Checklist question

Hey guys, I'm sorry if this is a repeated thread, I'm having a hard time using the search
but Ive been duck hunting twice and this coming season i have an opportunity to hunt most of the season in Tennessee ( where i go to college). Ill be hunting a low laying field that gets flooded by the river near by. Its my buddies land and he said i have full access to it but he doesn't hunt so i need to get all of my duck hunting supplies and I'm starting from nothing. Im wanting help with what to get and what order to purchase these things because i am in college and I'm wanting to buy one thing and then save up for the next if you guys could help me get a list what i need to get in order of importance it would help me a lot. I really appreciate any help.

Things i have:
Shotgun
Waders (breathable fly fishing waders but i think i can make due?)

Things I need:
My guess would be
decoys (how many)
Calls (what calls)
case of shells
camo


Common species around here are wood duck, mallards, teal, and canadian geese

even if some one could post their check list for hunting in this situation and ill just work off of that. Ill take anything i can get. Once again i appreciate it

Add a good quality warm/waterproof jacket to the list.

Its your first true year duck hunting. Building your supplies is very expensive, and there is no limit to what you can spend- so decide what is more important to you to make where you are hunting the least amount of work for the greatest benefit.


As what TX pride says, add a good hunting jacket. Breathable waders are fine, but you may get cold later in the season. So, invest in good thermals/ fleece socks and pants to help ward off the cold.

Decoys- stick with mallard (2 dozen) and teal (1 dozen) to start. Once you know what birds are more common and want to build your spread you can buy more. Wood ducks will still come into those- to me wood duck decoys aren't a necessity. I would recommend getting some decoys with a lot of white as well(pintail or shoveler)- they can be seen a ways off, and are also found in flooded fields.

As for the camo and field itself. Are you going to be laying in the field, standing near trees, along a fenceline with vegetation?? These will be a factor of where you hunt. standing near a tree, or sitting along a vegetated fenceline makes easier concealment. Laying in the middle of a field is done a lot, but concealment help is necessary (layout blind, green burlap sacks, something the help you blend in). I PERSONALLY don't think camo patterns plays a huge role in waterfowl hunting; Keep your movements to a minimum and birds will come in.

I recommend a duck strap- although you can toss the birds into your decoy bag. They get squished/ ruffed up more if shoved in decoy bags, but it can save you $30 for the time being.

Otherwise, the list you created, plus decoy bag and jacket, is all the essentials. Calls aren't essential depending on who you ask on here, but what matters most is if it is essential to you.

I personally use a shell/blind bag if i am hunting somewhere I can hang it or set it on the ground. Helps with carrying shells, calls, water, food, etc, etc, etc. so I don't have to load down all my pockets with stuff. It also doubles as a pillow for me if I need a nap, or am hunting a dry field with no layout blind- sometimes both at the same time.....

Good luck to you.

TP!!! Don't forget the TP! It's not fun walking away from a hunt with one less sock.

x2 on the tp and good socks don't ever skimp on either. Get a waterfowl ID booklet or app and the Tenn. state waterfowl regs know em before you shoot em. sSounds like you are on a good start already. If you can't tell what they are on your first couple of groups work or let them get closer before shooting or attempting to shoot.

Know the limits of your gun and the shells you will be using. New hunters tend to shoot at every chance wait for the opportune time for each shot you take. Keep your face and hands covered and still.Try to go to class after you hunt it can be tough being a student hunter. Good luck, be safe!

Know the limits of your shooting ability too

Thanks guys i appreciate all the help, this definitely gives me a good direction to go when i get back to texas and hit up cabelas.

Get a good headlight, flashlight, and a thermos for coffee.

Wool socks, a head lamp, layout blind and a waterproof bag.

your gonna want a blind bag to put all your useless crap you just bought in.

gun, steel shot, license, boom bang pow

I wouldn't go all out on decoys either. Go with some hot buys or gently used craigslist deks. If you've got birds using the fields (and it sounds like a pretty darn good spot) all they need is a little guidance as for where to land. Always set up with sun and wind at your back when possible. It will help conceal you, and the birds almost always land into the wind (with the exception of teal, those bastards do whatever the hell they want).
X2 on the ID booklet and no sky busting.
and don't buy cheap waders... Cabelas has a good line
Waterfowling can get extremely expensive, but it doesn't have to be. Buy a little bit every year and in a few years you'll be more than set!

No offense but you seem like a broke college kid.....I remember being a broke college kid....I couldn't afford all the fancier stuff required for duck hunting. Sometimes people need to take a step back and realize old timers hunted for a long time without the fancy top of the line waders, thermals and dekes. If I were you, I would find some old cheaper used decoys, keep the same waders u got, if it's a flooded field you probably won't be going in too deep in water, buy a good camo waterproof jacket...you will be glad u did later. As far as bottom layers, use old sweats or something. Call isn't a necessity, but if you want a cheap one there are tons of options for $15-30, less is more when u don't know how to call. Focus on concealment, which can be found real easily with a machete and some leg work. When I first started we raked piles of peanut stubble and spread it all over us and laid down on our backs in the mud....not the cleanest but I was a kid and didn't care.

Don't fall prey to some of the city boy answers you will receive on here wanting you to spend a couple thousand bucks to get in the game.....dekes, waders, gun, shells, jacket, license....that's all you truly need, everything else is a luxury. Oh and grab a cheap headlamp from academy, it will come in dang handy.

Get out there and have a good time!