“Tag: Geese”

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.

This display was just too cool not to share. Just one year into its existence, Tenzing Outdoors is rolling out some really innovative gear and it's found unique ways to gain attention for them.

There's now a version of Winchester's popular Super X Pump shotgun tailored specifically to the needs of waterfowl hunters. The Super X Pump "Waterfowl Hunter" shotgun features Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Blades camouflage and is available with a 3-inch or 3 1/2-inch 12-gauge chamber. Barrel options include 26 or 28 inches.

For those duck hunters who appreciate the look and feel of a double-barrel in the blind, Stoeger unveils the Longfowler shotgun line. An over/under and side-by-side will be available, both of which will sport 30-inch barrels—a classic size for double-barrel fowling piece. The wood stocks are coated with a weather-resistant finish, while the barrels and receivers are a matte black.

Greenhead Gear (GHG) unveiled some surprises for 2013, including the addition of new species to its excellent "Pro Grade" line. Perhaps most notably, all decoys below, including the full-body geese, feature single-piece construction. Basically, these could be the most durable decoys GHG has ever released.

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.

It was an oddly warm January day on the Eastern Shore—in fact there were gnats in the air—but after a long, mid-day lull, the geese were back on the move.

Looks like I'll be stepping away from Virginia and NRA HQ for a bit next week—I'm trekking out to Illinois on a family hunting trip with my dad and a handful of longtime friends.

Waterfowl seasons as a whole have shut down by late February and early March, save one: snow goose conservation season. With the opportunity to unplug your shotgun, break out the electronic calls and dream about the possibilities of no bag limits, conservation season can make for exciting stuff when things go right.