Waterfowling

[[file:2015_11_ducks.jpg | 700px | link=]]
== Introduction ==
Hunting waterfowl is different than hunting other animals in theHunter. While tracking and spotting are key to a successful hunt on deer, bear, turkey, etc., these skills are less important for waterfowl hunting. You will discover very soon that it is a totally different experience. There are about 30 birds that start on the map (ducks on water, geese on ground) when the game starts. These are like all other animals randomized over the map at the start of the game. All other birds however spawn and despawn during the game. A flock will spawn near the player and fly over the reserve. When it has left the player's view, it will despawn.

== Reserves and Species ==
=== Geese ===
<gallery widths="80px" heights="80px">
File:Hirschfelden_icon.png | <center>[[Hirschfelden]]</center>
File:Canada goose male common.png | <center>[[Canada Goose]]</center>
</gallery>
<gallery widths="80px" heights="80px">
File:PB_icon.png | <center>[[Piccabeen Bay]]</center>
File:Magpie goose male common.png | <center>[[Magpie Goose]]</center>
</gallery>

=== Ducks ===
<gallery widths="80px" heights="80px">
File:Rougarou_Icon.png | <center>[[Rougarou Bayou]]</center>
File:Mallard male common.png | <center>[[Mallard Duck]]</center>
File:American black duck male common.png | <center>[[American Black Duck]]</center>
File:Northern pintail male common.png | <center>[[Northern Pintail]]</center>
File:Gadwall male common.png | <center>[[Gadwall]]</center>
</gallery>

== Duck Hunting Aids ==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! Species
! Decoys for full attraction
! Long Range Caller
! Short Range Caller
! Flock Recognition
|-
| style="width: 150px" | [[File:Mallard_male_common.png | 60px | link=Mallard Duck]] [[File:Mallard_female_common.png | 60px | link=Mallard Duck]]
| style="width: 250px" | [[File:decoy_mallard_male_256.png | 100px | link=Decoys#Mallard Duck Decoys | Mallard Duck Decoys]] [[File:decoy_mallard_female_256.png | 100px | link=Decoys#Mallard Duck Decoys | Mallard Duck Decoys]]
| style="width: 150px" | [[File:caller_mallard_long_range_256.png | 100px | link=Mallard Long Range Caller (Wood)]]
| style="width: 150px" | [[File:caller_mallard_short_range_256.png | 100px | link=Mallard Short Range Caller (Plastic)]]
| style="width: 300px" rowspan="2" | [[File: Mallard_flock.png | 300px]]<br>click to enlarge
|-
| [[Mallard Duck | <span style="color:#FFFF00">Mallard</span>]]
| 24 Mallard
| [[Mallard Long Range Caller (Wood) | Mallard Long Range]]
| [[Mallard Short Range Caller (Plastic) | Mallard Short Range]]
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
| style="width: 150px" | [[File:American_black_duck_male_common.png | 60px | link=American Black Duck]] [[File:American_black_duck_female_common.png | 60px | link=American Black Duck]]
| style="width: 250px" | [[File:decoy_mallard_male_256.png | 100px | link=Decoys#Mallard Duck Decoys | Mallard Duck Decoys]] [[File:decoy_mallard_female_256.png | 100px | link=Decoys#Mallard Duck Decoys | Mallard Duck Decoys]] [[File:decoy_american_black_duck_male.png | 100px | link=Decoys#American Black Duck Decoys | American Black Duck Decoys]] [[File:decoy_american_black_duck_female.png | 100px | link=Decoys#American Black Duck Decoys | American Black Duck Decoys]]
| style="width: 150px" | [[File:caller_mallard_long_range_256.png | 100px | link=Mallard Long Range Caller (Wood)]]
| style="width: 150px" | [[File:caller_mallard_short_range_256.png | 100px | link=Mallard Short Range Caller (Plastic)]]
| style="width: 300px" rowspan="2" | [[File: ABD_flock.png | 300px]]<br>click to enlarge
|-
| [[American Black Duck | <span style="color:#FFFF00">American Black Duck</span>]]
| 24 Mallard & 12 American Black Duck<br />-OR- 24 American Black Duck
| [[Mallard Long Range Caller (Wood) | Mallard Long Range]]
| [[Mallard Short Range Caller (Plastic) | Mallard Short Range]]
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
| style="width: 150px" | [[File:Northern_pintail_male_common.png | 60px | link=Northern Pintail]] [[File:Northern_pintail_female_common.png | 60px | link=Northern Pintail]]
| style="width: 250px" | [[File:decoy_mallard_male_256.png | 100px | link=Decoys#Mallard Duck Decoys | Mallard Duck Decoys]] [[File:decoy_mallard_female_256.png | 100px | link=Decoys#Mallard Duck Decoys | Mallard Duck Decoys]] [[File:Northern_pintail_decoy_male.png | 100px | link=Decoys#Northern Pintail Decoys | Northern Pintail Decoys]] [[File:northern_pintail_decoy_female.png | 100px | link=Decoys#Northern Pintail Decoys | Northern Pintail Decoys]]
| style="width: 150px" | [[File:caller_pintail_long_range.png | 100px | link=Northern Pintail Long Range Caller]]
| style="width: 150px" | [[File:caller_mallard_short_range_256.png | 100px | link=Mallard Short Range Caller (Plastic)]]
| style="width: 300px" rowspan="2" | [[File: Pintail_flock.png | 300px]]<br>click to enlarge
|-
| [[Northern Pintail | <span style="color:#FFFF00">Northern Pintail</span>]]
| 24 Mallard & 12 Northern Pintail<br />-OR- 24 Northern Pintail
| [[Northern Pintail Long Range Caller  | Northern Pintail Long Range]]
| [[Mallard Short Range Caller (Plastic) | Mallard Short Range]]
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
| style="width: 150px" | [[File:Gadwall_male_common.png | 60px | link=Gadwall]] [[File:Gadwall_female_common.png | 60px | link=Gadwall]]
| style="width: 250px" | [[File:decoy_mallard_male_256.png | 100px | link=Decoys#Mallard Duck Decoys | Mallard Duck Decoys]] [[File:decoy_mallard_female_256.png | 100px | link=Decoys#Mallard Duck Decoys | Mallard Duck Decoys]] [[File:decoy_gadwall_male.png | 100px | link=Decoys#Gadwall Decoys | Gadwall Decoys]] [[File:decoy_gadwall_female.png | 100px | link=Decoys#Gadwall Decoys | Gadwall Decoys]]
| style="width: 150px" | [[File:caller_mallard_long_range_256.png | 100px | link=Mallard Long Range Caller (Wood) | Mallard]]
| style="width: 150px" | [[File:caller_gadwall_short_range.png | 100px | link=Gadwall Short Range Caller]]
| style="width: 300px" rowspan="2" | [[File: Gadwall_flock.png | 300px]]<br>click to enlarge
|-
| [[Gadwall | <span style="color:#FFFF00">Gadwall</span>]]
| 24 Mallard & 12 Gadwall<br />-OR- 24 Gadwall
| [[Mallard Long Range Caller (Wood) | Mallard Long Range]]
| [[Gadwall Short Range Caller | Gadwall Short Range]]
|}

{|
| [[File:TheHunter Let's Hunt ALL DUCKS|200px]]
|}

== Duck Caller Lanyard ==
[[File:duck_caller_lanyard.png | 200px]]<br>
This upgrade lets you use your duck callers in a pie menu. Equip all callers in the open inventory slot at the bottom and use the "N" key to bring up the pie menu. This upgrade is not an equippable item. Upon purchase, lanyard functionality is unlocked. 

{|
| [[File:TheHunter - Duck Caller Lanyard & Comeback Caller|200px]]
|}

== Canada Goose Hunting Aids ==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
| style="width: 150px" | [[File:decoy_goose_sentry_256.png | 100px | link=Decoys#Canada Goose Decoys]]
| style="width: 150px" | [[File:Decoy canada goose flapping wings.png | 100px | link=Decoys#Canada_Goose_Decoys]]
| style="width: 150px" | [[File:Caller_canada_goose_long_range_256.png | 100px | link=Canada Goose Long Range Caller (Wood)]]
| style="width: 150px" | [[File:Caller_canada_goose_short_range_256.png | 100px | link=Canada Goose Short Range Caller (Plastic)]]
| style="width: 150px" | [[File:Canada_goose_flag_lure_256.png | 100px | link=Canada Goose Flag Lure]]
|-
| [[Decoys#Canada Goose Decoys | Decoys]]
| [[Decoys#Canada_Goose_Decoys | Flapping Wings Decoys]]
| [[Canada Goose Long Range Caller (Wood) | Long Range Caller]]
| [[Canada Goose Short Range Caller (Plastic) | Short Range Caller]]
| [[Canada Goose Flag Lure | Flag Lure]]
|}

== Magpie Goose Hunting Aids ==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
| style="width: 150px" | [[File:decoy_magpie_feeder.png | 100px | link=Decoys#Magpie Goose Decoys]]
| style="width: 150px" | [[File:Decoy magpie goose flapping wings.png | 100px | link=Decoys#Canada_Goose_Decoys]]
| style="width: 150px" | [[File:Caller_magpie_goose_long_range.png | 100px]]
| style="width: 150px" | [[File:Caller_magpie_goose_short_range.png | 100px]]
| style="width: 150px" | [[File:magpie_goose_flag_lure.png | 100px]]
|-
| [[Decoys#Magpie Goose Decoys | Decoys]]
| [[Decoys#Magpie_Goose_Decoys | Flapping Wings Decoys]]
| Long Range Caller
| Short Range Caller
| Flag Lure
|}

== Decoy Article ==
There is an entire article on [[Decoys]] covering much of waterfowling as well.

== Waterfowl Blinds ==
Waterfowl blinds can be used by several players and provide a good visual protection against the waterfowl. They are designed for specific areas and protect against specific birds.

{| class="wikitable"
|- align="center"
| [[File:waterfowl_blind_summer_swamp_camo_table_256.png | 150px | link=Waterfowl Blind Summer Swamp Camo]]
| [[File:waterfowl_blind_fall_field_camo_table_256.png | 150px | link=Waterfowl Blind Fall Field Camo]]
| [[File:waterfowl_blind_tropical_forest_camo.png | 120px | link=]]
|- align="center"
| [[Waterfowl Blind Summer Swamp Camo | Waterfowl Blind<br>Summer Swamp Camo]]
| [[Waterfowl Blind Fall Field Camo | Waterfowl Blind<br>Fall Field Camo]]
| Waterfowl Blind<br>Tropical Forest Camo
|}

[[File:duck_caller_1.png | thumb | Duck short range caller in action]]

== How to use the Waterfowl Lures ==
* Use the Long Range Callers to make birds break free from high flying flocks.
* Constant calling has a better chance for success.
* These callers do not make new flocks spawn. Calling when there are no flocks visible in the sky has no effect.
* Flag Lures have the same effect as Long Range Callers.
* The effect of Flag Lures stacks with that of Long Range Callers. Two persons using a Long Range Caller and a Flag Lure will have a greater chance for birds coming down.
* Use the Short Range Callers to lure low flying birds closer to you and to make them land near you.
* Use the Short Range Callers to lure birds in the water or on ground move closer to you.

[[File:duck_decoys_1.png | thumb | Duck Decoys]]
== Decoys Usage and Facts ==
* Read up about [[Decoys]].

== Waterfowl Hunting ==
[[File: waterfowling_intro.jpg | right | 400px]]
[[File: canada_goose_lures.jpg | right | 400px]]

{{:Hunting Tactics Waterfowling}}

[[file:duck_flock_approaching.png | link=]]

== A Working Duck Hunting Location ==
The following location is good for duck hunting for various reasons:
* It is located in the middle of the island and the frequency is quite nice.
* The blind is on a mini island, you can place decoys all around it.
* The 360 view is almost perfect.
* There is plenty of water for the mallards to land. This is always important!

[[file:Duck_Place_1.png | 700px]]<br>
[[file:Duck_Place_2.png | 700px]]

== Hunting Ducks On The Go ==
(from community member [http://www.thehunter.com/#profile/BlindTyldak BlindTyldak])<br />
''"I bought the long range caller to see what would happen, and I got ducks."''

# Find an open spot near the edge of a big lake and go prone. Do not move when calling.
# Spam the long range caller. A LOT. The duck spawns appear to come in waves, so you'll get several groups flying overhead pretty constantly and then none at all for five or ten minutes real time. Spamming increases the chances of breaking them off.
# When they break, if you are near the edge of a large lake, they will land in shotgun range 90% of the time since they will not settle on land.
# Listen for the landing splash, and stop calling except occasionally to keep them interested in the area. Keep your Huntermate out and wait until one of them quacks fairly loudly. You can track this call and get the direction of a duck, since you probably can't see the duck prone. I have crawled while the ducks are on the water without spooking them, but I would not push it.
# Aim your gun above the grass where your Huntermate showed the duck call, whistle (F key by default) and be prepared to shoot quickly.

''"In about an hour just using the long range caller (no blind, no decoys, no short range call, full B&C) I was able to break off four sets of ducks, averaging 3-5 per break. This is DEFINITELY not the best way to hunt ducks, but it is definitely possible to be successful at it."''

== More Waterfowl Hunting Facts ==

'''General'''
* Ducks cannot land or walk on solid ground. They will either be in the air or on water.
* Canada Geese cannot land or swim on water. They will either be in the air or on solid ground. It can also sleep on the ground.
* Magpie Geese land or walk on solid ground, and can land or swim on water.
* Waterfowl do not follow predefined flying paths. Their path in the sky is random.
* High flying birds use a much simpler AI and graphics representation than other animals. This allows to have more in the game than with other species. There is a limited amount of waterfowl per reserve just as with all other species but they are not all present at once. When a flock leaves the reserve they are added to an unspawned pool that is then used to randomly create new flocks to enter the map.
* Spooked bird leave the reserve and are then 'reused' in new flocks. This might result in wound times counted in hours in long game sessions. This makes it a bad practice to take long range shots if you are looking for consistently good harvest values. It also gives each bird a history that you can view when harvesting it, for instance a player shot at it an hour ago but failed to kill it, and then you got it in a completely different part of the map.
* Waterfowl in air are not rendered if they more than 600m away from the player.

'''Luring'''
* If the only thing you do is call without using decoys or a flag lure, the probability for them to land is low but it can happen.
* Decoys in the same spread are grouped together as one icon on the Huntermate.
* You need to have different decoy spreads at least 100m apart for both to have an effect. Otherwise you may get a lot of unnecessary decoys that are added to an area that already has max attraction.

== Duck Gallery ==
=== Mallard Male ===
[[file: duck_gallery_mallard_male.png]]

=== Mallard Female ===
[[file: duck_gallery_mallard_female.png]]

=== American Black Duck Male ===
[[file: duck_gallery_american_male.png]]

=== American Black Duck Female ===
[[file: duck_gallery_american_female.png]]

=== Gadwall Male and female ===
[[file: duck_gallery_gadwall_male.png]]

=== Gadwall Female ===
[[file: duck_gallery_gadwall_female.png]]

=== Northern Pintail Male ===
[[file: duck_gallery_pintail_male.png]]

=== Northern Pintail Female ===
[[file: duck_gallery_pintail_female.png]]

=== Northern Pintail Female Leucistic ===
[[file: duck_gallery_pintail_female_leucistic.png]]

== Mallard Pictures ==
<gallery>
file: waterfowling_picture_1.jpg | <center>Ducks about to land</center>
file: waterfowling_picture_2.jpg | <center>Duck approaching</center>
file: waterfowling_picture_3.jpg | <center>Duck flying away</center>
file: waterfowling_picture_4.jpg | <center>Shooting duck with the SxS</center>
file: waterfowling_picture_5.png | <center>Ducks at dusk</center>
file: waterfowling_picture_6.png | <center>Ducks meet decoys</center>
file: waterfowling_picture_7.png | <center>Ducks in the sky</center>
</gallery>

== Mallard Videos ==
{|
|-valign="top"
| [[File:TheHunter Duck Hunting Tutorial|400px]]
|-valign="top"
| [[File:TheHunter How to shoot Ducks with Colorado Kid|400px]]
|}

== Canada Goose Videos ==
{|
|-valign="top"
| [[File:TheHunter Canada Goose Extended Tutorial|400px]]
|-valign="top"
| [[File:TheHunter Let's Hunt CANADA GOOSE|400px]]
|}