A Beautiful Saturday....

Charles H.

Active member
In typical fashion getting to bed early Friday night didn't go as planned. After finally getting to bed around 10:30, it seemed like a literal instant when my 1:15am alarm went off. 30 mins and I was on the road, to meet at my brothers house and at 2:45 am we were on our way South East to a salt marsh that will remain un-named.

Only one truck/boat there before us, a good start. The sky was clear and star filled, with the occasional bonus shooting star. The air was crisp but not so much as to make the boat ride uncomfortable. We motored on to our chosen spot, set out our decoys (6 blacks, 4 gadwalls, 4 mallards, and 3 Buffleheads) and settled in to watch the day break. Wind at our back was nice, but we'd have the sun in our eyes, oh well the view was worth it!



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We hunted not far from this location 2 weeks ago and there weren't anywhere near as many ducks flying today as there was then. Perhaps less boats/hunters to get them moving, perhaps they've been pressured so much they are hanging tight. None the less we hunker down and hope for the best. It will pay off!

We missed an early opportunity at a good sized group of teal that caught us off guard and were gone in a flash. A few Black ducks buzzed us from behind without offering a good shot and several small flocks work the decoys but never get within range. Eventually a lone hen bufflehead splashed down just out of our shooting range and made a bee line for my black cork buffleheads. These three little decoys, 2 drakes and a hen, were some of the first I made and have more then earned their keep. We have no desire to shoot her, but she hangs in the decoys so long, and the dog is trembling with excitement. We begin discussing the merits of flushing and shooting just for the retrieve value. I glance to the left just in time to catch a flash of movement coming left to right. I don't think, just click the safety off, Up-Bang-Splash. It happens so fast its always a blur. The Red legs of a Drake Blackduck are kicking at the sky..... the hen bufflehead continues to mill about in the decoys unconcerned. My brothers Drahthaar brings me my prize....


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Energized, by this new development we intensify our skyward gaze hoping for a second opportunity. I never see them until its too late, up the creek from the right, a pair of Blacks, my brother sees them and connects this time, and another quick retrieve!



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The tide is dropping out on us now and we're seeing less and less in the air. We pick up the decoys and head off to investigate a potential future hunting spot. It looks promising so we drop some decoys and sit for a while. Very few birds in the air, and very skinny water get us on our way back to the ramp, passing this guy on the way. He unfortunately would not let us get any closer for a better photo.



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Arriving at the ramp we are greeted by a gentleman launching a sneakbox who asks us if we're the guys from PA. He introduces himself as Greg Setter. He recognized me from this forum. Great guy! Really glad I got to meet you in person.

All in all it turned out to be a wonderful day spent in the marsh!
 
Good morning, Charles~


Great tale - congratulations!


I am on Long Island right now - and will be on the saltmarshes in a few hours.


All the best,


SJS

 
Hi Charles-It was nice to meet you and your brother and I look forward to seeing you both again, and now you know where I am and can stop by when you're in the area. I met up with a friend out in the meadow and we hunted until around 3:15, when it became apparent that we weren't going to see many ducks. We decided to go in and watch some college football instead of waiting until dark not seeing ducks. We need some new birds in the area! But it was a beautiful day, and I'll take it.
 
Greg Setter, What ever happened to the Jerseyquakers.com? When I lived in Upstate NY, it was a great place to catch some stories and see pictures of plenty of BBSB's out breaking the ice. I remember one guy was
Ole, Clammy? And a few others on there.
 
Charles,

Great panorama shot. Really neat.

I love that Drathaar, He Looks pretty salty and fit for action.

Nice to see such a big smile from the duck blind. People that have never done it just can't relate. Obviously you guys get it.

I think the reason that the bird action was not more fast and furious was because of that bald eagle nearby.
If anything keeps the ducks out of the area and out of the air, it is a big bald eagle.

Thanks for sharing your day with us.
 
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