NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/581251
14 NEBRASKAland • NOVEMBER 2015 Cover Your Hide By Jeff Kurrus For a few years, I had the opportunity to write migration reports for Ducks Unlimited Magazine. I'd place a quick call to guides, weekend warriors and biologists across the country to give hunters the most up-to-date information on duck and goose locations across various regions. Once I had the information I needed, I would always ask one more question: are there any tips I should pass along to hunters? More than any other answer, by far, was that hunters should focus on "their hide." These exact words were repeated in nearly every conversation, and explains how important this simple camouflaging tip should be to hunters. Waterfowl focus on movement, so make sure your silhouette is broken up and, if possible, camouflage yourself from head to toe, including your face and hair. From face masks to face paint, hunters use an array of techniques to mask themselves. Even the bill of a ball cap can work wonders in your hide. The main aspect to remember: if you can see incoming ducks and geese clearly, there's a good chance they can see you clearly as well. Eliminate this pitfall, and the flaring of birds, by concentrating on your hide now. ■ PHOTO BY JEFF KURRUS By Eric Fowler It wasn't long ago that I didn't bother wearing cleats when I ventured onto the ice. Part of me figured I had good balance and was young and nimble enough that I didn't need them. The other part of me is cheap/frugal and didn't want to buy another set of creepers that might work as poorly as the first I owned. But when it took weeks for my back to get back to normal after falling on my butt while ice fishing a few years ago, I figured finding some cleats that worked might be cheaper than a hospital bill. I've been through a few pairs since, but don't think I'll need another now that I have a pair of STABILicers Maxx. Made by Stabil in Biddeford, Maine, the cleats have two things going for them that others I've tried did not. First, they actually fit on my oversized pac boots and boot-foot waders. Second, they stay on. That second point doesn't hold true for the elastic rubber creepers I've tried. I've had those fall off while simply walking across the ice. I left another in the mud at the bottom of the pond where I goose hunt when I stepped in the hole we'd opened in the ice to set decoys in. We kept that hole open for a while last year, and I was in and out of it often to clear slush ice. While one of my STABILicers Maxx slipped off the toe of my boot once, it didn't find a permanent home in the muck because the straps that wrapped around my ankle kept it there. Those same heavy- duty nylon straps will no doubt hold up better than rubber if I ever accidentally swipe the blade on my ice auger across one while I'm fishing. (Anyone need one elastic creeper?) I don't know if I'll use them enough to wear out the 17 case-hardened metal cleats that adorn the bottom of each flexible sole. But postmen and others who work outside in the winter appreciate the fact that the cleats are replaceable, adding long-term durability and value to STABILicers. A few of my blind mates now have a pair of STABILicers after losing their elastic creepers in the mud last winter. If you want a pair for yourself, or you would like to check out their full product line (which includes models meant to slip over running shoes for you crazy folks who like to stay overly active year- round), visit the Stabil website at 32north.com. ■ PHOTO BY ERIC FOWLER Product Review: STABILicers Maxx