How important is gloves and head net ???

[steel shot]

This weekend went pretty good for 3 beginners.we killed 9 sat and 3 today but we had a bunch of birds that would circle a time or 2 and move on.we couldent figure out what the problem could be.I saw on a post from earlier today where some one was talking about head nets and gloves.How many peoplewear gloves and head nets?were hunting on big water with cypress trees scattered throughout, do they fit in some situations and not in others??

[Blackduck]

Gloves I only wear when it is cold. I always carry a headnet. I usually wear it when I am standing in sparse flooded timber or if I think the birds are seeing my ugly mug. Your face shines like a white moon. Next time you are throwing out dekes turn and look at the guys on the bank. Their faces will be glowing. Not often do I wear a net in the blind. I just keep my head down. Always keep your head down. Watch your dog or watch the reflection in the water but what ever you do don't stare with an uncoverd head.

[astanford]

Hey Steelshot,
You need to lay off that call too when they
are in tight and circling close and most
important keep your head down and don't move
a muscle.

[GulfCoast]

I wear a face cover 100% of the time when hunting, even if I am in a "blind." I have flown over the marsh here in an ultralight and been SHOCKED at how your face looks like a spotlight if you are looking up (at either a duck or an ultralight). I was also blown away by how obvious most duck blinds look from above. That one airplane trip changed my whole philosophy about blinds. I try to avoid them now, but sometimes you just don't have any good cover to hide in/behind.

I don't think gloves are that big a deal if you keep still. Keeping still is a lost art for folks my age (including me, most of the time.)

[greenheadhunter2000]

I wear a camo tobogin style face mask 100% of the time and gloves only when it is cold.As for what has already been mentioned,good sound advise.Don't move or twitch a muscle when birds are over head and when they start closin in and getting low,shut that call down and let your decoys do the work.Remember this too.Some of them birds are gonna come in and some of them birds aren't gonna come in no matter what you do.They might fly low and tease ya a bit,then go on thier way.You won't be able to decoy or call all of them.Just my $.02 worth.Good luck and enjoy ur huntin.

[GulfCoast]

Good advice from Highball, GHH2K, and others too. Glad to see Highball. About time we got some other "New Albanians" on the board. [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[ December 09, 2001: Message edited by: GulfCoast ]

[Bigpoppa]

I always wear a headnet and gloves in flooded timber. I dont feel like it is as important in the blind but every bit helps. You are a natural when it comes to calling. It may take some time to learn what to do when. I beleive the ducks you are killing are local ducks and not new ducks from what you tell me.
When we go in flooded timber, I would appreciate it for my sake if you would wear a headnet.

[Greenhead22]

I always wear a headnet and a glove only on my left hand, due to holding the call in my right hand plus I like to feel the trigger when I shoot.

[Anatidae]

How important depends on how close you want the birds to get and how well you're hidden. That's some reeeeaaaalllll good info Gulf Coast! It'll amaze you how some 'hides' stick-out.

Watching the birds all the way 'in' is a rush, so I wear a face mask to avoid detection (in certain hunting situations). I use to use one that was attached to a hat, but when you shoulder your gun, it'll grab the netting and pull your hat down.......consequently, you have to raise yo head to see the birds and 'viola!....a MISS! [img]images/smiles/icon_mad.gif[/img]

I use the type that has the elastic band that you pull-up.....they're still a pain because you have to use 2 hands to get the call up to your mouth (especially on windy days).....one to hold the call, and the other to lift the net so you can get the call to your lips. It's just one of those evil necessities.

I just use black camo paint on the back of my 'call' hand. If it's cold.....I may use a mit, and slip my hand out when working the call. I agree with GH22 (even though it pains me) [img]images/smiles/icon_razz.gif[/img]....a gloved 'call' hand tends to muffle the call IMHO.

Do like 'Blackduck' said.....keep yo head down and rely on reflections on the surface of the water or your dog, to tell you where the birds are, when they're 'tight'.....don't move until you hear the wings pumping and whistling, then you can look up! [img]images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img] They oughta be in yo face. [img]images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img].....right where you like'em. [img]images/smiles/icon_cool.gif[/img]

[ December 11, 2001: Message edited by: Anatidae ]

[Goat Roper]

I wear gloves and put camo make-up on my face (the part not covered with my beard.) If you don't wear this stuff, make dang sure you don't have your hands and face shining like a flag. Keep them hidden and most important of all - STAY STILL. [img]images/smiles/icon_cool.gif[/img]

[Jeff]

Well I buck the trend on this topic also. I think movment is the biggest thing. That is what scares ducks away. If you are moving your head that scares ducks, if you are moving anything else and a duck can see it scares ducks away. If you sit still you can hammer the birds period! If this wasnt the case most of the biggest duck killers I have ever met would be just average hunters. As they are all old men that hunt in a denim jacket and white shrimp boots and just wear them out. They are of a different breed some of them don't speak a lick of english, and most of them don't know what a "season" on ducks is but flat out they kill ducks. They have no idea what mossy oak or realtree is, they buy shells a beat up gun and a shell bucket throw it in their boat and are duck killers. I wear camo most of the time, but never a mask unless it's cold where my ears need it and gloves if my fingers get cold, not for concealment. Do I nock people who don't do that no, I just don't feel it's necessary. If you are still and a duck wants into your spread you aint gonna keep him out. If you move and a ducks wants into your spread you aint gonna keep him out. I haven't ever hunted much timber, so I don't kow about it, in the marsh or a field, you don't need the stuff IMHO. [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[Dutch Dog]

I always wear a facemask. The one I use is one of those "hawkeye" headnets by mossy oak. I make a hole for my call to go through to get to my mouth without having to blow it through the facemask and it get all wet. moisture will collect on your facemask just like inside the call, and that is annoying. I have worn gloves on very very few occasions. I agree with gh22 and others gloves muffle the sound of the call and I don't particularly care for that. I also like the ability to feel what i'm doing especially when handling a loaded shotgun around hunting buddies.

[Unkljohn]

I allways wear a facemask, and depending where I'm hunting and what the weather conditions are I may wear gloves. If the sun is bright I'll wear the gloves, when it's overcast you can get away without them. I usually wear a regular glove on my left hand and a mitt that the ends of your fingers stick out of on my right hand, if I'm not calling. If I'm calling I don't wear a glove on my right hand.
JT

[Johnboy114]

I will not hunt with out one. I always carry an extra for a fellow hunter in case he forgets. I want to be able to look at the band on the duck as he drops in. without a mask it makes it hard.
matt

[Bigpoppa]

If you guys saw steel shot's face you would ask him to wear a headnet all the time.