Who else is pumped for opening day?

[McCRIZZLEY]

I am so pumped. I get the  band craze too, still looking for my first. I don't think I would carry em around on my calls though. Weather is looking good for this weekend... Alot of the smaller ponds I generally frequent are still dried up though.

[Tealer]

Don't get the band craze. They are just pieces of tin.


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[asmith]

Had to go out today and warm up the shotgun, after some quail.  Put 3 on the ground and missed 10x that many, lol.  I'd say the shotgun is warmed up and ready for tomorrow.  The shotgun operator on the other hand might need more warming up

[JasonARGY]

Hoping to get something going as this will be my first try ever. Not having money for waders or decoys or knowing where to go seems to be quite the obstacle right now but I'm feeling optimistic. Having never had duck before, even one or two will be quite the accomplishment for me.

[Chukarhead]

Hoping to get something going as this will be my first try ever. Not having money for waders or decoys or knowing where to go seems to be quite the obstacle right now but I'm feeling optimistic. Having never had duck before, even one or two will be quite the accomplishment for me.

If you don't have waders, don't plan to swim, and don't have decoys or a trained retriever, it's probably best to sit on your shotgun until you have someone knowledgeable and ethical to show you the ropes.  Otherwise, you'll end up creating some very antisocial habits (pass-shooting WAY too high, for example).  Waterfowling is not a casual endeavor, and experienced, knowledgeable, ethical hunters are unlikely to welcome you with open arms in the field if you're not all of the three.  Decoys and waders can both be acquired cheaply, but you'd be best off buying decent waders and looking around for an aging waterfowler in your area.  You schlep the decoys, clean the ducks, brush the blind, bring the sammiches, and your mentor teaches you the craft.

[scottcrb]

Hoping to get something going as this will be my first try ever. Not having money for waders or decoys or knowing where to go seems to be quite the obstacle right now but I'm feeling optimistic. Having never had duck before, even one or two will be quite the accomplishment for me.

If you don't have waders, don't plan to swim, and don't have decoys or a trained retriever, it's probably best to sit on your shotgun until you have someone knowledgeable and ethical to show you the ropes.  Otherwise, you'll end up creating some very antisocial habits (pass-shooting WAY too high, for example).  Waterfowling is not a casual endeavor, and experienced, knowledgeable, ethical hunters are unlikely to welcome you with open arms in the field if you're not all of the three.  Decoys and waders can both be acquired cheaply, but you'd be best off buying decent waders and looking around for an aging waterfowler in your area.  You schlep the decoys, clean the ducks, brush the blind, bring the sammiches, and your mentor teaches you the craft.

[SquirrelHunter]

Hoping to get something going as this will be my first try ever. Not having money for waders or decoys or knowing where to go seems to be quite the obstacle right now but I'm feeling optimistic. Having never had duck before, even one or two will be quite the accomplishment for me.

If your ever down near jblm ill get ya started with 1/2 doz decoys (free), might even have a duck call laying around. Not the newest but they work. Ive been in your boat before, had a friend show me the ropes and now I look forward to opening day every year. Also post in the open seat thread, some good guys in there thatll help people out.

[McCRIZZLEY]

Small ponds with no reeds will be your friend without a boat, dog, waders or swimming.

[moocher97]

Could still use a fishing rod with a snagger special to get birds

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[JODakota]

Hoping to get something going as this will be my first try ever. Not having money for waders or decoys or knowing where to go seems to be quite the obstacle right now but I'm feeling optimistic. Having never had duck before, even one or two will be quite the accomplishment for me.

If your ever down near jblm ill get ya started with 1/2 doz decoys (free), might even have a duck call laying around. Not the newest but they work. Ive been in your boat before, had a friend show me the ropes and now I look forward to opening day every year. Also post in the open seat thread, some good guys in there thatll help people out.

Wow, hell of an offer. Your a good man!

[JasonARGY]

Hoping to get something going as this will be my first try ever. Not having money for waders or decoys or knowing where to go seems to be quite the obstacle right now but I'm feeling optimistic. Having never had duck before, even one or two will be quite the accomplishment for me.

If you don't have waders, don't plan to swim, and don't have decoys or a trained retriever, it's probably best to sit on your shotgun until you have someone knowledgeable and ethical to show you the ropes.  Otherwise, you'll end up creating some very antisocial habits (pass-shooting WAY too high, for example).  Waterfowling is not a casual endeavor, and experienced, knowledgeable, ethical hunters are unlikely to welcome you with open arms in the field if you're not all of the three.  Decoys and waders can both be acquired cheaply, but you'd be best off buying decent waders and looking around for an aging waterfowler in your area.  You schlep the decoys, clean the ducks, brush the blind, bring the sammiches, and your mentor teaches you the craft.

This is the main reason why I don't want to just go out alone as the last thing I want to do is ruin someone's hunting day. Not having any hunters in my family or any friends that hunt, it will be hard to find someone that will take me but i've met quite a few hunters at my local archery range and I think I might be able to bribe my way into tagging along even unarmed. I've thought about posting in the Open Seat thread but I want to at least own some waders so I'm not as much of a burden. I'll probably look around for some cheap used ones to at least get started for now.

I am going to also look into a fishing setup for retrieving ducks. I'm guessing this will be the most inexpensive option as I already have a small two piece pole that can almost fully fit in a backpack.

SquirrelHunter, that is very generous of you and I greatly appreciate that. I rarely leave town but I would love to set something up as I should be making a trip east some time in the near future. I would like to at least offer you something, at the very least a twenty dollar bill.

[SquirrelHunter]

Appreciate the offer but put your 20 towards other equipment you might need. You might think about getting a cheap kayak (sports authority had a nice one for 199) instead of waders. Solves a couple issues, givea a way to retrieve ducks and also allows you to access areas you wouldnt be able to from shore. Also gives you a way to chase down any decoys or wounded birds that swim away.

[NW-GSP]

Appreciate the offer but put your 20 towards other equipment you might need. You might think about getting a cheap kayak (sports authority had a nice one for 199) instead of waders. Solves a couple issues, givea a way to retrieve ducks and also allows you to access areas you wouldnt be able to from shore. Also gives you a way to chase down any decoys or wounded birds that swim away.

I agree. A kayak will open up a huge amount of area you can hunt.