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So I also do a lot of walk-in hunts and I have a dedicated blind bag that I really like. Its totally waterproof with a hard bottom, plenty of pockets, and spacious for fitting multiple thermoses of midnight black coffee. But, its a little cumbersome on longer walks. I also use this backpack- it is about 100x more comfy than cheaper mesh decoy bags and the shotgun sleeve is awesome- I can go hands free easily. Its big enough to fit at least 2 dozen decoys and my waders. I have 2 of them- when I hunt with a buddy or 2, we'll each have a pack and divide the load so an otherwise long slog turns into a stroll. Its only drawback is that it is huge and has a mesh bottom (so water drains out when you fill it with wet decoys), so it won't really protect calls, shellboxes, or other things you might bring.

I have a Jet Sled that is super useful for hauling decoys and heavy stuff- we use this a lot.

I also like this backpack- its basically a heavy duty dry bag with backpack straps and some extra pockets sewn on. Its a great gear bag that is easy to carry and/or throw in the boat- very versatile. Its big enough to hold all "blind bag" stuff you could possibly need and it will stay dry. The exterior straps make good tie-down points for other gear too. It's pretty simple, but it works well.

I have the Mojo backpack as well and its great for storing and hauling mojos, since it has a bunch of purpose built pockets for the batteries, wings, stakes, and bodies. It will easily hold 3 mini mojos and all their accessories. But its a pretty specific pack, so we use it if we're taking mojos somewhere, but otherwise it just holds mojo gear for storage in the shop.

I started wearing [these] (http://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-R-01526-Electronic-Earmuff/dp/B001T7QJ9O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417815860&sr=8-1&keywords=howard+leight+impact+sport) last year and love them.

They have volume control so I don't have to worry about being able to communicate with other hunters and they allow you to actually increase your hearing volume if necessary (can hear passing birds better with them on). As soon as you shoot, they limit the sound to 82 dB. Really a great option and they are not bulking. Added benefit is that they help keep your ears warm on cold days.

http://www.amazon.com/Surefire-Sonic-Defender-1-Pair-Medium/dp/B004DH65RI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417546652&sr=8-1&keywords=surefire+earplugs

Love these!! work great! reusable, can still talk to others, can still hear ducks, you are able to tell where the sound is coming from (electronic ones dont let you detect directions of sounds), and they don't hit your gun when you mount it. I carry several when i go out.

https://www.amazon.com/SureFire-Defenders-filtered-Earplugs-reusable/dp/B004DH65RI/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=surefire+ep4&qid=1573408353&s=sporting-goods&sr=1-4


Sorry, Surefire, not Shure.

They have different sizes, I got medium. There's better options out there I'm sure, but again, on solo hunts I can hear ducks whistle behind me, quack from a fair distance, and I've gotten used to calling with them in. For $15 it's a good option.

As /u/Booney3721 said, you still want to learn to identify as many ducks as you can so that you can identify before you shoot.

You also want to learn when certain ducks are going to come through. In my state, Mallards and Blue-winged teal are the two most harvested.. but the Blue-winged teal are going to be long gone by the time we start seeing mallards.

Likewise, there are birds on that list that are below well below 10k harvest numbers that we saw a TON of toward the end of last season.

I recommend picking up a small identification book and studying it. I have a this book in spiral bound that I keep in my blind bag: https://www.amazon.com/Waterfowl-Identification-LeMaster-Method-Richard/dp/0811729826/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492797039&sr=8-1&keywords=lemaster

It shows the different stages of plumage of each species, with approximate dates for when they go through each plumage. Also shows their typical height while in flight. Pretty handy little tool.

Primos Feedin' Mallard Call

Works decent, any reed call is still better but if you can not call it is a good option.

For what it's worth, I camo wrapped my gun for $30 and about 75minutes of my time. It came out pretty nice and my hunting buddies have ordered their own wrap for me to do their guns as well

http://imgur.com/gallery/FvKnBGo

Mossy Oak Graphics Bottomland 14004-BL Shot Gun Camo Kit Vinyl https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005P7CJOS/ref=

https://www.amazon.com/Splash-Long-Haul-Decoy-Stone/dp/B010LFK8YG

Splash Long Haul Decoy bag is HUGE and worth every penny, it was a game changer for walk in hunts for me.

These are the windscreens I used. I removed the foam windscreen, and pulled the microphone and rubber grommet from the housing. I then carefully placed the furry windscreen over the microphone, it a a tight fit, then reinserted the works into the housing.

You can raise any of those 3 to be all around great dogs/retrievers if you put in the time and effort. Just be damn sure to find a reputable breeder or you'll end up with a dumb one with life long health problems. Honestly, I would check into breeders' prices and make a decision from there.

Personal experience, my buddy's black lab is the best damn retriever I've ever seen.

I know you didn't ask but I suggest getting this book if you haven't ever trained before.

www.amazon.com/dp/B0017N9A82/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awd_4bYCwb358JBXS

This a steal right now and it's a great call plus acrylic.

https://www.amazon.com/Water-Dog-Revolutionary-Training-Method/dp/0525247343/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1537848754&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=water+dog+book&dpPl=1&dpID=41FKEIfSZRL&ref=plSrch

And

https://www.amazon.com/Gun-Dog-Revolutionary-Training-Method/dp/0525245499/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1537848800&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=gundog+book&dpPl=1&dpID=41i2%2BsXRMsL&ref=plSrch

These two books have been around forever. I have heard on this sub that they are dated, but these books have trained a lot of dogs. Just remember a dog is a being with it's own mind. It will get upset, it will not want to train sometimes, IT IS NOT A ROBOT. If you want a real hunting dog be prepared to spend a lot more time than you think, but you form some weird bond with a dog like that.

I normally just sneak ducks or shoot them in the field with my goose spread, so I can't really help you there as I just use a feeding call for mallards.

For Canadian geese, I use this goose flute https://www.amazon.com/5001129-Flambeau-River-Honker-Goose/dp/B000JJGDHQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1498770852&sr=1-2&keywords=goose+flute
And I don't have any issues bringing in geese. For snow geese, I use https://www.amazon.com/Primos-Shaved-Reed-Snow-Call/dp/B0013R881C and that seems to work fine.

I try not to overcall though, I only call to reassure the birds to come in. I would say location and your decoys matter more than calling.

https://www.amazon.com/Echo-Duck-Calling-101-Cd/dp/B0018DWASI - this cd helped me a lot. constantly calling and getting a rythym down is key.

Howard Leight by Honeywell.

Howard Leight by Honeywell Impact Sport Sound Amplification Electronic Shooting Earmuff, Classic Green (R-01526) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001T7QJ9O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_P9IRDbMKRCS4H

Same thing happened to me last year. I have cabelas waders and they used 2" buckles.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004BPBPJU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/DUCK-COMMANDER-Duckology-201-Instructional/dp/B000HZCYDY

Phil will walk you through it.

I’ve found this useful in the past: Turning Custom Duck and Game Calls: The Complete Guide for Craftsmen, Collectors, and Outdoorsmen https://www.amazon.com/dp/156523281X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_DFBVAbKRKRRAX

Give these a shot. https://www.amazon.com/Waterfowl-Wading-Systems-Neoprene-Stockingfoot/dp/B004V9Y0I4/ref=mp_s_a_1_9?keywords=stocking+foot+duck+waders&qid=1565667741&s=gateway&sr=8-9

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0012XSUF6/ref=mp_s_a_1_61?qid=1416953340&sr=8-61&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

They're are affordable electronic options.

I was looking at this one

Buck Gardner Double Nasty Duck Call Combo Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005IR63J2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_QN6JAbTSY7276

The cd that comes with this helped me more than anything with learning to call.