Waterfowlers wait for it year-round: the fall flight, when ducks and geese filter south from northern breeding grounds. Typically in flocks and skeins, the birds can move in small groups or large, pushed by the weather and age-old instincts to make for warmer climes. The goal of hunters, of course, is to cut some of those trips short—cancel the flights, if you will. The following gear may help you ground a few more birds this season.
BANDED AIR HARD SHELL MICRO BACKPACK
For waterfowlers who don’t like to be loaded down with gear, Banded now offers the Air Hard Shell Micro Backpack, a scaled-down version of the company’s regular-size backpack. The smaller pack has a padded, breathable mesh back; a rigid, hard-shell frame; and a molded, waterproof base. It offers smart organization with six zippered storage compartments; a zippered sunglasses case; a large, front, drop-down storage compartment; and three-sided storage-compartment access. A contour sling attaches with metal quick clips, and D-rings allow for multi-directional sling use. The pack also has a top grab handle. Colors: Realtree Legacy (shown), Realtree MAX-7. Dimensions: 15" (l) x 7" (w) x
14" (h). Price: $150.
Banded, banded.com.
KUIU HD MUD BOOT
Waterfowlers used to dealing with sticky clay and deep mud will appreciate pulling on KUIU’s HD Mud Boot. The vulcanized-rubber boot has 7mm neoprene insulation and a grid-fleece liner for added warmth, comfort and airflow. The self-cleaning EVA sole has specially shaped and spaced lugs that release mud, and optimized ankle fit minimizes heel lift. The calf-high boot also comes with pull-on loops and a kick-off heel tab. Colors: Verde (shown), Valo, Ash. Weight: 4 pounds 10.6 ounces. Sizes: Whole 8 through 14. Price: $199.
KUIU, kuiu.com.
TOM BECKBE CANVAS BLIND BAG IN MOSSY OAK ORIGINAL BOTTOMLAND
For traditionalists who prefer classic gear, Tom Beckbe recently collaborated with Mossy Oak to produce a modern take on the speed bag: the Canvas Blind Bag in Mossy Oak Original Bottomland. Made of weatherproof waxed cotton with a nylon canvas shell, the bag has a waterproof interior liner and zippered front and rear pockets. A front zippered compartment holds shells in elastic-bound pockets. The large, top-access main compartment is covered by a weatherproof flap that opens with a quick-release buckle concealed beneath the belted strap. The bag has a cotton-webbing carrying handle with a leather hand pad. It also can be carried across the body with a 2" cotton-webbing shoulder strap and then hung on a peg in the blind. Dimensions: 12" (w) x 9" (h) x 4" (d). Price: $299.
Tom Beckbe, tombeckbe.com.
DUCK CAMP TRACKER PANTS
Offering freedom of movement in the field or blind, Duck Camp’s Tracker Pants are made of 4-way stretch nylon that is both comfortable and durable. The pants have a gripper waistband, a button closure, hip tether loops for attaching accessories or for use with hipboots, zippered side and rear pockets, and an integrated knife pocket. Colors: Wetland (shown), Woodland, Pin Oak, Midland, Moss. Sizes: Even whole (and tall) 30" through 42". Price: $139.
Duck Camp, duckcamp.com.
SCHEELS OUTFITTERS WATERFOWL HANDWARMER MUFF
Say goodbye to cold hands and frozen fingers with the Scheels Outfitters Waterfowl Handwarmer Muff. Featuring an ultra-soft fleece lining for warmth and comfort, the muff has a quick-access call sheath as well as top and side zippered pockets for accessories. The adjustable belt sports a shell sheath for quick reloading. Price: $60.
SCHEELS, scheels.com.
BOSS WARCHIEF SHOTSHELLS
Hunters looking for performance as well as environmentally friendly features will appreciate Boss’s Warchief shells. Loaded with copper-plated bismuth, the shells feature a buffer material of ground walnut shells and a wad developed specifically for use with Bismuth that has a double gas seal and is infused with Bio-Tec’s EcoPure, to speed up plastic degradation. According to the company, the loads offer increased pattern uniformity with all chokes, more-consistent velocities and pressures, and deeper pellet penetration. The shells are available in 12, 20 and 28 gauge in a variety of payloads and shot sizes. Price: $45 for a box of 20 3" 12-gauge 1½-oz No. 4s.
Boss Shotshells, bossshotshells.com.
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