WidgeonmanGH
Elite Refuge Member
Well I know that some of you have one last weekend. But my hunting is done. So I am starting to clean and stow gear and evaluating next year. There are some things that we will be changing.
1. We will be getting invisaman blinds for next year. With the log gone we have to adjust to new conditions. Coffin blinds are great for the mud but will not work in 2' of water which is part of the tide cycle in our prefered location. We think this may be a potential solution. We are at least going to give them a go. They are stupid expensive so we have to start saving now.
2. I am evaluating my shotgun shell choices. I will NEVER buy winchester shells again. There was a marked difference between shooting Federals, Kent, and Winchesters. Same shooter, way different results especially at the end of the season when the birds are shy and you have to set up a little further from the decoys to get any action. I had numerous birds get knocked down then suddenly revive and fly away! More than any other year I can remember. I lost birds that swam away. Just not hit hard enough.
The question I am wrestling with is if I go away from steel and go to one of the heavy shot alternatives. I have not done this due to the expense. But when I look back at my season what I am realizing is the sheer number of shots I am taking waterswatting crippled birds. If an alternative to steel would give me better performance I might be able to justify the extra expense by actually using less shells.
Any thoughts on what to avoid or what to get?
We have it pretty dialed in but there is always room to improve and tweek.
What are your thoughts after going through the season?
1. We will be getting invisaman blinds for next year. With the log gone we have to adjust to new conditions. Coffin blinds are great for the mud but will not work in 2' of water which is part of the tide cycle in our prefered location. We think this may be a potential solution. We are at least going to give them a go. They are stupid expensive so we have to start saving now.
2. I am evaluating my shotgun shell choices. I will NEVER buy winchester shells again. There was a marked difference between shooting Federals, Kent, and Winchesters. Same shooter, way different results especially at the end of the season when the birds are shy and you have to set up a little further from the decoys to get any action. I had numerous birds get knocked down then suddenly revive and fly away! More than any other year I can remember. I lost birds that swam away. Just not hit hard enough.
The question I am wrestling with is if I go away from steel and go to one of the heavy shot alternatives. I have not done this due to the expense. But when I look back at my season what I am realizing is the sheer number of shots I am taking waterswatting crippled birds. If an alternative to steel would give me better performance I might be able to justify the extra expense by actually using less shells.
Any thoughts on what to avoid or what to get?
We have it pretty dialed in but there is always room to improve and tweek.
What are your thoughts after going through the season?
