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Tuesday, August 11th, 2026

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Don’t let neglected gear sink your duck opener

Field hunting for ducks or geese requires big decoy spreads, so examine your gear now, instead of in the dark afield. (Photo by Chris Kolbert)

A hen wood duck flushed from a patch of cattails nearby as I slowly paddled my kayak through the backwaters of the Mississippi River bottoms. The wily hen flopped across the water for half a football field acting like it was injured before tucking into some rushes.
The reasons for my trip to the river bottoms that morning were twofold. First, I was hoping to catch a few big pike. Second, the trip was part of my pre-season preparation for the upcoming duck season.

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