 geese a shot, only one was not a clean kill. It happens, but I try my best to make sure it doesn't.

Jared

 

[Texag87]

I cannot go anymore anyway. The rice fields I hunted as a kid are now subdivisions. One of my favorite goose hunting spots now has a convienence store where we used to park. We used to know all the farmers and could hunt anytime during the season. Where they still farm, it’s mostly corporate and they don’t want the liability. I can see us selling out our family farm in my lifetime. I cannot get any help working it and since I hurt my back last year, it is more or less shut down. I live a hundred miles away.

 

[jnicholes]

I completely understand.