Hunting for waterfowl? Here’s the essential gear that you should always have with you

A duck strap is handy for a carrying birds—and looks great in photos

FIELD & WATER HUNTS

Along with my hunting and firearms licences kept dry and readily accessible in a sealable bag, here is what my blind bag contains, whether I’m hunting in fields or on the water.

Along with my hunting and firearms licences kept dry and readily accessible in a sealable bag, here is what my blind bag contains, whether I’m hunting in fields or on the water.

• SHOTSHELLS Typically I bring two boxes of shells. That’s generally more than I need, but you never know.
• DUCK STRAP A great device for carrying multiple birds, a duck strap also comes in handy when taking post-hunt photos.
• CALLS I carry a wider assortment of calls when hunting the water because of the diversity of species I might encounter.
• EARPLUGS It’s a case of too little, too late for my hearing, but I’ve gotten better about wearing earplugs. My advice? Always wear them when waterfowl hunting.
• CHOKE TUBES & WRENCH It’s not often I’ll switch chokes mid-hunt, but when those occasions arise, it’s good to have options.
• CELL PHONE It performs double-duty for making emergency calls and taking pictures, but if your phone rings mid-hunt, you’re obligated to buy breakfast.
• HEADLAMP A headlamp is indispensable for freeing your hands to set out decoys, build blinds and perform numerous other tasks in the dark.
• SUNGLASSES To ease eye strain on bright days, sunglasses are essential. Many blind bags have specific protective pouches for them.
• MULTI-TOOL A multi-tool has near endless uses, so don’t leave home without one.
• FACE MASK OR FACE PAINT Whether you prefer a mask or camo paint, hiding your shiny mug can be a game-saver some days.
• SNACKS & WATER A granola bar and a bottle of water can seem like lifesavers on those days when hunts last longer than expected.
• TOILET PAPER It’s always a good idea to bring along a wad of “marsh money,” as some hunters call it.