Al Hansen
Well-known member
Sorry, no pictures because my card reader died. Need to pick one up today. Anyway, I went hunting yesterday for the first time in 8 days. I decided to go back to the ranch and sit at the pond where my decoys have been in the water since the first week of the season which began on October 23rd. On that day I shot one woodie drake, then for the next 4 times I hunted it, I saw not a feather. The last time I hunted it was a month ago in November when a friend from Colorado came down to hunt during the Festival of the Cranes. We saw nothing on that day either.
So yesterday morning, I was primed and ready with Habanero at my side. As I checked my cell phone for one last time, I quickly noticed that the season was now one minute open and I took a last sip of coffee. Just at that time when I tilted my head back for a sip of java, I saw a flock of maybe 50 mallards fly to the east of me, oh maybe 300 yards out heading for a small channel of water on the refuge. I got on my duck call with a few lonesome hen calls and never saw them again. That is until right behind me coming out of the north they emerged---all 50 or more, descending upon me like rain. Well, I can tell you that if there were only two hens in the entire flock, I do have the ability to shoot hens first then drakes. Yesterday was no different. The first duck I took out was landing just in front of me, maybe 20 yards out. I could make out the duck's shape just fine but it sure looked black to me. When I shot all hell broke loose and with my second shot I took out another mallard, hen by the way when Habi came back with it, as it tried to climb out of the hole. My third shot I completely missed the bird that I had zeroed in on. That last hen that Habi brought back was minus her beak. It was obliterated because the bird was that close when I shot.
Well, I couldn't believe my good luck. More ducks flew by but nothing was interested in coming my way until 39 minutes after the season opened. It was then that I had a lone greenhead come barreling into my spread from the south with reckless abandonment. He was in the water so fast that it seemed incredulous. Well, it all told me that this pond seemed to be a good loafing area that the ducks were now beginning to use. Habi is now looking at me almost saying with her eyes, "Well, shoot!" I stood up, the drake flushed and I gave him a moment or two before I dusted him. Habi once again was off and doing what she likes to do best.
About 20 minutes later I had a flock of 9 gadwalls come by. They made a large sweeping circle all the while checking out the pond and my set up. I chanced a few soft lonesome hen calls and as I observed them, got that smile on my face as they cupped their wings to come in on final. Well, hell, I missed that first shot on a drake gaddie that Grandma Moses could have shot blindfolded. I followed on the same drake who was now in explosion mode and when I pulled my Nova’s trigger, to my amazement not only did he crumple but so did the drake right behind him. Hey, I'll take a Scotch double any day! Both ducks landed within a couple of feet from each other, very dead. I'm hoping the pictures I took of Habi retrieving these two birds turned out. We'll see when I get my new card reader so that I can transfer my pictures to the computer.
That was my morning at the ranch. I saw quite a few ducks, some that flew over me at 35 to 40 yards out but I didn't shoot. I'm one of those guys who just enjoys having the birds locked up on my pond with wings cupped and feet sticking out in front of them. These were still looking and I opted to let them go by hoping that they would make another circle. Well, they didn't but that is all right because they will most likely be there this morning, fat and happy. Some day I will be back there. Oh by the way, I decided to move my blind out from the edge of the pond and back into the trees a little. It will give me more area to hide and much better shooting because where I originally sat, my farthest shot was maybe 20 yards. Now it will be at 35 yards. Since most of the birds are coming at me from the south and southwest, this new blind area will work out just fine.
It was a great day to be out and enjoy another duck hunt. Oh, by the way, before I stop---in one hour I am leaving for another hunt. Yesterday afternoon I called a farmer that I know to ask permission to hunt his recently harvested corn field. I told him that I only hunt during the week and was wondering if I could hunt there. He said, "Al, you sure can. You have to promise me you'll shoot a million ducks however make sure you leave a few for the guys who will be hunting it on the weekends." I assured him that would not be a problem.
This all came about when my good friend called me from his house yesterday when I was cutting firewood. Jose' opening comment was, "You can't imagine how many ducks are piling into the cornfield right behind my house." Yes, he lives across the street from this field. By the way, the field is less than a mile from the refuge, so this should be interesting. I am going down there to set up some place in the dark. I have no idea where the "X" is but I'm sure the birds will tell me this morning. All my full body and half shells are in bags and strapped onto my four wheeler. I'm excited about this because it has been 50 years now since I last shot a big duck in a corn field.
Al
