Dick Sargeant
Well-known member
Seems like once every season I get a chance to hunt one of our coastal marshes when a big northeaster is getting a head of steam. Friday was such a day with wind building to 20 knots and snow starting around 2PM. I was just going for a walk and minding the time of high tide to be sure not to get caught too far out in the marsh when water would flood over all of the little creeks and cuts. I had taken a compass reading as well to insure that I could have a direction if a whiteout took place. Since I am without a retriever at this time, I was also mindful not to take any shots where a bird would fall out of my reach.
Here in N E Massachusetts the big red leg blacks are down from their northern areas. I generally gun these ducks with a barnegate and cork decoys and they are extemely wary birds. What is it about a howling wind and sideways snow ? The birds seem to go nuts and small groups will lift up, zip around and settle back to a new spot often moved by the tides. After over 30 years of watching them I am convinced that when the wind gets really humming - they seem to rocket around for the fun of it. I could watch em for hours. After a few misses ( you know .....watching ducks, pulling the trigger ) - I did manage to catch up with a big duck and was able to quickly find and secure it over my shoulder for the long walk in. Only one thing could have made it better....... and I plan to get retriever # 4 someday..........and then hope for snow.
sarge
Here in N E Massachusetts the big red leg blacks are down from their northern areas. I generally gun these ducks with a barnegate and cork decoys and they are extemely wary birds. What is it about a howling wind and sideways snow ? The birds seem to go nuts and small groups will lift up, zip around and settle back to a new spot often moved by the tides. After over 30 years of watching them I am convinced that when the wind gets really humming - they seem to rocket around for the fun of it. I could watch em for hours. After a few misses ( you know .....watching ducks, pulling the trigger ) - I did manage to catch up with a big duck and was able to quickly find and secure it over my shoulder for the long walk in. Only one thing could have made it better....... and I plan to get retriever # 4 someday..........and then hope for snow.
sarge