We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
“Darkroom Technology” Inside A Tent Box?
One of the features we were most interested in was the “Darkroom Technology,” which Coleman advertises as blocking 90% of the sun, so you can sleep better once the sun comes up, or even go to bed early!
We headed inside the tent to see what this “darkroom technology” was all about…
The tent material did block a lot of the sunlight, with the mesh screen being where most of the light seemed to be coming in.
Final Thoughts on the Coleman Sun Dome 4p Tent with Darkroom Technology
We picked an extremely hot and sunny day to set up the Coleman Sun Dome 4p tent. However, that turned out to be perfect, because we were able to get a good feel for how much light and heat the Darkroom Technology blocks.
Well, it was still really hot inside the tent. And, while we didn’t have any kind of light meter to test the light level, it was in fact significantly darker inside the tent.
The Sun Dome 4p tent folded up nice and neat and went right back into the small carrying bag fairly easily!
All in all, the Sun Dome 4p tent seems like a great tent for the money!
Unbeknownst to me, I had slowed the truck to a crawl as I surveyed the thick urban wood lot. Suffice to say, the car behind me didn’t appreciate it.
The greenbelt sat behind a gas station and next to a small pocket neighborhood. I had caught a glimpse of a familiar resident… It was “Shaggy,” a disheveled old buck that still donned his velvet on the early December day.
“Shaggy” is just one of a growing population of whitetails in suburban areas around the country.
But it wasn’t his set of antlers that justified his nickname, rather his mangy and matted coat. Shaggy always had a bad hair day – at least for the last couple of years. He wasn’t seen often, but this section was his core bedding area and the number of fender benders I almost caused here were too many to count.
Urban and Suburban Deer: A growing segment of the whitetail population
Urban and Suburban deer have been multiplying around the country for years. Even though hunting them is illegal in my hometown of Austin, Texas, deer nerds like me are always on the lookout for them. In fact, during the pre-rut and rut, I see an amazing number of shooter bucks within a four-block radius of my house alone. The untouchables I call them.
I’ve learned every wooded and semi-wooded area in my part of town and survey them regularly. I’ve also discovered various bedding areas, funnels, and trails in this mostly concrete jungle.
I’m told I need to get a life, but I’m okay with that.
I have a friend (who will remain nameless) that has long since been known for his bow hunting escapades in suburban Austin. A commercial real estate professional, he’s never had a shortage of unoccupied greenbelt sections to visit with his bow in hand. He was once known for his common strategy of putting on camo over his dress clothes for impromptu bow sits.
I’m not a proponent of law-breaking but have to admit that I loved his stories. Plus, much of Austin is mired in a massive overpopulation of whitetails. Some areas are so crowded with deer that many live an unhealthy existence.
For me, this softened my friend’s violation. Conservation and herd management indeed.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Urban Deer Hunting | It’s Tougher Than You Think
Suburban deer hunting presents unique challenges. I get a kick out of the common misconception that these deer are tame and, hence are easy to hunt. Consequently, the idea has been cultivated that all deer are easy to hunt and it’s not hunting at all. This mindset largely comes from some of the city dwellers that encounter them (many of them of course, anti-hunters).
When it comes to bucks (especially mature ones), this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Just because you might see them in the “wide open,” doesn’t mean suburban deer are easy to hunt.
How do they hide in plain sight?
I’m still astounded by the random sightings of huge bucks in my neighborhood; often seemingly new ones. On many occasions, I’ve sat in my truck dumbfounded asking myself, where has this buck been all this time?
Sure, there are the deer groups often seen on manicured lawns. However, it’s not always the case, especially with mature bucks.
Despite living amid constant human activity, urban deer no doubt have people patterned. It has much to do with familiarity and hunting them is another matter altogether.
Just like in rural settings, changes in human activity promptly throws a wrench in whitetail tendencies.
“It will truly give you a new appreciation for what a deer will tolerate in its daily life. And, how quickly when one small thing steps out of that “normal” routine, a deer will take notice and alter its behavior in order to figure out what’s going on,” says Taylor Chamberlin of the Urban Deer Complex 2.0.
Tyler and his outfit tenaciously study and pursue the urban whitetail in the Washington, D.C. area – another region that houses an exorbitant number of deer.
If Urban Hunting is legal where you live, grab the stick and string
Currently, there are many successful urban and suburban deer hunters around the country in areas where it’s legal to bow hunt them. In fact, suburban bow hunting now represents a popular niche in the outdoor industry, social media, and outdoor culture, and it should come as no surprise.
The ability to live in a setting full of consistent human activity adds more proof to the resiliency of the whitetail deer.
It’s astonishing the number of trophy class bucks that are taken a stone’s throw from playscapes, soccer practices, and strip centers. If you pay attention to hunting-related social media and other channels, you will no doubt hear stories about huge bucks taken within, if not near city limits.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
01/31/2025 03:23 am GMT
There is no better example of such success than Lee Ellis and Drew Carroll of Seek One Productions who has had incredible deer hunting success right in the suburbs of Atlanta. In fact, they’ve taken bucks of massive proportions – bona fide trophy class whitetails.
“Our goal is to show people that adventure is not constrained to wild remote places and that hunting is not defined by big woods and rural parts of the country,” said Ellis. He continued, “If you look hard enough, adventure can be found in the most unexpected places and can become part of your everyday life like it has for us”.
Deer hunting within and near cities and towns isn’t easy and takes work.
First, it’s difficult to get hunting permission and requires persistence. Be prepared to ask and ask again. Your odds are greatly increased if you can procure permissions on contiguous sections.
When hunting and scouting, it’s important to locate the areas with the best cover and better yet, their associated pinch-points. Think low impact. Drive the roadways and be willing to glass from both roadsides and parking lots before you ever attempt to set up a blind or deer stand. Deer are much more used to vehicles in these settings.
Even if hunting with a bow and arrow is allowed in your suburban area, be sure to still obtain the proper permissions before hunting whitetail.
If they exist in or within the city limits, examine fields from a distance (especially agriculture). Finally, keep your ears open.
Much like in the country, the rumor mill is powerful. This is a good way to get info on good area bucks.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
01/31/2025 05:08 am GMT
Leveraging Suburban Deer Intel for Rural Hunting Success
Finally, use suburban deer behavior (and hunting) to your advantage. It can be beneficial to your more remote hunting pursuits.
Urban and suburban deer hunting provides an opportunity to study deer behavior without heading to the ranch, lease or public hunting area. I’ve often said that my neighborhood is my classroom with lessons and experiences at the ready. As a whitetail hunter and enthusiast, it’s a gift. Simply observe and you’ll become a more proficient and educated hunter.
While there are differences in hunting near the city limits vs. more remote grounds, there are similarities as well. I’ve found that monitoring deer behavior in mine and other Austin neighborhoods has helped my rural hunting immensely.
On numerous occasions, I’ve seen first-hand the beginning of the rut in my ‘hood – heck sometimes even in my cul-de-sac.
The year 2018 was no different. It had an earlier rut period than in previous years. I woke one early November day to find that the switch had indeed been flipped. Many amorous, persistent and committed bucks were on their feet. This deer hunting geek was stoked.
It didn’t take
me long to pack the truck and drive the two hours to our family farm to take
advantage of the opportunity. And it paid off. Yes, all those reports
predicting an early rut were true and I had first-hand proof – and time to
strike. Game on.
Finally, there are other benefits of hunting in urban areas, including herd management, recreation, and positive economic impact on local communities. From an outdoor tradition, legacy, and conservation standpoint it also widens hunting’s (particularly bow hunting’s) reach and footprint.
Though I won’t hold my breath, I hope to be able to bow hunt whitetails in the greater Austin area someday. In the meantime, I’ll continue to be entertained and educated by them.
On the other hand, if you live in an urban or suburban area where it’s legal, do your research and get after it. You may be surprised by what you find.
For many who love the outdoors, duck hunting is a simple pleasure in life; one that brings friends and family together and offers a unique connection to nature.
However, duck hunting is neither the simplest, nor the most affordable type of hunting. Game laws can change, and there are dozens of species with different habits, behaviors, and seasons to consider.
To make sure you’re adequately prepared for your next duck hunt, here’s a guide on the essential gear you need to get started.
The Types Of Ducks
Before getting into the duck hunting gear you need, it helps to understand what you’re getting yourself into.
There are over 100 types of ducks, but most can be grouped into one of three categories: diver ducks, puddle (or “dabbler”) ducks, and perching ducks. You can find each in the United States, but each has distinct behaviors to consider when selecting hunting gear.
Diver ducks are adept at diving and swimming underwater. These birds are often found in larger open bodies of water such as lakes, rivers, and seas.
Built for life on the water, diver ducks have a unique way of taking flight. They run across the water’s surface and gradually ascend into the sky, much like an airplane during takeoff. You’ll need more firepower and precision to take down a diver duck.
Some diver ducks you might encounter include:
Goldeneye
Black scoter
Canvasback
Hooded merganser
Puddle Ducks
Puddle ducks have a more direct flight path than diver ducks, taking off with their wings flapping and gaining altitude quickly.
Puddle ducks (or, “dabbler ducks”) tend to stay closer to shore and shallower bodies of water, and it’s common to see them walking around on the ground (like the ones you might feed at the park).
Puddle ducks are also known for being quite sociable; they often form large flocks which will fly together in the same direction. This can make them easier to hit than diver ducks.
Some common puddle ducks you may come across include:
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
01/31/2025 03:43 am GMT
Perching Ducks
Perching ducks tend to nest in holes in trees. They have sharp claws, which aid in their ability to perch as well as long tails that aid in their ability to stop suddenly to perch.
$34.00Select options
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Duck Hunting Gear: What You Need to Know
Unlike most other types of hunting gear, which are more versatile, duck hunting gear is specifically for duck hunting. As you grow your passion for duck hunting and hunt in different locations, you’ll find you need jackets, waders, decoys (plus rigs and bags), calls, and other gear that’s specifically designed for duck hunting.
In general, 12 gauge shotguns are the best for hunting ducks. Since you’ll likely take shots from further out, 12 gauges offer the extra power you need to make a clean kill.
Some of the best guns for duck hunting are:
Remington 870. The Remington 870 is a reliable and affordable pump-action shotgun that has been around since the 1950s. While you have to reload every time you take a shot, this makes it less likely to jam or fail. The 870 is available in 12 and 20 gauge models as well as .410 bore.
Benelli Super Black Eagle III: The Benelli Super Black Eagle III, a semi-automatic shotgun designed for hunting, is popular among avid duck hunters due to its reliability, accuracy, and durability. With a recoil reduction system to minimize felt recoil and various configurations like different barrel lengths and finishes, this versatile shotgun is available in both 12 and 20 gauge.
Beretta A400 Xtreme: The Beretta A400 Xtreme is another semi-automatic shotgun. Its main differentiator is its innovative gas-operating system that reduces felt recoil, increases reliability, and offers multiple configurations like varying barrel lengths and finishes.
Hunting ducks requires lead-free, non-toxic ammo. The two most common types are steel and bismuth. Steel is cheaper but has a shorter range, while bismuth offers increased accuracy and penetration power. Many types of ammo contain a blend of steel and bismuth.
The Apex Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Habitat Blend is a good ammo choice for duck hunting — it’s a unique 12 Gauge mix composed of S3 steel and Tungsten Super Shot (TSS). The TSS/S3 Steel version unites the Apex S3 Steel with the well-known impact strength and carrying power of TSS.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Decoys
When it comes to duck decoys, go with realism and quality.
Duck decoys come in many shapes, sizes, and colors and range from hand-carved wooden decoys to plastic decoys that are more affordable. If you want to get the most out of your hunt, it’s best to use decoys that have realistic features, are sturdy, offer movement to your decoy setup, and do not reflect light.
Durability is another critical consideration when shopping for decoys. With the exception of diver hunters, you probably aren’t shooting your decoys. However, you should consider how the ones you purchase will hold up to regular hunting conditions; that is, whether they’ll crack in freezing winter temperatures or chip their paint when being packed and unpacked.
If you’re hunting diver ducks, you’ll use diver decoys, which float on the surface of the water with their heads down, simulating a flock of birds diving beneath the surface for food.
When considering a decoy setup for duck hunting, you’ll need at least 12 decoys per person, although as few as six may be acceptable in smaller water areas.
In more expansive areas, such as ponds and lakes, more is always better.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
01/31/2025 01:29 am GMT
Calls
A call is an important tool for any duck hunter, because it can help lure ducks in or create a sense of comfort and security.
Calls come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles that produce different sounds. Considering the different types of ducks, one of the best calls to go with is the Buck Gardner 6 -in-1 whistle.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
01/31/2025 03:13 am GMT
Clothing
Although the exact clothing you’ll need depends on where you’re hunting and the weather conditions, there are some basic must-haves every duck hunter should consider:
Waders: These waterproof boots keep your feet and legs dry while you’re in the water. Some models come with built-in insulation, which is essential for colder weather.
Jacket: Duck hunting jackets are designed to provide ample warmth and dryness even in the wettest conditions. They often feature multiple pockets for storing gear.
Gloves: Good gloves are essential to any duck hunting outfit, as they will help keep your hands warm and dry even in wet conditions. Neoprene gloves are a great option for colder weather.
Hat: A good-fitting hat, such as a hunting beanie or cap, is essential for keeping your head warm and protected from wind and rain. Ideally, it should also provide camouflage so you can blend in with your surroundings.
Duck hunting is a challenging yet rewarding sport, and having the right gear can make all the difference. The most important pieces of duck hunting gear are your gun and ammo, but don’t forget about the other essentials like decoys, calls, and clothing.
Hunting ducks combines the patience required for deer hunting, the interactivity of hunting turkey, and the action and precision of bird hunting, all in one.
Taking the time to find the right gear for your duck hunting trips will pay off in the long run.
