|
|
Post by Beaus_Dad on Aug 30, 2006 12:49:30 GMT -5
At what point does one reach the comfort zone? When you take stock of what you have for gear and ask yourself does it satisfy all your hunt requirements. For example : I have a layout blind,a new gun,new waders,blind bag, 17 Koplin Full bodies/6 mag shells/2 doz reg shells/ 17 GHG FB Duck/ 3 Lews Calls/ Robo Duck/ 1 doz GHG over size BD floaters,Various Hunting Apparel etc. etc. and I find myself looking through the waterfowl catalogues and asking myself do I really need something else. Well the answer of course is always yes. Someone out there always seems to reinvent the wheel.  I also think that when you sort of reach a plateau there are probably some big ticket items that probably would benefit your definition of gear. I have thought that maybe I should put some money away for a Canon Rebel or perhaps a larger boat with larger motor. Just things to consider. How about slowly replacing plastic with more traditional decoys . Wood or cork? |
|
|
|
Post by chezz on Aug 30, 2006 14:17:31 GMT -5
Well this is a topic that could be debated forever
I am a firm believer that your surroundings and situation will dictate what is "maxing out"..It varies...but it always comes down to what you want
It is essential to have a gun, color to match surroundings as best you can for camouflage, waders if hunting water, gun case, warm clothes, some sort of rain wear if clothes are not waterproof, blind material whether it is the store bought type or homemade kind ..a call if trying to decoy birds and one is enough per species..more only to satisfy yourself...
Now as far as dekes go...this is the truly debatable part..
If hunting large open areas where you need to be seen or in areas that a lot of hunting pressure is on the birds..more decoys is the norm to increase your chances..some guys go as high as 20+ dozen..
If you are hunting where the birds are tending or there is little hunting pressure..a lot less dekes will work just as good..
I've had birds land into as little as 2 decoys and as many as 10 dozen..
Example..I typically hunt the salt flats and the geese feed here every night during the winter and have pressure almost daily..If I know I'm going to be the only set-up out there..I will take 1-2 dozen decoys..My best looking decoys that stand out..I will also be getting as dollars permit, one or two motion dekes for geese and this will help reduce the required number of dekes too..
now if I think or know someone else is setting up that day, I want the advantage by having more than them so I'll bring all 5+ dozen I have (12 full bodies, 24 shells, 20 floaters, and 12 windsocks + some duck decoys)...and sometimes I will team up with someone else and make a set-up between 2 tubs to make a bigger spread (10-12 dozen)..we have a couple tubs that are close so we can do this safely and make 2 landing zones..one for each tub..
The argument of do I need something else..lets be realistic..it's usually that you "WANT" something else..
I personally, except for my motion decoys that I "want", will probably be the last of it, other than trading off or selling my decoys for more of one type ..like shells for floaters..Anymore means that I now got to buy a trailer or build a big box for my trailer or get a big truck to haul this shit...I got more duck decoys than I need..
Now trading off older gear for newer is ok to me but it goes to prove what I said earlier..it comes down to what you want!!
I got some brand new std. Flambeau mallard decoys that have never seen the water (mostly aqua keels that I just weighted myself with sand and hot glue and a few weighted keels) that I would like to trade or sell for Blacks..or goose decoys..
|
|
|
|
Post by backwoodsbuddy on Aug 30, 2006 14:48:00 GMT -5
Maxing out ummm nah just when i get bored with chasing one feathered thing i try another or go back to something else i love hunting water/ocean/flats puddles ponds lakes[WATER} now for dekes gawd im not sure 2 or 3 dozen floaters goose same for puddlers ducks and same now for seaduks,yup more seaduks to come to.as for adding stuff um id like to have the gunship or goliath in sneak boat stlye of a boat with all the trimmins.its been a dream to afford to order one and go get it and hunt it hard all the rest of my life.
nah never max out just pic up a new this or that now and then,just remember to put in your wills fellas who all this great gear is going to so our tradition can carry on for the next generation.
shermie
|
|
|
|
Post by huntingike on Aug 30, 2006 19:44:47 GMT -5
The boys call me " Camo Man ". Got full outfits in 5 or 6 patterns, more calls than some stores two lockers of guns, about 300 goose decoys and 60-70 duck decoys. I have about three doz bluebills that haven't seen water yet. Had them for 10 years.Still looking for more goodies, Oh yeah , I might be maxed out !! But won't admit it .
|
|
|
|
Post by moose on Aug 31, 2006 16:14:56 GMT -5
no such thing ,being max out....i think it might happen when i give up hunting..."NOT" it will never happen...myself like you all,you never have to much.like huntingike i have full outside gear,2 boats,1 canoe,25 hp,100 stuffers,100 field goose,36 floater goose,robo duck,around40-60 duck floaters,2 portables blinds,avery layout,5 goose calls 7 duck calls,cambo bags blind bags,etc....... now i just order 3 doz avery goose and 1doz avery full body black duck,shells{as if i need more}2 more flags....hope my wife don't see this or I'll be a dead duck...lol as i see it I'll always have what i need even when I'm shotting in my 80's  |
|
|
|
Post by chezz on Aug 31, 2006 18:58:51 GMT -5
So I guess we need to come over to the island for a couple days with you and Huntingike and have the Beaudog Boys for a hunt since you guys got plenty of gear and we just need to show up with guns and layouts in hand... HMMMMMMMMM...are we on to something here?  ;D |
|
|
|
Post by Beaus_Dad on Aug 31, 2006 19:08:27 GMT -5
Carefull Chezz they already hosted some of dem der Beaudog guys at there dinner and we all know what happened there- Gheesh they would be tellin everyone after we left we cleaned the island outta geese too!  Ouch Ouch |
|
|
|
Post by huntingike on Aug 31, 2006 20:03:18 GMT -5
He who has the most toys , wins . Can't say for sure what will take place this fall . With my new job, time off might be a little tight. Some of you guys have more access to PEI land than I do |
|
|
|
Post by chezz on Aug 31, 2006 21:30:05 GMT -5
Ya never know BD..Can't blame a fella for tryin'
|
|
|
|
Post by chezz on Aug 31, 2006 21:30:54 GMT -5
And BTW...when it comes to gear
Some is good...more is better...and too much is just right!!!
|
|
|
|
Post by Beaus_Dad on Sept 1, 2006 4:25:18 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by moose on Sept 1, 2006 9:13:55 GMT -5
huntingike ,I'm due to be sick soon ,how about you? ?? ducks are looking big and fat .lol..............you can't shoot the big green head,he's on the end of a bretta xtrema.... ;D |
|
|
|
Post by huntingike on Sept 1, 2006 19:30:16 GMT -5
huntingike ,I'm due to be sick soon ,how about you? ?? ducks are looking big and fat .lol..............you can't shoot the big green head,he's on the end of a bretta xtrema.... ;D I can feel the fever starting already Can't shoot the greenhead ? Ya better be quick or the remmy or mossberg or whatever I have at the time will get there ahead of you. Remember that drake last fall out front of us that litteraly exploded into a ball of feathers ? ;D |
|
|
|
Post by moose on Sept 5, 2006 19:25:32 GMT -5
wasn't much left for Rex to pick up..lol got to put together one for this year,rig up the time and place....i got my gun and gun dog ,you got the boat and decoys and we'll have to pick the best spot to give Rex a good workout...got to try out my new full body black duck decoys... |
|
Ouch Ouch