First day of the season

Al Hansen

Al Hansen

Well-known member
With visions of sugar plums, I got Chip in the truck and the two of us were off yesterday morning to begin our duck season in New Mexico. I was hoping to see at least 10 ducks and was flabbergasted when after 4 hours and 30 minutes we saw 11. Time dragged by but it still was fun to be out there hunting once again.

Just the day before I was ready to set up around a fairly good sized island but when I got to my spot the river had risen a good half foot and continued to rise while I hunted.

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First duck in was a drake Mexican. I heard him first and when he was about to land was able to put him down. Chip made a great retrieve. By the way, here is what I said in yesterday's post "Add another 24 hours!"
"From our office window I just happened to glance down into the Rio Grande valley. The river is shrouded in a blanket of fog. For a second there, I could almost see that Mexican drake backpedaling just as he was about to land in my spread. Sure glad I am waiting until tomorrow!
Funny how that is the way my season opened! That duck was shot at 6:54AM

Next ducks that came by within shooting range happened to be a pair of wood ducks. Since this pair came in so fast I watched the hen land not 12 feet from Chip's nose. I was really surprised how well he held his ground for being just 16 months old. I stood up and took out the drake. This duck was taken at 7:58AM with Chip not moving from his spot in the blind for over an hour.

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Finally, at 9:10AM I had a lone hen mallard come in and she ended up dropping behind us on land. I was amazed how Chip had followed that shot and he was dead on with his retrieve. We sat there for over another hour but saw nothing. There just aren't many ducks here yet but I have to admit that it was fun. I was very surprised at Chip's patience which I have to admit is better than mine!
Al

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As I attempted to breast out the Mexican drake I noticed that it had a good case of rice breast so that went into the garbage can. This one was heavily infested with what is called sarcocystis. It has been three years since I have taken one, I think.

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As Bev was taking our picture, she asked me how many shells I shot. "It took 5 shells to bring down these 3 birds," I said. "There you go wasting bullets again," she said with a smile on her face. My wife loves giving me a tough time during duck season.

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Al,
Whew, glad you were able to get to your spot before any one else got it! Sounds like a perfect day in the field. As far as wasting shell goes, doesn't look like you took too many shots on that drake Woody, he still has his head up. ;>);>)
 
Dave, I was just plain lucky that I hit it and that was on the second shot besides. Chip ended up having to go to the other side of the river to retrieve it. By the way, I enjoyed that first sentence. By the way it happened last year with three guys who moved in.
Al
 
Al , looking good , your weather is much nicer than our right now, just got back from a horseback elk hunt, one day it rained over an inch!! the fog was so bad we packed it in after three days.

Keep up the good work!!

Fred
 
Nice hunt Al. Sounds like Chip is doing great!

We didn't see all that many ducks around either on our first couple of hunts. Luckily the boys were able to get a few wood ducks. Although I did hear that there were plenty of birds around the refuge. It's something how their numbers can be so different in spots that are only 15 miles apart! With our kids being busy in sports during the fall, all of our hunts need to be close to home.

Good luck to you and Chip on the rest of your season. Hope your water levels are good too.
 
Great set up Al....looks realistic as can be! Ill be heading out tomorrow afternoon with Sage. Football in the morning so evening hunt it is. Chip is a natural
 
Good start Al. Nice gog work. You are well on your way to having a wonderful companion.

Fred, you can't fool me, you packed in it cause of Mike's snooring. I suppose I should drive up to the ranch tomorrow....
 
Love the way it looks out there so different from where i hunt to where you hunt. It really is neat to see how different areas are but yet still hold the same types of birds!! Great hunt love your pictures!!
 
"Wasting Bullets ?, She certainly hasn't seen my shooting!! When I have a huge pile of hulls in the boat I just explain that I was picking up all I saw to clean up the marsh. Works most of the time. Thanks for sharing your story and pics again, nice opener. With all that water this year you may need a boat soon. ;-) Chip looks like a dandy
 
Lots of good things in this post. Chip looks to be doing well, the water is rising and your shooting can only get better. :) Bummer on the rice breast, it's been a while since I have seen one with it but usually once you see one there are more to follow.
With the water rising the ducks will come. I do have to wonder do you normally see many Woodies around there?

Tim
 
From a "bullet waster" of the first order, congratulations on your success on opening day!
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Thanks so much, Rick. It is good to know that there is another bullet waster out there!
Al
 
A great start to your season!
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Thanks, Mark. It is good to have it started once again. I asked Bev yesterday if she would ever like to join me on a hunt just to see what it was like and she said, "Are you crazy?" I replied, "Yes!"
Al
 
Beautiful tale and pics of your hunt hope that you have a good season. Chip seems a real natural patience and all.
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Keith, I can't begin to tell you of what I am beginning to see in this young pup as he gains maturity and knowledge from what he is doing. Everything he does seems so easy for him. That alone has the makings for a fun season. Now to see if the ducks show up.
Al
 
Al:
Great Hunt, any day in a Duck Blind is a Good Day !!!
Have a Great Season !!!!!!!!!
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Dave, I sure hope so. Already I am waiting to see how everything will go when I bring Habi along with Chip some day. You are so right about what you said.
Al
 
Al , looking good , your weather is much nicer than our right now, just got back from a horseback elk hunt, one day it rained over an inch!! the fog was so bad we packed it in after three days.

Keep up the good work!!

Fred
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Hey Fred, it is good to hear from you. I have been watching the weather patterns and it seems like you are getting more than your fair share of precip right now. Our high systems down here seem to be forcing all the rain makers to our north so far.
I'm hoping that retirement for you is like what my dad tried to explain to me one day when I asked how he liked it. He said, "Do you remember how much you enjoyed looking forward to each Saturday? Well now think about this. Retirement is a week made up of 6 Saturdays and 1 Sunday. I love it beyond your wildest dreams!"
Al
 
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