South Zone Opens Soon

[duckydoty]

Did a little scouting with the duck duster yesterday on Lower Taney and Upper Bull Shoals. Started at Rockaway Beach and took a run up Bull Creek. Saw quite a few wood ducks a few divers and a couple of gadwall up there. Should be a good area to hunt if its not too crowded. Then I ran down to Empire. Jumped a few ducks on the way but nothing to get too excited about. Went back to Rockaway and took out then headed to Bull Shoals. Put in at Beaver Creek Marina and headed down past K-dock. Lots of little sloughs holding lots of mallards, gawalls, woodys, and some geese. Bunch of golden eye out in front of K-dock area. Headed back up above Beaver Creek about two miles and only found one spot up there I liked. Turned back and then ran up Beaver Creek past the tin whistles. Couple of spots up that way will be good for ducks too. Got my spots picked out....come on opening day!

[Feathers and Fins]

As dry as it is north the big lakes should be excell this season. Ive got 9 dozen divers and 6 dozen puddlers ready for AR opener tomorrow, thats about the biggest spread i use solo hunting. Cant wait till next weekend when my brother gets back The BIG spread goes out for fun. I found some good spots on beaver yesterday but with 30mph wind and possible rain i may have to rethink the spots;

[brother dave]

Got my 2 doz deks ready, never really needed many more. I'm just waiting for wed to drive down thinkin I will just bring the fly rod, the 10 gage, sandy bottom and the boat.

[duckydoty]

Dont need much more than that.

[BilletHead]

Well our Missouri South opener has happened. All of our farm ponds and lakes are low and with the warm weather not many ducks around the places we hunt. Pat and I managed one lone canada goose. We double tapped him and the poor fellow did not have a chance. Missed one teal at day break which surprised us big time. Buzzed by a pair of hooded mergansers too. Came home and checked some timber ponds for woodies but the places were empty. Hope everyone had a good outing and hunt,

Marty

[duckydoty]

We managed one lone goose also, along with a mallard drake and a gaddy. Not much bird action, but its been fun. Heading out to look for some more geese right now.

[BilletHead]

We stayed in the house and out of the rain yesterday. Out for a while this morning checking out ponds. Well we found some to stir up and some to bother another day. Managed to down these. The cold front is going to help out if it doesn't manage to freeze the small ponds and lakes

Marty

[duckydoty]

Thought there would be a few more birds flying around today. Hunted Table Rock and got 2 green heads and one woody.

[Feathers and Fins]

Its been a strange start to the season. I have spoke to people from Ks to southeast Ar and everyone is having a hard time this year. We need some serious cold fronts and freeze out up north. Reports North are saying some of the best ever. Figures La Nina year on one of the biggest fall flight years ever lol oh well thats hunting.

[BilletHead]

Strange season this year for sure. Last year at this time I was into wood ducks big time for the first two weeks. Zero in the timber ponds so far. Suppose a lack of good acorns this year around here? Got off to a bad start this morning, while sitting up I had a bad tangle of decoy lines on the duck decoys. Day light happened with me in a mess and at least fifteen ducks of three varietys in three vollys tried to land on me. This in thirty minutes. By the time I got in the lay out on the pond bank the early duck flight was over. All was not lost as I just waited for the canadas to start flying. Single in and down then a short time later a trio and two more hit the water. Thought a good morning and started picking up and three gadwall tried to land, go figure. Lots of canadas around mostly still locals gathering in larger groups. Some from north showing up also but not many yet. Wednesday morning I will load up the Bradley smoker with a load of goose for jerky. Had pounded/ tenderized goose fried up with mashed taters and goose gravy the other day and General Taos duck on rice yesterday. I am beginning to sprout feathers and for some reason I am flapping my arms

Marty