Dead Dead Dead, I'm outta here!

Eric Patterson

Eric Patterson

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Staff member
That's the best way to describe our season. Drought has a death grip on all the backwater places I like and only the main lake seems to be holding any numbers but those are the same ducks we've had for a while. They raft in open water amongst the 1000s of coots for refuge and are very difficult to have any kind of consistent success on. Onsies-twosies. Tough going right now from every angle.

So, it's time to ROAD TRIP!! First time in many years but I'm headed out of state to hunt NE Arkansas and hope I don't get lost. I'm sure plenty has changed on Black River and St. Francis River but Thomas and I are going to freelance it and hope for a little excitement of the good kind. We leave Sunday morning. Not sure if anyone here is from the Paragould/Pocahontas/Truman or will be up that way but if you are send me a PM with your number. I'd feel like a ass if I was close to someone and didn't try to say hello.

With a little luck we will find a few ducks and hunt with some friends in that area I've not seen in far too long. Also hope to drive to Hornersville, MO and stop in and say hello again to Barry McFarland who turns wonderful calls and has a collection that rivals anything I've ever seen or read about.

So beginning tomorrow I'll be away from a computer for about a week. If you need me about the only way I can be reached is at 256-653-8013.
 
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Eric,

Have a good trip and don't let Thomas forget his call. Man that boy's got pipes! You'll have that drive to Stuttgart down in a few years!

Ed L.
 
HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT TRIP IF THINGS GO WELL I AM GOING TO DO THE SAME AROUND THE 20TH OF JANUARY PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW THINGS ARE GOING MY HOME # 828 495 8155 THANKS COY
 
After seeing Hitch's pic's I hope Thomas is driving as you are likely to fall asleep at the wheel. Have a good time - wish I was still hunting.

Mark W
 
Eric,
We are right there with you. I know we have seen the same 6 gadwalls all year and they still won't commit!!!!

Shawn, Brandon Sivley ("Rosie's" trainer-Flat Creek Kennels), and I are heading to Maryland on Tuesday and hunting with Jeff Coats on Wed. and Thurs. We may try to freelance for a few hours before heading home on Friday.

Good luck and be careful.

Brian

ps-Blake Wilson: We may be putting you to work when we get back!
 
Brian

I was wondering when that hunt was. I remembered it being around Christmas but thought you may have already been. Hope you guys have a great trip. Looking forward to a post trip report.

Have you got water on your lease now?
 
I wish you and Thomas a safe trip. I was saying the same thing until yesterday. I saw hundreds of ducks on the Great Pee Dee and there were migrators. V'd up and getting out of dodge. I sat up on a spot a freind ran across while quail hunting some property he manages. I must say it was the most ducks I have ever seen in S.C. For a moment I thought I was back in Tennessee. I spoke to the guys I went hunting with there and the birds are for the most part moving south so I hope you get into them. Now just let Thomas call them in and kill them. Take care and have fun.
 
Leslie

Thanks.

I thought SC had some good duck hunting but it was mostly private with very little public access to waterways and coastal regions. Is that the real situation you guys face or is it just lack of ducks anywhere?

Eric
 
Eric,
I will answer for Brian. We have very little water, but we have managed to have a couple good hunts. The rain Friday helped a little, but we really need about three inches more to have a good bit of huntable water. I hope you and Thomas a safe and enjoyable trip. Shawn
 
The river is of course public.There are lots of public opportunity to be had. There are only three people besides myself that hunt it for about 30 miles. That's a radius 15 north to the N C line and 15 south to Society hill. The sad story is there are really no duckhunters as deer hunting has taken over. The coastal area near Georgetown gets hammered by the public but locals are unruly. I wont pull my boat or drive to the ramps there. Slashed tires, broken windows, and stuff in the gas tank has kept me away. If I had someone from there to hunt with I would meet somewhere else and ride in. There are some great public draw hunts and inland hunting and that is what I lean toward. I'm 80 miles from the coast so we catch alot of birds. I have a lease of 170 acres in a swamp that holds ducks well until this year. Like you said it's the drought. You and Thomas are more than welcome to come up and hunt anytime. Any one reading this is also extended the invitation. My home number is 843-921-6804. This place use to have birds everywhere until N.C. built blewwitt falls and Lake tillery. They cut off the free flowing river and it has affected the backwaters tremendously. This is the only river in the state that flows full length and doesn't have a dam on it. So if you plan a hunt here you can go from N.C and get out at the atlantic. I have never hunted anywhere else other than what i've told but I hear sparkleberry swamp is a great place to hunt. Santee has 3500 acres of water and lots of local ducks, just haven't made it there yet. I have the maps for Santee so it's just a matter of going. Good luck.
 
Lee

Andrew and Thomas are opposites. Thomas loves sports and hunting, while Andrew loves movies, acting, and directing. He makes his own short movies for fun with a Flip video camera we got him. I hope one day Andrew takes interest in hunting, even half as much as Thomas, but for now I don't pressure him only taking him when he asks to go. Wherever his interests take him it's fine with me and Michelle and I encourage him. He did say he wanted to go soon so when I get back it will be his turn for a hunt or more. I know you guys hear a lot more about Thomas than Andrew but it is a duck hunting site and that's what he's into. If you want to know about 80s movie triva Andrew is your man!
 
Have a good time! I hope all falls into place for some good hunts. Who's in charge while your gone? Seeing how age brings wisdom, I vote for Harker. By now he's got to be real wise.
 
I am the youngest of the old farts here! Gotcha Eric, my grandsons are total opposites too...I was just wondering.
 
Andrew is a character. i think his first words to me were "do you ever watch ...." some show on youtube. not hey where are you from, etc .. he immediately started with the shows/movies etc. great kid. but him and thomas are complete opposites as far as i could tell from the few minutes i was around them. I think that would be great to have in a pair of sons--keep you on your toes!

eric, wish i would have known you'd be coming through sooner.. kenna has family up that way.. i would've taken off to meet you up there. now i've burned all my time off for the year on 3-4 ducks so far . good luck and be safe!

Jeff
 
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