BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - Dreaming about opening day of early teal season? Thinking of planning an out-of-state trip next fall? Working your pup so he's ready for retrieves when the ducks start hitting the water? Waterfowl & Retriever's Northern 2011 issue has all the information you'll need to get yourself, your dog and your gear prepped for opening day.
In our popular "Shotgunning" column, firearms expert Ralph Lermayer takes a close look at the two guns that have made the biggest splash in the market this year: Remington's Versa Max and Benelli's much-anticipated Super Vinci. How do they stack up against each other and against other popular waterfowl shotguns? Which is for you? Read on and find out.
Dog trainer Dave Carty gives DIY dog trainers tips on finishing a dog in "Gundog Training: Bringing To Hand." If your dog is dropping birds a few feet from your hand, or leaving them at the water's edge, try the key training tactics outlined in this article to get the dog bringing the bird to hand, every time.
Our new "Destination" column in this issue focuses on the legendary duck club of beloved waterfowling author Nash Buckingham: Beaver Dam, Miss. This classic, old-school duck hunt should be on any hunter's must-do list.
Also new for this issue is a "Conservation" column. We'll give you an overview of the major conservation issues facing ducks and duck hunters today, then explore those topics in greater detail in subsequent issues.
Waterfowlers never tire of tinkering with choke/load combinations. To help you sort through the options, our "Gear Guide to Chokes & Loads" outlines the newest offerings on the market and explains the pros and cons of each.
"Guide To Big-River Hunting" author Will Brantley has a passion for hunting on big water. It's even messier, more dangerous and more gear-intensive than blind-style waterfowling, but the rewards are great. He'll tell you what you need and how to set up for some of the most exciting duck hunting available.
Waterfowl hunting is a social sport, but when the number of hunters climbs to "more than a few," a little coordination is in order to make sure everyone stays safe and gets the job done efficiently. In "Crowd Control" we'll show you two scenarios where you can hunt with a dozen hunters or more, and explain where everyone sets up and who handles what duties to maximize success.
Ducks landing just outside your blind setup aren't out of reach - if you send in a dog to flush them out in your direction. "Flushing Dogs For Ducks" takes a page out of the upland hunter's handbook and explains how this technique can be very successful on ducks. It's a little unconventional, but it works!
Just because the economy's in the tank doesn't mean you can't cross a dream hunt off your must-do-before-I-die list. David Hart gives you five options for "Affordable Bucket-List Hunts" that won't break the bank! From sea ducks in Maine to freelancing across California, here's how to plan a dream hunt on the cheap.
In "Fine Tune Your Duck Calling," expert Wade Bourne explains why different calls and different styles work in various situations. If your normal duck call isn't working, maybe it's time you tried one of these new techniques - or shut up altogether.
All this and much, much more is in the Northern issue. Check it out! Visit www.waterfowlandretriever.com for more details.
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Grand View Outdoors' publications capture and reflect the tradition and excitement of the American sporting experience and deliver a deeper enjoyment of this experience through informative articles designed to entertain sporting enthusiasts, helping them improve their success in the field or on the water. Inquiries about advertising or promotional opportunities, please contact Derrick Nawrocki at derrick@grandviewmedia.com.
