How can I carry all my equipment AND make sure I don’t get stuck in the mud?

Question: I read last month that you recommend a sheet of wooden board to stop your feet sinking into the mud, but I am worried that with whirlies, car batteries and decoys I will never make it to the field in the first place!

Andy Crow replies: It’s horses for courses as always. If I am shooting on the farm, I can load everything into the Polaris or use my pickup to transport everything I need. I also have a big farm shed to store all my stuff. However, there is no reason why you can’t get great results using a rucksack to transport a few shell decoys, netting and your packed lunch. Being in the right place at the right time is more important than having two tonnes of gear with you. Plus, less gear means you can set up and pack down quickly and makes you mobile if you need to change plans.