Not Your Grandpa’s Gear

A collection of blind-bag accessories for waterfowlers who thought they had everything

By Gary Koehler

When it comes to gear, anyone who hunts waterfowl more than occasionally already has all the basics. So, we decided to take it up a notch. This selection of high-tech gadgets and specialized accessories may be well beyond the norm for most blind bags and will certainly never be confused with the simple equipment our grandfathers used. Instead, we went in search of the most exciting and innovative items we could find. Our criteria: Each product had to be useful, lightweight, durable, and compact enough to easily fit in a blind bag. Versatility scored extra points. Cost was not a factor. Does a duck hunter really need all this stuff? You be the judge. What some would call excess others might deem a necessity.

1. Weather Tracker

While sitting in a duck blind on a raw day, waterfowlers often wonder how cold it is or how hard the wind might be blowing. Kestrel’s 4000 pocket weather tracker can answer those questions and more. This is a comprehensive piece of gear that has been used by U.S. Special Forces and on Mt. Everest climbing expeditions. The Kestrel 4000 weighs only 4 ounces and easily fits in a shirt pocket. In addition to temperature and wind speed, the device also delivers barometric pressure and altitude readings; gauges wind chill, dew point, and relative humidity; and measures maximum wind gusts. It will even display the water temperature. The 4000 is waterproof, floats, and is capable of manually storing measurements at the touch of a button. Two AA batteries power this handy portable weather station, which features a five-year warranty. kestrelweather.com

2. Satellite Messenger

Safety in the field should be a priority for every hunter. But unfortunately, accidents sometimes happen. If you are alone when the unexpected occurs, your life could be at risk—especially if you are in a remote area without cell phone coverage. The SPOT satellite messenger uses the GPS satellite network to determine your location and the SPOT network to transmit that information to an emergency response center. If, for example, your outboard motor breaks down and strands you on big water, or you break a leg while hunting alone in flooded timber, SPOT can communicate your location to the emergency response center, which will summon help and notify your family. SPOT has a 99.4 percent network reliability rate worldwide. The unit weighs only 7.4 ounces and is waterproof to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes. SPOT was the recipient of the 2008 Innovations Design and Engineering Award. findmespot.com

3. Lightweight Flashlight

Although Leatherman’s new Serac S3 flashlight weighs only 2.6 ounces and is about the size of a pack of Lifesavers, there’s nothing small about its 100-lumen beam. The Serac S3 is made of anodized aluminum and runs off one battery. Resistant to water, humidity, and shock, it will also function at temperatures as low as 32 below zero. This light features adjustable brightness and power management circuitry for steady light output. leatherman.com

4. Durable Digital Camera

Waterfowling gear generally takes a beating during the course of a season, so buying tough equipment is a sound decision, especially when it comes to electronics. The Olympus Stylus 1050 digital camera—brand new this fall—boasts more than a little muscle. The 10.1-megapixel 1050 is waterproof to 10 feet, shockproof, and freezeproof to 14 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s a recipe for a duck hunter’s camera. The 1050 also features tap control. Tapping the camera’s top, back, or sides controls functions, such as turning on the flash. Other features include in-camera panorama mode, shadow adjustment technology, LED illuminator, and in-camera editing. olympus.com

5. All-Weather Lighter

If you ever need to build a fire in an emergency, a windproof lighter can be a lifesaver. The Alaskan Outfitter All-Weather Lighter from Cabela’s features an O-ring rubber gasket that keeps the lighter waterproof when it is closed. The Piezo electronic ignition ensures a flame regardless of the weather. An adjustment ring allows you to change the setting to accommodate different altitudes and temperatures. The fuel window tracks the butane level. The Alaskan Outfitter is available in black or orange. cabelas.com

6. Hand Warmer

The Optronics Firepod eliminates the need for a bulky muff-style hand warmer or a pocket full of shake-and-heat packets. This ergonomically designed hand warmer measures just 4 3/4 inches by 2 1/2 inches and weighs only 9.6 ounces. Powered by four AA batteries, the odor-free Firepod begins warming as soon as it is turned on and reaches full heat output within 15 minutes. It runs for up to five hours, and the handy on/off switch helps preserve battery life. optronicsinc.com

7. Two-Way Radios

Whether you hunt public areas or a private club, keeping up with friends or hunting partners can be fun as well as helpful if you need assistance. Motorola’s 1000 Series Talkabout two-way radios weigh a little more than 4 ounces with batteries installed and have a range of up to 20 miles, depending on the terrain. These radios feature 22 channels, each with 121 privacy codes, and 11 weather channels that can provide information on impending storms or other dangerous conditions. Features include an interruption filter, an emergency alert button (distress calls can be sent to all radios within range), a built-in LED flashlight, a backlit display, a charging adapter, and rechargeable battery packs. The iVOX feature allows for hands-free communication. motorola.com

8. Waterproof Camera Case

Aquapac takes protection to another level with its Hard Lens Camera Case. This waterproof case has a built-in hard lens that allows you to shoot photos underwater. The integrated external clear polycarbonate hard lens provides enough space for compact zoom lenses to move freely within a protective chamber. This unit is made of polyurethane that remains pliable to 40 below zero. Submersible to 15 feet, the case floats if dropped in the water. It also keeps out dust and sand, which wreak havoc in a camera. Waterproof GPS and small phone cases are also available. AquapacUSA.com

9. Clip Watch

Tired of pushing up layers of clothing to check the time while you are hunting? The Orvis Mag Flip Clip Watch attaches to your blind bag with an integrated spring carabiner. Electroluminescent technology maximizes illumination in low-light conditions. The Mag Flip also includes a flip-out magnifying glass (helpful while reading maps), an LED microlight, and a luminescent compass. This watch is water resistant to 1,000 feet and guaranteed for five years. orvis.com

10. Hand-held GPS

If you plan to hunt unfamiliar country, a hand-held GPS unit can keep you from getting lost. Lowrance’s iFINDER Expedition C features 16 channels and a high-resolution color display. The Expedition is waterproof, weighs slightly more than 8 ounces, and includes U.S. mapping software. The “scout mode” marks area perimeters and creates borders. The Expedition also has backup memory, an electronic compass, and a barometric altimeter with weather predictions. A built-in microphone can record voice notes to waypoints. This unit also has MP3 player capabilities. lowrance.com

11. High-Output Headlamp

New this fall, the Saint headlamp by Surefire is made of hard-anodized aerospace-grade aluminum. A coated refractive optic gathers and shapes light to form a smooth white LED beam that’s efficient for both long-distance and close work. The Saint was engineered to run on one, two, or three 123A lithium batteries or two AA alkaline batteries. The variable light output dial ranges from 0 to 100 lumens. The custom headband features moisture-wicking pads for a comfortable fit. The Saint weighs 8.7 ounces and is waterproof for up to 30 minutes after being submerged. surefire.com

12. Multipurpose Tool

Leatherman’s compact Skeletool is ideal for handling the odd repair job in the duck blind or boat. Weighing only 5 ounces and measuring 4 inches long, the stainless-steel Skeletool is seven tools in one: a clip-point knife, needle-nose pliers, wire cutters, hard-wire cutters, large bit driver, bottle opener, carabiner clip, and four screwdriver bits. This multipurpose tool is backed by a 25-year warranty. leatherman.com

13. Binoculars

Many waterfowlers won’t leave home without binoculars. Diligent scouting can indeed lay the groundwork for successful hunts. The Victory 10x25T by Zeiss combines compactness and high-quality optics in a pocket binocular that will take up little space in a blind bag. The Victory T is waterproof up to 4 meters and rubber armored to protect against bumps and abrasions. The field of view at 1,000 yards is 195 feet. This center-focus, roof prism binocular weighs only 8.8 ounces and comes with a leather case. zeiss.com