Field Gear
Duck and goose hunters love stuff, and the specialty-gear manufacturers know it. That's why there is a never-ending parade of new products such as motion decoys, realistic game calls, electronic aids for dog training, innovative blinds and boats, and high-tech clothing. Here are five new waterfowling accessories I expect to remain on the market for some time.
Last Pass Goose Decoys from Final Approach
If you're planning to invest in Canada goose decoys, consider the new Last Pass HD Field Honkers from Final Approach. Made of high-density polyethylene, the full-body offerings are especially lifelike, because bronze wildlife sculptor Doug Eck, influenced by waterfowl guide/calling champion Bill Saunders, created them. The feathering, paint and poses make for realistic decoys. Anatomic details in the heads, necks, legs and feet are what you would expect in custom decoys, not injection-molded, manufactured offerings.
The dekes are available as a four-pack feeding set (two straight heads, one left and one right) for $172.49 or a six-pack collection (three feeders-one straight, one left and one right-a sentry, a rester and a walker) for $252.99. The removable heads are easy to install, thanks to a neat attachment system called Dura-Connect, which carries a lifetime guarantee and is under patent consideration. The feeders come with a motion system-essentially a steel stake that secures to a cone embedded in each decoy body. The cone has an adjustment window to produce motion in a breeze of 5 mph or more but also prevents the decoy from spinning in high winds. All the decoys in both the four- and six-pack sets come with steel stakes that have wide loops at the bases for stability.
Also new this fall is the company's Full-Body Goose Motion Stake. Made of steel, the 1-pound stake is 21" long and less bulky than the full standard bases provided with the decoys. A six-pack of new stakes costs $17.49 for those wanting to upgrade.
Kolpin Outdoors, Inc., 877-956-5746; www.fabrand.com.
Therm-a-Rest Hunt Series Pads
If you camp or backpack, chances are you've slept on a Therm-a-Rest mattress. I first came across Therm-a-Rest 15 years ago when I was the Camping Editor for Outdoor Life. Recently, I pulled a pair of these pads out of storage, dusted them off and took my grandson camping. The slim, self-inflating mattresses functioned perfectly and were as good as new. Given our world of throwaway products with a limited shelf life, I was both surprised and pleased.
Last year Therm-a-Rest entered the hunting market with Ambush, a tough, puncture-resistant mattress that has great applications for waterfowlers. Use it to lie in the field while awaiting honkers. Put it on a bench in the blind for you and a buddy to sit on. Sleep on it at night if the motel mattress is soft and you want a good, firm pad. Initially available in Small (20" [w] x 47" [l]) and Regular (20" x 72"), the Ambush now comes in Large (25" x 77") too. Only an inch thick, the pads have an insulating R-Value (the standard measure of thermal resistance) of 3.7, thanks to an internal layer of closed-cell foam that is bonded to open-cell foam. Chances are good you won't suffer when lying flat on your back in a frozen field. A tough nylon skin wraps the mattress, which can be carried flat or rolled into an optional Waterproof Stuff Sack. Although not waterproof, the mattresses are reasonably light; the Large model weighs a bit more than 3 pounds.
Available in Mossy Oak Break-Up or Advantage Max-4 HD, the mattresses cost $99.95 in Small, $129.95 in Regular and $159.95 in Large. The Waterproof Stuff Sacks are $15.95, $19.95 and $23.95. Two new accessories are available this fall: the Field Chair ($39.95), which converts a 20"-wide mattress into a lightweight camp chair, and a Camp Lounge ($59.95), which turns the 25"-wide pad into a loafing chair. With this larger accessory, you can unbuckle the adjustable side straps, tuck a pillow into the fleece-lined pillow sleeve and take a nap. Both new accessories are like envelopes into which the mattress slides. As such, they double as protective covers to help extend the lives of the mattresses.
Cascade Designs, 800-531-9531; www.thermarest.com.
Specialty Cleaning Kit from Outers
No one puts firearms through their paces more than duck and goose hunters. By season's end, mud, salt, barrel fouling and weather have combined to render heavy-use shotguns to the "sorry" pile of work to be done. If you're in the market for a comprehensive cleaning kit or simply looking for a great holiday gift, take a look at several new products from Outers. What began as a single Universal Deluxe Wooden Cleaning Kit with more than 15 cleaning tools and chemicals has grown. The company's 2007 Specialty Kit Program features five new presentation boxes of handsome aged oak. Components in each are assembled for specialty cleaning jobs.
The best box for waterfowlers is the 65-piece Universal Wood Gun Maintenance Chest, which costs $99.95. It's a two-drawer tool chest with a broad assortment of tools and components and a pair of velour gun vises that tuck inside the lid and then mount to the box itself. Although designed with scoped rifles in mind, the vises also free up hands for cleaning autoloaders and pumpguns. The 22-pound box is 17" (l) x 11" (h) x 81/2" (d). It comes with three solid-brass rods for rifles, pistols and muzzleloaders and three wooden rods for shotguns. (Note: the other new kits do not include wooden rods and are assembled for shooters of .17-caliber firearms and larger). Other components include: 16 bronze brushes, 13 absorbent mops, four patch loops, one adaptor, 12 cleaning jags, one muzzle guard, 25 large-bore cleaning patches, 25 smallbore cleaning patches, four polishing cloths, three utility brushes, one double-ended cleaning pick and two cleaning swabs.
Outers, of course, is best known for its bore cleaners, solvents, gun oils and other chemicals-none of which is included in the new 65-piece kit. These can be purchased separately along with other gun-care accessories.
Outers Division of ATK Ammunition Systems Group; 800-635-7656; www.outers-guncare.com.
Manzella Decoy Gloves
As a manufacturer of gloves and only gloves, Manzella calls its designers "handgineers." The company develops many lines of special-use gloves for fit and function from the inside out. The official glove supplier to the USA Shooting Team has pioneered the concept of "true fit" in women's gloves for outdoor sports and is constantly adding to the research in this and related handwear fields. Searching for a top-quality decoy glove, I looked to Manzella to see what the company offers.
A decoy glove should be waterproof, warm and pliable. It needs to be a long glove, extending well past the cuff but not longer than the elbow. As a schoolboy muskrat trapper and rookie duck hunter, I remember the joy of opening a Christmas gift and finding a pair of long rubber gloves inside. Slipping the gloves over a cotton jersey, I no longer had to use bare hands for positioning traps underwater. The rubber gloves, however, were so bulky and stiff that I couldn't set traps or pull triggers while wearing them. They needed to be softer and more pliable, and they should have been warm enough without having to wear them over other gloves.
Some of these problems have been solved with Manzella's Decoy Glove. The 4mm neoprene shell is stitched and also welded with a textured polyurethane palm for a sure-grip fit and feel. The glove is both waterproof and breathable. Manzella rates its products Warm, Warmer and Warmest. The Decoy Glove, which is fully lined with fleece, checks in as Warmer. A company spokesman explained that this means it offers coverage and protection in variable conditions. "Your hands should stay warm when you're handling decoys," he said, "but the gloves are not designed for shooting. Most hunters will replace them with shooting gloves once the decoys are set."
The gloves come in Medium, Large and Extra Large. If your hands suffer in very cold conditions, opt for a larger size and don a cotton glove as an insert. Available in Advantage MAX-4 HD camo and in both 11" and 17" lengths, the gloves cost $22 and $25 per pair. This is not a new product, but it's a good one.
Manzella Productions, Inc.; 800-645-6837; www.manzella.com.
Alpha Northern Flight Waders from LaCrosse
Dating back many years to its revolutionary ankle-hugging design, LaCrosse Footwear has long been an innovative leader in wader development. This fall the company debuts its Alpha Northern Flight chest waders, inspired by Louisiana duck hunter Phil Robertson, aka the Duck Commander. The new line includes three models, each of which has a Chest Pac, a removable carryall pack that attaches to the chest via plastic snap locks built into the suspender system. This clever accessory, which also sells separately for $39, features hand-warmer sleeves on each end and a handle for carrying. On the outside are holders for six shotshells and two longer sleeves for a flashlight, calls or other gear. The pack then zippers open to reveal more storage options on the inside: a D-ring for car keys, a hunting license container, a pair of elastic sleeves for choke tubes, and Velcro-flap pockets for a wallet and cell phone. Made from waterproof nylon, the Chest Pac comes with waterproof zippers and weighs 1.3 pounds. Dimensions are 12" (h) x 8.4" (w). You actually could wear the Pac while mounting your gun, because it lies on the lower chest/stomach area. Or simply remove it for storage in the blind or boat.
Available in Advantage Max-4 HD, the new waders come in men's whole sizes 7 to 15 Medium and 10 to 14 King. Note: King sizes have longer inseams and larger chests and waists. The boot-foot-style waders have Trac-Lite outsoles and Alpha construction: 3.5mm neoprene with a thin layer of rubber over the neoprene for a pliable, soft and snug fit. The three models differ by weight, warmth and suspender system.
The Chest Wader is designed for cold weather. It contains 5mm neoprene and a comfortable fleece lining. Right and left front-entry pockets contain additional fleece lining for warming the hands, and there are 1,200 grams of Thinsulate Ultra Insulation in the boot. Suspenders attach via Velcro for easy on/off. At 10.3 pounds, this wader is the heaviest of the line.
The Hi-Back Wader checks in at 8.4 pounds. Made from 3.5mm neoprene, this model has 800 grams of Thinsulate Ultra Insulation in the boot. Designers added a fleece lining to an expanded upper region (hence the name), with neoprene shoulder straps that come up and over the shoulders like a bib and attach to the wader front with Velcro.
The Breathable Chest Wader is my choice, because of its weight (only 6.3 pounds) and use of LaCrosse's unique snap-buckle suspender system. The combination of Taslan nylon coated with micro-porous polyurethane keeps weight in check and permits layering for the day's weather. The boots contain 600 grams of Thinsulate Ultra Insulation.
Although this wader is breathable, you won't feel the wind blowing through it. It's surprisingly durable, with an Armortex coating around the knees to resist punctures and tears. The Alpha Swampfox wader (reviewed in Nov/Dec '04) is made of the same material. A company spokesperson told me that returns of this wader due to defects have been nearly nonexistent in the more than three years it has been on the market. Prices for the Alpha Northern Flight Wader are $229 for the Hi-Back and Breathable models and $259 for the Chest Wader.
LaCrosse Footwear, Inc.; 800-323-2668; www.lacrossefootwear.com.
Last Pass Goose Decoys from Final Approach
If you're planning to invest in Canada goose decoys, consider the new Last Pass HD Field Honkers from Final Approach. Made of high-density polyethylene, the full-body offerings are especially lifelike, because bronze wildlife sculptor Doug Eck, influenced by waterfowl guide/calling champion Bill Saunders, created them. The feathering, paint and poses make for realistic decoys. Anatomic details in the heads, necks, legs and feet are what you would expect in custom decoys, not injection-molded, manufactured offerings.
The dekes are available as a four-pack feeding set (two straight heads, one left and one right) for $172.49 or a six-pack collection (three feeders-one straight, one left and one right-a sentry, a rester and a walker) for $252.99. The removable heads are easy to install, thanks to a neat attachment system called Dura-Connect, which carries a lifetime guarantee and is under patent consideration. The feeders come with a motion system-essentially a steel stake that secures to a cone embedded in each decoy body. The cone has an adjustment window to produce motion in a breeze of 5 mph or more but also prevents the decoy from spinning in high winds. All the decoys in both the four- and six-pack sets come with steel stakes that have wide loops at the bases for stability.
Also new this fall is the company's Full-Body Goose Motion Stake. Made of steel, the 1-pound stake is 21" long and less bulky than the full standard bases provided with the decoys. A six-pack of new stakes costs $17.49 for those wanting to upgrade.
Kolpin Outdoors, Inc., 877-956-5746; www.fabrand.com.
Therm-a-Rest Hunt Series Pads
If you camp or backpack, chances are you've slept on a Therm-a-Rest mattress. I first came across Therm-a-Rest 15 years ago when I was the Camping Editor for Outdoor Life. Recently, I pulled a pair of these pads out of storage, dusted them off and took my grandson camping. The slim, self-inflating mattresses functioned perfectly and were as good as new. Given our world of throwaway products with a limited shelf life, I was both surprised and pleased.
Last year Therm-a-Rest entered the hunting market with Ambush, a tough, puncture-resistant mattress that has great applications for waterfowlers. Use it to lie in the field while awaiting honkers. Put it on a bench in the blind for you and a buddy to sit on. Sleep on it at night if the motel mattress is soft and you want a good, firm pad. Initially available in Small (20" [w] x 47" [l]) and Regular (20" x 72"), the Ambush now comes in Large (25" x 77") too. Only an inch thick, the pads have an insulating R-Value (the standard measure of thermal resistance) of 3.7, thanks to an internal layer of closed-cell foam that is bonded to open-cell foam. Chances are good you won't suffer when lying flat on your back in a frozen field. A tough nylon skin wraps the mattress, which can be carried flat or rolled into an optional Waterproof Stuff Sack. Although not waterproof, the mattresses are reasonably light; the Large model weighs a bit more than 3 pounds.
Available in Mossy Oak Break-Up or Advantage Max-4 HD, the mattresses cost $99.95 in Small, $129.95 in Regular and $159.95 in Large. The Waterproof Stuff Sacks are $15.95, $19.95 and $23.95. Two new accessories are available this fall: the Field Chair ($39.95), which converts a 20"-wide mattress into a lightweight camp chair, and a Camp Lounge ($59.95), which turns the 25"-wide pad into a loafing chair. With this larger accessory, you can unbuckle the adjustable side straps, tuck a pillow into the fleece-lined pillow sleeve and take a nap. Both new accessories are like envelopes into which the mattress slides. As such, they double as protective covers to help extend the lives of the mattresses.
Cascade Designs, 800-531-9531; www.thermarest.com.
Specialty Cleaning Kit from Outers
No one puts firearms through their paces more than duck and goose hunters. By season's end, mud, salt, barrel fouling and weather have combined to render heavy-use shotguns to the "sorry" pile of work to be done. If you're in the market for a comprehensive cleaning kit or simply looking for a great holiday gift, take a look at several new products from Outers. What began as a single Universal Deluxe Wooden Cleaning Kit with more than 15 cleaning tools and chemicals has grown. The company's 2007 Specialty Kit Program features five new presentation boxes of handsome aged oak. Components in each are assembled for specialty cleaning jobs.
The best box for waterfowlers is the 65-piece Universal Wood Gun Maintenance Chest, which costs $99.95. It's a two-drawer tool chest with a broad assortment of tools and components and a pair of velour gun vises that tuck inside the lid and then mount to the box itself. Although designed with scoped rifles in mind, the vises also free up hands for cleaning autoloaders and pumpguns. The 22-pound box is 17" (l) x 11" (h) x 81/2" (d). It comes with three solid-brass rods for rifles, pistols and muzzleloaders and three wooden rods for shotguns. (Note: the other new kits do not include wooden rods and are assembled for shooters of .17-caliber firearms and larger). Other components include: 16 bronze brushes, 13 absorbent mops, four patch loops, one adaptor, 12 cleaning jags, one muzzle guard, 25 large-bore cleaning patches, 25 smallbore cleaning patches, four polishing cloths, three utility brushes, one double-ended cleaning pick and two cleaning swabs.
Outers, of course, is best known for its bore cleaners, solvents, gun oils and other chemicals-none of which is included in the new 65-piece kit. These can be purchased separately along with other gun-care accessories.
Outers Division of ATK Ammunition Systems Group; 800-635-7656; www.outers-guncare.com.
Manzella Decoy Gloves
As a manufacturer of gloves and only gloves, Manzella calls its designers "handgineers." The company develops many lines of special-use gloves for fit and function from the inside out. The official glove supplier to the USA Shooting Team has pioneered the concept of "true fit" in women's gloves for outdoor sports and is constantly adding to the research in this and related handwear fields. Searching for a top-quality decoy glove, I looked to Manzella to see what the company offers.
A decoy glove should be waterproof, warm and pliable. It needs to be a long glove, extending well past the cuff but not longer than the elbow. As a schoolboy muskrat trapper and rookie duck hunter, I remember the joy of opening a Christmas gift and finding a pair of long rubber gloves inside. Slipping the gloves over a cotton jersey, I no longer had to use bare hands for positioning traps underwater. The rubber gloves, however, were so bulky and stiff that I couldn't set traps or pull triggers while wearing them. They needed to be softer and more pliable, and they should have been warm enough without having to wear them over other gloves.
Some of these problems have been solved with Manzella's Decoy Glove. The 4mm neoprene shell is stitched and also welded with a textured polyurethane palm for a sure-grip fit and feel. The glove is both waterproof and breathable. Manzella rates its products Warm, Warmer and Warmest. The Decoy Glove, which is fully lined with fleece, checks in as Warmer. A company spokesman explained that this means it offers coverage and protection in variable conditions. "Your hands should stay warm when you're handling decoys," he said, "but the gloves are not designed for shooting. Most hunters will replace them with shooting gloves once the decoys are set."
The gloves come in Medium, Large and Extra Large. If your hands suffer in very cold conditions, opt for a larger size and don a cotton glove as an insert. Available in Advantage MAX-4 HD camo and in both 11" and 17" lengths, the gloves cost $22 and $25 per pair. This is not a new product, but it's a good one.
Manzella Productions, Inc.; 800-645-6837; www.manzella.com.
Alpha Northern Flight Waders from LaCrosse
Dating back many years to its revolutionary ankle-hugging design, LaCrosse Footwear has long been an innovative leader in wader development. This fall the company debuts its Alpha Northern Flight chest waders, inspired by Louisiana duck hunter Phil Robertson, aka the Duck Commander. The new line includes three models, each of which has a Chest Pac, a removable carryall pack that attaches to the chest via plastic snap locks built into the suspender system. This clever accessory, which also sells separately for $39, features hand-warmer sleeves on each end and a handle for carrying. On the outside are holders for six shotshells and two longer sleeves for a flashlight, calls or other gear. The pack then zippers open to reveal more storage options on the inside: a D-ring for car keys, a hunting license container, a pair of elastic sleeves for choke tubes, and Velcro-flap pockets for a wallet and cell phone. Made from waterproof nylon, the Chest Pac comes with waterproof zippers and weighs 1.3 pounds. Dimensions are 12" (h) x 8.4" (w). You actually could wear the Pac while mounting your gun, because it lies on the lower chest/stomach area. Or simply remove it for storage in the blind or boat.
Available in Advantage Max-4 HD, the new waders come in men's whole sizes 7 to 15 Medium and 10 to 14 King. Note: King sizes have longer inseams and larger chests and waists. The boot-foot-style waders have Trac-Lite outsoles and Alpha construction: 3.5mm neoprene with a thin layer of rubber over the neoprene for a pliable, soft and snug fit. The three models differ by weight, warmth and suspender system.
The Chest Wader is designed for cold weather. It contains 5mm neoprene and a comfortable fleece lining. Right and left front-entry pockets contain additional fleece lining for warming the hands, and there are 1,200 grams of Thinsulate Ultra Insulation in the boot. Suspenders attach via Velcro for easy on/off. At 10.3 pounds, this wader is the heaviest of the line.
The Hi-Back Wader checks in at 8.4 pounds. Made from 3.5mm neoprene, this model has 800 grams of Thinsulate Ultra Insulation in the boot. Designers added a fleece lining to an expanded upper region (hence the name), with neoprene shoulder straps that come up and over the shoulders like a bib and attach to the wader front with Velcro.
The Breathable Chest Wader is my choice, because of its weight (only 6.3 pounds) and use of LaCrosse's unique snap-buckle suspender system. The combination of Taslan nylon coated with micro-porous polyurethane keeps weight in check and permits layering for the day's weather. The boots contain 600 grams of Thinsulate Ultra Insulation.
Although this wader is breathable, you won't feel the wind blowing through it. It's surprisingly durable, with an Armortex coating around the knees to resist punctures and tears. The Alpha Swampfox wader (reviewed in Nov/Dec '04) is made of the same material. A company spokesperson told me that returns of this wader due to defects have been nearly nonexistent in the more than three years it has been on the market. Prices for the Alpha Northern Flight Wader are $229 for the Hi-Back and Breathable models and $259 for the Chest Wader.
LaCrosse Footwear, Inc.; 800-323-2668; www.lacrossefootwear.com.
- By: Tom Huggler
