Month: July 2021

Show Notes:

It is easy to think you need a dog to hunt ducks, but those thoughts are only propagated by people who rely on dogs. Not only can you hunt ducks without a dog, you can sometimes be more effective without one. On this episode I talk about the advantages and disadvantages of hunting with a dog and how you can be effective without one.

What dogs can do:

• Retrieve your birds so you don’t have to get up, keeping you comfortable.
• Potentially retrieve the birds faster than you could have, resulting in less down time.
• Retrieve ducks from deep water, which is very handy.
• More effectively retrieve crippled birds, so fewer get away.

What dogs do not do:

• Help you call in and shoot ducks. In fact they do nothing to help you take game.
• Make it easier to hide. They can add movement and noise which are potential liabilities.
• Anything you cannot do, without the right equipment. You can accomplish the same tasks when prepared.

Listen to the episode to hear about how to hunt waterfowl without a dog.

Show Notes:

Duck hunting can be gear intensive, so to say one piece of gear is the most important is a big claim. But nothing is more important than safety and if something can keep you safe and help you hunt more effectively, it tops the charts.  On this episode I talk with Bill Dickinson, a life-long duck hunter, doctor, and co-founder of an amazing outdoor company that is changing lives and the culture of waterfowl hunting.

Take Aways

• Until recently there has been no great way to hunt ducks and protect your hearing. Ear plugs ruined the hunt and electronic ear plugs only sort of ruined the hunt while often creating other issues.
• Hearing loss is cumulative over time. Every shot taken potentially harms your hearing some, for other it causes more harm.
  • Research shows that some people’s hearing can take more of a beating while other people lose their hearing faster. But sometimes even those with robust hearing are unexpectedly just one gunshot away from partial deafness. 
• Bill, who is a doctor of audiology, co-founded a company called Tetra Hearing with the express goal of not just protecting people’s hearing, not just preserving the experience and sounds of the hunt, but also enhancing your ability to hunt better.
• Every device is tuned to match your personal hearing levels and ranges.
• For those with perfect hearing, Bill’s product enables you to hear like normal while magnifying the sounds that ducks make so you can hear them from even further away.
  • As soon as you pull the trigger a sensor causes the device to go from amplification to suppression, blocking out the sound of the gunshot like traditional ear plugs.
• For those with poor hearing, Tetra’s product acts as a hearing aid, amplifying the sounds of the woods to match your hearing level and augmenting the unique sounds that ducks make.
  • And again, as soon as you take a shot, it provides instant hearing protection.
• Always wear hearing protection of some kind, if at all possible. ESSPECIALLY when you may be taking multiple shots or hunting with others who may be shooting too.

You can learn more about Bill’s work and company by visiting TetraHearing.com and you can take a free hearing test to help assess your current condition. 

(Disclaimer, there are no affiliate links, no commissions or kick backs, I do not make a dollar if you purchase anything. I genuinely and strongly believe in the work Bill is doing)

Show Notes:

Waders are an essential tool for duck hunting. Being able to retrieve ducks and decoys from the water while staying dry is one of the most unique parts of the sport. On this episode I help sort through all the different types of waders, the pros and cons of each, and the different levels of quality so you can make informed decisions based on your style and budget.

I classify waders under four main categories:

1. Hip Waders – These are usually vinyl or another uninsulated material that at best come up to your hip and enable you to hunt in very shallow water.
2. Cheap Waders – All chest waders in the $30-$70 range, or so. These are often uninsulated, uncomfortable on he feet, rarely last more than a few hunts, and can be a struggle to keep watertight. But there is a time and place where they could be the right choice for some. 
3. Breathable Waders – These waders are usually made of nylon, Gore-Tex, or some polyester that has a waterproof membrane but still allows perspiration to evaporate out of them. They are light weight, very flexible, and usually uninsulated. 
4. Neoprene Waders – These are usually the thickest, bulkiest, warmest, and most durable waders. They are perfect for winter and situations with very cold water or when you will spend a lot of time in the water.

What makes quality waders goes far beyond these categories and materials, listen to episode to hear about this in detail, as well as the pros and cons for each type and when they might be a good fit for you.

Here is the link to High & Dry Waders that I referenced in the episode. 

Show Notes:

Shotguns and shells are essential tools for duck hunting, there is no way to do it without them. Because of this, it is a very crowded market and there are many options out there. On this episode I talk about how to select a shotgun for waterfowl hunting, and perhaps more importantly how to navigate the massive duck hunting ammunition industry. 

Take Aways

• The best gun to hunt ducks with is the shotgun you already have or can easily borrow. Start with that and use your money for other essentials.
• The second best shotgun is the cheapest one you can find used at a gun shop or gun show.
• The third best is the new one that is the easiest for you to operate and shoot well. 
• The gauge, choke, and general shell power level can vary based on your preferences and physical size. I tend to point most people towards a 12 gauge with modified choke using 3″ shells. But there is no one size fits all.
• When it comes to ammo, waterfowl shells typically use steel, bismuth, or tungsten. The effectiveness and cost of those shells can vary greatly.
• In the episode I talk about each type of shot along with the science and practical take aways to help you pick what is best for you. 

Check out my comparison: BOSS Bismuth Vs. Steel Shot | Ballistics Gel Test (Video)