Duck Hunts - Make more comfortable

[Matt_Bloodletter]

I did my first duck hunt this year. It was incredible even though it was relatively slow. The thing that really got to me was just how uncomfortable it was. 30 degree weather (I'm from CA so that is cold to me!) , lack of sleep, lack of comfortable seating, and treacherous wading in deep mud really amplified the experience. I'd appreciate suggestions from the experienced gentlemen.

Check in is at 3am and if you have reservations or get drawn, you immediately have to go to the blind and setup. So sleep is next to impossible the night before. I'm thinking for bringing a Thermarest and maybe a small camo tent or camo net the next time to get some sleep during slow periods. How do you cope with sleep?

Wading through mud - my feet just sink like rocks into the mud - is there anything along the lines of snow shoes for mud to help? I know walking faster is supposed to work but it's quite treacherous out there!

Seating - I brought a tripod seat with me this time - it offers very little relaxation - I'm 6'4 and need something to really sit back in. Do you recommend a seat which is light enough to haul in but comfortable? Tight quarters in blinds is a consideration.

Any other suggestions for creature comforts during a hunt? All of this is in the context of having to haul everything you bring probably 1/4 to 1/2 mile to the blind.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Toothpick]

Never been on a duck hunt myself but crapola that doesn't sound fun. I'm from northern IL and 30 degrees is cold to me.

 

[Jim]

There is an old saying that water fowling is a young mans game. I assume that you are hunting in a freshwater marsh?
There are lots of strategies for hunting, some come with experience and some come with a price tag.
The blinds you mentioned have no seats? What are some of the other guys dragging in?

 

[eightysixCJ]

That sounds normal for a lot of the public sites I've hunted where you need to get there well before sunrise to get a good spot. As Jim mentioned, there are many waterfowling strategies and different locations will require more or less work (and more or less equipment.) A long time ago I would do a few days of that type of hunting in a row. Now I mix it up to get some rest and keep it fun. In the northeast, the bad weather is what gets the birds moving and the hunting more productive.

It's a great sport but can be physically demanding. Historically folks used "marsh skis" if the area is open for it but but I've always just humped through. A walking stick or canoe paddle will help. Look around on-line and on TV for duck hunting info, also look for duck hunting clubs and organizations near you. Lot's of equipment options, check with retailers like Cabela's to see and try what will work best for you.

Good luck,

Tom

 

[oldbluelight]

It's even rougher on the ducks and the dogs.

 

[Sir Lurkalot]

I used to use a layout boat like a Carsten Puddler. Got into real skinny water and I could either lay down in it or sit up. I would cover up with rafia grass which I dyed to blend with the local vegetation. Worked great. Ducks never knew what hit em.

 

[Matt_Bloodletter]

Yes this is fresh water. I understand some blinds have seats but our didn't. The Puddler sounds like a neat idea. The walking stick with a ski pole basket sounds like a possible winner.

 

[MrMurphy]

Haven't duck hunted, but have spent a lot of time in similarly crappy conditions.

Sling for the shotgun if you don't already have one. Remove it once at the blind.
For the mud. Good boots or waders dependent on your situation.

Sleeping: Can't help you there, I can fall asleep anywhere, including standing up in a Humvee turret once. But a 'bivvy bag' or bivouac sack, is basically a sleeping bag tent. Waterproof material that you stick around the sleeping bag. Crawl in the bag(s), zip both up and except for your head, you're waterproof. Most of them have a part that goes over your head too. That means you can sleep in the back of a pickup bed, sitting up next to a tree, laying down pretty much anywhere, etc. and still be weatherproof. Not that quick to get out of , but if it's a sit-down blind and you're comfortable doing so, you could actually shoot from the bag (i've seen guys in the lay-down duck blinds where they sit up to shoot) without too much trouble.

If you're cold. Layer, layer, layer. I've been up to 130F and down to -20F. A good merino wool (no scratchy) base layer, a fleece or heavier wool midlayer and a good Goretex or equivalent outer layer will keep you warm and dry. A neck wrap (scarf or something similar) of silk, merino wool or similar will keep that bit warm, plus a hat. WW1 fighter pilots wore silk scarves so their necks wouldn't get all chewed up constantly scanning the sky, not just because they looked good, and they kept warm.

I'd put a piece of tape across the muzzle of the shotgun. If you accidentally stab the muzzle in the mud (like in a fall) the tape keeps the mud out, and the first round will blow the tape off if you forget to remove it without damage.

 

[cottontop]

I've done a lot of duck hunting in Michigan and Florida. As I am getting older, I don't think I will do much more duck hunting. From what I have learned is that the more uncomfortable it is, the better your chances at getting ducks.
cottontop

 

[jm89]

I've duck hunted since I could pack my red Ryder BB gun through the sloughs of western ky. There's only been a hand full of times that I can remember being comfortable. Duck hunting is not for comfort, it's a passion that a man just can't describe as to why he gets out in the cold, wet, muddiest parts of the land to shoot a few ducks. Most call us crazy, but that's ok. Seriously though get some good clothes and learn to take cat naps if you're tired. Some people go a few times and decide it's not for them, if that's the case no one is going to judge anybody.

 

[crackerman]

Blood I am a fellow CA duck hunter and be happy we actually have one if the best public systems for it.
Which refuge did you hunt and I provide some tips. They all have a little different quirks.

 

[grumpybear]

I would start with some thick wool socks, long under armor type long johns, wear heavy fleece top and bottoms over that, and then chest waders, and a rain jacket. That should be good for 30 degrees. Go to shopping for a folding chair (mine was less than $20 at Kmart and had a carrying strap) and get a sling for your shotgun. For sleep take along a few packets of instant coffee grounds and pack it in your lip like dip.

 

[noelekal]

Wool. Real wool.

Layers help. Dry feet help too.