One thing that hasn't really been emphasized yet...SCOUT YOUR AREAS.

You've been told all the things to look for, when to get out of bed, how many shells to take (remember the national average is 8.3 shells per bird), what kind of gun & choke to use, etc. No matter how well you do all that stuff, if there are no nirds around it was all for nothing. (Ok, easy now...I know, it's better than a day at work or mowing the yard)

Just use the week or so before opening day to take some early morning drives to check your areas for birds. And if you don't plan on hunting at first light, then make some checks at noon when many seasons open on the first day.

Most of all, have fun, be safe and watch for other peoples' dogs. It's easy too shot at everything and not realize another guy has a dog retrieving birds. Nothing caps my @ss more than having someone shoot 6 feet over my dog's head.