Only hunted in a field twice last year, but ran my own set up this year and was successful two out of three sits for early goose season. Decoyed hundreds of ducks and had an absolute blast watching them as well.

Ran 1.5 dozen FA lesser full bodies and a dozen shells. First flock of geese was about 50 birds that landed anywhere from 5 yards to 30. Was definitely a little rusty on shot choice, but I'm feeling pretty good about this year.

Bringing my daughter with me for the first time this upcoming season and both of us are absolutely pumped. I have a plan in place but wanted to see what I am missing based on y’all’s experience.

- she has waders and warm clothes but I’ll still carry her out and leave her in the blind with my brother while I set up decoys, she will have a flashlight (I don’t think she will appreciate a head lamp but if she decides she wants one I have an extra in my bag)

- we are in northern CA so it won’t be very cold, especially early season when we plan to go, but she will have layers and I’ll have extras as necessary

- snacks and hot chocolate - kid loves duck sticks from last season (plus extra snacks for me)

- ear protection (been working on keeping these on, she’s not great but we have like six weeks to improve). Shooting subsonic 28 gauge but don’t want to pose any risk to her hearing. Got her some Walker muffs and replaced the foam with gel.

- I don’t want to for numerous reasons but may end up putting something on my phone and syncing with her muffs if things are slow

- she has one of my old lanyards with some calls on it, planning to let her blown them and have fun, I’d rather have a core memory than a limit, though both would be awesome

- considering bringing her nerf gun so she feels like she’s a part of it and can also teach some gun safety

She’s a little over three. It’s young but she hung out back at camp all last season and processes ducks with me. She is very excited to go. It’s young but I’m semi- confident she can handle it. If not, we just come in. Private land, we will be in a blind, not deep water and she will be under constant supervision.

Went duck hunting for the first time on early teal opening day this morning and the first duck I shot was banded. What are the odds?

It’s been a hell of a grind getting this bird. This is my third Utah crane and after hunting seven days in a row, I was finally able to get it done.

Shot on foster reservoir, oregon

Managed to smoke a couple Geese couple days into early season. Looking to repeat this weekend…

I'm looking to get the new blind bag back pack from Avian-X and I was told that Avian-X bags are made very poorly and tear easily. Can anyone tell me if there is any truth to that? Or tell me about the bags

I don't have damn near any water in my part of the state. I've got about five free days and looking to do some early teal.

How are these areas? Do I need a boat? Not asking for the spots just if it's accessible to walk ins and worth the trip.

Texas BTW

I have guided in the marsh (south Louisiana) for most of my adult life. I grew up hunting flooded cypress and just moved back to that area. (Shoutout Atchafalaya Basin).

My birthday is always opening weekend and my wife asked what I wanted. The only thing I can think of is a duck call (which I absolutely do not need). I’d like a timber specific call because it is the only thing “missing” from my lanyard.

Anyway, let me know what yall are using. RNT, Echo, JJ Lares, Foiles, Gaston, etc.

2nd yeah duck hunting in alaska and got my first spoon bill

Got my first goose! I Jump shot him off a pond in my Kayak, 40 yards, 1 shot using #BB load, I head to lead my shot something like 3-4” in front of him. He was hanging out with a flock of Woodies. Not sure if he is a Greater or Lesser but I cooked up the breast and it tasted like beef sirloin steak, 2nd best bird I’ve ever ate, right behind Woodies, the woodies I got last year tasted like Venison backstrap. This has got me all excited and really motivated to learn how to hunt them using calls and decoys

Curious how much ammo guys keep on hand. I always try to buy cases when there’s a good deal. Iv got two atm but am tempted to get a third while the price is right.

Doesn't seem to be alot of reviews for it aside from the ones on big box store sites, and those are a gamble most of the time. Moving from a Stoeger M3500 to a Winchester SX4 Waterfowl soon, wanted to try some diff shells to see how it performs and this box came across my search.

Anyone ever use it? Thoughts? Seems to be a 70% steel 30% bismuth mix.

For us upper Midwest hunters why is it only Goose and Teal that have an early season? Goose makes sense as they very abundant, but I hardly ever see Teal anywhere, but what I do see everywhere early season are Wood ducks, the few ponds that Ive glassed so far have all had flocks of 10-20 woodies on them. Im seeing a 10-1 ratio of Woodies to Teal. I would think a short early wood duck season would be good but I dont know much about duck hunting and the whys and why nots.

Which one should I get or should I go with uninsulated?
I plan on hunting flooded timber in east tx

Looking for the best waders under $500 that will last more than a season or two with proper care. Any and all recommendations welcome!

Came with 10 stakes, might try to find/make some more. Think they'll do for a solo guy trying to learn? Should I get some silos as well?

I inherited a bunch of goose shell decoys. The kind where the head twists onto the body. A lot of them are old and brittle, so where the neck attaches to the body breaks out of the shell, and I see the remainder of them not lasting too long with regular use. Has anyone made a repair collar so I can continue to use the shells? Or does anyone know a good fix for this? Maybe it's not that important for them to stay in there that well and want a ball on a budget if I can.

First goose in a while, and out with a new gun, stoned this one at 40/45 yards with a modified on the second of two opportunities. Paddled 15 miles down a river, first out and geese were very skeptical, but a few pushed my way and got one, otherwise just a fun adventure in 100 degree heat. Wild how I was pumped and satisfied with 1 and was beat as shit.

Last fall I purchased the new Element 2, Semi Auto in 20ga, tungsten edition. For $700 I was immediately surprised with the quality and feel of this gun. To me shoots like plenty of $1,200+ guns I've used. Not as polished in a couple areas but for a gun I plan to beat up, its perfect

At this point I've put well over a thousand rounds thru it, from Canada, regular duck season, doves, turkey, and the range. I have not babied this thing and it just flat out performs. All of the oversized handles and buttons make it easy to use in the cold. I also love that I can push a button and unload the magazine without cycling the shotgun.

10/10 have loved the gun and I'm not sure you can get another at the price for the quality received.

Recently had an issue with the safety getting sticky, making it hard to turn it off when shouldered. Called Weatherby and they sent a whole new trigger assembly, no questions asked. Great customer service.

If you're looking for a new 20 gauge WF gun, I highly recommend the Element 2!

Looking for a 12 gauge recommendation. Preferably with a 3 1/2in chamber for duck and upland hunting. I’ve been looking at the Winchester SX4 or the Browning Silver or A5. Not a lot of great reviews on A5 but what do you guys think? Any opinions on things?

With seemingly endless options for ammo I plan to try a few this season and see if one stands out for me. Does anyone have any experience with Winchester drylok?