Wader hunting questions???

[Benny]

Well this weekend was a learning experiance for me as I usualy hunt out of a boat or jump pot holes.

This year we waded out through 30 yards of cattails in a mucky slew.I have neopreane waders from GM but they don't have any pockets accept the hand warmer pocket.

I was only able to tote out 9 or so rounds and the extras had to go inside the waders in my pants pockets.This is uncomfortable in neopreane.

What do some of you wader hunters do to get more rounds and extra stuff out in the water with you?
Keep in mind this is a mucky slew so you have to have a walking stick to help balance your self as you pull your foot out of the muck to move.

Second learning experiance came with the decoys, we used a dozen Fetherflex decoys that were ok.

Any one try those "F.U.D Decoys"??

Third was the dog factor, what do you use for your dog to sit on while hunting in the cattails?

Thanks, Benny

[deerdragger]

Look into getting one of those shell holders that clip onto your waders...they're like a section of a neoprene shell belt with loops on each side - very handy.

As for the dog - I put a vest on her (which gives her warmth and floatation) and just try and matt down enough cattails for her to get onto. Sometimes she's standing in a lot of water, but it at least able to stay still. I've only subjected her to this on a couple of hunts when it isn't bitterly cold out.

[Farley]

I have a backpack I've had since high school that I use for bringing stuff out to the blind. I also use it for fishing. I have one of those plastic bait boxes so I put in my shells (BBB in the first slot, #2 in the second, #4 in the third and whatever in the 4th) and just toss that in the backpack with a couple Mountain Dews, Headlamp, pliers, extra call, knife, and whatever and toss that on my back and it works great. If I have a bag of decoys I'm carrying, I just toss on the bag of dekes first then my backpack. The backpack usually rests on top of the dekes.

But if you're just standing in the water you might want to look into one of those ammo belts that was mentioned above.

[This message has been edited by Farley (edited 09-29-2004).]

[Ole #1]

Is there enough water for a canoe?

I usually pull my canoe right in the cat tails and it works great.

Ole

[Curly]

Look on the Cabelas HSOforum, they have a item called a Waterfowlers Bandoleer, it's a pretty cool looking thing that you sling over your neck and one shoulder and it has all kinds of room for shells, calls etc.

[LABS4ME]

I took a 12 pack cooler and painted it O.D. and put my calls, shells, snacks, license etc. in there. It floats so if I'm in waist deep water I can just tuck it next to a clump of cattails so it doesn't float away. I don't use the walking stick anymore as this cooler has enough flotation to help balance me when walking. I just float it along by my side and lean on it took correct my balance. I'd literally have to put all my weight on it to submerge it, and even then a quick dunk doesn't get the contents wet. Everything stays dry on the way in and out, plus it's easy to carry.

Good Luck!
Ken

[Swamp Scooter]

Benny,

I use a bandolier myself and it holds a couple of boxes of shells quite well. You can also throw a couple of boxes in a plastic bag and then in to the decoy bag.

As to the dog. I trya nd get them up on some cat tails or grass thet will hold them up a little. If not you can always have them sit a little ways away so they can watch and be on more stable ground. A boat cushion on a milk crate worrks well in most cases too. Zip tie it on to the upside down crate. It might work very well for you.

[g'eye pilot]

I have a suggestion for walk-in, wader hunters that can make life a little easier. This doesn't apply to carrying extra shells. But if you want a stable shooting platform, this is the ticket: Cut a square piece of plywood or particle board approximately 18" X 18". Drill a couple holes and string a piece of rope through to create a carrying handle. Now you have a portable shooting platform to stand on (instead of the mud). The difference in comfort and ability to swing on birds will make your walk-in hunts much more enjoyable! When it's time to head out, you should be able to snag your rope handle with your foot and lift the board out of the water. I know this sounds quite simple and almost crude. But I can tell you it works.

As far as mans best friend, I like the cat tail idea. If there are muskrat houses in the vicinity, those work good for the pooch as well.

[loon_days]

You could get a neoprene ammo belt, one of them belts holds 25 shells. That would work well as long as you aren't more then waist deep in muck.

[Benny]

Thanks for all the advice, I did bring a small piece of plywood out there for the pup to use.It sunk in a little but she was ok with it, had more trouble keeping her looking up for birds and not pawing at every thing floating by.

We stand right at or near the edge of the cattails, with the deks out front about two or three yards or more.
It gets cold, but all I have to do is a few standing in place circles to warm up in that neopreine.

I do not like canoes any longer, had a few tumbles out of them in the younger years.
Had my cousin shoot us over side ways, he swung and shot before I could yell not to.

I have been looking at one of those stealths,but am afraid it won't pull through the cattails easy with that squared off front.

The wader huting was cool, being so close to the ducks took some adjusting of aim though.

Thanks, Benny

[This message has been edited by Benny (edited 09-29-2004).]