American Waterfowler's Giant Gear Guide issue may have a cover that makes you smile, but the guts of the 174 page behemoth mean serious business. The issue opens with AW's signature Flyway Watch as we track the latest trends of early teal seasons and what these small ducks mean to duck hunters up and down the flyways.

A trove of hunting features cover hunts from Manitoba to Louisiana, and from California to New York, including pieces like Garhart Stephenson's Life On The Fringe, documenting slammer hunts in the most overlooked corners of duck country. A total of seven full hunt features set the table for a great fall to come.

Out team of expert columnists offer perspective on choosing chokes, matching guns and loads, getting dogs ready and decoying with minimal spreads, in addition to short features on everything from the halcyon days of Horicon Marsh to a new study that claims birds are smarter than anyone every imagined!

We haven't forgotten the fun part. Dive into our Gear Section and its 88 pages of must-see new products to see what you can't do without this season!