by Jeremy Devries

Created on: December 31, 2008

The best way to start waterfowl hunting is to buy 500,000 acres of pure swamp. In this swamp, plant wheat, barley, rice, sugar beets, peas, corn and millet. Do not harvest any of these crops, make sure to have 100% control of an unlimited supply of water and make sure to spread the entire property evenly between Saskatchewan and Mexico. You'll want several utility vehicles, pits, tractors, backhoes, decoys, trailers, houses, farm hands, 4 wheelers and literally millions of dollars worth of time, gear and patience to be able to go anywhere in the country at the drop of a hat to kill birds when they are in. The other option of course, is to start waterfowling like the rest of us.

Since it's highly unlikely you've purchased an entire swathe of the midwest recently, the first thing in your quest for waterfowl is to find access to great property to hunt. This might include local refuges, public rivers, private streams, sloughs, creeks, ponds, lakes or reservoirs. You will learn quickly that having access to tons of land is vital in your quest for waterfowl. Your entire year should be spent cultivating relationships with farmers, scouting public waterways and trying to gain access to properties that might hold birds come waterfowl season. You can never know too many people or have too much knowledge about where birds are and how to gain access to that property.

Next, you will need to invest a substantial amount of money in gear. Not nearly what I described in the first paragraph of this article, but there are some basic requirements. I have purposely omitted boats, atv's, dogs, blinds, trailers, pits, spinners, and tons of other things that are helpful to a waterfowler but are clearly optional. I have included only the most basic items EVERY waterfowler must to have:

PARKA. You will need a waterfowler's camoflauged parka, preferably a 3 in one or 4 in one type that will cover different temperatures and times of the season.
WADERS. Every waterfowler should have a great pair of waders. If you plan to only field hunt, you are not a true waterfowler. The name itself includes water, so get a pair of waders that will be durable, but also warm in the winter months.
SHOTGUN. You will need a reliable shotgun as most waterfowling is done in the harshest of conditions. This doesn't have to cost thousands of dollars, only hundreds and reliability usually means a pump or an over under.
DECOYS. You will need at least 12 duck decoys and 24 Canada goose decoys to even have a chance in

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