Of the many different types of hunting, duck hunting is one of the most popular. Because of the marksmanship and skill required to shoot a bird in flight, hunters find it especially challenging. It is considered a sort of "gentleman's sport" because of the ethics and standards involved; a hunter never fires unless the fowl is in flight. There is a great respect for the sport and a hunter never approaches it with a thrill of the kill attitude.

Shotguns are generally the weapon of choice for duck hunting. There are a range of options available to the duck hunter, from pump actions, to loaders, and some even use steel shots. It's all up to the preference of the hunter. Each shotgun has slightly different characteristics and the best way to determine which is the right gun for you is to go to the local outfitter and "try them on". Shotguns range in price from the very affordable to the very expensive.

Many duck hunters swear that the key to duck hunting is using a decoy, but any veteran hunter will warn you, you have to know how to use the decoy, otherwise you could end up driving your target away rather than bringing it in. Placing your decoys in a favorable environment is important, ducks don't flock to just anywhere, placing decoys near a water source is the best choice. Another great tool to increase the chances of success on your duck hunt is the duck call.

This aid also needs to be used with caution, as a bad call can just as easily drive your quarry away. A lot of practice is necessary to master the call, and many hunters make a hobby of it during the off-season. There are a variety of duck calls on the market, and many come with at least an instructional booklet, and some with even a video to demonstrate how to use it. Having the audio to mimic the call will greatly assist you when practicing.

Duck blinds are also necessary for a hunt. There are many different types available, and choosing one will depend completely on the way in which you intend to hunt. If using a boat, there are many blinds that will help to camouflage you on the water.

There are also either permanent or temporary blinds for the land. Temporary can be good for the hunter wanting to travel and hunt at different locations, while the permanent blind can be set up for use season after season when a hunter finds a favorite area. Whichever you choose, finding one that is made of heavy, natural materials will help to keep the noise pollution to a minimum and allow a hunter to remain hidden.