In one of the hunting books of the 50s of the last century, it is written “What other In one of the hunting books from the 1950s, it is written: "What other type of hunting can rival the colorful excitement of hunting drakes with decoy ducks or geese during their migration?" A different world indeed. Let me share excerpts from this book to tell you more about hunting. I’m almost sure that reading such literature isn’t part of your everyday routine, so it should be interesting.

Nowhere else do the seasons manifest their rights so vividly and abundantly as on the water — on lakes, rivers, and swamps. As soon as the ice clears from the waterways, all kinds of waterfowl and marsh birds appear in masses, and with each passing day, the swamps and lakes become livelier and noisier.

From the second half of August, flocks of ducks begin flying to feed on grain fields. In the mornings, they return to their favorite secluded spots in swamps and reeds. These places are typically remote, well-hidden, and hard-to-reach floodplains, where you can find many feathers left by molting ducks.

Here, the hunter must exhibit great patience and combine the skills of a scout and a marksman. The success of duck and goose hunting depends largely on reconnaissance: identifying feeding grounds, determining the flight paths of geese to watering areas, etc.

Floodplain meadows and river valleys that flood in spring are favorite stops for migrating waterfowl. Numerous isolated lakes, channels, oxbows, and hummocky swamps in river valleys provide excellent feeding grounds.

Lakes often have wide bands of reeds along their shores, making it impossible to approach the water. In such cases, a boat is essential. Using knowledge of the terrain and tips from local hunters, try to reach open water patches within the reed beds. Choose a spot where flocks of ducks frequently fly through, find a dry hummock, and if hunting mallards, build a blind from reeds.

The exceptional loyalty to their owner, hunting intelligence and ingenuity, ease of training, and obedience make spaniels (retrievers, Kurzhaars) some of the hunter's favorite dogs. Their natural ability to retrieve downed game, enthusiasm during hunts, endurance, and strength make them invaluable for hunting ducks, pheasants, woodcock, grouse, and other upland and marsh birds, as well as hares.

Universal BBQ sauce for game

The ingredients for this sauce are a bit complex but well-tested. The best game recipes, in my opinion, come from English, French, and Canadian cuisines. This sauce is easy to prepare and pairs well with any bird, from quail and sandpipers to teal and water ducks.

• 25 ml vegetable oil
• a pinch of freshly ground black pepper
• 70 g quality ketchup or tomato sauce (I used classic Heinz)
• 50 ml maple syrup (can be substituted with honey)
• 2 tsp. Tabasco sauce
• 1/2 tsp. chili powder
• 2–3 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 50–75 ml port, whiskey, or brandy

Using a 50 ml shot glass, measure and mix all the sauce ingredients.

Prepare the bird by cutting it like Chicken tabaka: make a cut with a knife between the two halves of the breast and open the bird flat like a book. Marinate for 5–15 minutes (or longer), turning occasionally. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Place the bird on a baking tray and generously coat it with the sauce. Roast for 20–25 minutes (depending on the size of the bird; ducks and partridges may take up to 45–50 minutes). Serve with mashed potatoes, polenta, or vegetables.

For ducks, the process is even easier. Pluck and age the bird, stuff it with quince, coat it with butter, and place it in the oven at 180°C. After 20 minutes, begin regularly basting with a mixture of olive oil and honey. Continue until a crispy skin forms. The bird will be ready in 40–100 minutes, depending on its size.