Waterfowl GuideA distinct section of Charted Waters, for hunting rather than fishing. Looking for fishing instead? →

Gear & equipment

Category-based, educational guidance — never a "best gun" ranking, never affiliate-driven, and never a universal gauge, choke, or load prescription. Always verify firearm and ammunition legality and compatibility yourself before hunting.

Shotgun Gauges & Actions for WaterfowlThe common lawful gauges and action types used for waterfowl hunting, and the real tradeoffs between them — not a single 'best' answer.Professional Firearm Fitting & Supervised PracticeWhy a properly fitted gun and real supervised practice matter more than any single equipment choice.Non-Toxic Shot Requirements & MaterialsWhy non-toxic shot is required for all waterfowl hunting, and the real differences between common non-toxic shot materials.Chamber, Shell, Choke & Barrel CompatibilityWhy checking these four things together — before loading a single shell — is a safety step, not just an equipment question.Patterning: A Safety and Equipment-Validation PracticeWhy shooting a patterning target before the season is a safety practice, not just a performance tweak.Storage, Transport, Cleaning & Corrosion CareWaterfowl hunting's wet, cold, and often saltwater environment makes routine cleaning and care a real necessity, not an afterthought.Waders, PFDs & Cold-Water Protective EquipmentBasic categories of cold-water protective gear relevant to marsh and boat-based waterfowl hunting.Decoys & Calls: The BasicsA neutral overview of decoy and call categories — not a buying guide or brand ranking.

Never use lead shot for waterfowl — non-toxic shot is a hard legal requirement. See Licensing & Regulations →