Just nasty today

Bill Savoie

Bill Savoie

Active member
Nor'easter here in New Hampshire. Legal shooting just before high tide, hoped we could sneak out and set up in the lee of an island where he ducks would be. The ride to the ramp was interesting, lots of wind and rain. Still might sneak in, only a little run to where we were going to set up. Cleared the tree line, really hit with the gusts. You can't hunt ducks if you're not on the water, but you can't hunt ducks if you're dead. Turned around and came home. Maybe try this afternoon as the storm passes up Maine. The first split closes Sunday, yet to fire a shot. At least I haven't missed a duck yet...
 
Called it as well today Bill,

Just didnt look good at the ramp and the rain didnt help.

Tomorrow.
 
Did the same today Bill...rain hasn't stopped since last night, buckets coming down, can't see anything in the air. Maggie's first love, chipmunks, aren't even moving.
 
Marsh and I are just back from our early season duck opener. I too blew off the boat due to the NorEaster, but I did a wet walk in. It meant that guys were all around me "pass shooting" the woodies. I even got sucked in and took three shots which while in range are not shots I'm comfortable with in the half light and steady rain. Even had a small knot of teal dump in so quick I didn't even know they were coming. I was looking down the little marsh and they snuck in from the other way. Heard them hitting the water, when they lifted back out they stayed low against the dark wooded bank and I saved my ammo. Eventually the light increased and I took my thee woodies and a bonus hen mallard. Great numbers of woodies but tomorrow the stocked chicken season starts and the state lands will be covered in waves of orange.

It was great to be out there again!

Scott
 
Nasty up here today too. Gale warnings from Portsmouth to Portland, storm warnings on the Maine coast east of Portsmouth. I'm 50 miles inland up the Kennebec River, and it was still blowing hard here this morning.

I'm off to the north woods for a grouse, partridge and foliage weekend, and bringing lots of goretex. At least this should be knocking lots of the leaves off the trees.

Scott, I'd think the stocked pheasant season would take a lot of pressure off any wild birds. I always love hunting ducks after deer season opens and takes most of the guns out of my spots.

We only have very limited stocked pheasant hunting in Southern Maine, and other than its value for dog training, nobody takes it very seriously.
 
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And here i was thinking I was such a sissy staying in bed this morning! First opening day I have missed in 3 decades!!!
Jim/Fowlfishing
 
Took my son to the dock last year. Wind was howling. Let him look at the water, then asked what do you think? He said we should wrap it up. I told him smart move. We can always hunt another day. Went to the Tara's instead.
 
We did get out yesterday afternoon. The wind was still howling but had backed around to the NW which is a much safer wind here. It was still spitting rain, but nothing like the morning. Not much flying but we did manage two blacks. Here's a shot of my TDB 14 that I grassed this year.[inline Grassed_in_10_2010.jpg]

View attachment Grassed_in_10_2010.JPG
 
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I use them to jam into the mud to keep the boat in place, depending on the tide and wind. It was an incoming tide and the wind was behind us, so the wind kept us held tight. They also come in handy when I don't pay as much attention to the outgoing tide as I should.
 
interesting... I have a similar boat, so always looking for ideas.
Do they get in your way when shooting at birds since they are so long?
 
They have never bothered me, and I tried shorter ones and always found the water would be too deep for what I had. These are just long enough to lay flat on the floor when not in use.
 
I use the same method with the BBIII. Most times I just bow in and use 1 pole at the stern. Sure makes moving with the incoming or outgoing tides a lot easier than anchoring.
 
I can see how bow in would work with that, but I try to stay broadside with two shooters. I only anchor if I have to.
 
That is a sweet shot of one of your hunting areas. Being able to shoot two black ducks had to be a great day.
Al
 
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