Duck caller reeds sometimes freeze or stick in frigid weather. Prevent gum-ups by using a product that’s made to deter rain, snow and ice buildup on windshields. A few drops rubbed on the reed with a cloth make the reed less likely to stick in the heat of a cold-weather hunt.

Make dirty decoys look as good as new by hanging them on a fence, spraying with automobile tire cleaner solution and allowing to dry overnight. In the morning, the original colors will be brighter and easier for ducks to see.

When hunting clear water, kick with your feet to muddy the area around your decoys. Duck activity creates muddy water, and a muddy zone in an area of clear water attracts the attention of ducks overhead.

Forgot your choke tube wrench? In a pinch, a quarter makes an effective 12-gauge wrench, and a dime can loosen or tighten a 20-gauge choke tube.

Are you really a good caller? Record yourself on a small tape player and find out. Listen for weaknesses in your repertoire, then practice to improve them.

Need an easy way to move several dozen decoys from your clubhouse to your field-hunting blind? Try using a garbage can on wheels. A commercial can will hold two to three dozen standard duck decoys.

If you don’t have a retrieving dog and you’re hunting a pond or stream too deep for wading, carry a casting rod and floating plug. You can cast to fallen ducks, hook and retrieve them.

Your buddies may laugh, but if you hope to bag a special duck to have mounted by the taxidermist, snip one leg from a pair of panty hose and keep it in your pocket. After you kill the bird, rinse blood from its feathers, then place the duck head-first in the panty hose. This keeps all feathers in place so you get a nicer mount.

Use a wine-bottle cork to camouflage your face when duck hunting. Singe the end of the cork with a lighter, then rub the black residue on your face.

Always forgetting when shooting time starts and ends? Set your cell phone or wristwatch alarm to go off at exactly the right time.