wildfowlmag - El Salvador - All
Wildfowl
Wildfowl Magazine is the best magazine out there for the serious goose and duck hunters. Loaded with useful information on guns & loads, decoys & calls, boats & blinds, retriever training, gear & gadgets, Canadian reports and conservation.
Wildfowl is an international scientific journal, published annually by Wildfowl Press, and previously published by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (from 1948–2020). It disseminates original material on the ecology, biology and conservation of wildfowl (Anseriformes) and ecologically associated birds (such as waders, rails and flamingos), and on their wetland habitats. Research and review articles related to policy development and application are welcome. Material on habitat management is also sought, particularly where this is directed to the conservation of wildfowl and other wetland birds.
https://www.wildfowlmag.com/
#Wildfowl #Magazine #Canada #wildfowlmag #hunt #gooseandduck #goose #duck
CONNEMARA'S Wild Rhythms: Hunting Calendar, Coastal Game Patterns, and Licenses in Ireland's Atlantic Frontier
General Hunting Rules and Seasons in Connemara
Connemara's hunting seasons blend standard Irish regulations with unique coastal adaptations. Deer seasons run 1 September - 31 December for stags (red deer only) and 1 November - 28 February for hinds, with Connemara's native herd enjoying special protection status. Waterfowl seasons follow national dates (1 September - 31 January) but are restricted to specific inland areas due to marine conservation zones. The region's hyper-oceanic climate - with 250+ annual rain days and salt-laden winds - creates compressed hunting windows, particularly for birds. Unlike neighboring Mayo, Connemara maintains complete bans on all mountain hare hunting and stricter controls on wildfowling due to wintering bird populations. The 2022 Conservation Act introduced mandatory use of non-toxic shot across the entire region and GPS tracking for all harvested red deer.
Seasonal Hunting Variations and Peak Activity in Connemara
Connemara's hunting calendar revolves around its dramatic coastal-mountain interface. The September-October red deer rut peaks later here (late October) in the Twelve Bens range, while November-December offers prime hind hunting in the Maumturks foothills. Duck hunters focus on the Ballynahinch Lake system from first frosts (typically December), with exceptional golden plover shooting along the Roundstone Bog edges. The Connemara Hunting Heritage Week each November features Gaelic-speaking guides demonstrating traditional stalking techniques and saltwater duck decoy methods. Connemara's microseasons are dictated by Atlantic storm tracks - savvy hunters monitor low-pressure systems that push game inland from coastal islands.
Hunting Bans and Restrictions in Connemara
Absolute prohibitions cover all islands (including Inishbofin), the Connemara National Park core, and within 1km of any marine shoreline. Protected species include grey seals, all seabirds, and the Connemara pony. Unique local restrictions: no shooting within 3km of aquaculture operations, lead ammunition ban region-wide, and mandatory use of silencers for deer stalking. The closed season runs 1 March - 31 August without exception. Temporary bans activate when rare migratory species like Greenland white-fronted geese are spotted in the Ballyconneely area.
Licensing and Permits for Hunting in Connemara
Beyond national licenses, the Connemara Red Deer Trust issues mandatory permits for stag culling (capped at 15 annually). The Western Wildfowlers Association coordinates access to limited duck hunting zones near Lough Inagh. Non-residents must hunt through approved guides like Connemara Wilderness Pursuits and complete a Gaelic place-name orientation course. Key contacts include Clifden Garda Station for firearm registration and the Roundstone Hunting Office for up-to-date restriction maps covering the Derrygimlagh Bog complex.
Penalties for Violating Hunting Laws in Connemara
Enhanced penalties reflect the region's conservation status: minimum €10,000 fines for illegal stag takes, mandatory vessel confiscation for island poaching attempts, and lifetime bans for lead ammunition violations. Marine patrols and NPWS drones monitor coastal zones year-round. Recent cases include €8,500 fines for shooting near commonage grazing areas and prosecution under the Wildlife Act for disturbing basking sharks during hunts.
Tactical Tips for Hunting Success in Connemara
Success in this windswept region demands specialized approaches. Focus on south-facing corries in the Twelve Bens during early season, shifting to glacial lake outlets like Lough Fee in winter. Essential gear includes: 1) Saltwater-resistant firearms (Blaser R8 or similar), 2) 10x50 marine-grade binoculars, 3) Hypothermia-rated waders for bog crossings, and 4) Irish-language maps to navigate unmarked townlands. The Clifden Hunting & Fishing shop provides daily wind/swell forecasts crucial for coastal zone planning. Given the extreme conditions, all hunters should carry emergency GPS beacons and register itineraries with local Coast Guard units.
The Connemara Mountain Heritage Days each September feature rare demonstrations of currach-based wildfowling and peatland deer tracking. Monthly coastal survival workshops at Ballynahinch Castle teach emergency skills for marine-affected hunts. The Roundstone Bog Shooting Challenge tests marksmanship in typical Connemara conditions (horizontal rain, moving platforms). During closed seasons, licensed hunters assist with red deer census work and invasive plant removal in the Kylemore Abbey estate. These events emphasize the region's unique Gaelic hunting heritage while maintaining strict conservation protocols overseen by the Connemara National Park authority.
