Florida - Furia, Hillman, Romig, Teal and more...

[Hitch]

I was a camper in the Super Puddler with the new dog Rex...we stayed the night to get our spot. The full moon was ominous, but it made for a concert that no photo or video can do justice for. We had Gads, Teal, Pintail, and numerous Wigeon singing to us all night. The widgeon would start in a few at a time, then more would chime in until a low pitch whistle was a drone, all while the Teal were chattering. The Ringnecks joined late to roost, piling in 50 or a hundred at a time, with a few stragglers.

Early in the morning the Gads were quacking and the Greenwinged were calling.

I let the ringnecks go. They headed north and to the west at the first skybusts. Some hung around all morning, but we were not there for the Ringnecks. Unfortunately most of the Wigeon left too. It was still a treat to listen to them all night.

A hen in the decoys get's a pass.

Five Teal in the boat, greenys and Bluewinged, and one left...I heard the dreebing coming from behind and the drake Mottled appeared and tilted and lowered his head as he passed over the Furia Mottled. I quacked a couple times on the new Field Proven call and he turned and came right in, feet down and splash. Rex made quick work of it.

All birds over the decoys on 11 shells spent. It was a pleasant night and day. New experiences for the new dog. I enjoyed watching him as he stood on the bow of the Super Puddler all night; only turning in after all the Ringers were to bed. On all fours, head up watching the ducks, and then retrieving them all in the morning. He has the heart of a Springer and the desire of a Lab.

Hitch

 

[MLBob Furia]

Love it, Hitch!!

+ Springers = fine little dogs!

 

[Gary March]

Hitch, Your the camera man. Yes. I want some of the Hillman decoys sooooooooooooooo Bad. And Furia's only in my dreams. What a great story. Thanks for sharing. I had my down gear on today just to keep from freezing to death. What was you temp? HeHe

Gary

 

[TimJ]

thumbs up smiley if we had one.

Tim

 

[Bob B]

Hitch,
those shots of Rex sure bring back some long ago memories of Springers that slept under my fathers roof.
Good hunting wherever you are Gus, Ajax, Hermies, Brutus and Ariel.
Rex keep up the good work.

That mottled duck is a real Florida treasure.
I sure like the thought of the supper puddler better than sleeping in the marsh in a canoe.

 

[Al Hansen]

Fantastic shots, Hitch. Out of curiosity, why did you spend all night at this spot? Was it just to watch and listen to the ducks? Those decoys are sure special. By the way, Rex is one photographic pup!
Al

 

[MLBob Furia]

only in my dreams. Gary

Gary:

As they say in the 'Old Country':
"Che tutti i tuoi sogni diventino realtà" ("May all your dreams come true!")

View attachment dreams.jpg

 

[Nick Buda]

Great story and photos Hitch, thanks for sharing. And here I thought a dozen ringers was a "big" flock! I know what you mean about the sounds of the marsh at night. I often leave and set up a lot earlier than I need to just to enjoy the widgeon, mallards and teal sounds at my favorite spot in the morning.

 

[w.gammill]

Hitch,
Very nice. Are you guys still putting up with mosquitoes (sp?) at this time of the year?
Best,
William

 

[Ed L.]

Hitch,

Cool photos and neat story. Now if you look real close...across the water to the grass on the other side....yep, those are Ringers....nope, that's as close as they came...hehe

Maybe next time! Looking forward to this weekend.

Take care,

Ed L.

 

[Chris S in MD]

Aren't the gators still out and about?

 

[Hitch]

Thanks guys...yep, gators and mosquitoes. Gators are usually in the deeper water so if you’re away from the ditches. And of course you have to scout ahead of time. The mosquitoes are worse. I had 3 thermocells going.

Hey Gary...I know how much you spend on those L lenses. You can bust loose some coin for a few H and F's decoys. And I love James' little cork teal drake. I bought it off him fresh out of the water, still wet at Westlake. It had a blue ribbon that came with it.

Hitch

 

[jode hillman]

Nice Pics John, looks like a fruitful day on the water.
I've spent quite a few nights in a sneakbox and it's always a fun experience except when it's raining!

P.S. Bob you had me laughing with the Napoleon Dynamite referece...........too funny.

 

[Ron Smith]

Nice Hitch. I didn't know that your barge has a lower deck with sleeping accomodatiions. I like the bird pix with the deeks. I am not letting the ringnecks pass down here. I am enjoying them again after they took an unexplained year off last season from my stomping grounds.

 

[rich scheffer]

Al Hansen:

Al,

If the crowd in Hitch's area was anything like what I encountered at the north end of Lake Okeechobee, I can understand why they camped out in the dark. It looked like a city out in the marsh. All the good spots were taken way before we got there! Next year I am going to hunt the "bad spots". Will probably do better than fighting the crowd in the "good spots". At least it won't rain pellets all morning!

 

[Hitch]

Slept in the Super Puddler Ron. It was a treat. I had the drybag pumped up www.drybags.com and used it as a pillow and the Therm-a-rest under the butt. Butt as Nota would say "Butt" what I passed up the Ringers for was the Wigeon (which left) and the Teal...

Al, I'm a little rusty with the cameras, so I'm shooting with the camera in the afternoon, and shooting with the gun the next morning.

Hitch

 

[Shane Snyder]

OK Hitch,
I just happen to be in Florida, (Down from PA for a soccer tournament) And I have seen a bunch of ducks Spent the last week in Tampa and are now in Titusville, I want to go hunting with you, We never get to see large flocks like that in PA!! You guys are so lucky to have the big flocks or any flocks like you see down here!! Enjoy the stories and pictures. Keep them coming!!!
Shane