"WATERFOWL NOTES"

BAGS, CASES & TUBS

For some hunters the season is under way, for others October begins the 206-2007 waterfowl season. And, for others it is preparation for the opening next month. In any case we have suggestions for waterfowl hunters.

For those hunters that travel and spend the night or those that drive each morning to the hunting location these suggestions – we hope – will be of some help.

AUTO TUB

Over the years I have encountered bad weather and many times been drenched when I got back to the auto. A plastic tub to hold extra cloths and other gear has been a life saver, well maybe not life but much more than welcome site.  We place items that can make the remainder of the day pleasant. If you are placing the tub in the rear of a truck, tape the lid shut with duct tape; this isn’t necessary if placed in the rear of an SUV or truck of an auto. This tub can be placed in your trunk on any trip or to use on a day-to-day basis, not just waterfowl hunting.

Treestand Light – perfect for several conditions. (1) If you scout a field and the geese are just leaving to return to the roost, walk out into the field and place the light, next morning in the pitch black of early morning, when you are moving into the field hit the remote around 100 yards away to turn on light and reveal exact location to set up. (2) Same on a river hunt, strap to tree, next morning find the exact location. (3) Foggy day, you set some equipment in the field; place light on equipment; hit remote when you coming back to find location.

The idea is to have dry cloths in the tub to change. Place the wet cloths in a trash bag; the game shears, knife and additional trash bag are to clean your waterfowl. The extra shells are for that day when we misplace or forget our shell bag. You might have other things that you feel are necessary. The size of the tub depends on the “stuff” placed inside.

HUNT TUB

This tub is designed to hold those items that you put on after you reach the location that the auto is parked and before you get on ATV or in boat, or in worse case - start walking into the field. Dress to ride in the auto, remember you will need to ride back to the lodge, motel, home, etc.

BLIND BAG

It is our position that shells should be carried in separate bag, not the Blind Bag. We also feel that the Drake Blind Bag is the best bag for the waterfowl hunter. It has a clear plastic packet on the lid, pockets on the sides and end. Much easier to find in the dark, early in the morning – without fumbling around and dropping items in the water.
The Drake Floating Blind Bags are designed for the waterfowl hunter. When the bag is opened, the inside top has two mesh pockets and a see through snap on packet. The top inside is a mesh pocket

Inside Top Mesh Pocket -

LeMaster Waterfowl ID booklet
Booklet of state waterfowl regulations with bag limit
Paper with waterfowl seasons (duck, geese, Sandhill crane, special duck, goose and conservation dates)

See through plastic packet

Is ideal for a list of shooting times, this can be down loaded from several web sites, it can be found on Duckngoose.com in the Links section. A road map of the area most if not all of the gravel roads, it is possible that leaving the hunt you could get lost. Always mark the lodge, motel, etc. on the map. No more paper items getting wet or blowing away in the wind.

Chart of daily sunup-sundown times for each day
Map of the area, a road map or a topographic may (or both)

The following items are recommended to be carried in a Blind Bag.

TIP: With the information in the El Master booklet, the length of bill of the hen ducks, measure the bill with the pocket (2 to 3-foot) measuring tape to help ID your harvest – before the game warden does it for you.

What makes the Drake Bag better than the rest are the pouches at the top bag and the liners inside the bag. The bag has inside liners, in light tan for more flashlight reflection in the dark of early morning, with pockets to hold the smaller items, rather than one or two big pockets to help prevent items falling to the bottom of the bag.

Or, worse - in the dark of early morning, digging around in a Blind Bag for a lighter or knife, etc. will over the course of a hunting season spill an item out that will be lost or damaged by falling into water or on the ground to be tromped on my big boot foots.

Replacement of used or lost items. If you lend an item to a fellow hunter during a hunt, 90 percent of the time – not intentionally – it isn’t returned after THAT hunt. Close to 90 percent of the time you must replace the item before the next hunt. If you have a specified place to put the items, a quick check of your bag will reveal the items that need to be replaced.

There are 10 interior pockets along the sides of the bag. Each pocket is large enough for several small items. The end pockets should carry items that are most alike –

One end wall

• Compass
• GPS
• Game Taps (in Ziploc bag) 
• Ball point pen
• Small tablet
• 3-foot metal tape

Second end wall

• Breakfast bar (or candy bar)
• Package of peanut crackers
• Sunglasses (in hard case)
• Hearing protection

Front Wall (repair items)

• Utility Tool
• Folding knife
• Swiss Army knife
• Decoy string
• Cables ties (11 or 12-inch)
• Zip Loc bag with batteries
• Flashlight (small Mag type with extra headlamp)

Rear Wall

• Hand & toe warmers

This leaves the main large pocket for

• Binoculars (in case)
• Range Finder (in case) 
• Game Strap
• Digital camera (in case & zip lock bag)
• Calls on a floating neck strap
• Head flashlight
• Hunter’s First Aid Kit

Outside End Pouch

• Break Free
• Suntan lotion
• Bug spray

Other Outside End Pouch

• Face Mask (or masks)
• Special items you want to add to your bag

The bag should have a top sleeve or bungee type draw string net. I use the top for carrying a 2-cup thermos for coffee and a rolled up snow goose Wave Magnet string decoy.

SHELL BAG

TIP: Use 3 or 4 shell bags. Place goose shells in one. Duck shells in the second. Upland shells in a third and dove shells in the fourth.

Try to find a shell bag that is inexpensive, camo will hold 4 boxes of 3-1/2-inch shells, a flashlight, zip loc bag with toilet paper and a hand towel.

1. Carry the toilet paper in a sandwich zip loc bag – emergencies you know.
2. The flashlight should be yellow or red – if possible, a black or camo flashlight is almost impossible to find, especially in the dark of early morning.
3. The hand towel can be any color. Before the hunt is over you will need a towel.

TIP: Use an inexpensive camo 6-pack soft-side cooler as a shell bag. If the hunt is projected in the rain or it is raining place the shells in the cooler to keep the shells dry. Several sporting goods outlets carry inexpensive 6-pack soft-side coolers, about half (or less) the price of a waterproof shell bag.

Attach a luggage tag to the strap. Write with permanent ink “Goose”, “Duck”, “Heavy Lead”, and “Dove.”  Discount stores and Walgreen’s carry the luggage tags.

The penalty for lead shot in a waterfowl area makes the cost of extra shell bags a non-issue.

SOFT SIDE GUN CASES

It is recommended that every shotgun should be carried in a shotgun case from your home, in the auto, in the boat-trailer-ATV, walking into the field, etc. and back again. We highly recommend that your shotgun be kept in a case until you are in the blind or hide. This way you are assured that no mud or debris plugs the barrel, chamber or magazine to ruin your hunt plus protect the shotgun at all times.

There are two types, the padded, waterproof, floating gun case and the field case (sheath). As a goose hunter you should own one floating gun cases for each shotgun you plan on carrying to the hunt. One field case for the gun you plan to shoot in the field – if you plan to walk into the field. I

If you plan to place your shotgun in a trailer, boat or back of an ATV the gun should be kept in a padded, waterproof, floating gun case. If it is dropped, or a hunter or dog steps on the gun, or a bag of decoys are placed on the shotgun or heaven forbid it falls into the water; the shotgun is unharmed and the hunt isn’t ruined.

Floating Case – There are several manufacturers of this type floating gun case. Avery, Mad Dog, Drake, The case should be padded, and if will be to enable it to float a 10 gauge semi automatic shotgun. The exterior fabric should be very rugged nylon denier in a camo design. The interior should be lined with a nylon water resistant lining to prevent water absorption. It should have an outer pocket for choke tubes. It should have a shoulder and hand strap. Cost around $ 35.00.

The Drake Floating Case is our recommendation for the floating gun case. It has the advantage of being side opening, zipper less, seals with Velcro. Side opening gives the hunter two advantages. Opens completely too clean or dry. The ability to place the shotgun in the case rather than slide it in and out of a case. Over time every hunter’s shotgun site catches on the fabric in the slide case. The case liner will either tear or damage the site.

Waterproof Sheath – A lightweight Mud Case strictly for carrying the shotgun into the field on the hunter’s shoulder. So the sheath must have both a shoulder strap and a hand strap. Constructed from camo heavy-duty polyurethane backed polyester. Rolls up easily for placement in a blind bag or shell bag while in the field during the hunt. At this time the Avery Mud Case for a little less than $ 20.00 is the only field case with all the requirements available to date.

BOOT BAG

If you toss around your waders or hip boots, someone or something will punch a hole or tear the boots. After the hunt, there are times that the boots waders) are muddy. If water is accessible brush off with long handle toilet brush. A trip to an Army Surplus store might find a waterproof bag that you can use for a boot bag for less – much less. Getting wet or muddy waders off is an easy task with a boot jack.

• Boot jack
• Waders or hip boots (or both)
• Toilet brush

OVERNIGHT – SOFT SIDED - BAG

What the individual hunter feels is necessary to take into the sleeping quarters (lodge, motel, etc.) should include a battery operated alarm clock, Toilet (Dop) Kit, wash rag, soap, shoes, socks (hunt & lounge), shirts (hunt & lounge), Tee shirts (hunt & lounge), insulated undershirt & pants, boot dryer, hair dryer and a 25-foot extension cord (for the boot dryers or an electric alarm clock). 

TOILET (Dop) KIT

COOKING WATERFOWL

SMOKING WATERFOWL – Smoked waterfowl, ducks or geese add a surprising wonderful taste to any dish.

In a non-conductive bowl place meat, cover with water plus 1 tablespoon of cider vinegar. Refrigerate; change water every 20 minutes until water runs clear. Remove meat and pat dry with paper towels. Either marinate 4 hours to overnight or place on a plate, coat with Canola oil and sprinkle with dry spices, cover with plastic wrap for 4 hours to overnight.

If marinated, remove from marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Coat with Canola oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper (or Serendipity).

Place in a disposable pan, place on grill over area without fire. Soak fruit wood chips or hickory chips in water overnight. When charcoal fire is gray, place chips in coals. Continue to place chips every 30 minutes until meat registers 160 degrees F.

RECIPE

LARGE DUCK PIE

2 ea large puddle ducks, smoked, diced
Water
6 ea red potatoes, peeled, cubed
1 cup purple onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 rib celery, diced
2 ea carrots, peeled, diced
1 tsp Serendipity
3 Tbls butter
1/2 cup green bell pepper, seeded, diced
1 cup fresh mushrooms, stems removed, sliced thick
2 Tbls all purpose flour
2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup sour cream, divided
Fresh cilantro, chopped for garnish

In a pot bring water to a boil, add potatoes and cook until tender approximately 15 minutes. In a deep sides skillet heat oil over medium heat. Cook bacon until crisp, remove to paper towels, then crumble. Sauté onion, garlic, celery, carrots. Season with Serendipity. Add butter, mushrooms and bell pepper; cook 5 minutes or until tender. Stir in flour; cook 2 to 3 minutes until combined and browning. Stir in broth and ½ cup of sour cream, stir to combine. When potatoes are cooked, drain water and return potatoes to dry pot to remove water. In a 3-quart casserole place potatoes over bottom, sprinkle diced duck and bacon bits over potatoes. Pour skillet mixture over meat, and smooth level. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees F until bubby. Remove and sprinkle cilantro over top.

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