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A cabin journal. Every cabin has one, some old, some new. It is the place where we write and reminisce on past stories, adventures, and experiences. Our cabin journal reminds us of the times afield, stories between friends, lessons learned, and informative advice for the next time. Read pages from our journal for expert tips and tactics from Team Lucky Duck. Stay caught up on the latest articles that make Lucky Duck’s Cabin Journal a resource for everything waterfowl, predator, dog, turkey, and game bird.

Cabin Journal

Tips For Cleaning and Maintaining Your Dog's Kennel

Posted by The Lucky Duck Team on Jun 13th 2025

A kennel is more than just a box for transport. It's your dog's safe space, their mobile home, and can even be a vital piece of safety equipment. Proper cleaning and maintenance are important for the … read more

Summer Prep and Training for Bird Dogs

Posted by The Lucky Duck Team on Jun 6th 2025

Why the Off-Season is On-Time for Excellence: Setting the Stage for a Successful Hunt Here at Lucky Duck, we know that true mastery in the field doesn't happen by accident. It’s forged in dedic … read more

Introducing Your Dog to Decoys: A Step-by-Step Guide

Posted by The Lucky Duck Team on May 30th 2025

Train the Retrieve, Not the Rig: Why Decoy Introduction is Non-Negotiable As the season gets closer, imagination can start to play through our next hunts: the sky is perfect, the birds are flying, an … read more

Training Your Duck Dog for Its First Hunting Season

Posted by The Lucky Duck Team on May 23rd 2025

Know What You’re Signing Up For Bringing a duck dog into your life isn’t just about having a retriever in the blind—it’s a commitment that reshapes your lifestyle. Daily train … read more

Tips for Traveling with Your Hunting Dog

Posted by The Lucky Duck Team on May 16th 2025

Introduction Hitting the road with your hunting dog is one of the most rewarding parts of the hunting experience. Whether you’re chasing upland birds, waterfowl, or big game, having a well-prep … read more

Breeding Ground Insights: May Duck Hunting Prep

Posted by Lucky Duck Team on May 13th 2025

2025 Waterfowl Breeding Update: What Every Hunter Should Know The latest reports from conservation groups like Delta Waterfowl and Ducks Unlimited show a modest rebound in duck populations after yea … read more

How Do You Keep A Dog Kennel Cool In Summer?

Posted by Lucky Duck Team on Apr 24th 2025

Why is it important to keep your dog cool in summer? Dogs often struggle more than humans to cope with hot weather and are highly vulnerable to heatstroke, a dangerous condition that can lead to sever … read more

8 Great Strategies for Duck Hunting in 2025

Posted by Lucky Duck Team on Jan 16th 2025

Duck hunting continues to evolve, with seasoned hunters and newcomers alike constantly refining their techniques for better success. This guide explores eight practical options and strategies to help … read more

How Ducks See Your Blind and Decoy Spread

Posted by Lucky Duck Team on Jan 9th 2025

Successful duck hunting requires more than just the right gear and patience—it demands an understanding of how ducks actually see the world. Unlike humans, ducks have UV-sensitive vision, giving them … read more

Keeping Your Dog Safe and Warm This Winter

Posted by Lucky Duck Team on Dec 19th 2024

While some dogs are naturally equipped for cold weather with thick, insulating coats, others struggle when temperatures drop. Small breeds, short-haired dogs, puppies, and senior dogs are particularly … read more

The Hunter’s Guide to Last-Minute Gifts

Posted by Lucky Duck Team on Dec 16th 2024

The holidays are fast approaching, and if you’re scrambling to find the perfect gift for the hunter in your life, don’t panic—there’s still time to grab something they’ll truly appreciate. Whether the … read more

The Best Hunting Gear of 2024 from Lucky Duck

Posted by Lucky Duck Team on Dec 4th 2024

Introduction: Essential Gear for the 2025 Hunting SeasonAs the 2024 hunting season comes to an end, hunters are looking for gear that combines cutting-edge technology with rugged durability to finish … read more

What Is The Safest Way To Travel With Your Dog?

Posted by Lucky Duck Team on Dec 2nd 2024

Why Traveling with Your Dog Unrestrained Poses Serious RisksTraveling with an unrestrained dog in the car can be incredibly risky for both your pet and everyone else in the vehicle. In the event of a … read more

Shooting Tips for Bagging a Duck This Thanksgiving

Posted by Lucky Duck Team on Nov 20th 2024

IntroductionThanksgiving marks the perfect time for waterfowl hunting, with many hunters taking to the blinds to bring home a memorable meal. Bagging a duck isn’t just about luck; it requires preparat … read more

How to Train Your Dog to Hike With You

Posted by Lucky Duck Team on Nov 5th 2024

Why Hiking with Your Dog is a Great AdventureHiking with your dog offers a unique way to deepen the bond between you and your canine companion while enjoying the beauty of nature. Whether you’re navig … read more

Hunting the Ebb and Flow of November Duck Migration

Posted by Lucky Duck Team on Nov 5th 2024

IntroductionThe month of November is a pivotal time for duck hunters in the Midwest. It brings with it a mix of challenges and opportunities as ducks migrate southward, driven by fluctuating weather c … read more

Late-Season Tips and Decoy Strategies

Posted by Lucky Duck Team on Nov 5th 2024

IntroductionLate-season duck hunting poses its own set of unique challenges, as the ducks you’re hunting have seen and learned from decoy spreads, calls, and blinds throughout the season. To succeed i … read more

Early Season Duck Hunting Tips

Posted by Lucky Duck Team on Sep 26th 2024

Understanding Early Season Waterfowl Behavior In the early season, waterfowl behavior can be quite different from later in the year. Birds are less pressured, meaning they are not as wary as they … read more

Top Factors to Consider When Buying a Dog Kennel

Posted by Lucky Duck Team on Sep 25th 2024

Understanding Your Dog's Needs The way your dog uses the kennel will heavily influence your choice. For instance, if your dog is often outside, you'll want a kennel that offers both comfort and p … read more

How to Combine Duck Species for a Mixed Spread

Posted by Lucky Duck Team on Sep 25th 2024

Understanding Duck BehaviorWhen you’re out in the blind, waiting for the first light to break over the marsh, it’s easy to be all optimism and mentally estimate how many ducks we’ll get that day. But … read more

How to Place Your Decoys for Effective Slot Patterns

Posted by Lucky Duck Team on Sep 25th 2024

Understanding the Slot Pattern Decoy SpreadThe slot pattern decoy spread is a strategic setup that creates an inviting landing zone for ducks while guiding them into the optimal shooting area. The cor … read more

​After Season Electronic Decoy Care

Posted by Lucky Duck Team on Feb 23rd 2022

As we start to come to the end of many waterfowl seasons, it becomes time to store our electronic decoys. With proper storage you will limit many issues in 8-10 months when you are ready to check them … read more

The Wigeon Hole

Posted by Brandon Trentham on Jan 17th 2022

Small water in Texas is the epitome of waterfowl pursuit. The Wigeon Hole at Dry Creek Outfitters is the experience that most waterfowl hunters dream about. Seeing wigeons (And don’t forget all … read more

Do Goose Flappers Really Work?

Posted by Lucky Duck Team on Nov 9th 2021

There’s no question that the sport of hunting continues to change and evolve as birds become more educated. Before goose flappers, the only option was flagging, which is still a common practice today. … read more

​What Keeps You Comin’ Back?

Posted by Brandon Trentham on Oct 25th 2021

Last season, the question "Why do I hunt?" hit me like a ton of bricks. I have been blessed with many "once in a lifetime" opportunities to hunt with some of the best in the business at some of the mo … read more

Lucky 4 Slot Motion Bag

Posted by David Vaught , PH.D. on Oct 7th 2021

Might as well get more than one – the convenience of having multiple sorted bags is well worth it.Recently at a Midwest waterfowl show, I saw the new Lucky Duck 4 Slot Motion Backpack and I was ama … read more

​5 Things to Love About Teal Season

Posted by Brandon Trentham on Sep 22nd 2021

In my neck of the woods, the world revolves around the fall. The leaves change colors, the helmet and shoulder pads come out, and the woods come alive. The marsh is no different and the preseason s … read more

Which Spinner Decoy is Best for Me?

Posted by Lucky Duck Team on Aug 31st 2021

Fall is quickly approaching which means it is time to think about chasing waterfowl (let’s be honest, do we ever stop thinking about it). It’s no secret that waterfowl hunters are gear junkies and whe … read more

​Early Teal

Posted by Ducklander Calls on Aug 30th 2021

It is late August which means a few things are going on at the call shop. We are steady shipping and building calls everyday. If you have been watching our website you have noticed we are short on a … read more

My Favorite Features of the Lucky Kennel

Posted by Brandon Trentham on Aug 2nd 2021

When it comes to protecting my family, I don’t like to leave anything up to luck. The Lucky Kennel is anything but wishing for luck. This kennel is rugged, sturdy, and built to last. Before we … read more

Summertime Restart

Posted by Torrey Walrath on Jul 9th 2021

It has been a few months since our dogs have had the fun of hunting with us. Now that it's summer, it is time to start making sure they are in shape to get multiple safe retrieves in as few as three … read more

Season Reflection

Posted by Josh Miller on Jun 2nd 2021

Saying this has been an interesting year would be a complete understatement. Our lives have, without a doubt, changed in many ways. But hopefully you have all been able to make lemonade out of th … read more

Turkey Properties

Posted by David Vaught, Ph.D. on May 7th 2021

Some people are very lucky to know someone that will allow them to hunt turkeys. Even luckier if they are the only one that hunts that property. In these recent years, we have seen an increase in … read more

Bow Hunting Spring Gobblers

Posted by Shawn McKinney on Apr 21st 2021

Have you ever attempted bowhunting for that spring gobbler? We all know hunting those spring gobblers can be challenging enough but getting them within bow range can add another level of intensity. … read more

Realism Has Big Benefits

Posted by Shane Simpson on Mar 30th 2021

With another turkey season just around the corner, many hunters are dusting off the turkey calls so that they can begin practicing. Some hunters will be content with merely sounding “good enough” wh … read more

​Turkey Hunting- Early Season Preparation

Posted by Dave Constantine on Mar 16th 2021

It goes without saying, that each year as spring turkey season approaches, most turkey hunters cannot wait for opening day!When it comes to early season preparations, a few things are worth conside … read more

What's the Target

Posted by Shawn McKinney on Mar 2nd 2021

Predator hunting is becoming more and more popular and it’s clearly visible via the social media channels that are available today on this very subject. Do a quick search on YouTube for “Coyote Hun … read more

Ducklander Calls Take on Spinners

Posted by Ducklander Calls on Feb 11th 2021

We talk about spinners a lot, motion wing decoys, mojos or whatever they are called. I prefer to call them spinners. The main questions are usually, do they still work, how many do you use, do you … read more

Pelts

Posted by Shawn McKinney on Jan 20th 2021

Are you a coyote hunter and if so, what do you do with your pelts?Let’s face it, the fur industry is nearly but an urban legend these days, as fur prices continue to fade away. We are a long time … read more

​The Real Deal

Posted by Ducklander Calls on Dec 23rd 2020

Waterfowling is something I truly love. I have hunted long before I built calls and would hunt just as much if I could never build another call again. I like about every single aspect of it, the scout … read more

​Thermal or Night-Vision

Posted by Shawn McKinney on Dec 8th 2020

Are you a night-time predator hunter? Are you still using old-school techniques with lights? The nighttime hunting game has taken a major turn in recent years with the availability of commercial … read more

Goose Bands

Posted by David Vaught, Ph.D. on Nov 17th 2020

So you got a band finally. You have seen them on people’s lanyards, but never got one yourself and now what does it mean. Years ago, researchers had a provocative question: What are the migration ro … read more

​Heed the Call

Posted by Brandon Trentham on Oct 27th 2020

It was a late morning in January as we finished off the last drop of Folgers in the thermos and huddled closely in the 2x4 Blind. We were freezing and each hunter was hoping the next chair over would … read more

​Control What You Can Control

Posted by Josh Miller on Oct 14th 2020

Season is almost upon us and many of us as preparing for duck and goose seasons. It is an exciting time of year and hopefully you have been putting in the time to prepare your four legged partner f … read more

Being a Good Hunting Partner

Posted by David Vaught, Ph.D. on Sep 29th 2020

Hunting is a social endeavor. We like to be with our friends and enjoy the company. But, we also know some arrive ill-prepared and really put little effort into getting ready.So how does one make him … read more

Dove Decoy Placement and My Favorite Recipe

Posted by Aron Boyce on Sep 14th 2020

Dove season being right around the corner, now is the time to start scouting new places and to get those dogs out after a long summer training. In the Midwest, we have had quite a bit of rain for th … read more

Trip Planning

Posted by Aron Boyce on Aug 18th 2020

When planning a waterfowl hunting trip, there is no shortage of things to remember. From the big to the little, there is no doubt that something will be forgotten. But there are some things that ar … read more

​Embrace Inefficiency

Posted by Brandon Trentham on Aug 4th 2020

Efficiency seems to always be the goal. In today's culture, at work, the car wash, grocery shopping, everywhere we turn, efficiency has become our currency. In my lifetime, and I am only 28, I have se … read more

​Your Gun and Patterning

Posted by David Vaught, Ph.D. on Jul 21st 2020

I can assure you there are right ways and wrong ways to ensure you know your choke. Most approach this effort at 40 yards, point their gun at a target and pull the trigger. So let me stop you right … read more

Hunting Equipment: Tips and Care

Posted by Jason Ford on Jul 7th 2020

If you’re a novice hunter, there are certain mistakes that you simply have to live through in order to avoid them in the future. For instance — waterfowl hunters spend a ridiculous amount of time wa … read more

Physically Distant, Socially Present

Posted by Brandon Trentham on Jun 18th 2020

For the outdoorsman, distance is no stranger. We long for the boat ride in hoping to have ventured further than the last explorer. The unknown aspects of the vast amount of space that we call the … read more

​What a Shot Pattern Looks Like

Posted by David Vaught, Ph.D. on Jun 4th 2020

For most of us, we see the shot pattern as a two-dimensional expression of pellets hitting a target. Really though, a lot more is occurring in multiple dimensions from the time the shot leaves the b … read more

Phase Three - Stages of Decoys in the Spring Season

Posted by Dave Constantine on May 21st 2020

As the spring turkey season progresses into the later phase, decoy applications also change. I would classify the “late season” as the last 10 to 14 days of most spring turkey seasons. To ensure a … read more

Phase Two - Stages of Decoys in the Spring Season

Posted by Dave Constantine on Apr 20th 2020

As the early season transitions into mid- season in the spring turkey woods, your decoy tactics need to also change to ensure success. This mid-season period will easily run two to three weeks. In … read more

At Home Training

Posted by Josh Miller on Apr 17th 2020

It’s starting to wear on you, as it is all of us. Stuck at home. Limited things to do and places to go. But since there is nothing we can do about this right now, let’s take these lemons and make lem … read more

What to do with your Waterfowl.

Posted by Brian Tucker on Apr 16th 2020

Many hunters take to the field every Fall, Winter, and Spring to chase waterfowl. Whether it is an early October Teal hunt in Wyoming or a spring Snow goose hunt in South Dakota, every waterfowl hun … read more

Phase One - Stages of Decoys in the Spring Season

Posted by Dave Constantine on Apr 15th 2020

Decoy dynamics and applications change throughout the spring hunting season. Many dynamics and changes occur throughout the course of the wild turkey’s spring breeding season. A “savvy” turkey hunt … read more

September Dove Hunting Prep

Posted by Aron Boyce on Apr 14th 2020

After a long hot summer, it always seems like September 1st can never come soon enough here in Kansas. Although, for me, my dove season preparation starts in early spring. Starting in March, I will … read more

Predator Scent Control

Posted by Shawn McKinney on Mar 19th 2020

Predator hunting is becoming more than a pastime for most hunters these days. In fact, some people are making it nearly their primary target throughout the hunting season. That takes some serious d … read more

Waterfowl Photography

Posted by Aron Boyce on Mar 13th 2020

Like many other activities, waterfowl photography has its own challenges. Following, I will go over what I have found that helps me.Waterfowl Photography is just like hunting except with a camera … read more

What's your Bore?

Posted by Shawn McKinney on Mar 6th 2020

Do you have a favorite rifle, specifically one you coyote hunt with? Is it a semi-auto AR platform, a traditional bolt action or maybe a custom built, tricked out, suppressed, tactical variation? W … read more