5. Focus on Five

The five-note greeting call is one of the first a duck hunter learns, and it is also the one to know on opening day.

"Forget the fancy feeding chuckle – if there is one call to be comfortable with, it's the basic descending, five-note greeting call," Fujan says. "When you can blow that call, you can modify it for just about any situation: add volume for a hail call, add speed for a comeback, soften it for working birds up close or draw it down to just a single quack for confidence or a lonesome hen type of call. If you can blow a greeting call, you will put more ducks in your decoys."

6. Off-Season Shape-Up

The hot days that bring summer to a close are also the perfect time to take your dog to the lake for a swim, Fujan says, which is a perfect way to increase physical activity before the season starts.

"You can't expect your dog to go from the kennel to the marsh or the field and perform without some help," says Fujan. "Swimming provides a great workout for dogs and is easier on the joints, but running and walking are good, too – anything to make sure that your dog is in proper shape when the season starts."