Gear checklists › Waterfowl
Big-water & sea ducks hunting gear checklist
What to bring for big-water & sea ducks, hunting with a shotgun: everything on the list HuntCraft scores your readiness against, most important first, and why each item earns its place.
Canvasback Aythya valisineria
The "king of ducks": a large diver with a sloping profile and a reddish head. Feeds on wild celery and other plants on big lakes and bays.
Redhead Aythya americana
A diver with a round red head, often rafting in huge flocks on large lakes and the Gulf Coast's Laguna Madre.
Greater scaup Aythya marila
A "bluebill" of coastal bays and the Great Lakes, a little larger than the lesser scaup.
Lesser scaup Aythya affinis
The most common diving duck in North America, called "bluebill" for its blue-gray bill. Migrates late in big flocks.
Ring-necked duck Aythya collaris
A diver of small lakes, beaver ponds and timbered wetlands, with a white ring on the bill. Often called "ringbill."
Bufflehead Bucephala albeola
A tiny diving duck; drakes have a big white head patch. Common on lakes and coastal bays in winter.
Common goldeneye Bucephala clangula
A diver of cold, open water, named for its golden eye. Its wings whistle in flight, earning the name "whistler."
Barrow's goldeneye Bucephala islandica
A goldeneye of western mountain lakes and the Pacific coast, with a crescent-shaped face patch.
Ruddy duck Oxyura jamaicensis
A small, stiff-tailed diver; breeding drakes have a bright blue bill. Common on open lakes and ponds.
Hooded merganser Lophodytes cucullatus
A small fish-eating duck of wooded ponds and rivers, with a fan-shaped crest the drake raises and lowers.
Common merganser Mergus merganser
A large, fish-eating duck of rivers and lakes, with a thin, serrated red bill.
Red-breasted merganser Mergus serrator
A shaggy-crested merganser of coastal bays and the Great Lakes in winter.
Common eider Somateria mollissima
The largest duck in the Northern Hemisphere, of rocky northern coasts. Famous for the soft down it lines its nest with.
King eider Somateria spectabilis
An Arctic sea duck; drakes have a colorful, knobbed orange forehead. Hunted mainly in Alaska and Atlantic Canada.
Surf scoter Melanitta perspicillata
A black sea duck nicknamed "skunk-head" for the white patches on the drake's head. Winters along both coasts.
White-winged scoter Melanitta deglandi
The largest scoter, with a white wing patch that shows in flight.
Black scoter Melanitta americana
An all-black sea duck; drakes have a bright yellow-orange knob on the bill.
Long-tailed duck Clangula hyemalis
A sea duck of cold coasts and the Great Lakes, among the deepest-diving ducks; drakes have long central tail feathers. Formerly called "oldsquaw."
Harlequin duck Histrionicus histrionicus
A small, boldly patterned duck of rough, rocky coasts. Closed to hunting in many areas, especially in the East; check your regulations.
Brant Branta bernicla
A small, dark sea goose of coastal bays, feeding on eelgrass. The Atlantic and Pacific ("black brant") populations look slightly different.
Emperor goose Anser canagicus
A gray goose with a white head, found only in western Alaska and its islands. Hunting is by limited permit and Alaska subsistence rules.
Critical can't hunt without it (safety, survival, legal) · Essential you'll want it · Optional nice to have
Day hunt
Back to the truck or home each night · 39 items
Pack & Frame
- Essential Blind bag (shells, calls, gear)
One dry bag in the blind for shells, calls, chokes and the small stuff, so nothing ends up in the water.
Clothing & Layering
- Critical Hunting boots, broken in
Your hunt goes as far as your feet do. Boots broken in before the season, with the support for the terrain. - Critical Insulating layer (puffy)
A packable puffy keeps you warm on the glass and in camp once you stop moving. - Critical Rain / wind shell
Wind and rain can turn a cool day dangerous. A shell keeps your insulation dry and working. - Critical Waders
Keep you dry and warm setting decoys and retrieving birds in water. - Essential Gloves & beanie
Cold hands can't work a safety or a knife. Gloves and a warm hat matter most in the early morning. - Essential Camo matched to the marsh or field
Waterfowl see well. Camo that matches the marsh or field keeps flared birds from turning away. - Essential Hand warmers
Long, cold sits are much easier with chemical or rechargeable warmers in your gloves and pockets. - Optional Base layers
Wicking layers next to the skin keep you dry on the climb and warm when you stop. Wool or synthetic, never cotton. - Optional Gaiters
Keep snow, water and debris out of your boots so your feet stay dry. - Optional Face mask or paint
Your face and hands shine and move. A mask and gloves keep birds and deer from picking you off.
Cooking & Hydration
- Essential Water bottles / bladder (2–3 L)
Two to three liters for the day, in bottles or a bladder you can drink from on the move. - Optional Water filter / purification
Filtering from streams and lakes means carrying less water on multi-day hunts.
Kitchen & Food
- Essential Day food / snacks
Calories you can eat on the move keep your energy and judgment up through a long day.
Safety & Navigation
- Critical Headlamp
You'll walk in and out in the dark, and you may be field dressing after sunset. Hands-free light is essential. - Critical Life jacket / PFD
Cold water kills fast. Wear a life jacket whenever you're in or near a boat. - Essential GPS / mapping app with hunt units
Hunt-unit boundaries and private land lines are hard to see on the ground. A mapping app or GPS keeps you legal and found. - Essential Satellite communicator / PLB
There's no cell service where many hunts go. A satellite messenger or PLB gets help when it matters most. - Essential Shooting glasses
Protect your eyes from shot, debris and branches, and help you see birds against a bright sky. - Optional Map & compass
Batteries die and phones break. A paper map and compass still get you back to the truck. - Optional Hearing protection
Gunshots cause permanent hearing damage. Electronic muffs or plugs protect you without blocking out the woods.
First Aid & Survival
- Critical First aid kit
Cuts, sprains and blisters happen far from help. A kit sized for your trip handles them until you get out. - Essential Fire starter (lighter + backup)
A fire can save your life if you're stuck out cold or wet. Carry a lighter plus a backup that works when wet. - Optional Emergency shelter / bivy
If you get stuck out overnight, a light bivy or emergency shelter can keep you alive until morning.
Electronics
- Essential Phone
Your map, camera, light and line to help. Keep it charged and in a pocket you can reach. - Optional Power bank + cables
Keeps your phone, GPS and light running for days away from an outlet. - Optional Spare headlamp batteries
A dead headlamp in the dark is a real problem. Carry spare batteries or a charge.
Tools & Repair
- Critical Boat for open water
For big water and sea ducks you need a boat rated for the conditions; open water turns dangerous fast. - Essential Fixed-blade or replaceable-blade knife
You need a sharp blade to field dress and break down an animal. Fixed or replaceable blades both work well. - Optional Zip ties or tag-attachment method
Many states require the tag to be attached to the animal right away. Zip ties make it quick. - Optional Nitrile gloves
Keep your hands clean while field dressing and protect against disease in the animal. - Optional Retriever gear (neoprene vest, dog stand, e-collar)
A neoprene vest keeps your retriever warm in cold water, and a stand keeps them out of it between birds.
Specialty / Weapon
- Critical Non-toxic shotshells (steel, bismuth or tungsten)
Federal law requires non-toxic shot for all waterfowl: steel, bismuth or tungsten, never lead.
Check your state regulations. - Critical Decoys (a large spread, long-line rigs)
A pronghorn decoy can pull a buck into bow range on open ground where stalking is hard. - Critical Shotgun, patterned
A shotgun patterned with your choke and load, so you know how it throws at hunting distances. - Optional Binoculars
You find game with your eyes behind good glass. Most hunts are won by glassing longer than the other guy. - Optional Rangefinder
Misjudged distance is the most common cause of a missed or wounding shot. Know the distance before you shoot. - Optional Duck / goose calls + lanyard
Calling brings birds closer and turns them toward your spread. Keep them on a lanyard. - Optional Cleaning kit
Wet and dirty guns misfire. A small cleaning kit keeps yours working through the season.
Truck camp
Camping at or near the vehicle · 48 items
Shelter & Sleep
- Critical Tent or camper
A dry, warm place to sleep is what lets you get up and hunt hard again the next day. - Critical Sleeping bag rated for overnight lows
Rated for the lowest temperatures you'll see, so you sleep, recover and hunt hard the next day. - Essential Sleeping pad / cot
Cold ground pulls heat out of you all night. A pad or cot keeps you warm and rested. - Optional Camp chair
A real seat at camp makes long evenings and early mornings far more comfortable.
Pack & Frame
- Essential Blind bag (shells, calls, gear)
One dry bag in the blind for shells, calls, chokes and the small stuff, so nothing ends up in the water.
Clothing & Layering
- Critical Hunting boots, broken in
Your hunt goes as far as your feet do. Boots broken in before the season, with the support for the terrain. - Critical Insulating layer (puffy)
A packable puffy keeps you warm on the glass and in camp once you stop moving. - Critical Rain / wind shell
Wind and rain can turn a cool day dangerous. A shell keeps your insulation dry and working. - Critical Waders
Keep you dry and warm setting decoys and retrieving birds in water. - Essential Gloves & beanie
Cold hands can't work a safety or a knife. Gloves and a warm hat matter most in the early morning. - Essential Camo matched to the marsh or field
Waterfowl see well. Camo that matches the marsh or field keeps flared birds from turning away. - Essential Hand warmers
Long, cold sits are much easier with chemical or rechargeable warmers in your gloves and pockets. - Optional Base layers
Wicking layers next to the skin keep you dry on the climb and warm when you stop. Wool or synthetic, never cotton. - Optional Gaiters
Keep snow, water and debris out of your boots so your feet stay dry. - Optional Face mask or paint
Your face and hands shine and move. A mask and gloves keep birds and deer from picking you off.
Cooking & Hydration
- Essential Water bottles / bladder (2–3 L)
Two to three liters for the day, in bottles or a bladder you can drink from on the move. - Essential Camp stove + fuel
Hot food and water keep you warm and fed, and can boil water when filters freeze. - Essential Water jugs
Enough water at camp for drinking, cooking and cleaning up. - Optional Water filter / purification
Filtering from streams and lakes means carrying less water on multi-day hunts.
Kitchen & Food
- Essential Day food / snacks
Calories you can eat on the move keep your energy and judgment up through a long day. - Essential Cooler
Meat has to cool fast and stay cold. A good cooler with ice keeps it safe from the field to home. - Essential Multi-day food
Enough real food for every day in, with extra in case weather or a kill keeps you longer.
Safety & Navigation
- Critical Headlamp
You'll walk in and out in the dark, and you may be field dressing after sunset. Hands-free light is essential. - Critical Life jacket / PFD
Cold water kills fast. Wear a life jacket whenever you're in or near a boat. - Essential GPS / mapping app with hunt units
Hunt-unit boundaries and private land lines are hard to see on the ground. A mapping app or GPS keeps you legal and found. - Essential Satellite communicator / PLB
There's no cell service where many hunts go. A satellite messenger or PLB gets help when it matters most. - Essential Shooting glasses
Protect your eyes from shot, debris and branches, and help you see birds against a bright sky. - Optional Map & compass
Batteries die and phones break. A paper map and compass still get you back to the truck. - Optional Hearing protection
Gunshots cause permanent hearing damage. Electronic muffs or plugs protect you without blocking out the woods.
First Aid & Survival
- Critical First aid kit
Cuts, sprains and blisters happen far from help. A kit sized for your trip handles them until you get out. - Essential Fire starter (lighter + backup)
A fire can save your life if you're stuck out cold or wet. Carry a lighter plus a backup that works when wet. - Optional Emergency shelter / bivy
If you get stuck out overnight, a light bivy or emergency shelter can keep you alive until morning.
Electronics
- Essential Phone
Your map, camera, light and line to help. Keep it charged and in a pocket you can reach. - Optional Power bank + cables
Keeps your phone, GPS and light running for days away from an outlet. - Optional Spare headlamp batteries
A dead headlamp in the dark is a real problem. Carry spare batteries or a charge. - Optional Camp lantern
Lights up camp for cooking and getting ready in the dark without draining your headlamp.
Tools & Repair
- Critical Boat for open water
For big water and sea ducks you need a boat rated for the conditions; open water turns dangerous fast. - Essential Fixed-blade or replaceable-blade knife
You need a sharp blade to field dress and break down an animal. Fixed or replaceable blades both work well. - Optional Zip ties or tag-attachment method
Many states require the tag to be attached to the animal right away. Zip ties make it quick. - Optional Nitrile gloves
Keep your hands clean while field dressing and protect against disease in the animal. - Optional Retriever gear (neoprene vest, dog stand, e-collar)
A neoprene vest keeps your retriever warm in cold water, and a stand keeps them out of it between birds.
Specialty / Weapon
- Critical Non-toxic shotshells (steel, bismuth or tungsten)
Federal law requires non-toxic shot for all waterfowl: steel, bismuth or tungsten, never lead.
Check your state regulations. - Critical Decoys (a large spread, long-line rigs)
A pronghorn decoy can pull a buck into bow range on open ground where stalking is hard. - Critical Shotgun, patterned
A shotgun patterned with your choke and load, so you know how it throws at hunting distances. - Optional Binoculars
You find game with your eyes behind good glass. Most hunts are won by glassing longer than the other guy. - Optional Rangefinder
Misjudged distance is the most common cause of a missed or wounding shot. Know the distance before you shoot. - Optional Duck / goose calls + lanyard
Calling brings birds closer and turns them toward your spread. Keep them on a lanyard. - Optional Cleaning kit
Wet and dirty guns misfire. A small cleaning kit keeps yours working through the season.
Backcountry
Carrying camp on your back · 48 items
Shelter & Sleep
- Critical Backpacking shelter
A dry, warm place to sleep is what lets you get up and hunt hard again the next day. - Critical Sleeping bag / quilt rated for overnight lows
Rated for the lowest temperatures you'll see, so you sleep, recover and hunt hard the next day. - Critical Insulated sleeping pad
Cold ground pulls heat out of you all night. A pad or cot keeps you warm and rested.
Pack & Frame
- Critical Frame pack rated for 80+ lb loads
Packing out an elk means 200+ lb of meat in several trips. A pack built to carry 80+ lb loads saves your back. - Essential Blind bag (shells, calls, gear)
One dry bag in the blind for shells, calls, chokes and the small stuff, so nothing ends up in the water. - Optional Trekking poles
Save your knees on the descent and steady you under a heavy pack.
Clothing & Layering
- Critical Hunting boots, broken in
Your hunt goes as far as your feet do. Boots broken in before the season, with the support for the terrain. - Critical Insulating layer (puffy)
A packable puffy keeps you warm on the glass and in camp once you stop moving. - Critical Rain / wind shell
Wind and rain can turn a cool day dangerous. A shell keeps your insulation dry and working. - Critical Waders
Keep you dry and warm setting decoys and retrieving birds in water. - Essential Gloves & beanie
Cold hands can't work a safety or a knife. Gloves and a warm hat matter most in the early morning. - Essential Camo matched to the marsh or field
Waterfowl see well. Camo that matches the marsh or field keeps flared birds from turning away. - Essential Hand warmers
Long, cold sits are much easier with chemical or rechargeable warmers in your gloves and pockets. - Optional Base layers
Wicking layers next to the skin keep you dry on the climb and warm when you stop. Wool or synthetic, never cotton. - Optional Gaiters
Keep snow, water and debris out of your boots so your feet stay dry. - Optional Face mask or paint
Your face and hands shine and move. A mask and gloves keep birds and deer from picking you off.
Cooking & Hydration
- Critical Water filter / purification
Filtering from streams and lakes means carrying less water on multi-day hunts. - Essential Water bottles / bladder (2–3 L)
Two to three liters for the day, in bottles or a bladder you can drink from on the move. - Essential Backpacking stove + fuel
Hot food and water keep you warm and fed, and can boil water when filters freeze.
Kitchen & Food
- Critical Multi-day food
Enough real food for every day in, with extra in case weather or a kill keeps you longer. - Essential Day food / snacks
Calories you can eat on the move keep your energy and judgment up through a long day. - Essential Bear-resistant food storage
A bear can, bag or hang keeps food away from bears and other critters, and some areas require one.
Check your state regulations.
Safety & Navigation
- Critical Headlamp
You'll walk in and out in the dark, and you may be field dressing after sunset. Hands-free light is essential. - Critical Life jacket / PFD
Cold water kills fast. Wear a life jacket whenever you're in or near a boat. - Essential GPS / mapping app with hunt units
Hunt-unit boundaries and private land lines are hard to see on the ground. A mapping app or GPS keeps you legal and found. - Essential Satellite communicator / PLB
There's no cell service where many hunts go. A satellite messenger or PLB gets help when it matters most. - Essential Shooting glasses
Protect your eyes from shot, debris and branches, and help you see birds against a bright sky. - Optional Map & compass
Batteries die and phones break. A paper map and compass still get you back to the truck. - Optional Hearing protection
Gunshots cause permanent hearing damage. Electronic muffs or plugs protect you without blocking out the woods.
First Aid & Survival
- Critical First aid kit
Cuts, sprains and blisters happen far from help. A kit sized for your trip handles them until you get out. - Essential Fire starter (lighter + backup)
A fire can save your life if you're stuck out cold or wet. Carry a lighter plus a backup that works when wet. - Optional Emergency shelter / bivy
If you get stuck out overnight, a light bivy or emergency shelter can keep you alive until morning.
Electronics
- Essential Phone
Your map, camera, light and line to help. Keep it charged and in a pocket you can reach. - Optional Power bank + cables
Keeps your phone, GPS and light running for days away from an outlet. - Optional Spare headlamp batteries
A dead headlamp in the dark is a real problem. Carry spare batteries or a charge.
Tools & Repair
- Critical Boat for open water
For big water and sea ducks you need a boat rated for the conditions; open water turns dangerous fast. - Essential Fixed-blade or replaceable-blade knife
You need a sharp blade to field dress and break down an animal. Fixed or replaceable blades both work well. - Essential Gear repair kit
Tape, patches and a few small parts fix a torn tent, pad or pack before it ends your trip. - Optional Zip ties or tag-attachment method
Many states require the tag to be attached to the animal right away. Zip ties make it quick. - Optional Nitrile gloves
Keep your hands clean while field dressing and protect against disease in the animal. - Optional Retriever gear (neoprene vest, dog stand, e-collar)
A neoprene vest keeps your retriever warm in cold water, and a stand keeps them out of it between birds.
Specialty / Weapon
- Critical Non-toxic shotshells (steel, bismuth or tungsten)
Federal law requires non-toxic shot for all waterfowl: steel, bismuth or tungsten, never lead.
Check your state regulations. - Critical Decoys (a large spread, long-line rigs)
A pronghorn decoy can pull a buck into bow range on open ground where stalking is hard. - Critical Shotgun, patterned
A shotgun patterned with your choke and load, so you know how it throws at hunting distances. - Optional Binoculars
You find game with your eyes behind good glass. Most hunts are won by glassing longer than the other guy. - Optional Rangefinder
Misjudged distance is the most common cause of a missed or wounding shot. Know the distance before you shoot. - Optional Duck / goose calls + lanyard
Calling brings birds closer and turns them toward your spread. Keep them on a lanyard. - Optional Cleaning kit
Wet and dirty guns misfire. A small cleaning kit keeps yours working through the season.
Know you're ready
HuntCraft keeps your gear in a locker and scores it against this list, so you see what's missing for each hunt before you go, not at the trailhead. Coming soon to the App Store.
More waterfowl: Marsh & timber ducks · Field geese & ducks