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Waking up at 4 a.m., sloshing through knee-deep mud, swatting mosquitoes so big you could kill them with a shotgun—these are just a few of the small joys of a teal hunt in Louisiana. But the early morning struggles were worth what awaited us in the blind: a brilliant sunrise painted with vibrant shades of orange and pink, and teal dipping and diving into the decoys. My heart raced as the clock ticked down to shooting light. And when the time did come, a group of teal dropped into the spread—right on cue.
Take 'em," our guide said.
Once again, right on cue, our shotguns blasted, and teal fell from the sky.
This September, I traveled to Grosse Savanne Lodge for a cast and blast hosted by Academy Sports and Outdoors. We shot skeet and tested handguns at the range, fished for bull redfish and freshwater bass, and, as mentioned, hunted teal. Prior to this trip, I’d only just recently joined the Field & Stream team, and as I spent the weekend reeling in fish and dropping ducks, I couldn’t quite believe my luck that hunting, fishing, and shooting were now part of my job description.
Along with experiencing some of the best hunting and fishing Louisiana has to offer, I also got to hang out with some great people, learn from some knowledgeable experts, and hands-on test some new gear. Now that I’m back, I wanted to share my favorite products from the trip.
Redfield Reveal First Focal Plane Scope
I am not an experienced long-range shooter; I rarely shoot past 300 yards. So, as I approached the shooting bench at the range, I was nervous that I may not be able to make the 500-yard shot. But this scope helped put me at ease. I shot the 5-25x56 model. With the illuminated reticle and adjustable parallax, I could clearly see the target. I held my breath and slowly squeezed the trigger. I have to say: It’s pretty neat when you see the target swinging before you hear the sound of the hit.
Redfield Rebel Binoculars
Everyone needs a good pair of binoculars—a lesson I learned from riding around with my grandpa, who always has a pair in his truck to use when watching deer or looking for cattle. Redfield Rebel binoculars fit that bill. They are crystal clear with a great picture and are easy to adjust.
Redfield Reveal CDS Red Dot Sight
One afternoon during our cast and blast, we had a friendly competition at the pistol range. I won’t go into detail on who won the competition (hint: it was me), but let’s just say I can vouch for the CDS Red Dot. With three different settings, you can choose between a red dot, a circle, or a circle and a dot.
H20X Ethos Tackle Storage Bag
No matter what you are fishing for, every angler needs an organized tackle box. As we headed out on the boat to chase bull reds in Louisiana, this tackle box had everything we needed. It comes equipped with five utility boxes to pack all of your favorite lures and baits. It has a fully waterproof inside lid and exterior pockets for easy access to pliers. This tackle box is very functional at a great price.
ATA Arms NeoX Inertia Shotgun
I was surprised by how much I liked this shotgun. It was comfortable to hold and maneuver, and I really liked the 28-inch barrel, which made it easy to track the incoming teal. This shotgun has an inertia-driven system that works well in wet duck blinds and has fewer moving parts than a gas-operated gun. The tactical bolt handle made it easy for me to chamber rounds. The price of this shotgun is excellent for the quality it offers.
Magellan Outdoors Pro Waterproof Gear Box
These boxes were a hit with everyone at the cast and blast. The fishing captains, duck guides, and guests were all eager to get their hands on them. Available in three different sizes, these waterproof gear boxes withstood the elements in the Louisiana heat, the harsh salt-water conditions, and in the mud around the duck blinds. We used the 50 L box in the duck blind to carry in all our shells and gear we needed. The 92 L was perfect for holding all of my camo and hunting gear, and with wheels, it would make for a great deer camp travel box. The latches are easy to open and close for a waterproof and dustproof seal. I have used mine several times since this trip. I love this thing.
Magellan Pro Explore Ice Box Hard Cooler
Offered in four sizes, the Magellan Pro Hard Cooler is a versatile, spacious cooler that’s ready for any outdoor adventure. In Louisiana, we packed these coolers full of water, sports drinks, and sandwiches for our long excursions. The two smaller coolers are easy to carry, and the two larger ones have wheels for easy transport. My favorite is the 100L cooler. I can pack it full of groceries or drinks and roll it wherever we may be hanging out. It can also be used as a seat when hanging out around at camp and it has a bottle opener and interior bucket that can double as a cutting board.
Game Winner Ultimate Hunting Chair
Whether you're hunting inside a pop-up blind or lounging at camp watching football, you can’t overstate the importance of a comfortable chair—and this one is fantastic. It has a large gear pocket, a carry strap, and a built-in cooler on the side. The camo design means you’ll blend right in at dove field or at deer camp.
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