The eve of the waterfowl season is upon us today. People are excited and last minute preparations are happening at the lodge and the fields for arriving guest. In the morning the smell of the rice fields flooded with water and the buzzing of the Texas sized mosquito’s will fill the air for many wing-shooters with high hopes of a great season.

Here are five tips that will help you out and make your trip a success on opening morning.

1. Make sure you have all appropriate licenses and shells. This seems like a simple one, but every year people are written tickets for not having a license or having non-steel shot in their possession. It should never happen and no excuses for either of these two items in my opinion. Sign your license as well.
2. Hearing and eye protection are a must. The technology has come along way and we have no reason not to use them. We require all of our hunters and guides to use both. Soft ear plugs and a good pair of shooting glasses or I wear my Costa 580 sunglasses.
3. Good quality shells in the right shot size make a huge difference. We prefer a premium number 6 shot for decoying birds. There is a reason one box of shells sales for 12.99 and another 18.99. Six dollars at the end of the trip isn’t going to break the bank, but the extra six dollars will get you a better shell and increase your kill ratio.
4. Prepare the night before and just load your vehicle the morning of the hunt, before you leave. Have everything packed and ready to go by the door. Travel light as it is teal season. Make sure you have the essentials like insect repellent, flashlight, some water for you and your retriever, a couple snacks, ziplocks, and ice already in a Yeti cooler for your birds. Leave 15 minutes ahead of time and already have fuel in vehicle, boat, or ATV.
5. Be safe and have fun and don’t get in a hurry. Most accidents happen, because we get in a hurry to shoot or get to the blind (running late). Safety and Safety and Safety again and have fun. Yes these seem simple rules or tips, but I promise you people you have died in hunting incidents wish they would have taken a few extra measures beforehand.