Gear checklists › Waterfowl
Marsh & timber ducks hunting gear checklist
What to bring for marsh & timber ducks, hunting with a shotgun: everything on the list HuntCraft scores your readiness against, most important first, and why each item earns its place.
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
The most common duck in North America and the most hunted. Drakes have a green head and white neck ring. Feeds in shallow marshes and flooded fields.
Northern pintail Anas acuta
An elegant, long-necked duck; drakes have a long pointed tail. Often in big flocks in the Central Valley, the Plains and the Gulf Coast.
Gadwall Mareca strepera
A plain gray-brown dabbler, common in marshes, especially in the South. Nicknamed "gray duck."
American wigeon Mareca americana
Drakes have a white crown (hence "baldpate") and green eye stripe. Grazes on aquatic plants and often steals food from diving ducks.
Green-winged teal Anas crecca
The smallest dabbling duck in North America, fast and twisting in flight, flying in tight flocks.
Blue-winged teal Spatula discors
A small teal with pale blue wing patches; one of the first to migrate south, with special early September teal seasons in many states.
Cinnamon teal Spatula cyanoptera
A teal of the West; drakes are a rich cinnamon red.
Northern shoveler Spatula clypeata
Named for its large, spoon-shaped bill, used to filter food from the water. Often called "spoonbill."
American black duck Anas rubripes
A dark, wary relative of the mallard, of eastern marshes and coastal bays. Limits are often lower than for other ducks.
Mottled duck Anas fulvigula
A mallard relative that doesn't migrate, living in Gulf Coast and Florida marshes. Limits are often low.
Wood duck Aix sponsa
Among the most colorful ducks in the world, nesting in tree cavities and boxes along swamps, beaver ponds and wooded rivers. Flies fast and low through the timber.
Black-bellied whistling-duck Dendrocygna autumnalis
A long-legged, goose-like duck with a bright pink bill and whistling call, spreading north along the Gulf Coast. Often perches in trees.
Fulvous whistling-duck Dendrocygna bicolor
A tawny whistling-duck of Gulf Coast rice fields and marshes.
American coot Fulica americana
A slate-gray, chicken-like waterbird with a white bill, common on ponds and marshes. Not a duck (it's a rail), but it falls under waterfowl 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 Waders
Keep you dry and warm setting decoys and retrieving birds in water. - Essential Insulating layer (puffy)
A packable puffy keeps you warm on the glass and in camp once you stop moving. - Essential Rain / wind shell
Wind and rain can turn a cool day dangerous. A shell keeps your insulation dry and working. - 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. - 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 Shooting glasses
Protect your eyes from shot, debris and branches, and help you see birds against a bright sky. - Optional Satellite communicator / PLB
There's no cell service where many hunts go. A satellite messenger or PLB gets help when it matters most. - 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. - Optional Tick & bug repellent
Mosquitoes and biting flies can make sitting still impossible. A head net and repellent keep you in the stand.
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
- 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 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. - Essential Duck / goose calls + lanyard
Calling brings birds closer and turns them toward your spread. Keep them on a lanyard. - 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 Spinning-wing or motion decoy
Movement in the spread makes decoys look alive. Check your state; some limit spinning-wing decoys.
Check your state regulations. - 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 Waders
Keep you dry and warm setting decoys and retrieving birds in water. - Essential Insulating layer (puffy)
A packable puffy keeps you warm on the glass and in camp once you stop moving. - Essential Rain / wind shell
Wind and rain can turn a cool day dangerous. A shell keeps your insulation dry and working. - 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. - 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 Shooting glasses
Protect your eyes from shot, debris and branches, and help you see birds against a bright sky. - Optional Satellite communicator / PLB
There's no cell service where many hunts go. A satellite messenger or PLB gets help when it matters most. - 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. - Optional Tick & bug repellent
Mosquitoes and biting flies can make sitting still impossible. A head net and repellent keep you in the stand.
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
- 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 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. - Essential Duck / goose calls + lanyard
Calling brings birds closer and turns them toward your spread. Keep them on a lanyard. - 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 Spinning-wing or motion decoy
Movement in the spread makes decoys look alive. Check your state; some limit spinning-wing decoys.
Check your state regulations. - 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 Waders
Keep you dry and warm setting decoys and retrieving birds in water. - Essential Insulating layer (puffy)
A packable puffy keeps you warm on the glass and in camp once you stop moving. - Essential Rain / wind shell
Wind and rain can turn a cool day dangerous. A shell keeps your insulation dry and working. - 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. - 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 Shooting glasses
Protect your eyes from shot, debris and branches, and help you see birds against a bright sky. - Optional Satellite communicator / PLB
There's no cell service where many hunts go. A satellite messenger or PLB gets help when it matters most. - 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. - Optional Tick & bug repellent
Mosquitoes and biting flies can make sitting still impossible. A head net and repellent keep you in the stand.
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
- 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 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. - Essential Duck / goose calls + lanyard
Calling brings birds closer and turns them toward your spread. Keep them on a lanyard. - 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 Spinning-wing or motion decoy
Movement in the spread makes decoys look alive. Check your state; some limit spinning-wing decoys.
Check your state regulations. - 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: Field geese & ducks · Big-water & sea ducks