Brand New Waterfowl Hunter Looking for some Advice

[CoryTDF]

Get the book "Water Dog" by Richard Wolters.  Not his books Game Dog or Gun Dog.  Water Dog.  It will give you the elements necessary to train your dog for water retrieves.  There are many excellent training programs out there, Smartworks being one of them, but Wolters book is straightforward and simple and will help you turn your dog into a meat dog over the water.  The book will set you back around 20 bucks and if you can't find it at your local bookstore it is available on Amazon.

  This is a great suggestion and it is the book I started with before going to Lardy.


As for the above about the 28'' barrel it's not so much about the ballistics as it is about giving you a better line of sight down the barrel. It is my opinion that this helps you become a better shot and that is why I go 28''.

[kodiak10]

Thanks so much everyone for all the fabulous advice!  I am very excited to use all this information to help make myself a better hunter.

[kodiak10]

T-Bone- Yes, I have gotten all the proper licensing and have been using only steel shot. Ignorance is no excuse for not following the law.

[T-Bone]

T-Bone- Yes, I have gotten all the proper licensing and have been using only steel shot. Ignorance is no excuse for not following the law.

Thanks kodiak10, you have restored a cynical old man's faith in humanity. May you have many great days in the great sport of waterfowling.

 I don't know your location, but Washington Waterfowl is a great organization with local chapters with nice people (not just cranky old men) who can assist you in becoming a better waterfowl hunter:

http://www.wwa.shuttlepod.org/

[Badhabit]

My advise to any new waterfowl hunter. Keep the wind at your back. Concealment, concealment concealment. Wear a face mask or face paint to keep from "face flashing" the birds. Even put the face paint on your hands if you don't wear gloves. The birds see that movement. Don't take your gun off safety until you shoulder it. I've hunted with some that when the birds start to work you can hear the "CLICK". If you hunt with a group of 3 to 4 make sure everyone knows their safe shooting zones. Really scary to have someone swing a barrel over your head and pull the trigger. Most of all have fun. It's not about limits everytime its about experience. With proper safety in mind everyone comes home to hunt another day. Oh and finally, pick up your empties and trash in the blind.

[kodiak10]

 I don't know your location, but Washington Waterfowl is a great organization with local chapters with nice people (not just cranky old men) who can assist you in becoming a better waterfowl hunter:

http://www.wwa.shuttlepod.org/

Thanks for the referral, it would be awesome to check them out and also get involved with some of their conservation projects.