T-Day Duck Hunt

[Feathers and Fins]

Been an annual tradition as long as I can remember to hunt the morning shoot with my brother, today was a fairly decent morning. Arrived at 4am and got to the spot at 4;15 set up everything and then sat on the boat and had our coffee together enjoying the mornings first light.

Had a boat of hunters come in on us within 50 yards about 30 minutes before shoot time and put an nice wake in the back of my boat. Talk about no respect not like we were invisible with my bow mount flood light on to let them know people were there. Then the proceeded to go set up on a point across from us and of course the skybusting did happen. Shame as the birds were not call or decoy shy, people need to learn to let birds work and range 40 yards or less people not 100 yards or more. Oh well guess people might learn when they keep going home empty handed.

We put 7 birds down all were committed to decoys and feet down in our spread. Only put out 5 dozen this morning and tried the floating mojos which I really like plus two pole mojos. No big rafts for a change which was strange but with the ponds locally opening my guess is they are back to them. Also no geese not even the resident population. Duck numbers were modest maybe saw 500 to 800 total so we need another decent front.

All in all good to be with my brother, coffee was hot and good and Scooby snacks are always good.

[BilletHead]

Good going Scott and Scott's Bro,

We had our Thanksgiving Saturday with the Son and his family so we were free today to go out. I have been watching a few places but todays choice was neat. Been spying this place for close to a month. Last two weeks mallards dumping in. Irrigation lake where ducks can walk right out of the water into bean and corn stubble. Kind of a risky hunt as the ducks have no reason to leave, all they need is right there. Well sure enough we bust bookoos birds off and as we set up we kept seeing them try to land on us in the faint glow from the east light. Took out three hens and four drakes as they trickled back in. Had another drake cripple get away and go under the ice. We called the morning and as we were putting stuff into the truck more dropped in. One of our drakes was just getting a green head. Photos from today,

BilletHead

[Feathers and Fins]

Seeing the same thing lots of dirty drakes, I really believe the major fronts have pushed them down faster than normal, I can't believe how easy they are decoying and responding to the calls its like hunting the Dakotas

How thick was the ice up there?

[BilletHead]

Along the edges where the wind doesn't hit I could walk on it. If it is going to be cold I need wind to keep the water churned and keep the ice off. The wind blown banks had no ice at all. I realize you big water guys hope for a freeze but give me a couple of three weeks please before that happens...

BilletHead

[luckycraft]

I like the plumage of that green wing teal drake. Very nice

[Feathers and Fins]

I like the freeze a lot it gives me the chance to hunt my favorite places ( creeks ) there is something about hunting ducks on a small creek that just makes me giggle all morning. Its almost always limit shooting and so few people believe you when you say a 30ft wide creek is one of the best places to hunt.

[moodyfour]

Glad everyone is having good hunts. Looks like a lot of fun. Happy belated Thanksgiving everybody!

[JohnP]

Congrats FnF . Heard the same thing from some buddies that hunted BS and t-como yesterday that level of rudeness and respect for others was unbelievable. Only hunted opening day in the south zone once years ago and said never again, unless I'm on private ground where I know no one else should be. I hunt to get away from and bassel of of life and if I wanted to fight crowds id go to sdc or shopping .

[JohnP]

Congrats to u aswell Billethead. them dirty birds eat as good as the pretty shiny ones ;-)

[Feathers and Fins]

John the bad thing is there is another group that will hunt the same point the group yesterday did, I was hoping it was that group ( never met them ) but they don't call our birds we don't call their birds and all of us get shots. I told myself if I run into them this year im thanking them for the way they hunt with others around. You can hunt public and close if people just learned to respect others and work together and not screw each others hunt. I tell you I firmly believe its the Duck Dynasty want-to-be crowds this year making so bad. most of them have no clue how to call how to set out decoys or how to work birds and most of all don't know common respect for others. There is always a few each year but I have really seen it more this than in all previous years. Only thing different is that show and they seldom hunt on it so people have no idea not like they would anyway as the Robertsons hunt private land and have no competition. I wish they would do a few shows on ethical hunting ducks gave them all they have they could return the favor.