projectupland.com On The Go

Besides having a shotgun go down due to damage, malfunction, debris, or other reasons that render the shotgun unsafe to use, there are other reasons why toting along a backup shotgun on your next upland bird hunt might be worthwhile.

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Just like with other forms of hunting, there are enthusiasts that prefer different methods of take for their game of choice. Squirrel hunters tend to fall into two distinct groups along a strong dividing line: those who use shotguns and those who use rifles. Within these camps you can break them down further into people who like the various gauges, calibers and the like. Particularly for rifles, there are hunters that pride themselves on skill with open (iron) sights and those that enjoy the technical side of scopes.

My hunting journey began right there in that rain-soaked moment a little over two years ago. As a woman and a first-generation hunter, my journey thus far has included a handful of barriers I’ve had to overcome, not the least of which was battling cancer in my first hunting season. It was my determination, confidence, creativity, and a yearning to learn about this waterfowl and upland hunting passion that has brought me to where I am today. I’m forever a changed person and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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The upland community has seen a surge in vest innovations in recent years. The primary innovation seems to be the ability for the end user to configure and customize the vest's layout through a variety of pouches and accessories. That concept certainly has its merits, but for those looking for that capability, the Orvis Pro LT hunting vest isn’t for you. However, those looking for a vest that meets the sweet spot between a minimalist strap vest and the more elaborate setup of endless pouches, accessories, and configurations, this may be your leading contender.

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With the influx of upland bird hunters ought to come an influx of discussions about hunter etiquette while in the field. I make no claims of being an expert, neither in bird hunting nor in consistently good etiquette. I am sure that I have unintentionally done things that have annoyed another hunter or affected their day afield. But along with how-to articles and photos of our time in the mountains, I believe it’s our responsibility to share perspectives on good etiquette to help new (and returning) hunters navigate some of these gray areas.

Full disclosure, this is not intended to be the end-all/be-all road trip list for every hunter. My hope in sharing my list and the rationale behind it is to help others avoid that sinking feeling in the pit of their stomach when they realize they have forgotten a key piece of gear that will make a difference to their experience in the field.

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While there are no formal rules to regulate our behavior in and out of the field, it’s worth considering how our actions and mindset may be perceived while we’re out enjoying the uplands. Positive interactions and responsible conduct will improve our persona and position as hunters both individually and as a community.

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If you’ve ever fired a side-by-side or over-under, there’s a 99.9% chance your hands have touched one of Westley Richards’s patents. Westley Richards & Co. opened for business in 1812, and in the 19th century, they invented the top-lever, the rib extension, the dolls head, and, as noted, the boxlock shotgun. Called the “Anson & Deeley Hammerless Gun” when it was introduced, the gun was a revelation—and a revolution. It had all the hammerless-shotgun benefits already mentioned plus it was easy to open, cock, load, and fire. A famous Victorian shooter wrote “... I most highly and thoroughly approve of this gun, and most strongly recommend it to my brother sportsmen.” So why didn’t the boxlock take over the British shooting world? One word: snobbery.

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We have all been there before. Duck season is at the halfway point. Opening day excitement has worn off. That sweet spot we call “mid-season” is upon us and, with it, comes...stale ducks! If this were a movie, we would now hear menacing music.

So, what are stale ducks? Honestly, I hadn’t heard the term until I was in my thirties. I now know the telltale symptoms of stale ducks in the first few minutes of a hunt.

• They begin to circle just close enough that you think they might decoy but just far away enough that doubt creeps in.
• They start to “bump and run” whereby they cup their wings and dive toward the decoys then pull up about sixty yards out for yet another pass.
• When you blow your call they either snub you or beat a path in the opposite direction.
• They begin to frequent off-the-beaten-path areas that offer less pressure from predators, both wild and human.

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In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt created the first National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Pelican Island, off the coast of Florida. Seventy-three years later, the J.N. 'Ding' Darling NWR was established in Lee County, named after the father of the federal duck stamp.

Now, there's a battle among Florida waterfowl hunters and developers, with the Florida Wildlife Conservation (FWC) Commission stuck in the middle. FWC has submitted a proposal to change the rule for establishing Restricted Hunting Areas, leading to pushback from hunters like Travis Thompson, host of the Cast and Blast podcast, and a full-time waterfowl guide.

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