The 9 month dry spell from waterfowl hunting can cause depression, mood swings, and heightened state of irritation along with hundreds of negative things for us waterfowl hunters. In my early years of waterfowl hunting, it seemed to be the status quo to have an unpleasant off season due to the negativity of not being out chasing birds. After a decade of negative off-seasons, I realized I was going about it all wrong. I realized that what you do in the off-season either makes you more successful or the opposite. Once I grasped this concept, I’ve been more successful and to be honest, happier.
Not everyone’s scenario is the same, the species they target, the area they hunt, the way they hunt, nor the gear they use but we all have one thing in common; we can choose to utilize the 9 months of the off season for success, or we can fritter it away only to have long lasting, negative ramifications. If you’re into utilizing and setting yourself up for success, continue reading. If you’re a negative Nancy and like drama and negativity you probably won’t get much out of this write up.
As waterfowl hunters, our gear is a must have, not a want. We maintain it the best we can but sometimes fall short due to the long days, hard hunts, inhospitable weather, being worn ragged during a long fruitful season. Once the season closes and you’re finally caught up on sleep deprivation, it’s time to get all your waterfowl related gear, cleaned, fixed, tuned up and put away for the off-season. For me my main concern is my boat, gun, waders and hunting clothing. I go over the boat with a fine tooth comb, fix what got broken during the season, tighten what came loose, grease what needs greased and winterize it. Same goes for my gun, strip, clean, oil and replace anything that is broke or heavily worn. Waders get hung up to manufacturers specifications, hunting clothes get washed, dried and hung on a hanger in the closet. This is all pretty self-explanatory, but you get the picture, an ounce of prevention will save you 1000’s and maybe even a duck season.Time spend maintaining your gear is worth its weight in gold, it can’t ever be considered wasted.
Scouting year round is a must for success. I start scouting once the ice comes off frozen ponds, which is usually a few weeks to a month after my waterfowl season ends. Being a public land hunter, scouting should be an all year endeavor. You may think you know every, pond, creek, river in your area but I guarantee you will find new places to hunt as well as birds in places you overlooked during the season. I personally scout the whole 9 months of the off season. Even in the middle of summer. Knowing what’s going on in the places I hunt year round, tellsme how and where I am going to hunt the up and coming season. This is a good way to get out of the house and curb your lack of hunting depression, not to mention brush up on your waterfowl ID. This is also a good time to get a newbie to tag along or someone you are mentoring. Time spent scouting can’t be, nor will it ever be considered wasted time.
If you have a dog you should be working it as much as possible. You can’t expect your retriever to have 9 months off and be a waterfowl retrieving extraordinaire! Nothing worse than watching an out of shape retriever gasp for air, wheeze and pant from a ten yard retrieve. Work on obedience, steadiness and blind retrieves as well as hand signals or join a retriever club. Killing time in the off-season should be positive as well as setting yourself up for success. Time training and working with your dog isn’t, nor will it ever be a waste of time
If you’re new to waterfowl hunting, my best advice is networking. And there is no time like the off season to start. This is the time when guards are usually down, and people want to talk about the passion of the sport. Don’t be afraid to reach out and make new friends on Facebook or other social media sites with other waterfowl hunters. Heck, pick up the phone and call a few numbers form hunters you met out in the field last season.Birds of a feather always flock together and this is dead on for waterfowl hunters. I have made numerous waterfowl hunting friends on social media across the country that have travelled to hunt with me, as well as I with them. I have also learned a wealth of knowledge about waterfowl from these people as well as shared my knowledge with them. Not everyone you meet on social media is going to be a stand-up guy, just keep that in mind. Time spent surfing the net for help with waterfowl hunting can’t be deducted from your life, let alone be considered wasted.