Gearing Up for the 2004 Waterfowl Season

by John Dean, Jr.

The early teal and goose season are over, the days are beginning to shorten and the nights are becoming cool. waterfowl hunters all over America are awaiting Opening Day and have been longing to lay their hands on the newest gear of 2004. So dust off your old favorites and catch a glimpse of the newest gear to hit the field in this year.

Columbia

Columbia Sportswear Company has done it again! For the second straight year Columbia has developed a new pattern for their outerwear waterfowl hutning line. The Delta Hunter X pattern is a computer generated three dimensional camouflage pattern that mixes marsh vegetation, cattails and a base layer of earthy colors. Delta Hunter X pattern has a perfectly blended pattern that will find applications across the nation in a wide range of hunting conditions.

The Columbia Omni-Tech Bib
Columbia Omni-Tech Waterproof Bib is a must for those cold, wet days in the field. Built with 200 grams of Micro-Temp insulation, the Omni Bib has all the comfort and warmth of down without the bulk. The Micro-Temp insulation is made of intertwined threads that are designed to trap and hold body heat and still remain breathable, even in extreme temperatures. High wear areas, like the seat and knees, have been reinforced for long lasting durability. The Omni Bib offers full leg zippers that makes putting these bibs on and off over boots easy. The bibs offer an adjustable suspender and knitted inserts under each arm to make for a truly comfortable fit.

The Omni-Tech Bib is available in tall and regular sizes up to 3XL.

Columbia Omni-Pant
Columbia Omni-Pant is the perfect choice for those warmer days when you’re looking for a lightweight, breathable, and waterproof outer-garment. The Omni-Pant is designed to fit like a pair of jeans and has both belt loops and suspender buttons. The elastic waist band and leg zipper makes taking these pants on and off easy. The Omni-Pant is available in tall and regular sizes up to 3XL.

Psolar Mossy Oak Balaclava

Ever take a breath of cold air that makes you shiver? The Psolar has designed a balaclava that allows you to breath in warm air even in the coldest temperatures. The air exchange technology called Qxtec is a module that sits in front on the balaclava and allows the wearer to breath and talk normally. The module is constructed of a highly efficient thermal material that traps your body heat with every exhale and then uses your own body heat to warm inhaled air. The unit is so efficient that on a zero degree day, your inhaled breath can be warmed up to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. By breathing warm air your core body temperature stays warmer and in case studies this keeps your whole body (including your feet and hands) warmer in the field.

Each balaclava is made from Windpro Stretch Polar Tech fabric which is wind-proof and form fitting for comfort. Most exchange systems on the market today impair your ability to speak or use calls. Psolar has conquered these obstacles with a superior design that allows for normal speech as well as the ability to pull down the mask so calling is unimpaired.

Hunter Specialties

H.S Waterfowl Loudmouth Duck Call
The H.S Waterfowl Loudmouth duck call is a specialty call designed for volume. This single reed hand tuned call is simply the loudest call on the market today and a perfect choice for high-wind days or for open water calling. But don’t let the name fool you, this call can do it all from sweet-talking close working birds, to producing crystal clear ringing hail calls at unmatched volumes. Each call is available in numerous colors and finished off with a solid metal band.

H.S Waterfowl Diamond Wood Series Duck Calls
The Diamond Wood Series duck call from H.S. Waterfowl offers hunters many of the features of their custom call line but at an affordable price. Each call has a hand tuned barrel made from tough laminate wood that won’t swell in wet conditions. The insert is made from durable crystal clear polycarbonate. The barrel has been redesigned making it an extremely versatile duck call capable of producing all the sounds of a hen mallard.

H.S Waterfowl Bad Medicine Goose Call
To compliment this year’s fine array of duck calls, H.S. Waterfowl introduced the “Bad Medicine” goose call. This short reed call is designed from black acrylic with a solid silver metal band. This call features a straight reed design with a small barrel and insert making it easy to operate. Out of the box, this goose call is lightly tuned and requires very little forward pressure to snap the call over. The H.S. Bad Medicine goose call offers a higher pitch sound than most goose calls on the market today, making it a welcome addition to any hunter’s lanyard.

Greg Keats Custom Goose Calls

In 1997, Greg Keats entered and won the International Callmakers Contest & Exhibit. The International Callmakers Contest is not your average goose calling contest. In this contest, one professional caller blows all the calls entered in the contest and rates them based on sound and appearance. Greg's goose calls proved to be very rich in tone and capable of a wide range of true Canada Goose sounds. From the very loud hail call to the low-end moans and whines, Greg Keats calls do it all. All of Greg's calls are handmade and produced with musical instrument like quality. Each call is hand tuned one at a time by Greg Keats himself.

Since winning the 1997 International Callmakers Contest Greg Keats has introduced a new call to his product line - the Shaman. The Shaman is of musical instrument quality that sets the standard for high performance short reed Canada Goose calls. This handcrafted goose call features the new style Flyway ´X´ guts, a one piece stopper and is put together with double o-ring seals. The Flyway "X" guts are designed with a new toneboard that doesn’t require reed shaving and is fully adjustable in its tonal range! The Shaman is one call what is capable of making a complete range of notes and has an amazingly realistic sound both on the stage and in the marsh.

Real Geese

When it comes to hunting migratory geese there is no substitute for a large spread to pull birds from a distance. Goose Hunters from across the country know the value of silhouettes when it comes to building a large flock that will draw the attention of migratory birds.

Currently, Real Geese manufactures 3 different styles of Canada decoys: 3-D Magnum Lite Decoys, ProSeries 3-D Magnums Lite Decoys and ProSeries Sit’n Geese Decoys.

3-D Magnum Lite Decoys
3-D Magnum Lite Decoys are the original silhouette offered by Real Geese and have been used by guides throughout North America to pull tens of thousands of geese into gun range. The 3-D Magnum Lite Decoy are larger than life, measuring a full 35” in length and come in 12 different positions. The artwork is over exaggerated to maximize visible at great distances. The 3-D Magnum Lite Decoys are constructed of a non-reflective acrylic material which is almost indestructible. A solid oak stake holds the goose decoys firmly in place and is painted to look like a goose leg.

ProSeries 3-D Magnums Lite Decoys
The ProSeries are a hardcore waterfowler’s dream! These goose decoys are made of the same indestructible material as the 3-D Magnum Lite but have a special non-glare coating on one side and come in 12 different positions. For those that use silhouettes on a regular basis, sun and glare can be your worst enemy. This special patented textured coating is 100% non-reflective and it actually absorbs light. Ironically, the more light on these decoys the better the decoy appears.

ProSeries Real Sit’n Geese
Lastly, the ProSeries Real Sit’n Geese offer 6 different resting positions. Mix these silhouettes in with your standing geese for a total of 18 different poses. Like all ProSeries Decoys from Real Geese, the Sit’n Geese are constructed of a patented special non-glare coating on one side.

Big Flock

Big Flock Decoys are new this year and already have been the talk of many discussion groups on the internet. These economical goose decoys are definitely worth a good look as they offer a 100% warranty and a 100% refund if you are unhappy with the decoys in any way.

Big Flock builds each decoy out of high quality ABS plastic, making them lightweight and tough enough to take daily demands of hunting. The realistic life-like image is created with a special UK ink which is non-reflective and offers feather detail with solid contrasting colors. Currently, these decoys come in standard and magnum sizes ranging from 27” to 32” in length, and 6 different poses. All silhouettes are staked with a solid round fiberglass rod which allows these decoys to move with the slightest breeze.

Decoy Dancer

For waterfowlers using Big Foot Full Body Decoys, Decoy Dancer offers you the low cost solution to adding life-like movement to your spread. As Decoy Dancer states, “these easy to use bases provide motion that’s second only to nature”. The Decoy Dancer base is wind operated and provides motion with even the slightest breeze. They have been thoroughly tested in wind ranging from 1 mph – 50 mph and still perform as designed. The bases are fully adjustable for varying wind conditions and if it is too gusty the lock down setting will prevent the decoy from moving at all. Now you can have 12 birds moving all for under the price of one battery operated spinner decoy. The base is built out of an extremely durable space-age material and installs in minutes without cutting or damaging your goose decoy.

If you are looking for that edge or hunt pressured birds, Decoy Dancer is a solution for adding Mother Nature to your rig. Please visit www.decoydancer.com to view free online videos and watch these decoys in action.

Wing Magic

Due to their effectiveness, motion decoys have drawn attention of more than just waterfowlers. Recently, legislation has been brought forth in some states banning the use of mechanically aided goose decoys used by waterfowlers. Wing Magic Decoys has introduced a new motion decoy that is not mechanically aided but powered by a simple pull string. No longer will you have to worry about battery life or Mother Nature to provide motion to your rig. After initial assembly, Magic Wing Decoy can be added to your rig in minutes. The decoy is set up at the waterline and the pull cord moves the wings in a back and forth motion thus churning the water and creating a commotion that will brings ducks in for a closer look.

If you hunt flooded timber or standing non tidal water you will find the greatest value to Wing Magic Decoys. Tidal hunters who decided on this decoy will find themselves constantly adjusting to changes in tide. Currently, Wing Magic is made only in one species and is available in hen or drake Mallard.

Static Motion

Static Motion Products presents one of the most innovative produce into the waterfowling industry this year. Static Motion Wings are a new imagery technology that gives your decoys a wing “fluttering” effect without the use of batteries, wind or a pull cord. As ducks move over the spread, the holographic wings (attached to your existing decoy) gives the effect of a duck moving its wings. The holographic wings are easily installed on each side of your decoy and in seconds can convert a standard decoy into a Static Motion Decoy. By far, this is one of the most economical ways to add motion to your decoy spread. For just $19.95 you can equip 6 decoys and set them up in just minutes.

Static Motion Wings work on just about any decoy as they have been field tested by dove hunters to goose hunters.

Quack Grass

The importance of concealment in waterfowl hunting cannot be stressed enough. Weather you’re hunting a field or over water, ducks and geese are very discriminatory about movement and objects that do not belong in their habitat.

Quack Grass is made of hand woven palm fronds that helps hunters blend in perfectly with their surroundings. The woven palm material offers a very natural 3 dimensional appearance. Quack Grass is the only manufacturer offering large sheets of woven grass (measuring 5’ x 8’ and perfect for covering a large blind). Quack Grass can be cut to fit custom blinds without worrying about unraveling. Each lightweight sheet is built to last multiple seasons and the more time in the field the better it looks and performs. Before the season, you may need to condition your grass by leaving it outdoors and in the elements for a few weeks to darken to a dead marsh grass appearance.

Trulock

Super Waterfowler Choke Tube
Since 1981, George Trulock has been manufacturing choke tubes for the shooting industry and one of the only manufacturers to offer a waterfowl tube for just about every major firearm on the market. Each tube sold has a LIFETIME warranty and if the choke does not perform to your liking there is a 60 day return/exchange policy.

The Trulock Super-Waterfowl Choke Tube is made from a special space age alloy that has the twice the strength of 17-4 stainless steel. This choke will never wear out and can take the abuse of thousands upon thousands of magnum waterfowling loads.

The Super-Waterfowler System is comprised of 3 separate long range choke tubes, each with a different constriction and designed for use with specific shot size. See the chart below for the manufacturer’s recommendations in regards to choke selection for different shot sizes.

Choke Size	Steel Shot	Tungsten Alloy	Hevi Shot
Full #1 - .030	F thru BBB	Not Recommended	Not Recommended
Full #2 - .040	BB thru #2	BB thru #1	Not Recommended
Full #3 – .050	#3 thru #6	#2 and smaller	ALL SIZES

Stranger Choke Tubes

Strangler Choke Tubes have been growing in popularity among goose hunters all over the nation. Strangler boasts the ability to not only increase your range but your patterns penetration by 10 – 25%. This specialty choke tube is well suited for pass shooting or when you need the knock down power and penetration on tough birds like geese and sea ducks. While Strangler Tubes do not have a restriction on shot size you may find its peak performance at distances 40 yards, plus. In a manufacturer study, most major brands of ammunition held a 30” pattern at 40 yards and saw an increase in pattern density ranging from 8 – 45% percent versus the tightest OEM choke.

Pro Ears

Pro-Ears Advantage MAX4 Stalkers offer the ultimate in electronic hearing protection. This Dimension series muff offers a 20 NRR and DLSC (Dynamic Level Sound Compression). Unlike most electronic hearing protection on the market today that utilizes peak clipping technology, the Pro Ears Stalker uses compression technology. With peak clipping technology the unit shuts off when it encounters harmful noises; while the compression technology reduces or compresses harmful sounds to a safe level without shutting the unit off, allowing you to always hear your surroundings.

The Pro-Ears Stalker offers independent volume control which can amplify sound up to 8 times (up to 50 dB of gain). The Stalker has a chop-cup design, ideal for shotgunners who need a cup design that will not interfere with proper gun mount. Pro-Ears has also improved the comfort of their muffs by adding a full adjustable headband and new soft ear cushions to their units. Pro-Ears also has a full 5 year warranty and is proudly made in the USA.

Ear Inc – Mini Canal

Over 28 million people suffer from significant hearing loss in the United States alone. With growing concern regarding hearing loss, E.A.R. Inc has developed a new line of small, discreet earplugs that fit comfortably into the ear. The Mini Canal comes in two models, analog and digital. Both models feature a moisture resistant casing, operate 200 plus hours on a single battery, and feature independent volume controls with feedback suppression. The digital unit offers the best clarity and sound enhancement, ideal for individuals who have a known hearing loss or are looking for zero percent distortion while in the field. Additionally, the digital model features specialized electronics which filters and reduces wind noise and other unwanted background sounds. If a custom-fit is preferred, E.A.R. Inc can manufacture a filtered earplug which can be used "as is" in the field, or can be adapted to house the Mini-Canal to provide electronic enhancement of your surrounding sounds. This "Combo-Mold" can be bought at the time of purchase, or added at a later date.
The E.A.R. MiniCanal™ Series comes with a one-year unconditional warranty against defects in materials or workmanship, and a 30-day privilege to return after date of purchase for a full refund or upgrade to a custom unit. Units can be purchased individually and contain two sizes of silicone tips, cleaning brush, batteries, hard storage case and lanyard.

Purina Pro Plan Performance Bar

Like professional athletes, hunting dogs can benefit from performance / nutrition bars to promote endurance and aid in their recovery in the field. To help promote peak performance in the field, Purina nutrition scientists have created the Purina Pro Plan Performance Bar – a break-through nutritional supplement for hardworking dogs.

Purina nutritional studies have shown that gun dogs can deplete their energy stores, known as glycogen, during intense work in the field. The Pro Plan Performance Bar helps your gun dog recover faster and perform at optimal levels by speeding the replenishment of glycogen. The primary ingredient, Maltodextrin is an optimal carbohydrate that aids in a dog’s ability to replenish energy.

The Purina Performance Bar should be given before your dog hits the field to help prepare the dog for exertion. During the hunt, your dog should be feed a half a bar per 50 pounds of body weight every 45-60 minutes. At the end of the hunt, you should give your dog one additional bar per 50 lbs. of body weight. This will aid in the dog’s recovery and promote endurance on back to back hunts.

Tri-Tronics Sport 80M

This year Tri-Tronics developed an intermediate level remote training collar for sportsmen who want more levels of stimulation than the Sport 50S and Sport 60S collars. The Tri-Tronics Sport 80M includes 12 levels of momentary stimulation (compared with 6 levels on the Sport 50S and 60S) and 6 levels of continuous stimulation plus tone functionality, making this a full-featured electronic dog training collar. The Tri-Tronics collar weighs 8.8 ounces and is powered by a Ni-MH rechargeable battery. Each collar is 29 inches in length and come with interchangeable probes to ensure proper fit for any sporting breed.

The sleek, smaller design of the transmitter is popular with sportsmen and comes with the new Mighty Micro Antenna, creating a super compact transmitter. The transmitter is water resistant and operates off of a standard 9-volt battery. For best results and accessibility you may wish to consider a Tri-Tronics Sport Holster as it clips to your belt leaving your hands free to handle your dog.

Nutrazyme

Nutrazyme Industries has created high quality all-natural products dedicated to helping your dog's performance in the field. The cornerstone of Nutrazyme's performance is the process of microencapsulating technology that protects and coats probiotics contained in the product line. Probiotics are beneficial living bacteria that promote healthy digestion and allow your dog to digest food more efficiently. The encapsulation process protects the living bacteria giving it a 100% survival rate which delivers that extra edge towards your dog’s performance. Nutrazyme has a suite of products that contain this new technology but Electromax and Oral Canine Paste are the most portable for the field.

Electromax is a balanced high energy electrolyte paste that will aid in keeping your dog hydrated in the field. Proper water management will not only let you hunt longer but you will have a higher chance of hunting hard for consecutive days. Electromax comes in a 30 cc tube that you can easily take into the field and dogs seem to love the taste.

Nutrazyme’s Oral Canine Paste is a concentrated version of the Select Dog Powder which is designed to enhance your dog's digestion as well as help with conditions such as hot spots, diarrhea and skin conditions. The paste is easily administered in the field and comes in a 15 cc tube.