One of the best dogs I ever hunted waterfowl with is a mixed breed lab and GSP. My buddy paid $10 for him. He is great in the field as well. It is funny to watch him during a goose hunt as sometimes he will stop and point a goose before picking it up!
Don’t discount a mixed breed.
ENO hammock underquilt. I used it in a few Scout campouts and backpacking trip in the cold. I was very impressed with how warm it kept me inside my cocoon.
We backpack and camp about 20-25 nights annually and my boys (Scouts) and I all use Expeds. They are great in the winter.
I have a Sierra Design Cloud 20 hybrid bag and the ExPed works perfectly with it.
Squirrel hunting is still one of my favorite ways to spend time in the woods. No better way to teach a kid about the woods and how to sneak through than by sneaking up on a tree rat!
I have a couple of older Columbia wigeon parkas that are still one of the best waterfowl coats ever made. Some of our group run full Sitka and the Sitka gear is great as well. Just quite a bit more pricey
I use a Sea to Summitt Reactor Extreme. I backpack and camp with Scouts a couple times a month and always use a liner. It definitely keeps my bag clean and provides extra warmth when needed.
It does tend to twist and bunch up if you are a side sleeper or toss a lot at night.