Brand new to all this

R

Ron Jones

Member
Good evening gentlemen.

I found this sight through the Devlin sight. I was interested in a duck boat but not necessarily for duck hunting. Basically the cabin version of the honker. However, I have hunted all my life and I love to eat duck. So, you all got me interested. I live in Quilcene, WA. on the Olympic Peninsula, just up the road a piece from the Devlin shop. Every one I know from out of town who hunts duck comes to my town to do it, so I'd say I'm in a place that will work.

I have only ever shot 2 duck in my life. Both were mallards over a pond and were unlucky enough to come by while I had a gun in my hand hunting something else. I really have no idea where to even start getting ready for this. I am not the kind of person who spends $10,000.00 dollars on the Cabella's web sight and considers myself a professional. I prefer to start with the basic of the basics and develop my kit as I identify a need. I am, however, quite an accomplished wood worker and have been in small boats for so long, I honestly don't remember ever not being around them.

I don't even have a true "duck gun." I have many shotguns, almost exclusively side by sides. I will probably start with my Winchester model 24 12 gauge and go from their.

I am going to build my own boat, haven't decided on the actual design yet. I am not a speed freak and will probably take a couple kids along from time to time ( I have 7.)

I am in the Navy, and will be "unavailable," during this season. However, I will be on shore duty come next summer and should be all set to kill waterfowl come next fall.

I appreciate all I have learned on this sight and will take any and all information provided to me by the experts here into consideration.

Thanks for the enjoyable time reading your posts and admiring your work, and thanks in advance for any advice you might have.
FTC (SS) Ron Jones
 
Ron - I appreciate your service to our country! May God bless you and keep you out of harms way. Welcome to the site!!
 
Patt;
One thing I learned long ago, I love the Navy, people like you are what allow me to do what I love and defend the Country I choose to raise my family in. Thank you for allowing me to serve.

Todd
I appreciate the offer, any of you ever up the Quilcene way and I'll take you out and get you onto a steelhead or 2.

Ron
 
Ron,

If you interested in hunting next year I hunt a bunch of divers and sea ducks in your neck of the woods. South Sound, hoods Canal, and the Straits. Mostly layout in the salt.

Kevin
 
Kevin
I appreciate the offer. I would love to take you up on it. The Navy has me down in San Diego right now, but when I get home maybe we can get together and sort stuff out. Have you been to the Smokey Bear on the 101 out Past Port Angeles? Great breakfasts.

Thanks again
Ron
 
Welcome aboard Ron. Tis a great site for learning about the fowling game. A Honker is a good choice for a brood of 7, use the search feature of this site & ck out a snowgoose build( little sister to the honker).Tks for serving & protecting this country! Enjoy the site.
Dennis
 
Ron,
Thank you for serving our country. My step son was stationed at Bremerton and just went to Reserves working at the same duty he'd had.
Anyway, once you get back up and can take some time, you have an open invite to hunt the Basin around the Tri Cities. You'll see plenty of help and ideas to customize your boat here. Enjoy the addiction.
 
Ron,
thanks for your service.

Your 24 is a DUCK gun. You will have a good time and meet some very nice guys.
Any small boat will get you to the spots and if you paint it with flat paint your set to hunt from shore.

Get a copy of dave hagerbaumers book on black brant or worth mathewsons book on canvasbacks. It will give you a good start on what you are going to see in that area.
 
December Canvasbacks is my favorite book. You can see the divers and scoters coming in to the spread and dream of being back in the salt. Just think a little more that four months and we'll be gunning again. Ron, it you do get time send me over a pm. One of my good hunting partners in out for most of the season because of the same reason.

Kevin
 
Thanks all for the help!!
I'll probably get both books. I'll have plenty of time to read them. I've spent a little time online, I had no idea their was so much history and variety to this sport.

Thanks again.
Ron
 
I will be looking forward to seeing some pics of some of the projects you have in mind. If you get out to hunt ducks make sure to let us know how you did.
Al
 
Will do Al.

I am fortunate to have 8 bays of detached shop (2 20x40 buildings,) 1 bay is for cars and 1 ENTIRE BAY is for the wife's seasonal decorations (Literally packed to the rafters!!) Other than that, it's all mine to use for my favorite pastimes. The doors are only 8 feet wide , but that is soon to change. I intend to start a boat later this summer. I work in San Diego and only make it home every so often until next year (SEA DUTY OVER!!) but I'd like to have a plan (and any modifications) settled on and a mold built before I get up their to ensure I'll be ready for the '11 season. I am a woodworker and am pretty shure it'll be a stripper. Something close to one of Devlin's plans but made out of solid wood. I'll definatly keep you all posted.

I also have sourced some new wood for my Winchester and will get it fitted to me, equipped with a decelerator pad, and installed in time for the season. Still haven't decided about checkering or anything like that.

The chambers are anly 2 3/4". What kind of loads should I start looking at for Pan Nor West duck?

Thanks again for all the help.

Ron
 
Ron, here is a chart from Cabela's that is a listing and comparison of the non toxic shotgun shells they carry. I hope this helps with the ammo selection...
 
Ron, here is a chart from Cabela's that is a listing and comparison of the non toxic shotgun shells they carry. I hope this helps with the ammo selection...
Click to expand...

Thanks DeWayne

However, I don't shoot much factory ammo. Is their anything I need to know different about reloading non toxic shot? I have a few different MEC manual loaders.

Thanks
Ron
 
That's perfect.

For all of you reloaders, I have just found heaven. I asked my torpedomen if they had any 7.62 cases from our M-60 qual shoots. They handed me a plastic bag with about 150 Lake City 04 cases (I had to separate the chain links.) Then they told me that they give it all to the armory and they would give me all I want. I stroll up their and ask if they keep the 12 gauge brass, the MM2 chuckles and asks how much do I want? Then he points to TWO 50 gallon plastic barrels OVERFLOWING with once fired 2 3/4" high brass hulls. I couldn't help but break out laughing.

Ron
 
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