November 15, 2019
By Wildfowl Staff
For duck hunters, Christmas comes early. The first day of the season is when we unwrap our new “toys,” but that doesn’t mean we don’t want a second shotgun or backup pair of waders on December 25th. If there’s a hunter in your house, any of these items will make the holidays more merry.
onX Hunt
The Hunt App Elite has helped us locate the owner of a hot mallard field many times. It determines public- and private-land boundaries, so you know when you can hunt at will or need to knock on a door. And the wind and weather feature lets you know what conditions you’ll face in the morning. Elite gives you access to data on all 50 states. $100 (per year) | onxmaps.com
Tanglefree Skinny
Tanglefree’s first silhouette is going to change the way you chase honkers. The easy-grab handle and 21-inch stake make setting decoys a snap. Flocked heads add realism, but remember to intersperse socks amongst the silos. Lessers like the movement of the “bouncing bags,” and you will shoot them in the face instead of the ass. $120 (12-pk) | tanglefree.com
Mountain Khakis Shirtjac
This insulated shirt/jacket is a throwback to the days when our grandfathers shot ducks in flannels. You can wear it anytime of year, and we like to couple it with MK’s Ranch Shearling vest during big honker pit hunts. The relaxed fit allows you to throw on thin baselayers, and the zippered pockets are a perfect place to keep hand warmers to avoid frosty fingers. $120 | mountainkhakis.com
Banded RedZone 2.0
Banded upgraded the boot on the 2.0. It was molded to match foot movement with a traction pattern for better stability in the mud. Seam stitching was reduced by 50 percent (less chance of leakage), and the waders are now reinforced at the knee with 900D. Available in insulated and uninsulated versions with a two-year warranty. $330-$380 | banded.com
Filson x Mossy Oak Down Cruiser Vest
Every piece of Filson gear we have ever worn has kept us warm and dry (even if it wasn’t labeled waterproof). This vest, available in Bottomland or Shadow Grass Blades camo, is ideal for throwing on over a hoodie early season and can be used as a layering piece come January. Each panel is filled with 280 grams of goose down, and cotton-lined pockets keep hands warm. $250 | filson.com
KUIU Storm Shell
KUIU is known for its performance on the most extreme hunts in the world, so the Storm Shell can handle a rainy day on the water with ease. It’s also a killer outerlayer when temps dip because it stops the bite of cold wind from penetrating baselayers. It’s built from two-way stretch fabric and treated with Toray K-DWR to keep water at bay. This solid Gunmetal color is optimal for gray/rainy days. Western hunters will want to check out the jacket in Vias camo and Verde 2.0 is a great marsh pattern. $349 | kuiu.com
Dave Smith Snow/Blue Decoy
Adult snows have seen almost everything. ALMOST. Dave Smith’s Snow & Blue Goose decoys are ridiculously detailed and lifelike. In addition to the feathery look, the full-bodies feature tail carry loops, a larger motion cone, and rounded/easy push stake tops. They’re pricey, but if we have another poor hatch, or you just love banging your head against a wall, chasing early reverse migrators, these decoys do the trick. $370-$400 (10-pk) | davesmithdecoys.com
Benelli Performance Shop SBE3
The 3½-inch souped-up Benelli Performance Shop SBE3 semi-auto gives you a Cerakote receiver and barrel with Optifade’s Marsh camo stock and forend. Tuned up by shotgun expert Rob Roberts, it comes with three of his matched chokes and five more from Benelli. It’s at the top of the auto-loader price spectrum, so if you don’t want to spend two mortgage payments for it, there is a “regular” SBE3 for about $1,300 less that runs just fine. $3,199 | benelliusa.com
Fabarm XLR5
Yes, the XLR5 is pricey, but Fabarm makes quality guns that stand up to tens of thousands of trigger pulls. The Pulse Piston gas system curtails recoil, and the TRIBORE barrel produces optimum patterns with EXIS DK extended chokes. Available in Kryptec Banshee and True Timber Viper, the rib is black, leading your eye to the target. Large charging handle, and bolt release make loading up easy. Left-handed version is available. $1,795-1,985 | fabarmusa.com
