January Bluebills...

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Pat Gregory

Well-known member
Every now and then, I just need to get away by myself. So I packed up the sneakboat and head out to chase some scaup. Spent a lot of time in prayer and reflection. The birds taught me alot. I watched them for 4 days. I learned much when I am by myself and pay attention. I have a profound respect for these birds...

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In the rig, decoys by Vic Sutek, the late George Root, the late Frank Peeters, Geoff Vine, Steve Sanford and some of my blocks.

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Nice pictures and beautiful decoys Pat. They are my favorite birds to hunt. Thanks for sharing!

The birds have been a bit more challenging this year than last. But we are still seeing them and having fun!
 
I am so jealous!

I love hunting 'Bills especially the way you did your hunts. Not necessarily alone, which I usually do, but with a small, comfortable boat and a very nice spread of meaningful decoys. Scaup are my favorite Duck, but unfortunately, we don't get a lot of them around home here.

I had the pleasure of hunting the same public lake, and near Vic this last season. Of course, he would always harvest more birds than I!

Thanks for sharing you photos and story Pat. I know I'm not the only one who appreciates it!

Jon
 
Guys - Great hearing from all you "Scaup People". I know there are many of us out there with a profound respect for these creatures. There is something in our DNA that goes off inside of us when a squadron of these rascals fly low to the water. Just coming off 4 days of it, I am having a hard time staying focused. I watched many more than I shot this weekend and never got tired of it...

Come on you closet "scaupies" put your hand up...
 
Pat, we are hoping for a good flight of bluebills here yet... was out in the layout, napping on Friday. Around 50 deg or more. Was awaken by the sound of a thousand high flying bluebills.... big flights...heard them before I could see them, but they kept on going :(

Cold arriving here this week, fingers crossed.
 
Pat,
I see i am not the only one dealing with push boats and barges. That's not always a bad thing sometimes they move birds for us. As of last week the bills had not made it here yet,maybe this cold snap will help us.

Thanks for the writeup and pictures.
 
Yup.
my name is Mike and I am addicted to scaup.

back in my farming days after an exceptionally early harvest one year I hunted scaup 28 days strait often by myself.
Every day was special and and the desire to go increased each day.

It has been a lifelong obsession.

Glad to see you got a full season in even with the early ice.
 
I enjoy carving and once i get a bigger boat i cant wait to chase some broadbill. I saw some nice flocks last week, i love watching them fly; how they knot up and dive into he decoys with wreckless abandon.

Thanks for posting up the pics
 
Mr. President would have been a happy camper to have spent a day in the blind with you. Looks like a nice couple of days.

Phil
 
Minus the call, this is for us Scaupies...

The hunter crouches in his blind
'Neath camouflage of every kind
And conjures up a quacking noise
To lend allure to his decoys
This grown-up man, with pluck and luck
is hoping to outwit a duck...

Ogden Nash
 
Great post Pat. I have not been around much lately busier then I would like to be but it made me smile to know you are still out there chasing scaup. Wish I could be too!

There is something about big water, wind and bills that just winds my watch.
 
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