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Checklist question
#5031423
03/21/14 03:00 AM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 548
Brock77
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 548 |
Hey guys, I'm sorry if this is a repeated thread, I'm having a hard time using the search but Ive been duck hunting twice and this coming season i have an opportunity to hunt most of the season in Tennessee ( where i go to college). Ill be hunting a low laying field that gets flooded by the river near by. Its my buddies land and he said i have full access to it but he doesn't hunt so i need to get all of my duck hunting supplies and I'm starting from nothing. Im wanting help with what to get and what order to purchase these things because i am in college and I'm wanting to buy one thing and then save up for the next if you guys could help me get a list what i need to get in order of importance it would help me a lot. I really appreciate any help.
Things i have: Shotgun Waders (breathable fly fishing waders but i think i can make due?)
Things I need: My guess would be decoys (how many) Calls (what calls) case of shells camo
Common species around here are wood duck, mallards, teal, and canadian geese
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Re: Checklist question
[Re: Brock77]
#5031442
03/21/14 03:09 AM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 548
Brock77
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 548 |
even if some one could post their check list for hunting in this situation and ill just work off of that. Ill take anything i can get. Once again i appreciate it
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Re: Checklist question
[Re: Brock77]
#5031538
03/21/14 04:18 AM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,881
TXPride
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,881 |
Add a good quality warm/waterproof jacket to the list.
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Re: Checklist question
[Re: Brock77]
#5031650
03/21/14 12:04 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 762
Duck Buster
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 762 |
Its your first true year duck hunting. Building your supplies is very expensive, and there is no limit to what you can spend- so decide what is more important to you to make where you are hunting the least amount of work for the greatest benefit.
As what TX pride says, add a good hunting jacket. Breathable waders are fine, but you may get cold later in the season. So, invest in good thermals/ fleece socks and pants to help ward off the cold.
Decoys- stick with mallard (2 dozen) and teal (1 dozen) to start. Once you know what birds are more common and want to build your spread you can buy more. Wood ducks will still come into those- to me wood duck decoys aren't a necessity. I would recommend getting some decoys with a lot of white as well(pintail or shoveler)- they can be seen a ways off, and are also found in flooded fields.
As for the camo and field itself. Are you going to be laying in the field, standing near trees, along a fenceline with vegetation?? These will be a factor of where you hunt. standing near a tree, or sitting along a vegetated fenceline makes easier concealment. Laying in the middle of a field is done a lot, but concealment help is necessary (layout blind, green burlap sacks, something the help you blend in). I PERSONALLY don't think camo patterns plays a huge role in waterfowl hunting; Keep your movements to a minimum and birds will come in.
I recommend a duck strap- although you can toss the birds into your decoy bag. They get squished/ ruffed up more if shoved in decoy bags, but it can save you $30 for the time being.
Otherwise, the list you created, plus decoy bag and jacket, is all the essentials. Calls aren't essential depending on who you ask on here, but what matters most is if it is essential to you.
I personally use a shell/blind bag if i am hunting somewhere I can hang it or set it on the ground. Helps with carrying shells, calls, water, food, etc, etc, etc. so I don't have to load down all my pockets with stuff. It also doubles as a pillow for me if I need a nap, or am hunting a dry field with no layout blind- sometimes both at the same time.....
Good luck to you.
Last edited by Duck Buster; 03/21/14 12:08 PM.
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Re: Checklist question
[Re: Brock77]
#5032311
03/21/14 05:54 PM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 412
JakeJJ
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 412 |
TP!!! Don't forget the TP! It's not fun walking away from a hunt with one less sock.
We interrupt this marriage for hunting season.
USAF 07-Present OIF 09-10 OSS 14
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Re: Checklist question
[Re: JakeJJ]
#5032357
03/21/14 06:18 PM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 494
817cd
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 494 |
TP!!! Don't forget the TP! It's not fun walking away from a hunt with one less sock. x2 on the tp and good socks don't ever skimp on either. Get a waterfowl ID booklet or app and the Tenn. state waterfowl regs know em before you shoot em. sSounds like you are on a good start already. If you can't tell what they are on your first couple of groups work or let them get closer before shooting or attempting to shoot. Know the limits of your gun and the shells you will be using. New hunters tend to shoot at every chance wait for the opportune time for each shot you take. Keep your face and hands covered and still.Try to go to class after you hunt it can be tough being a student hunter. Good luck, be safe!
Never used photoshop and never will. Photoshop is for liberals.
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Re: Checklist question
[Re: Brock77]
#5032400
03/21/14 06:43 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,062
MS1454
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,062 |
Know the limits of your shooting ability too 
I'll take a Black Female every time.
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Re: Checklist question
[Re: Brock77]
#5032711
03/21/14 10:36 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 548
Brock77
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 548 |
Thanks guys i appreciate all the help, this definitely gives me a good direction to go when i get back to texas and hit up cabelas.
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Re: Checklist question
[Re: Brock77]
#5032769
03/21/14 11:23 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,680
Hopedale
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,680 |
Get a good headlight, flashlight, and a thermos for coffee.
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Re: Checklist question
[Re: Brock77]
#5032978
03/22/14 02:21 AM
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 29
VictorWooten
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 29 |
Wool socks, a head lamp, layout blind and a waterproof bag.
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Re: Checklist question
[Re: Brock77]
#5033264
03/22/14 01:38 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,843
ishootspoonies
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,843 |
your gonna want a blind bag to put all your useless crap you just bought in.
I like spoonie, his humor is dryer than my duck lease.
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Re: Checklist question
[Re: Brock77]
#5033283
03/22/14 01:51 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,087
Navasot
Hollywood
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Hollywood
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,087 |
gun, steel shot, license, boom bang pow
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Re: Checklist question
[Re: ishootspoonies]
#5033505
03/22/14 05:25 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,943
Ben Lilly
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,943 |
your gonna want a blind bag to put all your useless crap you just bought in. 
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Re: Checklist question
[Re: Brock77]
#5034187
03/23/14 06:34 AM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,850
Merican Duck Hunter
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,850 |
I wouldn't go all out on decoys either. Go with some hot buys or gently used craigslist deks. If you've got birds using the fields (and it sounds like a pretty darn good spot) all they need is a little guidance as for where to land. Always set up with sun and wind at your back when possible. It will help conceal you, and the birds almost always land into the wind (with the exception of teal, those bastards do whatever the hell they want). X2 on the ID booklet and no sky busting. and don't buy cheap waders... Cabelas has a good line Waterfowling can get extremely expensive, but it doesn't have to be. Buy a little bit every year and in a few years you'll be more than set!
Arise.Kill.Eat -Acts 10:13 I have read a bunch of stuff on the internet about Star Wars but that does not mean I can skin a deer with a light saber.
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Re: Checklist question
[Re: Brock77]
#5034382
03/23/14 02:42 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 733
ArkansasTraveler
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 733 |
No offense but you seem like a broke college kid.....I remember being a broke college kid....I couldn't afford all the fancier stuff required for duck hunting. Sometimes people need to take a step back and realize old timers hunted for a long time without the fancy top of the line waders, thermals and dekes. If I were you, I would find some old cheaper used decoys, keep the same waders u got, if it's a flooded field you probably won't be going in too deep in water, buy a good camo waterproof jacket...you will be glad u did later. As far as bottom layers, use old sweats or something. Call isn't a necessity, but if you want a cheap one there are tons of options for $15-30, less is more when u don't know how to call. Focus on concealment, which can be found real easily with a machete and some leg work. When I first started we raked piles of peanut stubble and spread it all over us and laid down on our backs in the mud....not the cleanest but I was a kid and didn't care.
Don't fall prey to some of the city boy answers you will receive on here wanting you to spend a couple thousand bucks to get in the game.....dekes, waders, gun, shells, jacket, license....that's all you truly need, everything else is a luxury. Oh and grab a cheap headlamp from academy, it will come in dang handy.
Get out there and have a good time!
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