Opening day doesn’t wait for anyone. And too many hunters walk into it with huge energy, hype, expectation… but zero preparation – thinking the date on the calendar and the excitement it brings will carry them.
But real hunters? They know the opener starts long before that first sunrise on opener.
Here’s a real-life, non-glorified checklist for what actually matters before opening day. This isn’t theory either… This is real stuff that actually matters and helps you hunt through the season – not just show up for it.
1. Scout Like It’s Mid-November
Don’t wait until the week before the opener to start glassing ponds and walking levees.
- Find feed, find where birds want to be, find consistency.
- If the birds are already there, ask why. If they’re not, ask where else they might be.
- Keep notes. Don’t trust your memory – trust your data. Grab a notebook, start a note on your phone… there’s a reason why companies pay for data instead of opinions or theories.
Bonus tip: Scouting isn’t just seeing birds in a specific area. It’s learning pressure, access points, water levels, wind behavior, first light flights and mid-day patterns.
2. Pattern Your Shotgun – For Real
You bought increasingly expensive shells, a choke that everyone on Facebook says they love… but you need to be operating on real-life data, not social media opinions.
- Shoot paper at 20, 30, 40 yards with the different shells you actually plan to use during the season.
- Try different chokes. Don’t assume what everyone is saying online will work for you.
- Adjust based on real-world shot opportunities, not theory.
Confidence comes when you stop guessing and start seeing your pattern on paper.
3. Clean, Fix, Replace – Before It’s 3AM and You’re at the Ramp
That squeaky zipper, leaky boot, or rusty bolt? It won’t magically fix itself.
Here’s what to check:
- Shotgun action (clean, oil, cycle)
- Waders (test for leaks now instead of finding them on the opener)
- Blind bag (empty it — seriously. You’ll find jerky and a half eaten gas station burrito from last January.)
- Decoys (clean, check weights, restring if needed)
- Headlamp & flashlight batteries
- Calls (practice, tune reeds, etc…)
- Dog gear (vest, first aid, collar, lead, water bowl)
- Double check your license, stamp, refuge pass, etc…
Think in terms of failure points – because that’s where opening day exposes people.
If you’re in need of a new set of waders before the season kicks off, you’re in luck. We’ve created The Hunt Bums Guide to Choosing Waterfowl Waders: Best Breathable and Neoprene Waders
4. Prep Your Spot – Before shooting light
Whether it’s public or private, keep up with it like it’s yours.
- Trim shooting lanes.
- Brush the blind.
- Rebuild, restake, shore up – even if it might be “good enough.”
Even if it’s your honey hole, act like someone else is hunting it harder than you.
Birds notice anything out of place – especially when they’ve been shot at a thousand times from every state north of you.
5. Call Every Day, Even for Five Minutes
You don’t have to be a world champ. But you should be in control.
- Practice cadence, not just volume.
- Record yourself – it’s humbling.
- Play actual duck audio and mimic, don’t just listen to youtube tutorials.
Blowing loud doesn’t mean you’re calling well. And opener birds might not care – but the second weekend birds will.
6. Run a Checklist with Your Crew
Don’t wait for the night before opener to remember:
- Who’s bringing the jerk rig, the teal decoys, etc…
- Where the dog platform goes
- Which guy always forgets his license
- Who has the jet-sled
Run through the hunt before the hunt.
- Load the truck.
- Pack the blind bag.
- Get the boat gassed up and ready.
Go through your checklist, ask who is bringing what… It’ll expose what you missed. That’s the point.
7. Study Weather Patterns, Not Just the Forecast
Wind + barometer + moon + fronts = bird movement.
- Know which wind favors your main spot – and which ruins it.
- Track pressure trends. High pressure after a front = better visibility, colder air, more bird movement.
- Know your second option if the plan busts. If you’re hunting public, you might want a third and fourth contingency plan.
Don’t just check the weather – learn how it affects your hunt.
8. Mentally Reset
Set your head right before season starts:
- You hunt for more than just Instagram.
- You hunt to teach (if you bring others).
- You hunt because it means something.
- You hunt for food.
- You hunt to slow down from the rat-race of life.
Opening day isn’t about being perfect – it’s about being present and prepared.
9. Stay Legal.
Don’t be the guy who gets checked without having a duck stamp or turned away for not having his day pass.
- Current License
- Federal stamp
- State validation
- HIP registration
- Plug in the gun
- Know your shooting times
And know your zone’s regs… split seasons, species limits, etc…
Because “I didn’t know” doesn’t hold weight with the guy in green jeans coming your way.
10. Invite Someone Who’s Never Gone
Want to honor our tradition? Bring someone into it.
- A young hunter.
- A neighbor who’s shown interest.
- A buddy who’s been out of it for a while.
Set expectations low. Set the experience high. That might become their story – and the best part of yours.
At The End Of The Day
Opening day is a heck of a day for all of us waterfowlers… but it’s also a report card. It reveals the work you did in the off-season.
If you want more than just a half-way decent photo at the end of the day, do the work now. Because birds might give you the opener… but the season?
That’s earned.