BilletHead

Same place as thursday but this time with my bride Mrs. BilletHead. So windy at times the little teal decoys tipped on there side and a couple of times the MOJO mallard wings stopped spining. But I think the wind was our friend. Again like yesterday massave flights of big ducks. At times they actually hovered going into the wind flying closer to the ground not like yesterday sky high. Pat was amazed at the size of the flocks as she had not wittnessed anything like this before. Early big flocks did not even give us a look but as the morning went on I think the birds were tiring of the wind. Soon they gave us looks, then then a flock or two would circle but no commitment. Then around 8:30 a group of fifty or more set and came in right in our faces. Four did not leave. Pat says oooooh I like that! A bit later five loners came in and three stayed with us. Decided about 9:30 we had all the fun we could for the morning. Again a couple of pictures of the set up and todays take of birds. Just got my fill of duck fajitas and a cold brew. How much better can it get? Billethead

Outstanding! The guns of Navarone, you should make a movie. Billethead

I have visions of WW2 in my head when you hunt the pill box. I just hope no rogue mean Mallard doesn't pitch a grenade in the back. BillwtHead

Yes Clayton where my blind is would be normally underwater. It should be up in the grass. Billethead

Well Jeff birds are on the way. I hunted a different pond this morning. Muffed a gimmie shot at a gadwall but managed the second one later. While laying there I wittnessed a mass of ducks heading south. At least 11 groups with the smallest flock I would guess 50. Largest flock I bet 500 birds and all were sky high heading south. Man it is so mild and will be for the next few days. I wonder what bug got up there butt to make them do this? BilletHead

I bet the hardest part is getting the covers on their big brown eyes.

Actually Duane there was two back to back groups of 40 to 50 birds each high and South bound heading you guys way this morning. Oh by the way we don't have rocks to hide in down here can you make a dirt blind? If you are going to make Phil a deer blind surely a dirt blind would be easy billetHead

The Mrs. and I have had a pretty good feathered body count so far this season but it has been one to four a hunt. Alot of work per bird but fun none the less. The last cold front brought more birds around. One pond we hunt had a bunch on it a couple days back. I struggle hunting this place as the birds seem to be hard to get close enough at times. Circle and leave or land too far out, not decoying well. Well today I went solo to try again. Strong southwest wind. I got to where the wind would move the decoys well. Also put out the MOJO mallard. I hardly ever use the darn thing but made up my mind to do it this morning. Kind of ran late and while grassing up the lay out heard wings and heard a splash or two. Still pretty dark and could not even find the birds on the pond. I hopped in and heard them leave. Soon a single came in and I shot it. A bit later a group of five and I dumped three. Then nothing for a long time. Then a ringneck rocketed in and landed. I watched it swim around up to my decoys. Then it started diving and feeding. Quiet again for another long spell. Long enough I got up and walked to the four wheeler and trailer, picked it up and started picking up the decoys. Thats when things started to happen again. More groups wanting to land so I threw out the picked up decoys. Hid the wheeler and got back into the blind. Soon there after five more came right in and I dumped the last two. A fun hunt when the birds worked like they are supposed to. When doing the final pick up more birds tried to land. Three gadwall drakes and three mallards. Yea I know two were hens buy hey it happened that way today. Just hasn't been enough birds to be picky but that might be a changing now. Some pictures from this morning, BilletHead

That is a neat hide Duane. Get a hat the color of the rocks and you will disappear.

Well done duane, Billethead

A few more ducks showing on my pond rounds this morning. One place had 57 mixed puddlers of gadwall and mallards. I would guess 75% gads and the rest mallards. Another place had four pintail, one drake and if he was a mature bird I might of put the sneak on him BilletHead

Way to go Chris, sloppy or not. The intel? Up North where you went with your friends? On another note I got the paperwork filled out for the spot I discussed with you. When you get that wild hair and want to try pick a day and I will see if it avalable. We did see a few birds scattered from Osceola to Clinton on ponds this morning. A few also on Truman crossing the bridges near Clinton. Also one lone hunter on the long dry shore up there. Mojo flashing a half mile from the road, BilletHead

Things are pretty slim up here Chris. I have been making the rounds and all we have is our favorite bunch of Mike's geese. They have been all over the place with no rhyme or reason in this unseasonable warm weather. Ducks, well lets say pretty much zero around here. One place has a bunch of mergansers. Hoodies and common Need cold weather and rain. Hip boots are toast so today a trip to Clinton and see what Everhearts has in stock. Hope you and your dad have a stellar day my friend, BilletHead

Good going Chris. We have went the last four days. Just some short hunts three days and a longer one yesterday. So far seven gadwall, one teal and eight geese. Windmill pond yesterday. There has been a few loafing there after fly off. We thought there might be a few early ones though. Just like the day we hunted last year they went off the larger windmill pond and flew in all directions. So we just sat and sat until 10:20, my belly started growling and I talked the Mrs. into the short drive to burger king for a some layout refreshments. She did and just as she left some came in I whacked one. Needless to say she was frowning as she came back as she had seen them heading to me as she drove off! I bet she will not let me talk her into anything like that again. BilletHead

Sounds like a good time Scott. Jeff, Mrs. BilletHead and I got out this morning in the South Zone. Managed five gadwall. Everything was really over within the first forty-five minutes and then nothing. Layed there until nine, picked up and home we went. We just hunt around home. Ponds and small irragation lakes. Everything is low. Need rain and cooler weather and things will pick up. Will go again in the morning. BilletHead

They are considered processed .

Some I have done on the fillet. But most just chunk them up. The bones cook up and have a little crunch and are a good for you. I have never smoked and canned but I suppose you can. BilletHead

No home recipes. Just used the ball canning guide. The trout canned is pretty bland tasting so we did add spices. A touch of liquid smoke did wonders. Hot sauce also. Made trout salad just like tuna salad adding mayo or miracle whip with dill relish. Made fish cakes and fried. Not too bad. Leaving bones, they just pressure cook up. Like Canned salmon. I have always wanted to do some small bluegill whole and eat like sardines but haven't yet. Deer pressure canned is awsome. Just meat, or a stew mix. Done canned chili with deer. Had some of that Saturday evening. Shelf life canned is great. We have eaten three year old canned deer and it was like we did it yesterday. A great way to fill the pantry. Just open and heat up. Made canned chicken soup, with rice, wild rice and even noodles. BilletHead

Good going Scott, Looked around up here this morning. May be slim pickings here Thanksgiving morning but we will be out none the less, BilletHead

Will send you a PM, billetHead

Yes I do point hunt some. Not as much as I used to. Cannot get too many hobbies! BilletHead

Thanks guys, Quillback I have shot a bunch of wood ducks in the past but until I got the canvasback I really had no desire to get a bird mount. Scott it was kind of like Christmas morning. Digging in all those packing peanuts trying to find my bird in that big old box. BilletHead

Well after a long wait it has made it back from the taxidermist. Left Colorado Tuesday and here this afternoon. Beautiful mount. My first mounted duck and it was a can to boot. Fins and Feathers suggested I go with Todd Huffman, good call and thanks Scott for place to sent it to. Took the bird on the last day of the South zone last season. This has me fired up for the opener on Thanksgiving morning south zone opener. So far I have some gadwall hanging around and hope they will stay for a while. Grey ducks eat just fine, Seared just so. Nice and rare. BilletHead

I and Mrs. BilletHead stopped by the new shop today. Like you all have said it is a nice place. We have bought stuff there from the last two owners and will deal here when we need things. We all need a shop like this. Support and use this place. BilletHead

Nice Moody, beautiful bird for sure. I am close to the midde zone and did make a drive up there to see if there were any hunters around four rivers. Just around unit # 4. Just a bit of water up there in pools as the marsh is not flooded. Seen about twenty rigs parked in lots. They all had to hike in a ways to find a place to hunt. Scouted a few ponds and small lakes in my zone. A few ducks around. smaller places had gadwall and bigger waters had scalp. i will be ready for the 22nd. BilletHead