From the Ducks Unlimited magazine Archives

By Gary Koehler

Side-by-side shotgun. Photo by John Hoffman, DU

John Hoffman, DU

Times have changed, and so has waterfowl hunting gear—to a point. Truth is, we are still using the same basic equipment our grandfathers used, but in many cases, both form and function have been tweaked extensively. Simply put, technology has improved what we employ in the duck blind. Here’s a look at how some of the gear from the good old days compares to what we use today.

DECOYS

Granddad’s decoys ranged from hand-carved blocks made by local carvers to factory-made wood, cork, papier-mâché, balsa, or plastic. A primary consideration was weight: A gunnysack full of handcrafted wooden decoys was a load to carry. Back then, everyone wanted lighter decoys. Plastic (or tenite) decoys hit the big time shortly after the end of World War II. Among the major players of the time were Carry-Lite, which started making papier-mâché decoys in 1939; the Animal Trap Company of North America, best known for its Victor models; General Fibre Company’s Ariduck; Pascagoula Decoy Company; Neumann & Bennetts’ Plasti-Duk; Real-Lite; Wildfowler; Herter’s; and G&H, which put its first Canada goose shells in the field in the mid- 1930s. Movement? That would come from Flapomatic wing-motion duck decoys, which were powered by a yank on a rope.

Today? Well, technology has come a long way, and modern molding processes have helped produce some of the most lifelike decoys ever to hit the water. The paint schemes are realistic. Poses, or attitudes, vary. Heads turn. And you can purchase motorized decoys that swim, spin their wings, flutter, and tip up and down. Some can even be remote-controlled. Wood, cork, and other materials are still used to produce working decoys, but by and large plastic rules.

FLASHLIGHTS

Whether making one’s way by foot through a swamp, setting out decoys before daybreak, or looking for the odd shotshell that fell on the blind floor in the dark, flashlights have been a part of duck hunting for decades. The first flashlight, a crude tool hand-made from paper and fiber tubes and fitted with a bulb and brass reflector, arrived in 1898 courtesy of a Russian immigrant, Conrad Hubert, who was a salesman for Eveready’s Joshua Lionel Cowen (yep, the toy train guy). Hubert obtained a patent in 1903 for a flashlight with an on/off switch. By the 1940s, flashlights were staples in households—and duck camps—across the country.

Duck hunters of the era had a love/hate relationship with their flashlights. The largest models required multiple batteries (as many as seven), which made them awkward and heavy to carry. And the batteries had a relatively limited shelf life and sometimes leaked, which corroded the contact points and rendered the flashlight unusable. Dropping one on the ground or the floor of a duck blind often produced similar results. Lenses and switches were frequent casualties of the rigors of waterfowling. And even when a flashlight worked perfectly, it hardly produced enough light to be of much aid when navigating by boat in the darkness. Heavy and unwieldy lanterns that attached to six-volt batteries were popular with waterfowlers during the 1960s and 1970s because these lights produced a larger, brighter beam.

Today’s flashlights are smaller, brighter, and sturdier than those Granddad used. Ten-million candlepower lights are available. Many flashlights are now equipped with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) instead of incandescent light bulbs. LEDs consume much less power and are extremely bright. Because LEDs are encased in plastic materials, they are also lighter and more durable. High-tech batteries, such as nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, and lithium, are more expensive but provide increased power. Rechargeable batteries are another option. On the cosmetic side, many of today’s flashlights are available in numerous camouflage patterns.

INSULATED BOTTLES

Though created 15 years earlier by an English scientist, the first vacuum bottle was not made in the United States until 1907, when the American Thermos Bottle Company introduced its initial design. Since then, nearly all insulated bottles—regardless of the manufacturer—have been referred to generically as Thermoses. During World War II, more than 98 percent of the American Thermos Bottle Company’s output was for use by the military. Duck hunters, however, purchased plenty of the bottles thereafter. Many of these early bottles contained glass fillers. That is, the vacuum that kept the contents hot was created by placing the filler (which held the liquid) inside another vessel made of either metal or plastic. The vacuum, an ultra-effective insulator, was created by pumping out the air between the two pieces. Problem was, if a duck hunter dropped the bottle in the bottom of a boat or accidentally whacked it against a hard surface, the glass filler was prone to break. And there went the coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. Moreover, before screw-on caps, a cork was often used to seal the filler and prevent spilling. Stanley, which has been in the business more than 90 years, introduced a double-wall stainless steel vacuum bottle with a field green, pebbled finish in 1953. It’s still going strong. Contemporary vacuum bottles come in all sizes and remain available in plastic and stainless steel. Carrying handles, cushioned outside padding, special tip straws, and, of course, camouflage pattern exteriors illustrate the bottle’s continuing evolution.

DUCK CALLS

The way waterfowling historians see it, modern duck calls came of age shortly after the turn of the 20th century. And in terms of distribution to the masses, look no further than the P.S. Olt Company of Pekin, Illinois. Olt likely sold more calls than any other single company in the industry’s history before closing its doors a few years ago. Founder Phillip Olt was an innovator and has been credited with introducing the rubber reed, the groove-and-cork wedge block, and hard rubber calls. Olt calls were the precursors to those of the Arkansas design. The business did not begin and end with Olt, however. Far from it. Individuals and relatively small companies—most located in the Mississippi Flyway—were experimenting with different designs and materials. Just like today, everyone did not agree on what a duck call should sound or look like. At the southern end of the flyway, Faulk’s and Cajun calls were extremely popular. Developments evolved as craftsmen measured, cut, trimmed, and sanded. What kind of call did Grandpa use? Most definitely a single-reed, made either of hard rubber or walnut. For those who could afford them, custom calls were available, including those with checkering or intricately carved or painted designs on the barrel. No one can be absolutely positive about who made the very first double-reed call, but there is no doubt that the Yentzen by Sure-Shot Calls secured the earliest patent and was among the most heartily embraced.

These days, hunters can get duck and goose calls in all the colors of the rainbow. Calls are now built specifically for use on the contest stage as well as for the field. And you have your choice of calls designed and tuned to be used in the timber, open water, or somewhere in between. Acrylic, polycarbonate, delrin, exotic woods, and wood-stabilized calls are all available for the discriminating buyer. Costs range from under $30 to around $200. Early Olt calls, they tell me, sold for a buck apiece.

SHOTGUNS

When it comes to shotguns, there were many pre-World War II options—including a variety of double-barrels—and the numbers climbed in the post-war years. Space limitations preclude mentioning all models, but the venerable Browning A-5, first introduced in the United States in 1904, has to be listed among those found in many granddads’ gun cabinets. The Humpback is an American shotgunning icon, as is the Winchester Model 12 Heavy Duck Gun, which first appeared in 1935. For many gunners, the Model 12, which was made in 12-gauge, 3-inch magnum only, set the pump-action standard for years. The first successful hammerless pump ever produced, the Model 12 was often called the Perfect Repeater. Also on the pump gun side of the ledger, keep in mind that Remington’s 870, the best-selling firearm the company ever produced, arrived on the scene with a bang in 1950. Remington made sure the 870 got its due—first offering 15 variations of this pump in 12-, 16-, and 20-gauge designs. Also from Remington, the Sportsman-58 came on the scene in 1956. The Sportsman-58 was Remington’s first gas-operated shotgun and led to the development of the Model 1100 seven years later. Made in many different models over the years, the Ithaca Model 37 was in production for decades and also ranks among the classics. The J.C. Higgins shotgun brand (the guns themselves were made by the Savage and Stevens companies) is a contender particularly because it was sold at Sears stores and was readily available to the workingman. The other players? There were plenty, including Parker, L.C. Smith, A.H Fox, and a few others of similar pedigree dating back to even simpler times when side-by-sides were the shotguns of choice. Wooden stocks are still available today, but synthetics have changed the look, feel, and performance of contemporary shotguns. The number of choices is staggering. Among the highlights are reduced recoil and the addition of the 3 1/2-inch magnum. And, of course, you can find camouflage patterns of all varieties.

CLOTHING

Nearly every hunting garment is available in camouflage now—from parkas to socks to underwear to caps. Not so back in the day (and gunners still shot plenty of ducks; imagine that). Brown canvas hunting coats and shell vests ruled the marsh. They were not very warm and were subject to shrinking and fading. Ah, how we remember it well. Then there was my father’s heavy, olive green slicker for rainy days. Layering, always a good idea, was born of waterfowling necessity. Wool was often part of the mix, the itchy kind included. If one could afford it, down-filled gear was highly prized. Long underwear was made of cotton flannel. Gloves came with no guarantee, with the exception that one could count on them to become saturated with water and turn cold. A variety of caps came with built-in earflaps. Now? Space-age fabrics have been introduced to keep the duck and goose hunter warm and dry. Gore-Tex and Thinsulate are staples in the contemporary clothing vernacular. Wool remains a sound choice. There is lightweight clothing, heavyweight clothing, and apparel designed for days with temperatures in between. And there are camo patterns to help clothing blend into every habitat imaginable. Waterfowl hunters have never had more choices in terms of outerwear.

BOOTS/WADERS

Chances are, Granddad’s hip boots were made of rubber and may or may not have included a thin cotton fabric liner for insulation. They were waterproof, but comfort was often but a wish. In the worst of weather, hip boots could get mighty cold. Charles Goodyear spent a fortune during the 1800s before patenting the rubber vulcanization process. Synthetic rubber pretty much replaced natural rubber during World War II because 70 percent of all rubber was being used to make tires. Chest waders came on the scene later, with the first models used mostly by fishermen.

Today’s waterfowler has myriad choices, but neoprene chest waders are the most popular because they are both warm and comfortable. They are also tougher, thanks to contemporary finishes that reduce snagging and tearing. There are many choices relative to weight and insulation. Thinsulate has been a boon to the industry. Just about every camouflage pattern known is now available on boots. And that’s to say nothing of the zippered waders that allow for answering the call of nature.

BOATS

In Granddad’s day, a duck hunter’s choice of boats was extremely diverse, if only because of the varying conditions facing individual waterfowlers. What worked along the Atlantic Coast, for example, may not have worked in a Minnesota marsh. Barnegat Bay sneak boats, sculling boats, layouts, punts, and skiffs were among the favorites. Wood was the material of choice, although aluminum, sheet metal, and fiberglass were also employed in boat building. In Louisiana, the cypress pirogue ruled the day. Up north, one could find duck skiffs of several designs. One of the most highly regarded was the Dan Kidney, which was made in Wisconsin. In the West, double-bowed skiffs were popular. Decoy carvers in each flyway—particularly the Mississippi—often applied their skills to boat building. Aluminum johnboats are a huge favorite among today’s duck hunters, although variations of the shallow-draft craft of yesteryear are still available in fiberglass or other materials. Specialized units have also been developed for big-water use.

OUTBOARD ENGINES

Many vintage outboard engines did not function very well. And we are not just talking about the earliest documented outboards in the United States, which date to 1896. Nope, those of latter day production were often inefficient, too. These were cantankerous machines, knuckle-busters by more than one description and prone to be difficult to start in cold weather. They were likely more a fisherman’s tool early on, but duck hunters also saw the advantages of being able to travel quickly from point A to point B without the use of oars, paddles, or sails. When the nation’s economy strengthened after World War II, dozens of companies were building outboards. Evinrude, Johnson, and Kiekhaefer Mercury were the big guys on the block. Others included Elgin, Scott-Atwater, Buccaneer, Sea-Bee, Firestone, and more—all having since faded into mechanical oblivion. Post-war, wraparound fuel tanks gave way to remote tanks. Shifting into forward, neutral, and reverse became standard on some models. Horsepower was increased. The number of Johnson Sea Horses sold soared into the millions. The Evinrude Fleetwin was unveiled. And the Mercury KE7 Lightning hit the market. Have outboards changed? And how. There is a horsepower size for everyone, two-stroke or four-stroke. Today’s engines start more reliably, are more fuel-efficient, and have slip props, which brings a smile to every duck hunter who can remember paddling furiously ashore to replace a shear pin. And mud motors now take duck boats to shallow, stump-infested backwaters and other hunting spots our forefathers could only dream of accessing. Technology reigns in this gear category, with new developments popping up regularly.

SHOTSHELLS

Whatever the brand, or color (red was big), paper shotshell hulls were around for a long time. And in Grandpa’s day, they contained lead shot. The paper hulls bulged if they got too wet. That’s seldom a problem anymore. Practically all shotshell boxes of the 1940s and ‘50s were of the one-piece variety similar to that of today. The artistic graphics that once adorned boxes, however, had pretty much been replaced by a plainer look by the 1950s. The industry’s heavy hitters included Winchester, Federal, Remington, and Western. Several companies, including Montgomery Ward, Sears, Gambles, and Western Auto, had boxes under their label loaded by others. Twelve-gauge loads were most likely 2 5/8 or 2 3/4 inches long. While lead shot by law is a thing of the past for hunting waterfowl, several ammo options are now available. Steel is the most economical of today’s nontoxic loads, but other choices include bismuth, tungsten, tungsten matrix, a tungsten/bronze/iron mix, and more. The industry buzzwords these days are velocity, density, and penetration.

HAND WARMERS

Old-timers will remember those Jon-e hand warmers that they kept in their hunting coat pocket. Fill the metal reservoir with the propellant sold with this product (or lighter fluid), light it, and presto, heat was just minutes away. This hand warmer slipped into a red cloth sleeve to prevent a too-hot-to-touch heat source. Guess what? Jon-e is still around today—after some 50 years on the market. Today, the competition includes those chemical-based shake-and-wait packets that come in all sizes and that can be placed in pockets, boots, muffs, head bands, and gloves. Battery-powered units have also captured a portion of the market.

Perhaps the good old days were exactly that. But keep in mind that Granddad’s time also included years of minimalist bag limits and 30-day seasons. When it comes to waterfowling equipment, there’s little question that modern technology has helped make this the golden age for gunners in terms of comfort, safety, and performance.

During his long and distinguished career with DU Magazine, the late Gary Koehler was among our most popular and prolific contributors. We are honored to share this feature from the March/April 2007 issue of Ducks Unlimited with our readers.