Take It To the Limit With Winchester's Blind Side

Melissa Bachman offers her favorite tips for fall waterfowl season.

posted on September 17, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

Waterfowl hunting is something I grew up with in central Minnesota, and it’s still one of my favorite activities to do with family. I love being able to talk and setup as a group. And when the action heats up, there are times we are limited out even before the sun comes up!  

The fun of waterfowl hunting is also directly linked with having the right gear and being prepared. If you’re cold, wet and uncomfortable it will make any experience much less fun. I love the early season hunts as it’s usually very nice out, and if the mosquitoes are bad, I throw in a ThermaCell to keep my area bug free.

When it comes to ammunition, Winchester made this easy by creating Blind Side. This is the perfect shot shell for waterfowl. They utilized a hex steel shot technology, which is more stackable, giving you more shot, larger kill zones. They also added a diamond cut wad that keeps the pellets together longer.

Personally, I like to use an EOTech optic on top of my shotgun because it forces me to get on target better, and I have much better success. Most of my fall big game hunting is accomplished with scopes, adding a scope for waterfowl was a huge help. It might not be the preferred option for everyone, but if you’re new to waterfowl, it gets you on target fast.​

Latest

Deering Rifle Grouping
Deering Rifle Grouping

What to Do When Your Rifle Stops Grouping Well

Is your rifle suddenly failing to shoot the nice groups it usually does? Here are the things to check first, from easy solutions to more complicated ones.

Why Bullet Shape Matters

Why are some bullets short and others long, some skinny and some fat, some rounded at the top and others blunt or pointed?

The Armed Citizen® Reload May 1, 2026

It almost ended differently for a woman being violently abused by her spouse—until she was able to retrieve a handgun.

New Guns 2026: Davidson’s Exclusive Colt Python and Anaconda

The newest two Davidson’s Exclusive Colt revolvers are introducing the first round-butt grip frame and the only 2½” barrels in the Anaconda and Python lines.

Benelli Pro Staff Shooters Make Team USA for IPSC World Shoot

Heather Eckhardt and Ashlynne Thomas will head to the competition, which will take place in Corinth, Greece, September 20 to October 4. 

My Top Pet Peeves as a Female Hunter

These are the (mostly little) things that have bugged me over the years as a woman who hunts.

Women's Interests



Get the best of NRA Women delivered to your inbox.