Bang for the Buck

What's a good buy or value for your money?  Are you a waterfowl fanatic?  Or, are you a person that gets out a few times and maybe takes some vacation to hunt away from home?  When purchasing equipment it can be easy to think, 'I only hunt a few times per year, so I'll buy the cheaper version.'

It can be tempting to buy less expensive gear for waterfowl hunting.  If most of your hunting occurs on a week long trip away from home it can be easy to fall into the trap that a quality hunting jacket is not a necessity.  That is, until you only hunt the first hour in the morning of a major fall flight because you're soaked to the bone.  The rest of the time you sit in the truck shivering and trying to get dry while your partners knock down greenheads.  The next time that happens, ask yourself, 'Am I getting my money's worth now?'

Do you look at spending money on a professional trainer for your dog as an unnecessary expense?  Do you think, 'I can train the dog well enough myself.'  However, on hunts you call the dog names you wouldn't say in mixed company.  If you spend almost a $1000 on a puppy, hundreds of dollars on vet bills and food annually, and the dog lives for 12 years, then maybe its worth dropping a few hundred bills on a well-trained dog.  After 12 years, a few months of professional training will be a small expense compared to the other dog expenses like food and vet bills.

Is it worth hunting with a less expensive shotgun?  If you're on vacation and your shotgun jams on a pintail with a full sprig, will you wish you had splurged five years ago for a better swamp cannon?  Do you dream of going hunting with your children and their children?  If that's the case, be sure to outfit your kids, when they're young, with quality gear.  It is difficult to convince a 12-year old hunting is fun in 35-degree rain when a jacket and hat aren't rainproof.  If you want them to hunt when they're 40 and you're in your 70's, be sure they're having fun at 12.

What seems like a good buy in the short term can be costly in the long term.  When making a hunting equipment purchasing decision weigh a lot of factors.  Will I hunt more frequently?  Will the hunt be more enjoyable?  Will I be more successful (however you gauge that?)  Is the equipment a long-term value?

Take all of this into consideration when making purchasing gear decisions.  If you spend half as much money on equipment, but also hunt half as much because of its quality, then is it really a good buy?  A great purchase is when your gear causes you to want to get out and hunt and makes it more relaxing.  Check out www.MeskousingBoats.com and weigh these questions when making your next duck boat decision.

Take a kid harvesting.

Turning the Page

I'm not sure if humans detect changes in photoperiods, but it sure seems as if I can sense a change in the last week or two.  I feel as if I'm turning the page on summer and heading into fall.  Although I like fishing, it feels as if there's a pull towards getting ready for fall and the long (dare I say it?) winter.  The wood needs to be split and stacked; berries are ripening and need picking; decoys need some prep work; and wild rice beds need to be scouted.

Tonight I picked some choke cherries to use in wine.  I'm not sure why, as there are choke cherries in the freezer from two years ago.  Maybe it was that internal solar clock telling me it is time to fatten up (not that I need any help.)  More than likely it is that innate sense that hunters and gatherers have inside.  We know that when the berries are ripe its time to harvest.  We know that when the birds are flying, work can wait another day.  Come December, we'll only have the berries we harvest this time of year.  There's no chance of berry picking at Christmas.  After hunting season, there are only tales to share and plans to hatch.

Fall is approaching, so take the time to enjoy the remaining days of summer.  It's also a great time to get out and begin preparation for the fall.  Make a list of gear that needs to be replaced, augmented, and repaired.