Larry Eckart
Well-known member
Guys,
With this onslaught of warm weather all of us are trying to figure out how to hunt when the birds are few in number and those that are present are most likely hanging out getting a sun tan.
I decided to try sneak hunting buffleheads in my local salt marsh using both my Whaler and my kayak. These ducks are scattered in groups of 2-4 birds over a very wide area, making hunting over decoys an exercise in watching empty skies.
I thought of using these factors in my favor: 1) An incoming tide; 2) the natural cover of the spartina grass. 3) My kayak.
Once I spotted some birds, I anchored my Whaler in which I had transported my kayak, deployed the smaller boat and proceeded to paddle quietly using the natural cover. The first few times the birds were not located where I could get close.
But then I saw a pair that ventured close to an arm of spartina grass. Using that grass as cover, I was able to paddle well within shooting range. The result was a nice pair of buffies. No trophies normally, but that is literally, all I see in my salt marsh here.
Now, I have always found buffies to be fine table fare when grilled on high heat to about 135 degrees. I also let these birds age in the fridge a few days.
Normally I breast out and skin buffies but on one of these I left the skin on just to see. I grilled both over very high heat for about 3 minutes, turned them briefly and they were done.
This is what I found about the bird on which I left the skin on the breast. The skin was rather tough but it left the breast itself much more moist than the other bird. That breast was continually flaring on the grill from the fat in the skin. Fat = moisture! I discarded the skin and had a feast!
They were terrific.
By the way, do you guys know the website of Hank Shaw? His website is honest-food.net.
He calls himself: Hunter-Angler-Gardener-Cook. He has incredible information and using all the parts of the game we hunt. I encourage you to check him out.
Blessings,
Larry
With this onslaught of warm weather all of us are trying to figure out how to hunt when the birds are few in number and those that are present are most likely hanging out getting a sun tan.
I decided to try sneak hunting buffleheads in my local salt marsh using both my Whaler and my kayak. These ducks are scattered in groups of 2-4 birds over a very wide area, making hunting over decoys an exercise in watching empty skies.
I thought of using these factors in my favor: 1) An incoming tide; 2) the natural cover of the spartina grass. 3) My kayak.
Once I spotted some birds, I anchored my Whaler in which I had transported my kayak, deployed the smaller boat and proceeded to paddle quietly using the natural cover. The first few times the birds were not located where I could get close.
But then I saw a pair that ventured close to an arm of spartina grass. Using that grass as cover, I was able to paddle well within shooting range. The result was a nice pair of buffies. No trophies normally, but that is literally, all I see in my salt marsh here.
Now, I have always found buffies to be fine table fare when grilled on high heat to about 135 degrees. I also let these birds age in the fridge a few days.
Normally I breast out and skin buffies but on one of these I left the skin on just to see. I grilled both over very high heat for about 3 minutes, turned them briefly and they were done.
This is what I found about the bird on which I left the skin on the breast. The skin was rather tough but it left the breast itself much more moist than the other bird. That breast was continually flaring on the grill from the fat in the skin. Fat = moisture! I discarded the skin and had a feast!
They were terrific.
By the way, do you guys know the website of Hank Shaw? His website is honest-food.net.
He calls himself: Hunter-Angler-Gardener-Cook. He has incredible information and using all the parts of the game we hunt. I encourage you to check him out.
Blessings,
Larry
