How much money do I need to start duck hunting?

redbasis

Hi all, I’m looking to get into duck hunting, but not sure how much it’s going to set me back In total. If you guys could give me a rough idea of the general cost on a lower budget, I would be super appreciative. I know the firearms license is around 80€, where would be the best place to buy a gun? I’m located in Kildare. Thanks

otmmyboy2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058384753/how-much-money-do-i-need-to-start-duck-hunting

At a rough(very rough) estimate:
€80 for the licence,
Free - Land permissions or a foreshore licence for state land,
€200+ - small gun safe(not explicitly required for a single shotgun, but is usually insisted on by the guards for security),
€40-60 - competency course to prove you are competent to own and use a firearm safely(required to get the licence),
€200-1000s - shotgun, essentially how long is a piece of string but browse the for sale forum here to get some idea: https://www.boards.ie/categories/shooting-for-sale-wanted
€13-20 - shotgun shells, given you are hunting duck will likely be shooting in wetlands, are the very pricey steel or bismuth ones. Thanks to the EU lead ban.

Total(taking the minimum prices for all the above) you are looking at a minimum of ~€533 to get started with a single box of shells.

Since you are in Kildare both CillDara hunting in Kildare town and Gunshop.ie near Athy would be your closest most likely.
There is also a gunshop in Prosperous.

GaryKE.

Griffin Hawe in Athy also has guns for sale and ammo.

JP22

You'll also need insurance, about €60 a year.

A retriever gun dog, ....€€€€

redbasis

thanks a lot mate that’s very helpful have a good day 👍

Double Barrel

redbasis,

A couple of drake and hen mallard decoys and a similar amount of teal decoys, a confidence decoy such as an egret or similar, the more decoys the merrier your shoot will be. A mallard duck call helps but first learn to use the call properly. If you are not proficient using a call, stay quiet. Let your decoys do their job.

The quintessential duck’s quack is the sound of the female mallard. Females often give this call in a series of 2–10 quacks that begin loudly and get softer.

The male does not quack; instead he gives a quieter, rasping, one- or two-noted call.

Avoid any and all shrill whistles and calls, soft and easy is your friend.

Good luck.

redbasis

thanks for the advice mate

Uinseann_16

For a shotgun

I would highly recommend trying to get something with a 3" chamber! If the opportunity arrises for geese a 3" is valuable

My first gun was a fabarm pump action that cost me 150 euro with a 3" chamber it was a perfect duck gun

Richard308

there’s a nice yildiz in for sale section for handy money. IMO a fantastic starter gun for small money

blaserhunter88

I have a nice yildz shotgun was my fathers was rarely used be a nice gun for ya to get started on if you were interested… small money will buy it