http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog T-Bone Blog en http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/benelli-ethos-puts-new-spin-on-intertia-shotguns Any regular readers know I'm a huge Benelli fan; I've put my new Super Vinci through the ringer this waterfowl season with impeccable results. But critics of inertia systems complain of an inability to adjust the recoil system for the widest possible range of shotshells. Benelli is addressing that this year with their new Ethos shotgun and  "progressive comfort recoil reducer" that allows the inertia system to work across the board. Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Thu, 16 Jan 2014 02:50:07 +0000 jbalog 45417 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/mossberg-unveils-entire-duck-commander-series-of-guns This week kicked off the annual SHOT Show is Las Vegas, where the hunting and shooting industry join to unveil the hottest, newest gear. In the world of waterfowl, the Duck Commander name still burns brightest with the continued popularity of Duck Dynasty. Mossberg is the latest company to join forces with the bearded experts, unveiling their line of Duck Commander shotguns, all decked out in Realtree MAX-5. North America Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Tue, 14 Jan 2014 23:13:52 +0000 jbalog 45388 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/an-attempt-to-extend-duck-season North America Winter Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Thu, 09 Jan 2014 08:20:27 +0000 jbalog 45187 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/tested-and-approved-items-for-waterfowlers Each season, I make it a point to give you, the readers, my take on some of the best gear out there. While many product reviews focus on the hot new items, those destined to change waterfowling behavior, or the simply bizarre, the purpose of my post-season review is to educate you on the gear that I found to be invaluable. North America Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Mon, 06 Jan 2014 06:00:00 +0000 jbalog 44868 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/celebrity-chef-zimmern-grills-up-tennessee-sandhills North America Winter Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Wed, 18 Dec 2013 13:37:24 +0000 jbalog 44838 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/a-duck-seasons-epic-ending Today is the first day of the rest of the year, as regular waterfowl season has closed in my home range of southeast Michigan. Once addicted, waterfowl season is always either here, or the countdown is on. Right now, we’re about 10 months out. North America Winter Ducks Shotgun Entertainment Mon, 09 Dec 2013 17:15:31 +0000 jbalog 44773 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/coastal-wetlands-to-benefit-from-bp-settlement A $2.5 billion settlement earlier this year is being divided among the Gulf states, and Texas gets on the board first with plans for projects to help waterfowl. United States Winter Waterfowl Entertainment Fri, 06 Dec 2013 13:40:27 +0000 jbalog 44517 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/a-cant-miss-duck-hunt Nothing catches my attention like the weather. North America Winter Ducks Shotgun Entertainment Thu, 28 Nov 2013 01:41:35 +0000 jbalog 44566 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/how-to-hide-your-dog I'm not sure of the medical terminology, but I have a tendency to let things bother me. While hunting waterfowl, often the birds shy away from the blind location for unknown reasons. I feel the burning desire to eliminate that occurence as much as possible.Nothing is worse than watching bird after bird nearly commit to the spread, only to fade out at the last second. Did they see us? Were the decoys wrong? Do we have something sticking out? The questions never seem to end in my head. North America Fall Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Tue, 19 Nov 2013 14:01:01 +0000 jbalog 44327 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/hunting-geese-over-water Think modern Canada goose hunting, and almost without exception, corn stubble, layout blinds and trailers full of decoys come to mind. Coveralls and dry ground. Drive right up, dump ‘em out, set ‘em up, and start the waiting game. No marsh. No moving water. No farm pond. It’s like whitetails and treestands. Squirrels and .22s. Cottontails and beagles. Some things just go together, I reckon.  North America Fall Geese Shotgun Entertainment Tue, 12 Nov 2013 22:10:20 +0000 jbalog 44292 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/water-over-the-waders-a-documentary There’s a different name for it in all parts of the waterfowl world. Around here, we call it “Man Down." I’ve also heard it referred to as “biting it," “taking a header” and even “getting flushed." Where I hunt, it’s feared more than anything, as the marsh is quite mucky, very cold and extremely stinky. It’s true: going over the waders is a dreaded circumstance. North America Fall Waterfowl Entertainment Thu, 07 Nov 2013 17:00:46 +0000 jbalog 44113 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/do-you-use-facepaint-while-duck-hunting North America Fall Waterfowl Entertainment Wed, 30 Oct 2013 12:07:10 +0000 jbalog 44013 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/a-visit-to-the-land-of-duck-dynasty Last week I traveled to Monroe, Louisiana, for some waterfowl “work” and photo shoots. Yes, I know Monroe is the home of Duck Dynasty. But more about that in a minute. United States Fall Ducks Entertainment Tue, 22 Oct 2013 12:46:11 +0000 jbalog 43857 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/duck-season-begins For all waterfowlers, opening day is now imminent. North America Fall Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Sun, 13 Oct 2013 01:11:25 +0000 jbalog 43676 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/realtree-unveils-duck-hunting-nation How does your state's waterfowl hunting stack up? United States Fall Waterfowl Entertainment Tue, 01 Oct 2013 13:53:16 +0000 jbalog 43519 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/balogs-picks-mandatory-new-2013-waterfowl-gear Regardless of how crowded my garage becomes, there is always room for more gear. I’m sure I’m not alone in this mentality. North America Fall Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Tue, 24 Sep 2013 08:59:09 +0000 jbalog 43077 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/get-your-dog-ready-for-duck-season-starting-with-the-basics I pride myself  on being a meat hunter. I'm not much into fancy calls, the latest fully-flocked decoys or a field-trial retriever's bag of tricks. I just like to hunt, get ducks in close, and shoot straight enough to bag a few. North America Summer Waterfowl Entertainment Wed, 18 Sep 2013 15:01:37 +0000 jbalog 42958 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/six-tips-for-early-geese It’s no secret that Canada goose populations are exploding across much of the country. Golf courses and city parks; they’re covered up with the black-necked beasts. Sept. 1 kicked off early goose season in most states that offer the opportunity. Liberal bag limits, e.g. North America Fall Geese Shotgun Entertainment Tue, 10 Sep 2013 13:24:33 +0000 jbalog 42694 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/how-to-get-more-from-your-mud-motor I'm blatant about my love of mud motors. Though a little loud and heavy, a surface drive engine allows waterfowl hunters access to places others simply can not go. My time spent hunting public marsh areas confirms: inaccessible areas are often the only chance to score on unpressured ducks. North America Waterfowl Entertainment Wed, 04 Sep 2013 17:01:45 +0000 jbalog 42685 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/how-to-help-save-conservation-funding The North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) and the benefits it has for waterfowl and wetlands habitat is under siege with the recent sequestration cuts. When things like this are on the bubble, we often hear how important it is to "contact our lawmakers" and make our opinions known. North America Waterfowl Entertainment Wed, 21 Aug 2013 21:50:00 +0000 jbalog 42415 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/spinning-wing-decoys-banned-at-select-michigan-waterfowl-areas How we arrive at our harvest numbers is a social issue. And, socially speaking, at Harsen’s Island, hunters don’t want spinners. North America Fall Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Thu, 15 Aug 2013 23:16:33 +0000 jbalog 42320 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/a-dog-a-skunk-and-the-status-of-the-mud-buddy-mod  "Maybe he doesn’t work from a desk; maybe he actually sits in front of a mud motor all day waiting for someone to call with problems..." North America Summer Waterfowl Entertainment Tue, 06 Aug 2013 14:33:19 +0000 jbalog 42193 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/new-goose-hunting-gear-for-2013 Guest blogger M.D. Johnson gives us a rundown of select new goose gear for 2013 North America Fall Geese Shotgun Entertainment Fri, 02 Aug 2013 12:10:37 +0000 42047 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/science-supports-sandhill-hunts-in-tennessee-but-hunters-dont Tennessee is considering a hunting season for sandhill cranes, and research indicates that hunters themselves may be opposed. United States Waterfowl Entertainment Tue, 23 Jul 2013 14:29:48 +0000 jbalog 41861 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/2013-duck-count-numbers-released-balogs-take The general trend of upward counts continues, but how strong are duck numbers, really? North America Summer Ducks Entertainment Thu, 18 Jul 2013 18:07:15 +0000 jbalog 41806 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/split-farm-bill-disappointing-for-waterfowl United States Summer Waterfowl Entertainment Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:54:23 +0000 41814 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/early-teal-limits-set-to-increase-in-2013 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has approved recommendations from  the Mississippi, Central and Atlantic Flyway Councils to increase September teal season bag limits from four to six. United States Fall Ducks Shotgun Entertainment Wed, 03 Jul 2013 19:18:00 +0000 jbalog 41551 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/duck-commander-signs-with-mossberg You know you’re duck hunting a rock star when gun companies fight over you. Duck Commander recently agreed to a multi-year agreement with Mossberg, leaving longtime shotgun sponsor Benelli.  Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Mon, 24 Jun 2013 13:56:53 +0000 jbalog 41500 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/rebuilding-a-mud-motor-with-a-hotrod-mechanic Earlier this year, Waterfowl Entertainment Wed, 19 Jun 2013 01:08:57 +0000 jbalog 41403 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/the-farm-bill-moves-along-and-duck-stamp-sales-step-into-modern-times Washington comes to its senses with the passage of the Farm Bill and the new Federal Duck Stamp e-sales program. United States Waterfowl Entertainment Wed, 12 Jun 2013 14:50:27 +0000 jbalog 41379 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/get-your-dog-ready-for-duck-season His daily training includes reminders that he's not allowed to "slip." It's like having a dog in AA. North America Spring Waterfowl Entertainment Thu, 30 May 2013 15:50:47 +0000 jbalog 41272 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/waterfowl-youth-hunts True outdoor passion is evident in the eyes of a child. North America Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Fri, 17 May 2013 14:22:08 +0000 jbalog 41122 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/its-the-little-things-that-ruin-duck-hunts Despite all our technology and cool new gear, ducks still find ways to beat us North America Waterfowl Entertainment Thu, 09 May 2013 12:52:07 +0000 jbalog 41042 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/balog-on-mud-motors This summer, I’m going to do some modifications to my motor to tweak it a little. The words “more better” seem appropriate. North America Summer Waterfowl Entertainment Fri, 03 May 2013 01:42:04 +0000 jbalog 40950 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/habitat-report-spring-conditions-look-good-for-ducks Duck season never closes in many of our minds. This time of year, my thought process naturally shifts to the subjects of breeding pairs and spring ponds. A stroll at the park yesterday, complete with the relentless honking of paired geese, revealed a number of mallard pairs enjoying themselves in the recently flooded grassy areas. North America Spring Waterfowl Entertainment Tue, 23 Apr 2013 22:11:02 +0000 jbalog 40900 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/what-you-dont-know-about-your-duck-dog Spring has sprung, as I like to say in my part of the world. After a relentless winter of nice, 35-degree rainy days, things are finally starting to look up. Temperatures are beginning to moderate, flowers are popping up around the house, and the redwing blackbirds have returned to the marsh near my home. North America Entertainment Tue, 09 Apr 2013 15:38:20 +0000 jbalog 40677 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/jase-robertson-on-duck-calling Several years ago, prior to the first season of Duck Dynasty, Balog traveled to Monroe, Louisiana, to spend a few days with the Duck Commanders. While there, he extensively interviewed all of the Duck Commanders in true Balog fashion. Following are excerpts from an interview he had with Jason Robertson, known as Jase to his fans, about duck calling.  North America Ducks Shotgun Entertainment Mon, 01 Apr 2013 13:06:55 +0000 jbalog 40505 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/the-truth-about-hevishot-and-speed-ball Waterfowlers seem divided on HeviShot: they either use it and love it, or won’t pay the money for it. Today, we investigate what makes HeviShot, and its new little brother Speed Ball, so incredibly effective, yet quite costly. We then let you decide on your own. North America Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Mon, 25 Mar 2013 13:47:48 +0000 jbalog 40393 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/duck-huntings-greatest-generation I remember the day I met Butch Czenkus: it was during one of my annual summertime garage sales. I noticed his immediate attraction to my display of muskie lures. United States Ducks Shotgun Entertainment Fri, 15 Mar 2013 16:26:18 +0000 jbalog 40277 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/the-truth-about-remington-hypersonic-steel We've gone behind the scenes and looked at Black Cloud, Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Tue, 12 Mar 2013 15:03:05 +0000 jbalog 40221 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/what-the-sequester-means-to-ducks It’s 5 a.m., and I just spent an hour trying to figure out what it means to be sequestered. As many of you know, the Farm Bill is a hot piece of legislation right now, and I’m growing increasingly concerned over its fate, the fate of its included programs like the CRP, and therefore the fate of a whole bunch of ducks. So I poured a monster cup of Starbucks high-octane, and settled in for some educational reading. Now I’m even more confused. United States Waterfowl Entertainment Tue, 05 Mar 2013 13:00:19 +0000 jbalog 40137 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/du-plans-social-media-push-to-support-the-farm-bill The Farm Bill is one of the most important pieces of legislation in modern times for waterfowl habitat conservation. Upon expiration last year, the Bill was never called to a vote and now, with a new session of Congress beginning in January, the unfinished bill must begin from scratch. North America Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Tue, 26 Feb 2013 18:55:12 +0000 jbalog 40033 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/the-truth-about-kent-fasteel-tealsteel-and-tungsten-matrix Our behind-the-scenes look at premium waterfowl loads continues. This week, we're talking Kent Fasteel, TealSteal and Tungsten Matrix. North America Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Mon, 25 Feb 2013 12:40:12 +0000 jbalog 40006 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/news-flash-hunters-are-the-ones-who-are-actually-saving-wetlands I recently attended an expo where members of the Monroe, Michigan chapter of Ducks Unlimited had a booth set up. A brief conversation about area habitat projects led to talk of another upcoming event. North America Winter Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Mon, 18 Feb 2013 15:22:01 +0000 jbalog 39898 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/the-truth-about-winchester-blind-side All this month we will be giving behind-the-scenes-looks at today’s popular waterfowl loads, with insight straight from the engineers and manufacturers themselves. We began with Federal’s hugely popular Black Cloud load. North America Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Fri, 08 Feb 2013 13:29:02 +0000 jbalog 39827 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/the-truth-about-black-cloud-ammo Do all those pricey, high-end waterfowl loads really work? Are they worth the extra cost? That's what we're attempting to find out in this and upcoming Duck Blog entries. In this installment, we'll be talking about Federal Black Cloud. North America Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Tue, 05 Feb 2013 02:33:03 +0000 jbalog 39721 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/a-chat-with-rod-haydel United States Winter Ducks Shotgun Entertainment Thu, 24 Jan 2013 15:56:56 +0000 jbalog 39482 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/shot-show-2013-vegas-or-bust North America Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Sat, 12 Jan 2013 23:46:27 +0000 jbalog 39336 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/late-season-loner-duck-hunting-in-the-ice Our late season “split” came and went here in Lower Michigan. As I mentioned in a previous blog, we get a little four-day fiasco here around the New Year. Scouting went well, with epic numbers of ducks using the open waters around the lower Great Lakes. Epic numbers of hunters during the event made for difficult times. North America Winter Ducks Shotgun Entertainment Fri, 04 Jan 2013 15:25:07 +0000 jbalog 39171 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/md-johnson-letters-from-the-late-season Apparently the Mayans were wrong, and the world didn’t end on 12-21-12 as they had predicted. Now, I hear, their calendar didn’t mesh with the Roman calendar we folks are using, and instead of 12-21-12, the new date for the destruction of Planet Earth is somewhere in the year 2014. Or 2017. I’ve heard both. So we do have at least a couple years of global debauchery left in us. But I digress. North America Winter Geese Shotgun Entertainment Thu, 03 Jan 2013 12:23:06 +0000 jbalog 39089 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/christmas-ends-duck-hunting-begins Well, Christmas is over. The kids are sad; their parents relieved. Now all that’s left to do is take back everything that doesn’t fit. Nothing gives me a sour taste in my mouth more than the thought of going BACK to those stores. I’ll pass… North America Winter Ducks Shotgun Entertainment Thu, 27 Dec 2012 13:40:45 +0000 jbalog 38994 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/how-to-brine-ducks How to brine ducks. It's a fool-proof cooking secret used by professional chefs North America Winter Waterfowl Entertainment Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:57:11 +0000 jbalog 38928 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/on-specklebellies North America Fall Geese Shotgun Entertainment Mon, 17 Dec 2012 16:51:51 +0000 38880 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/what-really-happened-to-the-sportsmens-act It doesn’t look good for the long anticipated Sportsmen’s Act of 2012. As I read through the various outdoor websites reporting on the Senate vote that will, ultimately, kill this thing, I became confused as to exactly what was going on. Like many of you, I find it difficult to really dive into political mumbo-jumbo. Sometimes I think our government purposely tries to confuse the people by doing things backwards. But anyway, I took the time to really learn what’s going on here. United States Winter Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Thu, 13 Dec 2012 14:58:24 +0000 jbalog 38813 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/ducks-refuse-to-migrate-out-of-south-dakota "The most recent survey of waterfowl on the Missouri River had around 750,000 mallards and just over 300,000 Canada geese using those waters in the central part of the state," says Rocco Murano, chief waterfowl biologist with the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks. United States Winter Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Fri, 07 Dec 2012 14:59:30 +0000 jbalog 38722 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/the-day-after-duck-season North America Winter Ducks Shotgun Entertainment Tue, 04 Dec 2012 14:18:25 +0000 jbalog 38636 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/a-duck-hunters-christmas-list Balog outlines a Christmas wish list specifically for duck hunters North America Winter Waterfowl Entertainment Tue, 27 Nov 2012 22:17:13 +0000 jbalog 38490 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/johnson-in-defense-of-pass-shooting I’m not going to bore you with definitions. I’m not going to offend by speaking at you. I’m not going to tell you my way is right while your methods are – well – wrong. No, sir, I’m not going to do those things. United States Fall Geese Shotgun Entertainment Tue, 13 Nov 2012 18:05:58 +0000 38196 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/product-review-rig-em-right-shell-shocker-blind-bag With duck season in full swing in many parts of the country, it's time for another product showcase. This one is on the Rig 'Em Right Shell Shocker Blind Bag. Now, if you're unfamiliar with Rig 'Em Right, these are some hard core dudes. This is the company that was primarily responsible for starting the "Texas Rig" decoy weight craze, and now they've expanded to other items for duck hunters who hunt more than they sleep or eat. North America Fall Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Sat, 10 Nov 2012 00:20:34 +0000 jbalog 38075 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/election-tuesday-duck-hunters-in-a-tough-position Election Tuesday: Duck Hunters in a Tough Position. United States Fall Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Mon, 05 Nov 2012 16:54:28 +0000 jbalog 37789 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/waterfowling-its-all-about-the-buddies Nothing compares to duck hunting when everything goes right. North America Fall Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:11:54 +0000 jbalog 37582 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/if-labs-could-talk North America Fall Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Mon, 22 Oct 2012 23:37:39 +0000 jbalog 37450 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/meet-our-goose-guy-md-johnson Editor's Note: M.D. Johnson is a freelance writer with credits in a variety of outdoor publications. He's the Pacific Flyway reporter and a frequent contributor to Realtree.com. M.D. has hunted waterfowl throughout the United States and will be contributing guest posts to the Duck Blog this season. M.D. is a goose guy, so honker talk will be his specialty. Fall Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Thu, 18 Oct 2012 21:09:18 +0000 will 37349 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/balog-on-public-draw-hunts-and-sky-busting When are we going to learn? The key to duck hunting is getting the ducks closer to us. North America Fall Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Tue, 16 Oct 2012 15:32:20 +0000 jbalog 37311 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/opening-day-is-finally-here Balog reflects on opening day North America Fall Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Wed, 10 Oct 2012 23:37:09 +0000 jbalog 37230 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/the-true-sportmans-paradise There is truly no place in America like the Louisiana Gulf Coast. United States Fall Ducks Shotgun Entertainment Thu, 04 Oct 2012 14:30:00 +0000 jbalog 37183 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/50-to-spend-camo-lingerie-or-a-single-goose-decoy Some time ago, I made it known to all of my friends and family members not to get me “gifts” for any occasion. Like many of you, I stockpile all of my freebies as gift cards, usually to a major outdoor retailer. Those gift cards get eaten up quickly this time of year, as we approach “THE season." But I had one more $50 credit to spend, so I did a little online shopping. Breezing through the duck section of the online store, here’s what I came across as my most likely choices for fifty bucks: North America Fall Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Sat, 29 Sep 2012 16:47:34 +0000 jbalog 37096 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/autumn-has-arrived The calendar says Autumn is here. The ducks say it louder. North America Fall Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Wed, 26 Sep 2012 14:00:27 +0000 jbalog 37089 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/secrets-for-cooking-duck Learning a few simple concepts go a long way when cooking waterfowl North America Waterfowl Entertainment Mon, 17 Sep 2012 12:22:41 +0000 jbalog 36995 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/im-not-in-shape-for-duck-season There’s no way I’ve got 20 more years of this in my body. It probably doesn’t help that my three favorite foods are beer, ice cream, and fried fish, but it felt as if the lake was trying to suck me down... North America Fall Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Thu, 06 Sep 2012 21:25:04 +0000 jbalog 36945 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/balog-on-early-season-geese “North Dakota’s early Canada goose season is set, and the season will open Aug. 15. The limits are 15 daily and 30 in possession.” North America Fall Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Fri, 31 Aug 2012 12:41:52 +0000 jbalog 36908 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/four-tips-for-better-duck-shooting Ducks aren't real difficult to hit. They're just very easy to miss North America Fall Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Mon, 27 Aug 2012 14:26:32 +0000 jbalog 36842 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/death-taxes-and-labrador-retrievers In my world, everyone hunts with a dog, and I own Eukanuba. North America Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Mon, 20 Aug 2012 11:27:12 +0000 jbalog 36606 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/duck-season-global-warming Why is it that the ducks seem to show up the day the season ends? North America Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Mon, 13 Aug 2012 19:19:11 +0000 jbalog 35802 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/balog-on-calling-contests Duck calling contests have nothing to do with ducks. North America Waterfowl Entertainment Tue, 07 Aug 2012 12:54:30 +0000 jbalog 35375 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/expensive-shells-worth-the-money Are expensive duck loads really worth the money, or does cheap steel work just fine? North America Summer Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Wed, 01 Aug 2012 20:14:50 +0000 jbalog 35338 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/cabelas-northern-flight-one-strap-wader Balog reviews the Cabela's Northern Flight One Strap wader North America Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Mon, 30 Jul 2012 13:45:56 +0000 jbalog 35333 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/balog-on-hunting-tv During the waterfowl off-season, I spend a majority of my “hunting” time as many of you probably do: looking at Google Earth maps and watching hunting shows. Google Earth never lets me down. Hunting television is another story. North America Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Wed, 25 Jul 2012 00:12:00 +0000 jbalog 35267 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/what-the-farm-bill-means-to-ducks The last thing I wanted to do was start this blog with a political rant. But I need your help, because I’m as confused as ever. The one-sided viewpoints of our political leaders and activists just aren’t lining up for me, and I’ll explain why. North America Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Thu, 12 Jul 2012 15:43:02 +0000 jbalog 35186 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/record-duck-numbers-and-future-fears The reports are out: estimates for the total population of breeding waterfowl in the US are at record highs. Never before, since surveys began in 1955, has the US Fish and Wildlife Service seen so many ducks. North America Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Thu, 05 Jul 2012 15:35:10 +0000 jbalog 35185 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/meet-joe-balog Whoever came up with the idea of Internet blogs must have thought of me at the time. Take a far-fetched story, add a little truth, some controversy, and even a dash of conspiracy, and you’ve got a blog. And that sums up my specialty.  North America Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Thu, 28 Jun 2012 17:56:08 +0000 jbalog 35142 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/state-fish-and-game-listening-to-hunters We always complain that the Fish and Game folks need to listen to hunters. Well, in Michigan, they're reading us loud and clear. United States Waterfowl Entertainment Mon, 15 Apr 2013 19:15:15 +0000 jbalog 40802 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/tenzing-blind-bag-video-review North America Winter Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Fri, 18 Jan 2013 21:31:59 +0000 will 39462 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/vegas-shot-show-day-1-duck-hunting-highlights Today was Day 1 of the SHOT Show in Las Vegas, and my peers were right, this thing is a monster. It's the kind of show that tests both your stamina and your footwear. With my limited time in town, I knew I would never see the entire event. I was going to need to go right for the jugular and target what I came to see -- waterfowl gear. North America United States Winter Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Thu, 17 Jan 2013 03:00:28 +0000 jbalog 39401 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/ducks-or-deer Deer hunting can be great, no doubt, but I'll stick to the ducks. North America Fall Whitetail Deer Waterfowl Rifle Shotgun Entertainment Tue, 20 Nov 2012 14:03:51 +0000 jbalog 38380 at http://www.realtree.com http://www.realtree.com/hunting/realtree-hunting-blogs/the-duck-blog/smelly-dogs-and-duck-hunting-usa-one-ends-while-another-begins It's amazing how fast 60 days dissapear when you start counting them on a calendar.  North America Fall Waterfowl Shotgun Entertainment Fri, 16 Nov 2012 15:40:53 +0000 jbalog 38229 at http://www.realtree.com