What are the appropriate stamps needed?  Texas Migratory Bird Stamp ($7) and Federal Duck Stamp ($27).  Both are available at Academy, Wal-Mart, etc.

Is the ammo steel shot?  Do you need specific chokes rated for steel or do chokes usually handle steel shot without issue?  Yes, non-lead (toxic) shot is required.  You can buy chokes that are designed for steel shot or use regular ones.  If you do the latter, know that your choke will behave as a tighter choke (e.g., improved cylinder will behave as a modified).

I wear a size medium shirt (and a 40L suit), would you still suggest large waders?  I suggest that you get boot-foot waders (with a built in boot) rather than stockingfoot waders that requires a shoe be worn over the stockingfoot, as your feet will get a lot colder with stockingfoot waders, plus it’s hard to find stockingfoot waders in camo.  Boot-foot waders are sized by shoe size; however, you can get them in regular and stout.  For boot-foot waders either get breathable or neoprene.  Don’t get rubber or canvas.  I wear my breathable ones when it’s not cold.  I wear my neoprene ones when it’s colder.  Wearing neoprene waders when it’s not cold outside will result in you being too warm and sweating a lot, which will make you cold.  So if you only buy one pair of waders get breathable ones, as you can always put more clothes under them.  Here is a pair that Academy sells – https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/magellan-outdoors-mens-tredlite-400-breathable-wader#repChildCatid=4783074.  Be aware that they only have 400 grams of Thinsulate in the boots, so you might need to wear two pairs of hunting socks if it’s cold.  Regarding socks, either get a liner sock that wicks away sweat and cover it with a wool or similar sock or get one like the Ingenious that is a liner sock on the inner wall and wool/nylow/Olefin/Lycra Spandex sock on the outer wall.

In terms of camo hunting clothes, besides a vest and hat, are you suggesting camo pants and camo shirt and/or camo sweatshirt as well? Do jeans and a normal shirt/sweatshirt not work?  Whatever you are wearing that the ducks can see needs to be camo or the game is over.  Here is what I typically wear – http://fcs-texas.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/121915_Coastal-duck-hunt_1.jpg.  Here are more pictures – http://fcs-texas.org/photo-gallery/hunts-duck/ (some of the guys are wearing jeans or shorts but those pictures were taken after the hunts).  I wear wading pants and/or sweats under my waders.  You can wear jeans, but you’ll need ankle gaiters to keep them from rolling up on you.

I don’t have a camo gun (I have a wood stock, black alloy frame).  Is that an issue, or is a specific camo-patterned shotgun required for duck hunting?  Camo is best.  I hunted with a wood stocked/matte barreled shotgun for years but had some issues with the saltwater making the bluing fade and become splotchy.  This required the barrel to be re-done (I got a matt finish), but the saltwater still started to corrode it (even with immediate cleaning after each hunt).  Fresh water is not nearly as hard on guns as salt water is.

How many ducks do hunters (e.g. beginner like me) usually get (and what is the limit)?  As we usually can’t tell who shot which duck we simply take the ducks harvested and divide them by the number of hunters.  So, if six hunters kill 24 ducks everyone will bring home four.  The limit is six ducks/hunter/day.  Specific species have specific limits.  For example redheads have a two duck per day limit per hunter.  The guide will keep track of which species have been killed and will let the group know how many of each species can still be shot.

How much do guided duck hunts cost, typically and how long do they last (what hours/are they overnight trips)?  $125 for the guides that we have been using the last few seasons, not including tip (usually 15 – 20%).  They’re morning hunts.  We usually stay in a motel (double occupancy) the night before (about $50).

How much ammo does one need to bring?  No more than three boxes for ducks.

Is there someone in FCS you could point me to as a good hunting buddy, given that I’m a beginner?  Or is that not necessary for this hunt?  Yes, the hunt leader or I will team you up with someone.  For example if you hunt with Rayce Jenkins you’ll be hunting from a pit blind (a hole dug in the ground with a metal box put in it).  You’d be shoulder to shoulder with other hunters.  They’d tell you when to shoot.  With Ricky Ethridge we sit on buckets/stools and spread out a lot more.

What is the duck hunt rotation?  I let the guys on the rotation know when I’m going to hunt next and ask who can go.  I then look at the list and the first three guys on the list who responded get to go (I can only fit three guys in my truck; plus you really don’t want a bigger party than that as the party will be too hard to hide).  For example, if five guys say that they can go on November the 18th I’ll then take the first three who are listed on the rotation.  After the hunt they go to the bottom of the rotation.

Do I need a sling for my shotgun or a waterproof floating gun case?  A sling is very helpful for carrying your gun on walk-in hunts, which are usually at least a mile one-way.  You’ll be carrying a bucket/stool, gun, blind bag/vest, and decoys, so the more things that you can sling over your shoulder the better.  You can get the hardware at McBride’s and they’ll install it for you.  You can get the sling cheaper elsewhere.  You won’t need a floating case, as we won’t be going on my boat.