Charles H.
Active member
It was a great opening day in PA south zone. My brother and I hunted the same water, although we did split up so we could both work our on dogs. Unfortunately I didn't see much yesterday morning in the way of ducks. The morning started off bad when I started setting decoys. I got about 10 feet from shore, in and old sand and gravel quarry and the bottom went from rock and gravel to soft mud. It was like glue. Since this quarry(like most) has a habit of changing depths rapidly I wasn't going to risk stepping into a hole and getting stuck in the muddy bottom. So the decoys had to stay close to shore. The forecast called for clear skies and bright sun, but we had some fog that kept conditions ok for longer then I expected. This lone Black Duck came in right after LST, came from behind me, briefly cupped its wings before making a large circle to the left and committing to the decoys. I love when things happen just like the stories say they should. After that I got dive bombed by Mergansers. The quarry itself is constantly muddy, as a result there is very little aquatic vegetation. Puddle ducks use it as a loafing spot as it is right off the Delaware river. What it does have is a ton of bait fish, and attracts mergansers like crazy. One flock of about 20 came in low and fast right over my head from behind and it sounded like a jet was landing! Some woodducks and teal buzzed me, most likely they were being chased around by guys hunting the river. Around 8:30 a very large raptor glided over me through the fog. We've seen Bald Eagles in this quarry before as well as Osprey, the shear size of this bird said eagle all the way. This was confirmed leaving the quarry when we found an immature eagle in a grass field. It took off when we approached but my brother got some good photos which I'll post when he emails them to me. Hunted until the fog burned off around 10am. Back at it this week sometime. We need rain big time, when the dry weed filled quarry pits flood they are a duck magnet!
Grainy cell phone pic, sorry! First duck of the season and one tired 9 year old Lab.
The decoy spread of the day, 5 mallards, 4 greenwings, and one bluewing.
Grainy cell phone pic, sorry! First duck of the season and one tired 9 year old Lab.
The decoy spread of the day, 5 mallards, 4 greenwings, and one bluewing.
