Cody Younciak West Virginia
Cody Younciak West Virginia
Waterfowl Hunting
Waterfowl hunting is an addiction. From the first quack to the smell of a freshly spent shell, you're hooked for life. Every waterfowl hunter and guide will tell you the exact same thing. It can get expensive, and there is always something new to make your hunt better. Whether you are a seasoned waterfowler or just deciding to get into it, hopefully this list makes it easier for you to decide what gear you'll need to make your hunt easier, more comfortable, and more successful.
May contain sponsored links*Clothing
Waterfowl hunting is by far the wettest kind of hunting you can do. Ninety percent of the time, you're in some type of water. From flooded timbers to ponds to flooded and muddy corn fields to laying on your back in the snow, you're going to be wet and cold. You really have to love it to do it and boy do these guys love it. In this clothing section, I will give you a broken-down list of waders, layers, boots, and more. All of the following products were recommended by die-hard duck hunters and an Illinois waterfowl guide.
Waders
Chene Waders are unmatched in quality and they're a company that stands by their product. No matter the issue, they've got your back.
Drake is a household name when it comes to waterfowl. There isn't a waterfowler in the country that doesn't know who Drake is and what they do. Thanks to that, Drake isn't just a small, back-door company anymore. They're a leader in the waterfowl apparel industry and are one of our top recommendations for waterfowl gear. The products that come off the production line are top quality and continue to stretch the standard in convenience.
))/3646971.json "Drake Waterfowl Systems Guardian Elite Front Zip Breathable Waders for Men")
Rogers Sporting Goods 2-in-1 Elite Insulated Breathable Waders. Found at your local Rogers Sporting Goods, these are the waders you'll see along the mighty Mississippi River and cut corn fields of Illinois. It gets arctic level cold in this part of the country during snow goose season and these waders still get the job done. Warmth, comfort and durability, these waders are top of the line.
Camo
From whitetails to elk, and from mule deer to waterfowl, REALTREE is the staple in camo patterns. They've got you covered on every adventure, in every terrain and they keep it affordable. When it comes to waterfowl hunting, the REALTREE Max-5 pattern is unmatched. From the tall wetland grass to the cut corn, this pattern blends and this pattern works.
As always, right there with its toughest competitor at the top of the camo charts, MOSSY OAK comes in on this list as the other best option for your waterfowl camo patterns. The classic look of the BOTTOMLANDS pattern is unbeatable in the flooded timbers of Mississippi and Arkansas. With the SHADOW GRASS pattern being your next best option for those hunts in the wetland grass and the cut corn fields.
Footwear
From working around the shop or the lodge to walking across dry dams and bean fields, the lightest boot on the market keeps your feet warm and dry. Lite boots are an up-and-comer in the boot world, but they're coming fast. So, lace 'em up and slip 'em on folks. It won't be long now until there are spent shell casings flying in every direction.
Tried and trusted across the country, another go-to in the outdoor world is the MUCK Boot. Muck has been around, and they have seen a thing or two. From ankle-deep, muddy corn fields to shin-deep flooded timbers, they keep you dry, they keep you warm and they make it that much easier to withstand the elements just one more fly by longer.
))/1840464.json "The Original Muck Boot Company Wetland Waterproof Boots for Men")
Eyewear
Year after year, OAKLEY sunglasses stand out above the rest. A good set of polarized shades can make all the difference on a hunt.
A great second option is the newly released Leupold Optics sunglasses. Polarized or the shooting shades, these are a fantastic option for your days in the waterfowl world.
Decoys
Stills
When you're headed for a high-quality hunt, you're going to want high-quality decoys. Something that is easily packable and easy to setup. Especially for those flooded timber hunts. The Dakota Decoys packable mallards are the ideal floater decoys for your next waterfowl adventure.
Next on this list are the decoys from GHG. You can find them in your local sporting goods stores, on Amazon, or at the link that will follow. These decoys are trusted by dozens of goose hunters and give you one heck of a spread when you're trying to put the hurt on some honkers.
Motion
When it comes to hunting southern ducks, and even those pesky east coast birds, a motion decoy can go a long way. Some may say they're even a must-have in the south. There are plenty of brands out there with their own motion decoys, but the most trusted by guides and waterfowlers is the Motion Ducks System. These decoys have been put to the test and tested on every hunt. Trust us, this is a deadly system.
The spinning decoys from MOJO will help take your spread to the next level. A little action can bring a whole lot of life to your layout. The more realistic you can get, the better your hunt can go.
Calls
Duck
There is no waterfowl gear list complete without an entire lanyard full of calls. This list starts off with the lineup from RNT duck calls. From the Original to the Diablo, to the Mondo LA, these calls will get the job done for you. With great tones, realistic sounds, and beautiful pitches, the ducks just can't tell the difference.
Whenever you get tired of asking the birds where they want to land, you break out these next calls and you TELL them where to land. They no longer have the option of coming to your spread or not.
Just like with a woman, there is the sweet-talking option. This is a great way to get the birds to come right into your window to finish off the day. Sometimes all it takes is saying the right word, and from there it is turned on.
))/2020720.json "Echo Duck Calls")
Goose
There is just something about watching an old Canadian goose fall from the sky with the smell of gunpowder in the air. If you have experienced it, you know exactly what I'm talking about. For your best chance at making it all come together, the Tim Grounds goose calls should be added to your wish list. From the beginning of the season to the end, the sweet sound of these calls will keep your hunting exciting.
))/2344924.json "Tim Grounds Championship Calls")
We all know when the snow geese start migrating, the real goose hunting starts. Waterfowlers from the north to the south, and east to the west, all are in communication when the migration starts. Speckled bellies, snows, and a few Canadians to go with them, seeing those flocks of tens of thousands of birds will forever get the adrenaline pumping. To increase your odds of filling these snow goose dreams, change the game with an electric call. FoxPro's electric calls are trusted by snow geese guides across the country. The old-fashioned mouth calls will work, but when you're laying underneath 10,000 snow geese, who wants to be blowing on a mouth call?
Firearms & Ammunition
Shotguns
The brand I run, the brand many other waterfowlers run, and the brand used daily and trusted by the guys at Apex Ammunition is the Benelli lineup. Benelli has been an industry leader for years and looks to continue to be for years to come. There is no gun more reliable.
))/5049218.json "Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 Shotgun")
Whether you're a 12-gauge user or a 20-gauge user, the Franchi Affinity is a beautifully smooth gun to meet all of your waterfowl needs.
))/3390092.json "Franchi AFFINITY 3 Shotgun")
The brand everyone knows, and everyone trusts, Winchester. Everybody and their brothers have heard of Winchester, know something about Winchester, or even shoot something from Winchester. Whether it be just ammo or one of the trusted Winchester guns, somebody you know knows Winchester. Trusted by many in the waterfowl world, the Winchester Super X4 closes out our list of recommended shotguns for your next waterfowl adventure.
Ammo
The brand I trust, and the brand recommended by many duck hunters, is Apex Ammunition. The innovation these boys put into their TSS shells is top-notch. They pattern quickly, they pattern accurately, and they are deadly. Apex is a top-ten ammunition brand and will continue to climb as the years go on.
Our next option of ammunition circles us right back to the world-renowned Winchester. The Winchester Super-X Xpert waterfowl high-velocity steel shot. Trusted by duck and goose guides across the country, this ammunition could be considered "Ole Reliable." It's tried. It's trusted. It's proven. It's Winchester.
))/994566.json "Winchester Super-X Xpert Hi-Velocity Waterfowl Steel Shotshells")
Misc.
Waterfowl allows brings extremely early mornings, and often late nights. Doing this for multiple days in a row. When you need a pick me up in the morning, or in the blind, head over and see the boys from backwoods grind coffee. They've got what you need.
Cody Younciak West Virginia
*NOTE: The links to purchase certain products I recommend in this gear list may result in me being paid a small commission. I appreciate your support!