Body Booting Waterfowl Hunting

Vince, Really interesting. I can't read all of the text but managed some of it. I do some whitewater paddling and own a really good dry suit. This summer while paddling I did mull over the idea of using the dry suit for waterfowling. I wasn't certain how I'd employ it exactly - as well as manage a gun, ammo, etc. I imagine these guys would have loved to have it. I can't say for sure I'll ever try this, but I'll at least consider it more seriously.
 
Fantastic! I just returned from Chestertown, MD and this was talked about amongst the people I hunted with. I didn't know it took place below the susquehanna flats. Thank you for sharing, Vince!
 
Needs a Mojo on top of his head.....

That looks too crazy to me. What do you do with your calls, ammo, hot cup of coffee, and so on.....

Mark
 
I saw a picture not that long ago of a couple guys botty booting, and they were using a long stake silhouette goose decoy that they stood behind. One side of the silhouette had a small box that was approximately the width of the body attached that held ammo, calls, etc. The box also had notches cut on opposite ends that acted as a cradle for your gun.



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Some of the hunters use large silo Swan Decoys that have a shelf on the backside to hold the few things they require, and a rack for the shotgun. The Swan Decoys also hide the hunter at low level. I have photos of that also...somewhere.

Thermos, more ammo, etc. are in the tender. [;)] You can only stand in cold water for so long, then it's another gunners turn while ya warm up.

Solid footing is very important from what I have been told, and the Bay has it in certain areas.
 
I would love to try body booting!!! I probably could manage it in the Gulf around here at low tides...hmmmmmmmmmm I bet I know a few folk crazy enough to try it with me.

hmmmmmmmmm
 
I body booted in Mitchell's Bay back in mid 90's. Interesting and even colder than layout. I'm sure dry and even survival suits are better now.
 
We did this once, in total fly-by-the-seat-of-pants ad hoc fashion. We were planning to hunt high tide, which allowed us to hide on shore with natural cover and a little brush. Birds didn't really fly until well into the falling tide, at which point the mud flat in front of us put landing birds out about 50 yards. My buddy noticed a good clump of wild rice that had a little water and we hunkered down in it, sitting in the rice in water about belly deep on us, with just 2 cork black duck decoys out where the birds were landing.



Worked like a charm to decoy birds. The shooting was another matter. Belly deep water worked fine for cover, but where do you put the gun? VERY uncomfortable to hold the gun high and dry. Nowhere solid to rest it. You can rest it on a shoulder or a crooked elbow, but try making nice gun mount on a decoying bird from that position. Great bird watching, but poor hunting.

I assume those who do this regularly find a way to rest the gun in something like a ready position, maybe on a shelf built into stick-up decoy or a portable grass mat or similar screen for cover.
 
Good morning, Matt~


One thing's for certain....


With that sweet old Model 12 at hand, those Canadas will be easy pickings.


All the best,


SJS

 
Good Morning Vince & Steve - I wish I could say that Model 12 belonged to me, but that was just an image I snagged from my Google search. I have been on the lookout for one in 20 gauge for many years, but the stars haven't aligned.
 
Matt C said:
Good Morning Vince & Steve - I wish I could say that Model 12 belonged to me, but that was just an image I snagged from my Google search. I have been on the lookout for one in 20 gauge for many years, but the stars haven't aligned.
Click to expand...

20ga. is a might tough to come by, but my 1935 16ga. mod works just fine. Prior to all the things going on today, prowling the used gun racks at many local gunshops and even a big box store always had some Model 12's to sell.

Hope ya find what yer looking for, it becomes a very focused hunt. When ya find The One, put on yer poker face even though yer heart will be beating pretty fast.
 
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