“waterfowlers”

We duck hunters are prone to irrational optimism. How else do you explain a group of people who can spend an entire day freezing our butts off in windy, pounding surf for just a duck or two (if we're lucky), only to go home, convince ourselves tomorrow will be better, and do it all over again? All we need is the slightest indication the duck hunting may improve.

Wait, you missed again? Time to take a break and see if you're suffering from some of shooting's most common bad habits.

The Western states offer plenty of opportunity for waterfowlers, but can a dangerous place for man's best friend. Are you and you gundog ready?

Here's a photo of me doing my best, apparently, to prevent the spread of invasive species. You see, the non-profit conservation group Wildlife Forever (WF) has launched a campaign encouraging duck hunters to wash their dogs, lest our furry mutts spread invasive aquatic species such as the dreaded zebra mussel.

The Instinct features an aluminum receiver is fortified via a titanium insert on the breech face and a checkered forearm and Prince of Wales stock.

Flambeau Outdoors has unveiled the wood carvings that will be used to produce a new StormFront wigeon decoy. Based on these works of art, we have to believe that the plastic decoy versions will also impress. Like all decoys in the family, the StormFront wigeons will feature oversized keels and "UVision" paint, which mimics the reflective properties of real waterfowl feathers.

The resurrected Browning A5 was one of the biggest "buzz products" of last year's SHOW Show, and for 2013 it receives an update that many devoted waterfowlers consider a must-have feature: a 3 1/2-inch chamber.

in recognition of the new "duck hunting beard" trend, Ducks Unlimited has launched the "Beards for Conservation" program. Will you grow a duck-hunting beard this season?