Tips, tricks, practice, must buys, etc...

[AMiller]

I swear I've seen battery operated jerk rig pullers, but haven't been able to find one. I'd like to build my own if possible. You guys ever see such a thing?

This is the closest thing I have seen to a battery operated jerk cord. If I had my own personal spot I would get one, but it would be to much trouble to set up and take down every hunt.

It's the duck commander wake maker.
[video=youtube;OabxkutiQfc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=OabxkutiQfc[/video]

 

[Huckleberry Finn]

Somebody talk to me about chokes, waders, and camo...

 

[jagermeister]

I swear I've seen battery operated jerk rig pullers, but haven't been able to find one. I'd like to build my own if possible. You guys ever see such a thing?

The duck commander rig that AMiller posted is the best I've seen as far as batter-operated jerk rigs go. But honestly, that's all way too much hassle for my taste. Batteries, stakes, pulleys... that's too much shit to remember, to forget, and to drop in the marsh. I prefer simple jerk rigs. A short section of cable sunk in the mud with a disposable earth anchor and a loop or carabiner on the end, with the line to your decoy run through it and back to you at your hide... That's all you need. I've never had a problem operating a manual jerk rig while birds were working. You don't want to pop it constantly anyway. Just hit 'em with it on the corners so they don't get TOO good of a look at it.

 

[Curran]

Somebody talk to me about chokes, waders, and camo...

Most of the time I'm just using a Modified choke. I carry a full in my blind bag if birds aren't cooperating and shots are going to be long. I like shooting when the birds feet are down & you can hear their wings back peddling though.

5mm neoprene waders are great for the colder weather, but you'll need plenty of powder in the warmer months. I like being warm & toasty.

As far as camo goes both Max-4 & Mossy Oak Duckblind work well in most settings. I'd buy some Sitka gear with their waterfowl pattern to try out if I didn't have a budget to consider. But I do & it's way too pricey for me. Staying absolutely still & keeping your head down until the shot's called will matter more if you're hunting without a blind. When we get you in a layout blind you can wear bermuda shorts.

 

[jagermeister]

Somebody talk to me about chokes, waders, and camo...

Camo: Realtree Advantage Max-4... IMO it's the most versatile waterfowling camo pattern available. If only Predator would come out with some marsh camo. :smiley_chinrub:

Waders: Simply a matter of personal preference. I prefer Cabelas brand waders... Excellent quality and a superior warranty. I've been using the same Cabelas SuperMag 1600's for the last 6 or 7 seasons, and I hunt A LOT. These are the longest-lasting, most comfortable waders I've ever owned.

Chokes: I prefer a choke that has wad-retention built into it. Patternmaster and Kicks are first to come to mind. I shoot a Kicks High Flyer full choke. The choke grabs the wad before it leaves the barrel, separating it from the shot string. What results is a must shorter shot string. Think of it as a tight ball of pellets flying through the air instead of a long cylinder of pellets flying through the air. When the short shot string hits a bird, you're hitting it with more pellets at one time... resulting in more trauma, and less cripples. From a constriction standpoint, that's all personal preference too. Some guys want an open choke, some want a tight choke. I shoot a full choke, simply because when I hit birds I want to hit them hard. There's a downside to this... Less room for error. I'm fine with that. Anyone that practices and is "one with their gun" will have no problem dropping birds with a full choke, whether they're at 7 yds or 47 yds.

 

[bowhunter1023]

I have a Rig 'Em Right jerk set up, just wondered if there was something simple and easy to transport that would provide constant movement.

I'm a Max 4 guy. I own Cabelas Super Mag waders. And I have a set of Carlson chokes. Shoot my modified most often.

 

[Carpn]

I like a open choke myself , but most of my shooting is 10-30 yds . I use a Carlson close most of the time and switch to midrange later in the season . I've never even used my long range . As far as waders I switched to breathables last yr and wish I would have sooner . They're easy to walk in , light , and when it gets cold I wear quality socks and long johns and a pair of fleece wader pants and im good . Don't have a favorite camo pattern . I to stay away from dark patterns tho . Max 4 and shadowgrass would be my preference if I had to choose.

 

[Longdraw]

I am gonna switch too breathable waders I 've heard alot of good about them,,,,,, as for choke tubes I always use a improved cylinder and have shot birds a long ways away,,, when I snow goose hunt I change to a long range choke

 

[Derek j]

The new mossy oak shadow grass blades pattern looks really good! it isn't nearly as dark as what max4 is....and I have always preferred max4!!

 

[jagermeister]

I like a open choke myself , but most of my shooting is 10-30 yds . I use a Carlson close most of the time and switch to midrange later in the season . I've never even used my long range . As far as waders I switched to breathables last yr and wish I would have sooner . They're easy to walk in , light , and when it gets cold I wear quality socks and long johns and a pair of fleece wader pants and im good . Don't have a favorite camo pattern . I to stay away from dark patterns tho . Max 4 and shadowgrass would be my preference if I had to choose.

I do like those dry plus breathables you picked up. I may have to try a pair of those out when these supermags wear out.

 

[Huckleberry Finn]

Thanks fellas.

Can't find the improved cylinder choke that my 870 came with...dang...so now I'm looking at those.

Looks like Cabela's has some 3mm waders on sale a little cheaper than the 5mm...kicking around what the extra $ would be...

 

[Beentown]

Gettin pretty darn good with individual sounds on the duck and goose call. The sequences can get screechy/ugly. lol

 

[Huckleberry Finn]

Gettin pretty darn good with individual sounds on the duck and goose call. The sequences can get screechy/ugly. lol

So you have graduated from Ainsley to Caleb level?

 

[Beentown]

Lol

I am past all the kids and rounded JohnR.

 

[Rutin]

Somebody talk to me about chokes, waders, and camo...

Honestly I would pattern your gun with the chokes you have to figure out what kind of constriction you want. I know with my SX3 being backbored I usually use a IM or IC tube bc it holds such a tight pattern. With IC I'm usually good out to 45 yards but I've made a few 60 yarders.

Waders..... well depending on when you hunt and what type of hunting your doing will depend on waders. If your field hunting you wont need them, good pair of carhartt bibs. If your early season marsh hunting get something breathable, late season get 5mm with at least 1200 gram boots, prefer 1600. If your hunting out of a boat with heaters 1200 will be fine, in layout blinds along water than go with 1600 bc that water will bite right through them.

Camo..... I like Max4 but wear whatever is comfortable..... Heck a yellow flannel in the corn fields looks just as good as camo

 

[JOHNROHIO]

Lol

I am past all the kids and rounded JohnR.

Ha!

 

[jagermeister]

Gettin pretty darn good with individual sounds on the duck and goose call. The sequences can get screechy/ugly. lol

Speed comes with time. Rushing it will only make the process last longer. Keep building the tongue and diaphragm muscle memory... Soon it'll be as natural as riding a bike.

 

[bowhunter1023]

So what are geese doing right now? I'm a total idiot when it comes to what their thought processes are, but I really want to get serious about shooting them. This new spot I have is a shallow back water off thee river in between alfalfa and a public area they frequent. Does this sound like a good loafing spot? Any early season goose guidance is welcome.

 

[Beentown]

So what are geese doing right now? I'm a total idiot when it comes to what their thought processes are, but I really want to get serious about shooting them. This new spot I have is a shallow back water off thee river in between alfalfa and a public area they frequent. Does this sound like a good loafing spot? Any early season goose guidance is welcome.

In my observance... eating in peoples yards.

 

[Rutin]

Sweet corn, sweet corn, sweet corn.... If you can find a guy with a cut sweet corn field they're there. My birds disappeared for several days and just returned back to the field. Hoping to go in for a kill on Thursday since the teal have been hit hard.
Your spot looks like a killer loafing area but usually those areas can only handle little amounts of pressure before the birds get wise to you. On the other hand.... a good migration week and you could hunt everyday killing migrators if they know its there and the waters still open. I would venture to say you'll see some woodies in there come opener for big duck in Oct. Ducks are like deer in the sense that'll pressure will keep them out if hit to hard.