Weather also adds to the rigors of wading through the woods, as temperatures can vary dramatically during the season. “During some cold stretches, we’ll have to break ice the whole way out to the hunting spot, but temperatures can also be in the mid-60s,” Dickerson says.

In both hot and cold weather, long-distance wading is slow going and taxing on a hunter’s body. “One key thing we’ve learned over the years is how to dress appropriately,” says Dickerson. “Most mornings, we wear only waders and a T-shirt on our way out to hunt. My T-shirt is usually so soaked at the end of the walk that I’ll change into another one before putting on a camouflage pullover or heavy coat if it’s cold.”

Years of difficult wading also taught Dickerson and his partners to travel light and bring only the essentials. “Being mobile is a huge consideration when we are carrying in gear. That’s why we switched from carrying hard plastic decoys to two dozen Featherflex pontoon decoys, which are a lot lighter. We also wear shell vests, eliminating the need to bring blind bags,” he explains.

Dickerson has no doubt that the payoff is worth the effort: “When you get to your spot and things all come together, it’s the finest duck hunting I’ve ever experienced. There is no way to describe how good it feels to work a big group of mallards down through the trees and all the way to the water.”