RETAY SHOTGUNS

Best Shotguns For Hunting

RETAY SHOTGUNS

JUSTIN HUNOLD

The Rising Popularity of Youth Shotgun Sports: A Look at Trap, Skeet, and Sporting Clays

The dawn of a new era in youth sports is upon us. No longer limited to the fields of soccer, baseball, or basketball, an increasing number of children and adolescents are finding their passion in a different arena – shotgun sports. The rise of youth shotgun sports is impossible to ignore, with disciplines such as trap, skeet, and sporting clays garnering widespread attention.

Introduction to Youth Shotgun Sports

Shotgun sports, traditionally a niche interest, are rapidly gaining ground in the mainstream sports scene. This newfound popularity is not without reason. For one, shotgun sports provide an exciting and challenging environment that helps kids develop focus, discipline, and hand-eye coordination.

Starting Shotgun Sports for Kids

Children and teenagers can participate in various activities in the exciting world of shotgun sports. From trap shooting for youths, which involves shooting at clay targets launched from a single “house” or machine, to skeet shooting, a discipline that challenges shooters to hit targets from two different houses, there’s a diverse range of activities to engage in.

Another favorite is sporting clays, which offers young shooters a challenging and dynamic setup, where clays are thrown in several directions, mimicking the unpredictability of hunting. Indeed, the sport’s versatility and the thrill of learning a unique skill make shotgun sports appealing for beginners.

Youth Shotgun Sports Training

Effective training is essential for anyone venturing into shotgun sports. Fortunately, an increasing number of youth shotgun sports camps and shotgun sports leagues for kids have started offering comprehensive programs that cater to different skill levels.

These programs typically introduce youth shotgun sports, teaching children about the different types of sports, the rules of each game, and the various techniques used. Most importantly, they heavily emphasize safety in youth shotgun sports, ensuring kids understand how to handle firearms responsibly and respect the sport’s inherent dangers.

Safety in Youth Shotgun Sports

Safety is paramount when it comes to youth shotgun sports. The nature of these activities requires strict adherence to safety protocols to prevent accidents. For instance, kids are taught never to point a shotgun at anything they don’t intend to shoot and to treat every firearm as if it’s loaded.

Benefits of Shotgun Sports for Youth

Participation in shotgun sports offers numerous benefits for youth. These activities teach discipline, patience, and concentration – skills that can be transferred to academics and other areas of life. They also promote physical fitness and coordination. On top of this, these sports often foster a sense of camaraderie and teamwork, as many shotgun sports events are conducted in teams.

Trap Shooting for Youths

Trap shooting, one of the most popular forms of shotgun sports, provides a fantastic introduction for young newcomers. Participants aim at clay targets mechanically launched from a single “house” or machine in this discipline. The targets are propelled away from the shooter at varying angles, posing a thrilling challenge that helps to develop the child’s focus and hand-eye coordination. As they master the art of hitting these moving targets, young shooters gain a profound sense of accomplishment.

Skeet Shooting: An Exciting Challenge

Skeet shooting takes the challenge up a notch. In this discipline, targets are launched from two houses, known as the ‘high house’ and the ‘low house’, situated on opposite ends of a semi-circle field. Participants move around various shooting stations around the semi-circle, aiming at targets thrown from both houses singly or simultaneously. This necessitates precise timing and well-honed skills, making skeet an exhilarating choice for young shooters ready to further hone their skills.

Sporting Clays: The Unpredictable Adventure

If the structured setup of trap and skeet shooting is likened to a track event, sporting clays would be the cross-country race. This discipline offers a dynamic and unpredictable setup resembling field shooting conditions. Clays are thrown from multiple locations and in different directions, mimicking the erratic flight path of game birds. For young shooters, the ever-changing scenarios of sporting clays present an exciting and rewarding challenge that keeps them continually engaged.

Preparing Children for Shotgun Sports: A Comprehensive Approach

Preparing children for shotgun sports is a multifaceted process. It fosters physical skills, mental resilience, and a profound respect for the sport and its inherent risks. Parents, coaches, and mentors play a crucial role in this journey, guiding young shooters at every step, instilling important values and molding them into responsible sportsmen and sportswomen.

Physical Preparedness

The first step in preparing children for shotgun sports is ensuring their physical readiness. This includes developing strength and coordination, understanding firearm handling mechanics, and learning shooting techniques. Physical preparedness is more than just wielding the shotgun; it’s about maintaining balance, controlling the breath, focusing on the target, and smoothly executing the shot. As part of the training regimen, children also learn how to safely load and unload the shotgun, handle misfires, and understand the nuances of different shooting positions.

Mental Conditioning

Equally important is the mental aspect. Shotgun sports require a great deal of concentration and discipline. Young shooters need to learn how to stay focused under pressure, make split-second decisions, and handle the disappointment of missed shots. Mental conditioning also includes understanding the rules of the sport and strategies of the game, enabling the young shooter to make effective decisions during competitions.

Respect for the Sport and Safety

Preparing children for shotgun sports also involves instilling a deep respect for the sport and its inherent risks. Firearms, even when used in a controlled environment such as shooting sports, require careful handling and a serious approach. Kids must understand that their actions can have serious consequences, learning to respect the equipment they’re handling, the rules they’re following, and the safety of themselves and others around them.

Role of Parents and Coaches

Parents and coaches play a pivotal role in preparing children for shotgun sports. Coaches provide the technical training and tactical understanding required to excel in the sport. They create a structured environment that promotes learning, improvement, and discipline. On the other hand, parents provide emotional support, helping their children overcome frustrations and anxieties, celebrate victories, and learn from losses.

Both parents and coaches play a vital part in instilling values of sportsmanship in young shooters. This includes teaching kids how to compete fairly, handle success with humility, accept defeat graciously, respect opponents, and appreciate the importance of teamwork in certain shotgun sports.

Equipment for Youth Shotgun Sports

The right equipment is also a crucial part of youth shotgun sports. Typically, this includes a suitable shotgun, protective eyewear, hearing protection, and suitable ammunition. Coaches at youth shotgun sports training programs guide participants in selecting the appropriate equipment, ensuring it’s the correct size and weight for the shooter.

Benefits of Shotgun Sports for Youth

Participation in shotgun sports offers numerous benefits for youth. These activities teach discipline, patience, and concentration – skills that can be transferred to academics and other areas of life. They also promote physical fitness and coordination. On top of this, these sports often foster a sense of camaraderie and teamwork, as many shotgun sports events are conducted in teams.

Effective training is essential for anyone venturing into shotgun sports. Fortunately, an increasing number of youth shotgun sports camps and shotgun sports leagues for kids have started offering comprehensive programs that cater to different skill levels.

These programs typically provide an introduction to youth shotgun sports, teaching children about the different types of sports, the rules of each game, and the various techniques used. Most importantly, they heavily emphasize safety in youth shotgun sports, ensuring kids understand how to handle firearms responsibly and respect the sport’s inherent dangers.

Youth Clay Shooting Tips and Youth Skeet Shooting Guide

As beginners, kids can greatly benefit from expert tips and guidance. For instance, one key piece of advice in clay shooting is to keep both eyes open for better depth perception and a wider field of view. Understanding the timing and rhythm of the ‘houses’ releasing targets in skeet shooting is crucial for success.

The Appeal of Shotgun Sports for Beginners

The versatility of shotgun sports is part of its charm for beginners. The disciplines differ significantly in their setup and the skills required, providing a diverse range of activities that keep young participants captivated.

But the appeal goes beyond just the thrill of learning a unique skill. The nature of shotgun sports, where individual performance can directly impact team scores, teaches children about responsibility and the importance of individual effort for collective success. The focus and discipline required in these sports can translate into other aspects of their lives, including academics.

Moreover, the nurturing environment of shotgun sports, where experienced shooters and coaches provide guidance and support, gives children a safe and encouraging space to learn and grow.

In conclusion, starting shotgun sports for kids opens a world of opportunities. It’s not just about hitting targets; it’s about developing valuable life skills, creating lasting friendships, and building the foundation for a lifelong love of a unique sport.

Off-Season Training for Duck Hunters: Staying Sharp When the Ducks Fly South

Duck hunting is often considered a seasonal pursuit, bound by the migratory habits of the waterfowl we seek. But for those committed to their craft, the end of the hunting season does not signal a time for rest; rather, it provides an opportunity to hone skills, build strength, and prepare for the seasons ahead. This blog delves into the importance of off-season training for duck hunters, offering tips to stay sharp even when the ducks have flown south.

Table Of Content

The Importance of Off-Season Training

While the thrill of the hunt and the camaraderie of fellow hunters are part of what draws us to duck hunting, there’s no denying that it’s a physically demanding activity. From trudging through wetlands with heavy gear to setting up blinds and decoys, and from the patience required to wait for the perfect shot to the precision needed to take it – duck hunting tests both our physical and mental mettle. Therefore, it’s essential to remain in peak condition throughout the year.

Physical Fitness: The Key to A Better Hunting Experience

Physical fitness plays a pivotal role in hunting, particularly when it comes to duck hunting. The harsh weather conditions, the need to carry heavy gear, and the often challenging terrains you’ll be navigating can all take a toll on your body. Thus, maintaining a robust fitness regime can significantly enhance your hunting experience, improving your stamina and strength, safety, and efficiency. Let’s delve into the three key aspects of physical fitness for duck hunters – cardiovascular exercises, strength training, and balance and flexibility.

Cardiovascular Exercises

Cardiovascular health is one of the most critical aspects of physical fitness for any hunter. Regular cardio exercises like running, cycling, or swimming are excellent ways to build endurance and improve heart health. Stamina is essential for long hunting sessions, often requiring long treks carrying heavy gear, setting up decoys, and waiting patiently for ducks to appear.

Try to incorporate at least 30 minutes of cardio into your routine, five times a week. Cardio workouts also have the added advantage of promoting weight loss and reducing fatigue. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) can be particularly beneficial as it combines short bursts of intense exercise with periods of rest or lower-intensity exercise.

Strength Training

Duck hunting is a physically demanding activity. Whether it’s hauling a bag of decoys, setting up a blind, or handling the recoil from a shotgun, strength training plays a vital role in preparing your body for these challenges.

Upper body strength is crucial for carrying gear and shooting, so exercises like push-ups, pull-ups, and weight lifting should be part of your regimen. Lower body strength will aid in stability and endurance during long treks; squats, lunges, and deadlifts can be beneficial here. Don’t forget your core, which aids in overall balance and strength; exercises such as planks and crunches are a great way to develop these muscles.

Resistance band exercises offer a versatile, space-saving option for strength training that can target several muscle groups at once. They’re also excellent for joint health, which can be essential for hunters as they age.

Balance and Flexibility

In the field, duck hunters can often find themselves in awkward positions. You might be shooting from a boat, crouching in a blind, or navigating through wet and uneven terrains. Therefore, balance and flexibility are as essential as strength and stamina.

Practices like yoga and pilates can significantly improve your balance, flexibility, and overall body strength. They can enhance your stability, help prevent injuries, and promote better posture and coordination. Yoga poses such as tree pose, warrior series, or dancer’s pose can help improve balance, while poses like downward dog, pigeon pose, or child’s pose can enhance flexibility.

In conclusion, maintaining a holistic fitness routine that includes cardiovascular exercises, strength training, and balance and flexibility work is crucial for a successful hunting experience. It allows you to withstand the physical challenges of the hunt, leading to enhanced performance and increased success in the field. Remember, your body is the most important piece of equipment you have – take care of it, and it will take care of you on the hunt.

Shooting Practice: The Cornerstone of Off-Season Training

Shooting is the essence of duck hunting; no matter how seasoned a hunter you are, there’s always room for improvement. Off-season training provides an ideal platform to perfect your shooting skills and keep them sharp even when the ducks have flown south. Here’s how you can maximize your shooting practice sessions during the off-season.

Sporting Clays

Sporting Clays, often called “golf with a shotgun,” is a form of clay pigeon shooting and an excellent off-season practice for duck hunters. In this sport, clay targets are thrown in ways that simulate the flight pattern of game birds in their natural habitats – a duck flapping its wings over water, a pheasant rising high into the air, or a rabbit darting across a field. This variability challenges your shooting prowess, tests your reaction times, and improves your target tracking and shooting accuracy.

To practice, find a local range that offers sporting clay courses. As you traverse these courses, you’ll encounter a variety of shooting scenarios that mimic the unpredictability of actual hunting. Over time, you’ll learn to anticipate the clays’ flight paths, and your reaction times will improve, translating to a higher success rate in the field when duck season rolls around.

Skeet Shooting

Skeet shooting is another effective practice technique that can help duck hunters improve their skills. This discipline throws targets from two fixed stations or “houses” at opposite ends of a semi-circular field. The clay targets fly across the field, intersecting in front of the shooter like ducks crossing over a blind or decoy spread.

Skeet shooting helps you practice your swing, follow through, and timing. It also teaches you to calculate leads – the distance you need to aim ahead of a moving target – which is a critical skill for duck hunting. Remember, every round of skeet shooting brings lessons that can be applied to your hunting experience.

Target Practice with Decoys

While sporting clays and skeet shooting are excellent for honing your shooting skills, there’s no substitute for the real thing. Target practice with decoys offers a more realistic hunting scenario, getting you closer to the conditions you’ll face when the season starts.

For this form of practice, head to a location similar to your usual hunting spot. Set up your blind or boat, place your decoys, and start shooting at targets. This practice will help improve your shooting accuracy and refine your decoy placement strategies, blind setup, and concealment techniques.

To make the training even more effective, try to mimic hunting conditions as closely as possible. Wear your hunting gear, use the same shotgun and ammo you would in a hunt, and go through the same routines. This will make the transition to the hunting season seamless and more successful.

In conclusion, regular shooting practice during the off-season, whether sporting clays, skeet shooting, or target practice with decoys, is crucial for maintaining and enhancing your hunting skills. By challenging your accuracy, reaction times, and decision-making skills, these practice methods ensure you’re ready when the ducks fly into view. Remember, off-season training separates the good duck hunters from the great ones. Make the most of it, and you’ll reap the rewards when the hunting season begins.

Scouting and Knowledge Building: The Intel for Success

Scouting and knowledge building are often underrated aspects of duck hunting preparation. However, they are instrumental in planning successful hunting strategies. These components involve getting familiar with your hunting environment, understanding the behavior of ducks, staying updated with migration patterns, and networking with fellow hunters. Here’s how you can leverage these aspects during the off-season to elevate your hunting game.

Habitat Scouting

Familiarizing yourself with the areas you hunt in is a crucial first step in preparing for the hunting season. Regularly visit these sites during the off-season, observing any changes in the landscape, water sources, and food availability that may affect duck behavior and patterns.

For instance, note if there have been significant fluctuations in water levels or shifts in food sources like aquatic plants and grains. Keep an eye out for new or abandoned nests, which could indicate changes in duck populations. These details can help you pinpoint areas where ducks will likely congregate during the hunting season.

Consider using technology to aid in your scouting. Trail cameras and drones can help monitor remote areas, while apps and maps can assist in marking potential hotspots and tracking changes over time.

Research

Staying informed about duck behavior and migration patterns is another key facet of off-season training. Understanding why ducks move, where they go, and what influences their behavior can provide valuable insights for your hunting strategies.

Reading scientific articles, watching documentaries, and following wildlife organizations on social media can help broaden your understanding of these birds. Pay particular attention to studies on how weather changes impact duck migration and habits. For instance, knowing that ducks tend to move ahead of cold fronts can help you plan your hunts around weather forecasts for increased success.

Networking

Finally, connecting with other hunters is a vital part of off-season training. Fellow hunters can be a wealth of knowledge and experience, providing first-hand insights that you won’t find in any book or article.

Join local hunting clubs or online forums to meet like-minded individuals. Attend hunting expos, seminars, and events to stay updated on the latest techniques, gear, and regulations. Share your experiences, learn from others, and leverage these relationships to stay informed about local and regional hunting conditions.

In conclusion, scouting and knowledge building are as integral to your off-season training as physical fitness and shooting practice. Investing time in understanding your hunting environment, learning about duck behavior and migration, and networking with other hunters will equip you with the intelligence necessary for successful hunts. Remember, a well-informed hunter is a successful hunter. So use your off-season wisely, and you’ll be well-prepared when the ducks fly back north.

Gear Maintenance and Upgrades: Ensuring Your Arsenal is Ready

When it comes to hunting, your gear is just as crucial as your skills and knowledge. Well-maintained equipment can mean the difference between success and disappointment in the field. Furthermore, being open to upgrades can significantly enhance your hunting efficiency. Here’s how to ensure your gear is in top-notch condition and consider potential upgrades during the off-season.

Cleaning and Storage

Cleanliness and proper storage of your gear are essential components of maintenance. This starts with thoroughly cleaning your shotgun after every use, ensuring that it’s free of dirt, debris, and moisture, which could cause rusting or other damage. A clean gun is not only safer, but it also ensures optimal performance when you need it the most.

Your decoys, blinds, and other equipment also need attention. Clean them to remove dirt, grime, or any leftover scents from the previous season that may deter ducks. Make sure your items are completely dry before storing them to prevent mold or mildew growth.

Storage plays a pivotal role in maintaining the longevity of your gear. Store your equipment in a dry, temperature-controlled environment. Use protective cases or covers when possible to shield items from dust and damage.

Equipment Checks

Regularly checking your gear for any signs of wear and tear is equally important. Look for cracks or breaks in your decoys, examine your blinds for rips or weak spots, and ensure your shotgun functions correctly. Early detection of issues can save you from unwanted surprises during hunting season.

Consider creating a checklist for each piece of gear. This way, you can systematically inspect each item, repair what can be mended, and replace what cannot. It’s better to find out that you need a new decoy or blind during the off-season rather than discovering it on the first day of the hunting season.

Upgrades

The off-season is the perfect time to think about upgrading your gear. Advancements in hunting technology are continually providing hunters with equipment designed to increase efficiency and success rates.

Consider upgrading to more realistic decoys that mimic the movement and sound of ducks or using an advanced shotgun that offers better accuracy. You might also want to invest in more comfortable and warmer waders, a more portable and rugged blind, or more efficient calls.

Make sure to stay updated with the latest trends in hunting gear. Reading reviews, participating in hunting forums, and visiting hunting expos can help you discover new and improved equipment that could be a game-changer for your next hunting season.

In conclusion, the off-season is the perfect time to ensure your gear is in the best shape for the upcoming hunting season. Regular cleaning, proper storage, and routine checks are crucial steps in maintaining your gear. Meanwhile, considering upgrades can significantly enhance your hunting experience. Remember, your gear is an extension of your hunting skills, so keep it in prime condition, and it will serve you well when the ducks return.

Safety Training: The Cornerstone of Responsible Hunting

Safety should always be at the forefront of any hunting expedition, making it an integral part of your off-season training. The ability to respond effectively to emergencies, handle firearms responsibly, and survive in challenging situations is fundamental to every hunter. Let’s delve deeper into these three areas of safety training: first aid, firearm safety, and survival skills.

First Aid Training

Accidents and emergencies can occur without warning, especially when hunting in remote areas. Therefore, being equipped with first aid knowledge is not just advantageous but essential. Enrolling in a first aid course allows you to learn how to respond promptly and efficiently to various health emergencies like cuts, fractures, hypothermia, or even snake bites.

Taking a course tailored to outdoor emergencies or wilderness first aid is advisable. These courses focus on injuries and illnesses unique to outdoor activities and teach you how to improvise when traditional medical resources are not available.

Remember to always carry a well-stocked first aid kit on your hunting trips. It should include items like bandages, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, a thermometer, and specific medication if needed.

Firearm Safety

The safe handling of firearms is non-negotiable in hunting. Regardless of your experience level, refreshing your knowledge about firearm safety should be a regular part of your off-season training.

This includes the basic rules like always treating the gun as loaded, never pointing it at anything you don’t intend to shoot, and keeping your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot. It also extends to properly cleaning and storing firearms, checking the barrel for obstructions, and understanding the right load for your shotgun.

Consider attending a firearm safety course, reading up-to-date material, or watching instructional videos to refresh your knowledge. Remember, a responsible hunter is a safe hunter.

Survival Skills

Despite careful planning, unexpected situations can arise when hunting. In these instances, basic survival skills can be lifesaving. Skills such as building a fire, finding and purifying water, navigation, and emergency signaling are crucial.

Courses in outdoor survival can teach you these skills, focusing on practical, hands-on training. They often cover how to use a compass and map, how to build a shelter, and what to do if you get lost. Remember to always carry basic survival gear like a fire starter, a compass, a signal mirror, and a sturdy knife.

In conclusion, investing time in safety training during the off-season is wise for every duck hunter. Acquiring first aid skills, refreshing firearm safety knowledge, and learning survival techniques prepare you for unforeseen circumstances and ensure that you are a responsible and respectful participant in the hunting community. Hunting is an adventure – make sure it’s a safe one.

Best Waterfowl Hunting Locations Across the U.S.: Ultimate Guide for Hunters

Waterfowl hunting is a time-honored tradition in the United States, with enthusiasts flocking to prime hunting locations to take part in this challenging and exciting outdoor pursuit. The U.S. is blessed with several major flyways that attract an incredible diversity of ducks, geese, and other waterfowl species, making it a veritable paradise for hunters who enjoy the sport. A variety of factors, from geography and climate to local regulations and resources, make some regions particularly renowned for their waterfowl hunting opportunities.

The vast landscapes and pristine wetlands found across the country provide hunters with plenty of options to choose from. Many of the best hunting locations share key features, such as abundant food sources, reliable water supplies, and expansive wetland habitat, which make them irresistible to migrating waterfowl. Some of the top destinations span from Southern Saskatchewan in Canada to various states within the Central Flyway, such as Kansas, Montana, Oklahoma, and Texas.

As hunters prepare their gear and plan their next waterfowl hunting adventure, it’s important to consider the many locations across the United States that offer exceptional opportunities for unforgettable hunting experiences. From coastal marshes to sprawling prairies, there’s a wealth of options to explore for both novice and experienced hunters alike, allowing for the creation of lasting memories and unique stories to share for years to come.

Best Waterfowl Hunting Locations by Flyway

Atlantic Flyway

The Atlantic Flyway offers a diverse range of waterfowl habitats and species to hunt, including eider off the Maine coast and redheads in the shallows of the Gulf of Mexico. One of the most popular hunting spots in this flyway is Chesapeake Bay, located in Maryland. The bay provides a wide variety of public hunting areas for dabblers, divers, and geese.

In addition to the Chesapeake Bay region, North Carolina’s Outer Banks is another renowned waterfowl hunting destination in the Atlantic Flyway. These barrier islands host a diverse array of duck and goose species, making it an excellent choice for hunters seeking variety.

Mississippi Flyway

Stretching from the Great Lakes to the Mississippi Delta, the Mississippi Flyway boasts some of the most abundant waterfowl populations in America. Stuttgart, Arkansas, is well-known as the “ Duck Capital of the World” due to its vast rice fields, flooded timber, and prime duck habitat. Many hunters flock to this area to enjoy exceptional waterfowl hunting experiences.

Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas also offer remarkable hunting opportunities in the Mississippi Flyway. From the “Duck Factory” of North Dakota’s Prairie Pothole Region to Louisiana’s coastal marshes, waterfowl hunters can find an assortment of species and habitats in this diverse flyway.

Central Flyway

The Central Flyway, which includes parts of Kansas and North Dakota, is home to numerous public hunting opportunities for duck hunters, such as the Ducks Unlimited projects in Saskatchewan. These destinations feature fantastic diving duck hunting on areas open to public access and are ideal starting points for hunters searching for high-quality hunting spots.

Another noteworthy location in the Central Flyway is North Dakota’s Devils Lake, which provides excellent opportunities for hunting diver ducks and puddle ducks. With its vast shoreline and numerous marshes, this location is a desirable choice for avid waterfowl hunters.

Pacific Flyway

Spanning from Alaska down to California, the Pacific Flyway has an abundance of waterfowl hunting locations. In Washington, the Columbia Basin attracts hundreds of thousands of puddlers and divers during the migration season. The year-round open water and cropland in this region provide ideal conditions for both ducks and hunters.

California, on the other hand, boasts the legendary Sacramento Valley—a hotspot for waterfowl hunting enthusiasts. The numerous wildlife refuges and state-operated wildlife areas in the valley make it a popular destination for duck and goose hunters across the Pacific Flyway.

In summary, each flyway offers unique and exceptional waterfowl hunting locations across the U.S. From the Atlantic to the Pacific, hunters will find an array of species, habitats, and unforgettable experiences in these destinations.

Prime Waterfowl Hunting Destinations

National Wildlife Refuges

National Wildlife Refuges offer unbeatable opportunities for waterfowlers seeking both high-quality hunting grounds and a vast diversity of waterfowl species. Arguably the most famous refuge is the Columbia River in Washington and Oregon. This bountiful waterway serves as an essential stop on many migratory routes, providing the perfect habitat for a variety of duck species.

Another excellent refuge for waterfowl hunting is the southern region of Saskatchewan, which boasts North America’s most important breeding area for mallards, pintails, and other dabbling ducks. It’s not only a vital breeding ground, but this Canadian province also acts as a staging hub for Arctic geese and other waterfowl raised further north.

Wildlife Management Areas

Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) provide public hunting opportunities and often host large numbers of waterfowl. The Columbia Basin in Washington, with its year-round open water and diverse cropland, holds hundreds of thousands of puddlers and divers during migration season.

Additionally, the onX Hunt article lists numerous WMAs across the United States, each offering unique waterfowl hunting experiences. Waterfowlers should invest time in scouting these areas and familiarizing themselves with local regulations to maximize their hunting success.

Top Private Land Locations

Access to prime private land for waterfowl hunting often comes at a premium. However, many hunters find it worthwhile to pay for expert guide services or join private hunting clubs to gain access to these exclusive locations. For instance, some dedicated waterfowl outfitters in the United States offer all-inclusive waterfowl hunting packages that provide clients with guided hunts on prime private land. These packages usually include lodging, meals, and access to hunting blinds.

Hunting on private land requires extra preparation and research, but the payoff can be significant. Beyond ensuring compliance with local regulations and establishing relationships with property owners, hunters who invest in private land access will often enjoy a less pressured environment, leading to increased waterfowl activity and success.

Overall, by exploring National Wildlife Refuges, Wildlife Management Areas, and private land locations, waterfowlers will enjoy diverse hunting experiences and a greater abundance of waterfowl species.

Factors to Consider in Choosing a Hunting Location

Diversity of Waterfowl Species

When selecting a waterfowl hunting location, it’s important to consider the diversity of species available. Areas like the prairie potholes in Alberta and Saskatchewan offer significant dabbling duck populations, including mallards, pintails, and green-winged teals. In contrast, Alaska provides hunters with an opportunity to target sea ducks like long-tailed ducks and scoters.

Hunting Pressure

Hunting pressure can greatly impact the behavior of waterfowl and the quality of a hunting experience. States such as Arkansas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois are known for their high mallard harvest numbers, but the sheer number of waterfowl hunters can lead to greater pressure on public lands.

Scenery and Natural Beauty

The setting of a hunting location is another factor to consider. From the natural timber marshes in Nebraska to the picturesque potholes of the prairie provinces in Canada, each area offers unique scenery. For example, hunting in the rice fields of California’s Butte Sink provides beautiful landscapes and plentiful waterfowl resources.

Ease of Access

When evaluating a hunting location, consider the ease of access to the hunting grounds. Some premier waterfowl hunting destinations, like the Susquehanna Flats in Maryland or the Mississippi River in states such as Missouri, provide easy access due to their proximity to rivers. Alternatively, more remote locations like Alaska may require special permits and transportation arrangements.

Public vs. Private Land

Different states offer varying opportunities for public and private waterfowl hunting. South Carolina, for example, provides limited public hunting opportunities, while other states like New York and Ontario are known for their ample public lands available for waterfowl hunters. Recognizing the differences in these opportunities can be crucial in determining the best hunting destination for your needs.

Availability of Guide Services

For those who may be inexperienced or looking for a more guided experience, the availability of guide services can be an important factor to consider. Many bucket-list hunting destinations, such as the flooded timber areas in Arkansas or the prairie potholes of Alberta, offer professional guiding services to help hunters maximize their success in the field.

By considering these six factors, waterfowl hunters can better evaluate the best hunting locations to create a memorable and successful hunting experience.

Optics for a Turkey Gun- Shotgun Scope or Shotgun Red Dot

By: Justin Hunold

With today’s purpose driven Turkey Guns, Turkey Chokes and Turkey Shells choices a plenty we are sling patterns tighter than ever. We are able to carry longer, set up better and shoot further. Not only are the guns, chokes and shells better but Turkey hunting is becoming more and more refined. 

From basic lead, to plated, duplex, heavier than lead and TSS shot we are sending shots that pattern as tight as baseballs at 25 yards and sometimes even further.  Even though most modern turkey guns come with some form of fiber optic sight on them we should be thinking of those as a backup system. If you’ve spent the time, money and effort to get a gun specifically to chase turkeys, that gun should wear a modern optic. What kind of shotgun scope should you use on your turkey gun? Why? Let’s look at shotgun optics choices for turkey hunting.

Why should you run an optic for turkey hunting? The simple answer is precision. When you were out in the field with a simple high brass , heavy game load, full choke and bead you had to know where that gun patterned. This was likely a large pattern by todays standards and you have to keep it in mind everytime you pull the trigger on a Tom. 

Now, we are shooting ultra tight patterns out to ranges well beyond sixty yards and we need to know where that shot is going to be. Most patterns are the size of a baseball at twenty five yards with today’s gear, so if you’re off by three to four inches you missed. And who wants to think about where to hold to center the pattern. Sight it in, hold the dot on the spot and press the trigger. The rest takes care of itself. Simple and effective. 

Also, when you’re shooting at longer ranges a bead or even rifled sights are likely covering up way more than they should be for you to place those pellets where they have to go. With a scope or red dot you know exactly where your point of aim is. Be sure of your target and beyond, it works a lot better if you are sure where your projectiles will be hitting within reason. 

What optic should you have on your Tom tagger? A lot of that is personal preference and hunting style differences. We all have our opinions but there are a few reasons for both a red dot and a LPVO (low power variable optic). Let’s look at them both and help you decide 

Red Dots

When we are looking at the first and more popular category of scopes for shotgun we come to Red Dots. There are three types of Red Dots, Reflex, Prismatic, and Holographic. A few years ago I would have said Prismatic sights were the route to go, but more and more reflex sights for shotguns have taken center stage. Holographic sights are great, but tend to be a bit more expensive. Prismatic’s still have a place but for most folks the benefits and price point of a reflex sight is where it’s at in the turkey woods.

Why would you use a reflex sight for a shotgun chasing Tom’s? Adjustable brightness, for when that cloudy spring dawn turns into a sun baked backdrop on an open field, red dot sights for shotguns leave you the ability to quickly adjust the brightness of the reticle. Also weight, a reflex sight is a great lightweight option for those long hikes along oak ridges looking for gobbling birds. Precise, no matter who is behind the reflex sight, no matter what angle the glass is at, no matter what eye dominant or hand dominant position that shooter is in, if the dots on the target it will hit there. Wherever the dot is is where the shot will end up. This isn’t the same for any other sight style other than holographic. This is a real advantage in the turkey woods where non dominant hand shots are somewhat common. Also, take your kid or wife or friend out hunting, hand them your gun knowing that if they put the dot on the spot you have to worry not. 

LPVO 

A while back you would see a lot of the famous TV hunters putting the smack down on gobblers with Turkey Specific low power variable optics. For a lot of folks there has been zero reason to move away from these. Let’s look at why you want a scope on your turkey gun. 

When that Tom hangs up in that open field at 65 yards and you know your TSS is still plenty deadly at that range, you can crank that LPVO up to 4x and place the crosshairs or dot on the waddles, knowing the EXACT placement. What about shooting through that little gap in the brush at his red, white and blue head? Yup, these are the best cases for a scope for turkey hunting.  

A fairly new option for LPVO’s that might be an interesting addition to some folks for turkey hunting is an illuminated single dot or reticle in conjunction with the standard reticle available with a lot of these models. Still using a red dot to anchor you to that head poking through the brush, but this time with a bit of magnification, which is right up some hunters alley. 

The limiting factors for a more traditional shotgun scope are weight and field of view. Obviously, a variable scope is going to weigh in the range of pounds comparatively to even a tube style prismatic sight which tip the scale in ounces. The other area where a red dot, especially a reflex sight, does a bit better a job on a turkey gun is in the field of view category.  The almost non existent ring you will perceive on a reflex sight leaves little to the imagination. Meaning you will see your Tom and everything else going on around him, to make the safest, most accurate, and most ethical shot possible. 

Our Turkey Guns come with proprietary bases for mounting optics, and even though we have nice fiber optic beads on the barrel we suggest you use that base to mount the optic of your choice. When running and gunning for turkeys there is a lot left to chance, exact aiming and shot placement shouldn’t be one of them. We do our best to give you every reason to put the best shot on that bird possible, whether that’s with the optic mounted on the included base or a quality fiber optic bead. Let’s be honest we wouldn’t build a base and include it with every Retay Turkey gun if we didn’t think you should be giving a good quality optic a try. Put the dot on the spot and worry not. 

Turkey Shells What shells Should You Chase Toms With This Spring

By: Justin Hunold

Let’s start from the very beginning, it’s the very best place to start. Ben Franklin’s pick for our National Avian Emblem, Thanksgiving Dinner Star, and befuddler of spring hunter the Wild Turkey, they are tough to kill. So, when we are chasing them a lot of the focus has been put on the gun and choke combo, optics, calls, camo and energy drinks. What is the actual thing that does the dispatching though…the ammo.  Let’s look at the anatomy of a turkey shell and also what shells you might consider running this year.

What are the components of a shotgun shell? This is interesting because when I started chasing turkeys almost 30 years ago the answer was shoot them with a high brass 3” magnum #4 in a full choke. In all honesty, that hasn’t changed a ton during the ammo shortages of the past few years; plenty of birds were being chased with a similar set up, but Turkey Shells aren’t just beefed up game loads. 

Generally if we start at the front of the shell, you will see a crimp. The crimp is what holds all the shot and other components in the shell, you can have folded or rolled. Folded crimps will have a familiar star pattern in the folds. Rolled crimps will have a flat disc facing out with the edged of the rolled shell holding it in place. Either will work just fine, but more and more you see top end turkey loads with rolled crimps. The reason that is the case is the rolled crimp allows for a touch more internal volume for components ie. shot. 

Inside the shell you will find the shot, in lead or similar shot 4,5,6’s tend to be the most popular sizes of buffered lead in the shells.A lot of states will limit your shot sizes to those coinciding numbers, shall not be smaller than a 6 or larger than a 4. Often in a turkey load the lead is plated with a harder metal such as copper. Shot will have buffer between it. This helps the pellets not bounce off of each other during flight therefore retaining their roundness and stability. 

Those two components are housed in the wad. The wad is simply the plastic cup that holds the shot and buffer in place as it goes down the barrel. The wad sits on top of the powder and the powder sits on top of the primer. All of this is housed in a hull or shell.  

Shells come in three sizes for 12 gauges and two for 20 gauge (for our purposes). Both guns will support 2.75” and 3” shells, some 12’s will also take a 3.5” shell as well. Always check the gun for the length of the shell it will take. With that the longer the shell the more total components will fit inside of it, in the form of powder and shot. So a 3.5 inch 12 gauge supports a lot more #6 shot than a 2.75” 20. 

So after that history lesson what makes a Turkey Load different? Generally, turkey shells will have as much shot as possible in each size shell. Where as a 3” #4 duck load might have an ounce and an eighth of shot, a turkey load will likely be filled with more than an ounce and a half of the same size shot. 

You don’t need to lead a turkey, so with plated lead shot and more of it being pushed out, velocity on turkey shells is normally slower. It doesn’t need to get there fast, it just all needs to get there and as densely as possible. With a waterfowl load you likely want a large ish pattern that has few gaps, say about 30” , a turkey shell should be delivering all of its shot very tightly. Often that need for a lot of shot delivered in a tight area leads to companies leaning on a high pellet count and high quality buffer to make that happen. 

Now we get into the zone of shot composition. What are the pellets made of? This is a lot like our evolution of waterfowl shells articles. The difference is there is almost no non toxic requirements (California withstanding). Meaning lead has dominated Turkey Shells for a long time. But when it comes to shotgun shells for turkey hunting, lead is not your only option. Tungsten, Bismuth and other denser than Lead have made their way over to turkey hunting. 

This started a long time ago with the original Heavy Shot, but with the advent of some advancements in turning out higher grade heavier than lead shot and better components there is a real swing to these new options. All forms of TSS or Tungsten Super Slam shot have made their way into retailers and chambers of guns alike. When you may have stepped down to a 6 shot in the past to increase pellet count , you can now shoot a #9 and when that #6 lost it’s steam at 40 yards that TSS in #9 is still plenty lethal at 60 and beyond. But that comes with a price tag. Normally TSS from any manufacturer is going to top $10 a shell. And shot sizes that small aren’t legal in all places. 

If you’re a dedicated Turkey hunter and you can constitute the price tag of the TSS shells and proprietary choke that should be used by all means send them down range. They are a devastating combination for spring Toms. Yet, do not discount a great shot shell stuffed with plated  #4,5, or 6 shot. More of that will take to the woods than TSS this spring and it has killed mountains of turkeys over the years. 

With modern buffer, powder, Shot construction and shapes, and even duplex or combination of all of these shot sizes and materials together turkey loads have never been more potent. And with that, don’t fall into the bigger is best mode of shot shells. More and more folks are shooting heavier than lead options in 20 gauge when putting big strutters on the ground. Often a 3” option will pattern better in a given gun than a 3.5” shell of the same manufacturer and style. But with that there are a lot of people who carry a 12 gauge stoked with 3.5 inches and 2 ounces of hellfire. Cause you can’t kill them too dead. And at the end of the day all of this is about putting those tough Toms on the ground for good. We are lucky hunters to have so many options.

Turkey Guns – Features for Taking Toms

By Justin Hunold

A feature rich Turkey Gun makes for more confident shooting.

When the Turkey Hunting boom started back in the 1970’s any ol shotgun folks had kicking around went into the woods chasing those spring Toms. As time went on folks realized Turkey’s are tough. They started to tote Magnums sporting 3” chambers and delivering that payload through a fixed full choke. And as chasing spring birds grew in popularity so did the list of tools we specialized to chase them. Shotguns were no exception to this rule, and now we are able to bring a true Turkey Gun to bear. Let’s take a look at some modern must haves in the turkey woods. What makes the “best turkey gun” for a modern hunter. 

Optics- Listen, lot’s of birds have fallen to a plain old front bead, and that will continue to happen. The same goes for fiber optic sighting systems, most modern guns come with them and they are always good to go. More and more though, we get after birds with an assundry of optics on top of our guns. Some folks like a LPVO or Low Power Variable Optic, like a 1-6x24mm. They feel that the ability to “zoom in” helps them deliver precise shot patterns at extended ranges and who’s to argue? This is what these optics are made for, that 0-100 yard zone. Guess what ranges we shoot Turkeys at 0-65 ish 

The next group of folks run a Red Dot optic of some sort. I fall into this group. Whether a traditional red dot housed in a tube or a prism style sight these are becoming the go to in the spring woods.They are light to carry, dummy proof to use, mostly bomb proof and do exactly what a hunter needs in the turkey woods, putting a point of aim where the center of the pattern should go. Plus in those low light mornings and rainy spring days that red dot is easy to acquire and easy to see on a bird’s head and neck.  

Retay turkey guns have integral patented scope bases. The picatinny pattern will easily accept any optic of your choosing. If that optic were to fail the whole system is removable so you can trust the fiber optic bead at the end of the barrel. 

Chokes- Way back in the 70-80’s hunters shot fixed full guns and occasionally modified if that’s all they had to run. The number of chokes available to a modern turkey hunter is staggering. There are a ton of constrictions, porting patterns, wad catching systems and even shot composition specific chokes. In general a good name brand Xtra Full Turkey Choke will work, you just have to find the best load to match that choke. If you’re shooting TSS we suggest a TSS specific choke. The goal is to deliver double digit pellet count into the head and neck of the Gobbler at any reasonable shooting distance. All of these chokes should do that with the right turkey load.

 Turkey shells pack more ounces of shot than just about any other shotgun shell. Velocity doesn’t really matter in the turkey woods, so these shells will sacrifice speed for shot capacity. With that a lot of folks will shoot a 20 gauge or a 12 gauge in 3 inches. 3.5 still has a following but modern turkey shells, turkey chokes and ballistics mean that folks are patterning better and better with the shorter 3” variant. 

Retay has huge aftermarket support in the way of choke tubes and with 20 gauge and 12 gauge Turkey guns we have the ability to deliver whatever performance you need from your turkey gun. Especially with our Dead Straight Deep Bore Drilled Barrels. Our guns pattern 20% better out of the box to begin with. 

A Sling helps when walking out heavy

Barrel Length- When I started Turkey hunting it was with a 28” barrel side by side shotgun. Man, that gun shot, but it was long and gangly to carry through the under story. I later moved to a 26” pump gun and finally to a 24” barrel Gordion Turkey. The 20 gauge Gordion Turkey comes with a 22” barrel. The shorter barrel is lighter, easier to carry when slung over the shoulder, and easier to maneuver in a seated shooting position. Plus in the tight cover that woods hunting has the shorter barrel just clears that brush and shrubs so much easier. You don’t need the momentum of a 28 or 26” barrel to swing through or follow up. Likely you need one precise shot, much like a rifle, and doing that with a more compact gun is a joy in the thick spring woods. 

Grips- About a decade or so ago the familiar pistol grip stock emerged on turkey guns. This allows for steady holding and support when seated and having the gun on your knee. It also compliments the use of optics by lining a shooter up in a comfortable position. 

Anyone who has shot a Magnum Turkey Load will tell you the recoil is stout. The almost 90 degree pistol grip allows a shooter to handle that recoil a lot better and more comfortably. With pump guns kicking a bunch more than a semi, our new GPS-XL Turkey has a pistol grip to help you handle all of that. Yet, you can still choose a traditional style stock in any of our Turkey Guns because we know this gun might be serving you in a duck boat, layout blind or even chasing rabbits. Our guns are built to hunt. 

Sling- Most of the turkey hunting we do is a game of miles and opportunities. Walking with a gun slung over your shoulder is a lot easier than having to carry it. Gotta work a pot call? How about running a box call? Both two hand affairs and a sling keeps that gun comfortable while you do that. 

The more gear we hunt with the handier a sling becomes. Blind? Chair? Decoys? Gotta have a sling to make it all work. Every Retay has been built to accept a sling with integral studs and sling swivels included. Those slip on slings suck so we just make it easy on you. 

A Great Turkey Shotgun can help lead to Great Photos like this.

Can you kill turkeys with a good all around shotgun? You sure can. You can also open a paint can with a screwdriver, but it’s not ideal. So, why not use a paint can opener and why not get serious and get the best turkey gun you can. You deserve to enjoy your time afield and the birds deserve for you to be the most efficient killer possible. The right Turkey Gun helps you do that, and how confident you will be with a purpose driven gun. Confidence kills or so I’ve heard.  

Whistlers- Hunting Golden Eyes

By: T.J. Rademacher

Golden Eyes are great shooting often from the shore

Goldeneye are typically a bonus bird for most diver hunters. They are typically more drawn to their own kind and are not as likely to fully commit to a spread of mixed blocks. Many shots are taken at passing ranges for folks more interested in the other diving duck varieties. For the Last few years I have ended up on waterways chasing divers on both the Mississippi and Central flyways. Out of necessity I was forced to figure out the goldeneye game because the other birds were stale or not moving as much. Here is what I know now after spending some time targeting these birds specifically.

              When scouting a hunt for these birds you are looking for where they are headed to eat just like any other diver. The process is really the same as anything you might encounter looking for bluebills or redheads. The difference is in my experience is you are looking closer to rocky shores or open water bordering this type of area. In my experience you encounter goldeneye in rafts smaller in size than other divers. They seem to end up strung out loosely in areas they are feeding or loafing in. they are primarily feeding on mussels, clams, snails, crustaceans and sometimes small fish from the birds ta hive inspected while cleaning them. Once you find a concentration you can either push them out gently and set up for their return or you can traffic them. The main thing is covering water and finding a few different spots to try out or make a strategy for future hunts

Use any means necessary to get to the X

              Getting on the X is tough. The X is usually a place where the birds can’t be targeted in most of the places I hunted. Most if these waterways include large areas that are off limits and are waterfowl refuges. So you instead find yourself looking for the soft X. This is usually less predictable and changes daily. Most of the times I did find a concentration of birds it was a mid-day loaf spot. We would leave them be and come back later the next morning and set up after having a go at the more un cooperative rafts of other divers. Pushing them out seemed to do more harm than good on this type of spot because they were not actively using it as a feeding spot so the pressure of gently bumping them usually had them picking the next least pressured spot and not many coming back. We would typically set a spread of 8 or so oversized GE decoys and nothing else. This typically did the trick for birds returning to the area. For trafficking we would pick the best spot to get in their way. If shore hunting, we would try and get one point the they swing close to. The use a layout boat to get in their way in spots where they were moving to and from spots to eat and loaf has become the main way to consistently kill these birds. We also used up to 3 dozen GE decoys to get birds to decoy. We had very mixed results with having comb spread with the most success coming from GE only spreads. It’s a lot of work in general to layout hunt diving ducks but this technique paid off big time when the going got tough. We a were able to scratch out enough birds to fill in with our bluebills to make the effort more worthwhile.

Here’s another thing I learned about Goldeneyes. They are not trash ducks. They are excellent table fare. I’m not talking about plucking the and preparing them with the skin on like puddle duck. We all know this is probably a silly idea given their diet. However, the typical breasting method turned out great poppers and stir-fry’s. I was careful to remove all fat and silver skin from the meat. I also typically brine the breasts as well. It seems help with the taste of the finished product. Another way to prepare them is by braising them down in a crock pot. The final product to a tender pulled pork type of protein that goes great on sandwiches and my personal favorite Korean barbeque sliders. Whoever tells you can’t eat goldeneyes or says they are not edible probably got ahold of some that were not prepared well. Prep is king with wild game meat especially with animals that have a specific diet.

Scratching out birds in places you wouldn’t typically think of

              Learning to nail down a measurable amount of success taking goldeneye consistently was a very rewarding experience. Sometimes the adaptations we make to figure out a path to success when the conditions aren’t exactly ideal are what we look back on the most fondly. I remember being very frustrated at times during their navigation of this learning curve. As is the case with most types of water fowling staying persistent and making the best decision you can based on the info you are receiving from the environment around is what will typically make you a little more successful. Now go and get after the whistlers.

Should I Hunt Turkeys From a Blind?

Thinking about hunting birds both in and out of the box. 

By: Justin Hunold

A lot of Toms are fooled with Hub Style blinds every spring.

There 15 yards in front of you just outside of that window your decoys look perfect. They look so good you have to remind yourself to not shoot your strutting decoy. With the blades of last year’s dry grass and the newly greened up version moving in the wind, you see Him lock on to your imitation flock out in the field. And like a young man sowing his oats that Tom is on his way down to get some, either a fight or a romp. 

This is the way of Turkey hunting from a modern pop up blind. Turkey Calls are very similar to ones from decades past, but the variety and reliability is a lot better, and yes decoys continue to look better and better with modern materials and finishes, and we even understand the spring Turkey better due to continued research, but one thing likely helps kill more birds every year than the modern pop up blind……but it saves a bunch too. 

Why should you be Turkey Hunting from a pop up blind? There are a lot of reasons to hunt from a blind, they hide your movement, they give you concealment in places that are wide open, they protect you from some of the elements, Turkey’s basically don’t react to them at all and they can help you stay patient. Let’s dive in on Who’s What, When’s, Where and How’s of  Hunting Turkeys from a Blind. 

One main reason to hunt turkeys from a pop up blind is because turkeys dont adversely react to them. Not long ago when you saw a flock strutting in the middle of a field day after day and you couldn’t access them or if you could there was no cover to hunt them from they mine as well have been in a zoo. They were in a spot you couldn’t kill them in. The blind changed all of that. 

A camo blind standing up in the middle of the field will definitely not fool a whitetail and likely you won’t see a coyote or another predator unless that blind has been there a very long time or is adequately brushed in. When it comes to beards and spurs though, you can pop that thing up and hunt from it that morning. 

Ground Blinds make places that lack cover huntable for Turkeys

Toms and Hens alike seem to not give a hoot about a pop up blind suddenly appearing in a spot it wasn’t yesterday. So, field hunting turned into a big option over the past 20 years when it wasn’t really on the radar much before that. If you see a Tom puffed up in the middle of the field every day, that bird is likely killable with a pop up blind and access to that field. 

Hunting in comfort is another great reason to hunt out of a blind. Rain, snow, sleet, and hail a blind can make you into a regular USPS mailman. No matter the weather you can generally hunt in relative comfort from a blind. This keeps you concentrating on the birds and not how miserable you feel. It also lends to your patience. Warm, dry and concealed tends to make a hunter stay put rather than feeling they need to be up and moving to stay warm. Sometimes staying in a spot is the key to the game. Impatient hunters save a lot of animals every year. 

For the reasons listed above Blind hunting is a great way to introduce new or young hunters to the game. A kid can be free to move a bit more in a blind, they can also have a tablet or even a couple games or toys to help pass the time. Teaching kids to hunt is a big undertaking. I believe that there are times this is best done with a compromise of toughing it and making it a bit more comfortable, a blind is a great middle ground. 

This is the same for newer hunters. Great teaching moments like how much you can move, what it’s like when Turkeys come in and a shot is imminent, judging distance, watching animal behavior can all be taught from a blind in a way that might not happen leaning against a tree. Plus for someone maybe not used to navigating the woods in the dark or at all a destination or home base is a great way to increase confidence. 

There are a couple instances when that blind that proves deadly so many times is the bane of a hunter’s existence in moments. One story that is told over and over is causing a malfunction in the weapon of the hunter in regards to the blind. This predominantly happens with a bow, the hunter forgets how many moving parts there are and a limb hits the blind, or the sight clears the window but they don’t estimate for the inches difference in arrow height at the shelf and next thing you know they have a new broadhead hole through there camo house. It can happen to a lesser extent with a gun but be aware of your windows in a blind. 

The other instance is when a bird sneaks in and won’t come around to the side a hunter prepped for a shot. This is when a hunter is generally cursing the blind and thinking that they could have had that bird if they weren’t pinned down inside but running a gunning outside. As a rule of thumb, I keep three windows open to help with this and the more dense the cover the less likely I am to be in a blind. 

At the end of the day the situation that surrounds the birds are the contributing factors in deciding whether or not to use a blind. Early in the season, with colder, wetter weather and birds heading to fields to get in that ever escaping sunshine, I’ll be in a blind. Having a new hunter with me, Blind time. When birds might be pressured and quiet, I’m more patient in a blind. In my opinion there are a ton of times you shouldn’t be in a blind. But every turkey hunter should own one or two and they should have them ready to go for the situations surrounding the birds. 

Hunting Season Prep: The Physical

By: Justin Hunold

Working to be in good shape physically and mentally hunting becomes more enjoyable.

Physical preparation for hunting matters. Let’s face it Hunting season is a grind. Most of us never really have an “Off season” but the actual in season life is hard on your body and the older you get the harder it is. When I was younger in my twenties I ran on caffeine, bad food and beer. I’d hunt every morning, go to work and work until about 10pm and then get home prep, decompress and get up between 2-4 am to do it all over again. Somedays I would fit schoolwork into that mix too. Now that I’m 40, this schedule seems like a pipe dream. 

What are some ways to make hunting season easier? Do you have to be  Cameron Haynes?  How about someone like Steve Rinella or Janis Putelis instead? How do we stay in good physical condition for hunting season? Here are tips for being in tip top shape for your hunting season. 

Meal planning- We aren’t talking macros and micros or any real hard science here. Most of the year let’s think about clean eating for most of the time. Concentrate on the basics, proteins, fats, vitamins, healthy carbs, fruits, veggies and if possible something fresh and not pre packaged. I try to stick to this for most of the off season, with some cheats here and there. The guideline I heard somewhere a long time ago is “If you can stack it, don’t snack it” . Basically if it comes in square packaging try to avoid it. 

As far as this diet goes, I still have beer, the occasional snickers, potato chips or even ice cream. I have an almost four year old and we try not to waste food, so I eat a lot of half eaten PBJ’s. I’m not saying to be a nazi about your diet, but trying to eat right is better than not. You will feel better. The thing is if you cut all junk out how will those gas station meals, weird diner breakfasts and other foraging opportunities hit your stomach during hunting season if your stomach isn’t used to junk at all? 

But meal Planning goes farther than that. During the season, rather than scrolling through social media for far too long try to get the coffee maker ready for the morning, make some healthy food and get it in your blind bag for the next day. Have a plan for those meals and have them ready. This leads to less gas station snacks, more money in your pocket and more sleep when it’s needed most. 

Sleep- I am not a great sleeper, I wake up most nights for a span of at least an hour. What I do well is fall asleep and wake up. I never snooze an alarm, and my lights go out as soon as my head hits the pillow. I use this to my advantage. I know I can push my alarm to the last possible second because I always get right up, no snooze. I also hit the hay when I feel tired to maximize that pre middle of the night wake up. Meaning during the season if I’m tired at 7 if possible I go to bed. 

Being in good physical condition helps you make heavy work into light work

We all have a life. We all have more stuff to do than time to do it in. So, sleep is often the thing we sacrifice. But, there are a lot of credible folks that say it’s the most important thing we can do for our health. What are we to do?

Firstly, if you have sleep apnea , get that taken care of. I know lots of guys in camp that have it, and they all feel better when they have it under control. Just listen to your buddies snore through the night at camp sometime. Listen to the pauses and gasps. The sooner you get that under control the better off your health will be. For some folks its a machine, others its a mouth piece and for some it’s losing some weight, all of these work together in combinations or even singularly and separately. I know some folks that “didn’t have the energy” to work out but once thye got their apnea in line they suddenly started working out. That sort of sleep deprivation matters. 

The other thing is learn your sleep patterns, learn what your body needs. I know my sleep strengths so I play to them during the season. I also know I can run full bore for about ten days before a crash, but then I will need one whole day to recover. I try to plan trips, days off and hunting times around these factors. 

You may never get eight hours of sleep in a night, but look at getting the best possible sleep you can for the time you can. Know your own sleep patterns and needs. If you snooze, the first alarm needs to be earlier and if you are a third shift worker, afternoons may be your best option. 

Exercise- Ugh, this is the one that goes out the window during the season. I run, ruck, hike and lift all off season, then season hits and my work out is the walk into some far flung hunting spot with all my gear or paddling a kayak a mile or two for the same reason. I need to be better about this, and I should incorporate some stretching. 

You don’t need to be Cam, lift, run shoot. You can be Steve and Janis, load pack hike around. I’m not going to tell you I look like a Greek god either. But I try to keep a minimum standard and that is this – The Navy SEAL minimums for Physical Screening (sans the swim).  42 push ups in 2:00 mins 50, Situps in 2:00 mins, 6 pull ups and a 1.5 mile run in under 11:00 mins. These won’t get you into the program but they are a baseline I find useful. 

At the end of the day you will be less tired, better mentally, sleep better and hunt better if you’re in reasonable physical condition. Everything is harder in the water and we spend a ton of time wet in waterfowl hunting. Start with a walk if that’s tough for you and go from there if you think the SEAL minimums are a breeze take a look at the Competitive standards and do them for time. 

Supplements- Over the past three years we all had decisions to make in regards to our health. One of those decisions for me was supplementing my vitamins and minerals. I also incorporate nootropics on a semi-daily basis. 

As Hulk Hogan used to say ” Say your Prayers and take your vitamins.”

Surprisingly, those athletes taking things like Glucosamine, Fish Oil and Turmeric for their joints are shining the light down the path of more comfort for us hunters. If you hear one complaint at camp about being sore it’s generally joint related. Why not supplement for that the whole year?

Nootropics used to be regarded with voodoo but caffeine is a nootropic and most of us use it daily and likely can’t function as well without it. I use all sorts of nootropics specifically on hunt days and I feel they make a huge difference. I feel sharper and more focused. 

Probiotics- Eat some yogurt, take probiotic supplements and figure out the things that don’t agree with your stomach. Many hunt plans have gone awry because of thunder guts and the runs. Get out in front of that. Give yourself enough time to go before you get your waders on if possible, carry imodium in your rig and blind bag….worth it. 

These are just a few simple or not so simple things I do through the year that will probably help your season go a bit smoother, make you sharper and a better hunter, and hopefully lead you to be more successful. Listen, every single one of us has a different life, different stressors, different physiology. None of this will be a cure all for everyone. But I bet if you take one of these and tailor it to your own self your hunting season and life in general will be better for it. 

Waterfowl Gear You Need

What should you buy now to get ready for next year?

By : Justin Hunold

First Birds, on the First Day

The early bird gets the worm, or something like that. Listen, as waterfowl hunters we are constantly in a quest to be the first, or the earliest or chasing that prime opportunity. First at the ramp, first to a spot, first fresh birds, first shooting light, opening day, first season, early Teal, early goose….you get the point. But listen, right now, as we creep into seasons closing, you should be first in line to fix or amend the shit that broke or didn’t work this past season. You can never be too early to start getting ready for next season. Here are some things you should be looking at getting right and tight for fall’s first flight.  

We all have gear on our list. Right now is an amazing time to scour those clearance sales and find next year’s best gear at a discount. Will it be the newest pattern or the coolest thing on the block, maybe not, but will you or the birds actually notice? Also probably not. Here’s a secret its not just changing of the seasons that prompt good prices for consumers, but also for retailers on the wholesale level. So, check those sites for chances to get gear at amazing prices. Maybe someday I will go over the pricing theories at a retail level, but let’s just say at some point that old inventory is costing more than it’s worth to not discount it. 

Decoys are hard to store for retailers and normally get a big late season discount for sake of floor space.

Decoys- Decoys are big, bulky, heavy and hard to display. Think about it this way, how many Lucky Craft lures can a store fit in the area that a box of full body Canadas take up? The answer is a ton, and they retail for $15 a pop. So, decoys are something that gets discounted heavily quickly.  Keep an eye out for whatever you need to fill out your spread. I promise if they fooled birds the past few seasons next year’s model probably won’t do it any better. 

Camouflage Clothing- So, the model here is let’s have some legacy products, think Bottomland, and then let’s release the new stuff every few years because hunters are trendy and like to match. When those new patterns hit they may look great, they may help you blend in better, but they certainly boost sales for the camo company releasing them. When this happens you will see deep discounts in the flagship camo from the year before. You may also see this when an apparel company loses the licensing rights to that particular camo, or a sponsorship change on a major player of the prostaff. Whatever the reason, jump on last year’s clothing now in prep for next year. 

Hunting Accessories- Calls, Choke Tubes, Blind Bags, Muffs, Blinds, Decoy Rigs the list goes on. Remember that in a lot of retailers the waterfowl aisles turn over into the spring turkey aisles. That change over normally leads to some chances at high end gear at a lower price. Full Disclosure, I worked in big box retail for a long time and some of my most expensive and best sounding calls came out of the display cases when it was time to turn those aisles over. The sweetest sounding turkey call I’ve ever owned was an Original, first production year Primos Power Crystal and that was because it was good and broken in when I bought it out of the display case for next to nothing, even though that call isn’t expensive to begin with. Don’t get me started on my Original BGB Wide Open…

My Muff straight up unraveled on me on its second hunt this year. You know the kind that hold shells and some gear and snaps to the D rings on your waders? Yeah mine came apart on hunt number two and I just never replaced it this year. I tried to limp it along with paracord and zip ties like any good redneck but man it sucked. I’ll be getting a new one from somewhere else this off season.  Some other things I will be packing in my blind bag before I put it up are a few pairs of elbow length rubber gloves, because they are light, cheap and totally waterproof, and at least one extra headlamp and a pair of inexpensive sunglasses. I’d rather bring the extra couple ounces out on every hunt and always be prepared than not have the stuff when I need it. Kinda like a side arm. Also most of this will have reviews from the previous season, and post on social media and videos showing use in the field on YouTube.

Just like voting, you should be using your gun early and often

Now, between waterfowl and turkey season is a great time to get more familiar with your gun. I have specific guns for both of these seasons. Now that I am done chasing quacking birds and will shift to chasing gobbling ones I will be taking my Masai Mara apart and cleaning it thoroughly. I will also take my Gordion Turkey out and check the optic and make sure it’s pattern and point of impact is still as perfect as last year. If I want to make a change in chokes, optics, ammo or slings now is the time. 

Since I will be shooting my turkey gun I will also bring out my waterfowl gun and check all of the same stuff. I want to make sure I’m very familiar with where my guns shoot, if I need to make any shim adjustments, choke changes or even if the shells I bought mid season on a suggestion are doing what I’m thinking they should. 

If I were you I would be looking over Market Place and Craigslist for a new to you boat or watercraft if that’s on the books. This is the time of year people start to unload that stuff. The reason the timing of now is important is because people are generally looking to get out of that stuff at a reasonable price. In two months spring will be here and they will want a premium on watercraft, they’ll take less in January and February in most of the country. 

Is any of this earth shattering? No. But I’m covering it because today I hung up my decoys for their spring and summer slumber and thought about what I should be using with them next season. I pulled my Masai Mara out of its case and set it out in line for a good cleaning. And I threw that piece of shit muff into the garbage where it belonged when I took it out of the box. This season is done for me as of today. But next season started as soon as I typed the first word of this article. I’m so happy it’s always hunting season.