Hunting Without a Dog

I hunt ducks over water without a dog. Aside from the obvious strategy of setting up where it’s shallow, here are two tools that make the self-retrieve strategy possible—even on the edge of deep, open water.

The Sea Eagle inflatable kayak is nimble, light, and super stable. It’s also a gear-hauling beast that gets me into places larger boats can’t go. Once the spread and hide are set, I conceal the kayak further on down the bank where it won’t reveal my position.

If you’re looking for a great waterfowling paddle craft, there’s many that double as transportation and skinny-water layouts, including the Marshrat, Aquapod, Ascend, NuCanoe, and Beavertail.

Last season, I started using a USIA Pro Rafter dry suit on my hunts. It’s been a game changer. Unlike waders, there’s no critical depth to worry about. With a camo jacket over the top, the upper color of the suit doesn’t matter.

The dry suit also provides a huge safety factor. I hunt alone most of the time, paddling out in the dark across deep water. While a life jacket is solid insurance against drowning, it does nothing for hypothermia if I end up in the river. The suit will at least keep me dry, which buys time to self-rescue.