Weathering Waterfowl

Waterfowlers are a hearty lot, and it seems we take no small pleasure in weathering storms in pursuit of our passions. Still, there is no reason to suffer needlessly, especially with so many great and innovative products out there to make hunting, if not easier, at least a bit more comfortable.

Columbia Omni-Heat Electric Wader Widgeon Parka
Years ago Columbia changed the way waterfowlers think about hunting clothing with the introduction of its 4-in-1 parkas; now the company is doing it again. It might be easy to write off an electric coat as a gimmick, but I promise you that the new interchangeable Omni-Heat Electric Wader Widgeon Parka is the real deal. One touch of the exterior push-button control and the discrete rechargeable battery packs fire up special carbon-fiber fabric in the torso and wrists of the removable-liner jacket to provide constant, soothing heat for up to six hours (on the low setting). The removable battery packs recharge via standard wall outlets in about six hours, or through your computer’s USB ports. The liner also features proprietary Omni-Heat insulation and thermal reflective fabric that uses your body heat to keep you up to 20-percent warmer, according to the manufacturer. The removable outer coat also has the reflective liner, as well as a waterproof, breathable shell with a soft, cotton-like hand—a welcome change from the crunchy, heavy-denier nylon shells waterfowlers are used to.
    The coat is fitted with 11 exterior pockets, including four handwarmer pockets and five accessory pockets sealed with water-resistant zippers. There are also 12 exterior shell loops that accommodate up to 3-1/2" magnum loads, proving that designers really did think of everything. The coat isn’t light—either on your back or wallet. It weighs 6 pounds 4 ounces and retails for $1,200.
    Columbia Sportswear, 800-622-6953; www.columbia.com.
 
Under Armour Skysweeper II Hoodie
While this handy pullover may lack a battery pack, it’s no less versatile than Columbia’s new parka. The hybrid design combines the insulating power of warm, lightweight fleece in the lower torso with waterproof polyester covering the fleece-lined shoulders and sleeves to protect your upper body from rain and snow where you need it most. The thinking is that the half-and-half hoodie will be worn with bib overalls or waders that will keep the rest of you dry and protected. But don’t be afraid to wear the Skysweeper II Hoodie any time you’re outdoors, as the poly fleece is also windproof and extremely lightweight.
    The attached waterproof hood snugs down tight with shockcord held in place by thin pinch slides rather than bulky barrel locks. Rubberized grip panels on both shoulders accommodate right- and left-handed shooters. Belly-level pockets zip closed, while chest-high handwarmer pockets secure with quiet magnets. A kangaroo pouch provides a place to keep calls, and it closes with a small hook-and-loop patch. I’ve found most Under Armour hunting garments to run a bit snug, and the XL I sampled fit like I expected. It was a bit long, however, falling well below my waist. And of course there are the ubiquitous UA logos on the chest, hood and sleeve. Price is $130.
    Under Armour, 888-727-6687; www.underarmour.com.

Hodgman Guidelite Chest Waders
Like the name suggests, Hodgman’s new Guidelite Chest Waders are light in weight, thanks in part to Hodgman’s proven WadeLite Comfort Boots, crafted from a thinner, yet no less durable EVA compound. The company claims that this material is 40-percent lighter than that used in comparable rubber boots, 30-percent more puncture resistant and three times more resistant to abrasion. I haven’t had a chance to put the waders through a season-long test, but I can tell you that they are significantly lighter, coming in at just 4 pounds 8 ounces on my tension spring scale.
    The boots feature an open-top design rather than the tighter ankle fit, and this makes them easy to slip on and off—something to think about if you hunt in heavy, boot-grabbing mud. The breathable uppers are crafted from a durable polyester material backed with a waterproof laminate. It features an oversize front pocket faced with eight elastic shell holders, as well as a zippered interior pocket. X-style elastic suspenders adjust with sliding buckles and secure via quick-release clips. Four D-rings offer accessory attachment options. Price is $225.
    Hodgman, 800-835-3278; www.hodgman.com.

Muck Arctic Pro Boot
As the owner of a small farm, I have made Muck Boots a part of my everyday work wear, and the traits that have made them indispensible around my property —comfortable wear, knee-high protection and easy care—have made them useful in the field. They’re great for hunting places that might not require the hip or chest-high protection of standard waders. For late-season goose hunting, I’m sold on the Muck’s Arctic Pro model, which combines a layer of thick fleece and neoprene foam booties to ward off extreme cold weather. The fleece sits atop layers of structured mesh, minimizing perspiration buildup, the primary cause of cold feet. Additional 2mm layers of thermal foam in the insteps add another measure of protection from temperatures down to -60° F, as rated by the manufacturer.
    The boots are much lighter and less bulky than standard insulated rubber boots. They really shine in slick, sloppy conditions thanks to the rugged outsoles, which blend aggressive rubber lugs around the perimeter with high-traction airbobs down the middle. My size 11s fit perfectly while I’m wearing the recommended medium-weight wool socks, though the shafts are designed to fit tight against the calf to seal in warm air. Price is $160.
    Muck Boots, 800- 777-9021; www.muckbootcompany.com.
 
L.L. Bean Waterproof Hybrid Duffle Bag
As waterfowlers, we sometimes find ourselves battling tough conditions, whether it’s wading into our secret honey hole or waiting out the weather on a rain-soaked tarmac. And while we’re quick to swaddle ourselves in waterproof clothing, we often leave our gear at the mercy of the elements. Now you can afford your equipment adequate protection with Bean’s Waterproof Hybrid Duffle Bag. Designed in the manner of a river runner’s dry bag, the duffel features a fold-down top that seals out moisture from rain or accidental dunkings. The heavy-gauge nylon is polyurethane coated (with a double layer on the bottom) for 100-percent waterproof protection.
    What makes the Hybrid a hybrid is the water-resistant, envelope-style briefcase that straps to the top of the 3,500-cubic-inch main bag. It’s the perfect thing for carrying your laptop, hunting journal or other midsize accessories. The duffel offers many carrying options, with web handles, a carry strap and backpack-style shoulder straps. Duffel dimensions are 11" (h) x 12" (w) x 20" (l); the removable briefcase measures 2" (h) x 11-1/2" (w) x 14-1/2" (l). Price is $159.
    L.L. Bean, 800-221-4221; www.llbean .com.

Drake Bunker Blind
As a hunter who hops from field to field following geese, I’ve tried just about every layout blind there is. Each has had its pros and cons, and I’ve been left looking for one that’s just right. The Bunker Blind from Drake comes much closer to my ideal. While this overbuilt blind is neither small nor light, those are two qualities I’m willing to sacrifice for strength and durability—both of which the Bunker has in spades. The takedown frame is built of tough 1" square-tube aluminum that Drake claims will support up to 350 pounds. That means climbing into and out of a layout blind just got a lot easier. Aluminum legs have four adjustable height settings.
    Much of the Bunker’s bulk is also attributable to the unique skirting. Whereas most layout blinds have a box-like profile, the Bunker gradually blends into the surrounding cover to eliminate harsh shadows, which can spook late-season birds. The cover also features plenty of stubble straps for adding cornstalks, brush and other natural camo for further concealment. A thick foam seat cushion adds comfort and protection from the cold ground. Weight is 20 pounds. Price is $400.
    Drake, 662-895-3651; www.drakewaterfowl.com.

Down-N-Dirty Duck Calls
It didn’t take a lot of time in a duck blind with Mark Coin and Jason Kidd—the principals behind Down-N-Dirty Game Calls —to realize that these guys are the real deal. Obviously, they know how to blow duck calls, but what got me is that they sound like real ducks—or in some cases flocks of ducks. Coin and Kidd cut their teeth hunting heavily pressured public land in Kentucky and quickly learned that they had to outcall their competition to be successful. That led to the competition circuit and ultimately to the call-making business. This year they introduced their new line of waterfowl calls, including a duck call lineup that covers the gambit from high-pitched competition-style calls to growly—dare I say nasty—field calls. Each call is CNC machined from high-grade acrylic and fitted with hand-cut reeds before being individually tuned to produce the perfect pitch.
    My favorite is the Havoc, a single-reed call with a narrow bore that recreates the individual squeaks and squeals that real ducks make. Other calls in the line are the Chaos, Vicious and Hitman II—an easy-to-blow double-reed call that can cover the full range, from raspy quacks to high-pitched hails. Price is $113.
    Down-N-Dirty Outdoors, 270-755-2552; www.downndirtyoutdoors.com.

Streamlight Trident HP Headlamp
From setting dekes in the pre-dawn light to flipping hashbrowns in the bottom of a dark goose pit, waterfowlers often have a need for hands-free lighting. Among today’s more versatile head-mounted lighting options is the Trident HP from Streamlight. With one-button operation, it combines the brightness of a C4 LED with the long run times and adjustable illumination of switchable single and triple ultrabright 5mm LED lamps. The C4 technology of the main lamp throws a bright, white 60-lumen light that’s great for walking into the blind or checking decoys in the dark. The two other settings shed non-glaring 12 and 33 lumens for close-up work like untangling lines or reading time and tide tables. The yellow lamp housing tilts 90° and is impact- and water-resistant. It fits comfortably thanks to a padded mounting plate and adjustable elastic straps. Price is $47.
    Streamlight, 800-523-7488; www.streamlight.com.
 
Avian-X AXP Series Full-Body Canada Decoys
Full-body goose decoys typically fall into two categories: rugged or realistic. And rarely do they fall into both. The Avian-X AXP Series from waterfowl-call maker Fred Zink is designed to blur that line. The molded-plastic bodies are semi-soft and made to be durable in any weather, eliminating the need to baby them with separate bags or compartmentalized carriers. And their level of realism is one not often found in a production-model decoy. Zink, along with master decoy carver Rick Johannsen, spent 10 years studying bird plumage and behavior, and they incorporated that knowledge in this series of painted dekes. From the feathering to the color detail to the lifelike posturing, each Avian-X decoy is designed to accurately mimic the real thing. Even the motion system is innovative, with an elastic, shock-cord string that controls side-to-side movement in both light and heavy winds.
    One weak point in many full-body goose decoys is the head-body attachment system. Avian-X decoys come in two pieces with mated PVC joints between them. Available exclusively from Cabela’s, Avian-X goose decoys come in three six-bird packs: Sentry (three “aggressive” and three lookout bodies and various heads), Walker (six walker bodies and various heads) and Feeder (two walking- feeder, two short-neck-feeder and two stretch-neck-feeder bodies and various heads). Price is $220.
   Cabela’s, 800-237-4444; www.cabelas.com.

DCVR Decoy Stakes/Feet
From the why-didn’t-I-think-of-that department comes these ingenious decoy stakes from start-up DCVR (pronounced “Deceiver”) Outdoors. The durable, heavy-gauge steel stakes convert floating decoys—either duck or goose—to stand-up field decoys simply by sliding them over the keels and sticking them in the ground. They effectively solve the problem of having separate floater and field decoys and are great for supplementing a spread of shells or full-bodies with those old floaters you have hanging in the garage. I also can see using them in sheet water that’s too shallow to float a regular keeled decoy or staking a few floaters along the edge of the water or ice. The stakes come with rubberized “feet”—orange for ducks and black for geese—that slide on for added realism. DCVR claims that its stakes are universal, fitting any keeled duck or goose decoy. I tried them on my large, mixed spread, and they fit every brand I had, although some took a little more elbow grease to put on than others. Price is $25 per six.
    DCVR Outdoors, 502-494-4002; www.dcvroutdoors.com.

David Draper is Shooting Sportsman’s Field Gear Editor.