T-Day Duck Hunt

[JohnP]

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.

Yep yep. One of the spots on BS that I hunt there's another guy that hunts that I've gotten to know pretty well over the years and sometimes we'll hunt together but most times we'll hunt where the other isn't, 200 to 300 yds apart and if birds are working one of us we let em work and don't even pick up the calls or guns. We both manage to usually get in our fair share of shooting and it usually works well for both of us as it keeps birds from wanting to set down where the other isn't. Pretty cool to watch birds work and fall out of the sky a distance if one just watches it. Heck I can honestly say I've killed/shot at more birds without even callin' just let em work. Drives me crazy watching/listening to people call at every thing that flies by. thing that gets me also is all cockiness as if they've been duck hunting all their lives, their all know it all pros just ask em .

[Feathers and Fins]

I know the type. When I see birds I hit them with an aggressive Hail Call, if it turns them I turn on the lonesome suzy till they are feet down back peddling. If the first hail call doesn't work they arnt going to play and blowing the dam thing till hell freezes over wont help so why do it? If I see a single on approach and I haven't called why would I want to change what its coming to and throw a call in that could flare it?

I get the feeling many people watch to much TV and spend not near enough time at the local ponds watching and listening to birds. My gramps always said let the birds tell you what they want! Not the TV host.

And yes there is something special about watching birds work another guys spread and seeing them fall at a distance, I still get a great joy watching others who have put in the time, effort and money to earn those shots. It isn't about the kill more than the fooling a very wary adversary.

There is so much to hunting other than buying a kazoo and decoys and shooting. Big water hunting is so different than ponds or shallow water, I would never think about putting out 5 to 20 dozen decoys on a pond or shallow water area but on big water 5dz is minimum and typically its closer to 12 to 14dz. Also requires long line sets to get the decoys away from land, I have been doing it all my life and what I still love most is learning something new every trip and every year. Even toying with the idea of lay-out boats for next year like they do up north ( why not works there should work here and would be something cool to try ). Will need to get about 3 or 4 guys though from what im seeing. Two for the layouts Two in the tender boat but its stuff like these ideas that just make it so much fun.

[JohnP]

Any more 3 to 6 dozen is about all I throw most times but on small water a dozen or less. Of course I'm not hunting big open water like you do, just pretty much stay in the coves, creeks, and ponds. Had a hunt last jan. one of my boys and i limited out on greenheads and gads only using 3 dekes and a mojo up in a creek, less is more at the right times . Those days are few between but the right place right time it all comes together.

[duckydoty]

Hunted lower taney on the opener. Two other groups out there. We were the last ones in and played nice. Gave them 4-500 yards. Everyone else played nice too. Got to watch them work birds and got to work our own birds. Had few issues trying to tow layout boats out there but still a good hunt. Yesterday was better. Put in at Rockaway and no one else was there. Got out early and had a lot of birds work us. We were enjoying watching the birds work so much that we did not even shoot the first 20 minutes of shooting time. Must have had 40-50 ducks swimming in the decoys by then. Ended up with 6 gaddys and 2 shovelers between the 2 of us. Chasing crappie today and back to duck hunting tomorrow.

[jdmidwest]

Things are froze out over here. Hopefully it will thaw out some and the ducks won't leave us.

[Feathers and Fins]

Im guessing Holiday pressure has had an effect, saw very very few birds today and don't even need to clean the gun. Could have made a mergie have a bad day but if I cant eat it I aint shooting it. Need a cold front to reload the lake.