What to get?

[iawaterfowler88]

Ok so the girlfriend says she is going to get me a gift before we start college and has left it open to hunting stuff (she's a keeper for sure! ) But anyways I was trying to decide what I would like to take to college with me. I will probably be doing about the same amount of hunting in fields that I will on water, but I will have my Finisher up there as well. Also I'll be hunting some pond edges. Oh and keep in mind that on a weekend with one call my dad could come up to hunt with me and he has 3 doz GHG FB honkers, 1/2 GHG FB Mallards, and 1 doz Reel Geese Silos. Here's the spread now that I will be taking with me to fit into my dorm room:

Ducks:

1 doz. GHG L/S Mallard Floaters
1/2 doz GHG Gadwall
1/2 doz GHG Pintails
1 doz G&H Green Wing Teal (I know I have some G&H's...they were gifts to me before GHG came out with decoys)
1 doz. GHG Hot Buy Mallards (Water keel--long walks, fillers later in season)
1/2 doz GHG FB Mallards (3 feeders, 3 Actives)

Geese:

1 doz. G&H Standard Honker Shells (4 can be converted to floaters--will be flocking their heads)
4 L/S GHG Honker Floaters


So here is what I have come up with for ideas: (no more than $140)

1/2 GHG FB Mallards (we did see a ton of mallards in fields up there while visiting)
1 doz. GHG Mallard Shells
6 Hunterseries FB Honker feeders (then trade 3 off to my dad for 2 actives and a looker)
1 doz. GHG O/S Shells w/motion stakes (NW Iowa so I will hunt in quite a bit of snow)
1/2 doz Lessor feeders (for storage reasons, and for their movement)
Finisher Snow cover (but my dad may buy this for me)

Its a tough decision because all have their advantages, I do know that ducks will decoy in fields to honkers, so I was kinda leaning towards the honker shells, then when my dad came up with the FB's I could use the shells along with the FB's, especially late in the season using sleeper heads on the ice. Decisions, decisions......

Thanks guys...and feel free to add any products that you think that would help that I possibly missed.

Christian Dekker

[David Rearick]

If space is an issue go with the O/S shells. If not go wit the fullbody lessers. I think abything that you pick from the list above will definately help you bag some birds.

Good luck!

[Montauker]

I say shells too. Um I was in college not too long ago, well longer than I like to admit. Are you gonna be able to fit all that stuff in your room? Good luck with your roommate, or do you plan to kick him out and use his half of the room for decoy storage?

[Stephen Schwartz]

i remember being in your same situation. Except my girlfriend never actually bought me decoys, she put up with it all, but never funded it. Shes no longer in the picture . Nevertheless, if your hunting the snow a lot, and need bang for your buck, I'd go with the Canada shells too. it will give you quantity in your spread, and whenyour dad comes up yall can mix inthe FB's. I started out geting shells, and now am adding FB's. You can do this over the next few years with the limited budget. Trust me i know how limited that budget can be while in college. Plus with the snow, you can get some sleeper replacement heads later inthe season, and use the shells on ice or the snow, and give that relaxed look.
You have to start somewhere, and your on the right track.

By the way, how'd your season end up, or are you even done yet??? I havent been checkin in to that thread about all going to state. Hope everything went well!! Good luck


Oh and hang on to that girlfriend of yours!!

[Travis Mueller]

Christian, where ya going to school? I vote for lessers as well.

[iawaterfowler88]

Originally Posted by Travis Mueller

Christian, where ya going to school? I vote for lessers as well.

Travis,

I'm going to Buena Vista University in Storm Lake to continue my baseball career and to study Criminal Justice (no class ever before 10, and two days its 12 and I'm done every day no later than 2:30). But I'll be all over the state to do some hunting . Have you seen the proposed seasons yet this year? If not they are trying to pass a new duck zone. Where the North and South Zone will be divided now by highway 30. Goose zone is still divided by highway 20. Also the duck season in the new south zone is proposed to go from Oct. 21st and last until Dec. 14th! Finally we could have the chance to get those late season greenheads! AND they are doing the late honker season again.

Stephen,

Our season ended up pretty well. We actually lost in state in the first round to the team that won it all. We were the only ones to score against them, they are now 4 time state champs. In 3 games they outscored their opponents 39-1. I was the one to drive in the run on a single. None of our pitchers could throw strikes, the ump was squeezing us but thats still not an excuse. I threw strikes but I was right in their range that they love to hit which was 80-85 (I was consistant 84-85) and the defense wasnt really at our best but like I said I dont blame it on anyone. I'm happy that we alteast ended it at state, an oppertunity that many didnt have, since only 8 teams in the state made it. Sorry for the life story lol

[maxx]

Hey good job on State Christain. I figured that was you that got the hit.

I work with two guys who each have a son on that team so I kind of followed the baseball race this year. They were both first team all conference and first team all state. That team was stacked with talent as is most valley teams.

Anyway good luck at college. One advice from an old college athlete. Try your best to keep it fun. It is a lot of work but it will be worth it in the long run. Stick it out you will have a great time. The friends you make on that team will last a life time.

[A Grant]

Engagement ring.


and the lessers

[iawaterfowler88]

Originally Posted by maxx

I figured that was you that got the hit.

I work with two guys who each have a son on that team so I kind of followed the baseball race this year. They were both first team all conference and first team all state. That team was stacked with talent as is most valley teams.

Were you at the game by chance? Who are the kids that play for valley? I managed to get Honorable Mention, a lot of that is politics but its ok I'm still happy with the season that our team and I had. Definitely one I will never forget.

A Grant,

Yeah her dad is a huge hunter and likes me a lot (I'm the only b/f shes ever had that is a hunter/fisherman) so I figure he wont think twice when it comes time to as for his permission. Has a black lab that is awesome out in the pheasant field, haven't seen him in the duck blind though, but I keep hearing that hes a machine there too. I've started getting him into goose hunting as well, she has told me that she may join me in the field sometimes....we'll see if I can talk her into it

[A Grant]

If you take her hunting make sure it isn't too early, she stays warm and let her shoot first. Lucky devil!