Last day of northern WI duck season

Mark W

Well-known member
11/22/11 - Warm day as has been the norm lately. No wind. Had to break a little ice but it wasn't bad as I had broken the majority of it the day before. Was all alone in the slouigh which was nice after hunting with others in my boat the past 4 days. I usually hunt the last day of the season by myself and reflect upon the season past and it was a treat to be alone in the boat and slough.

Put out a full spread of dekes as the past couple days had some new ducks arrive. Since there is a "duck hunter free" zone not even a couple of hundred yards from where I was hunting, I needed to show the newcomers that where I was was where they wanted to be. Put out some Canada floaters for good cause even though no geese had been taken from this place all season long.

Managed to scratch a couple of doubles from each of two flocks that came into the decoys. Tried to get some of the early diver migrants to come down but I wasn't really hunting in the spot where they would want to be. Had some geese fly near my but not close enough to shoot at and my goose calling pushed them farther from, rather than closer to, me.

Sat in the outdoors for awhile and watched the eagles that call this spot home soar. Man are they fun to watch. Had some turkeys fly across the stream and had some deer walk right on by as where I hunt ducks is a safe spot for them to be when deer huting season is going strong. It was a great day to be in the outdoors.

Got back to the landing and backed the new vehicle down the ramp. Got the boat on the trailer and moverd forward far enough to pull the plug and let the water drain. Got back in the truck and couldn't get up the ramp as the wheels were spinning. Since this was a new vehicle to me, I couldn't figure out how to get it into 4 wheel low and lock the diff and tranny. Put the Jeep in park and started to slip backwards down the ramp. In my panic, I purposely hit the catch on the trailer winch and watched the boat go back into the water. This immediately stopped the Jeep from going backwards. What to do now I wondered. I went back into the Jeep to see how to get it into 4 LOW. Oh yeah, the vehicle came with a DVD manual, I'll plop that into the CD/DVD player and see how to do what I need to do. I hear talking but see nothing. Since I can't see anything, all the figures and diagrams that are being referred to I can't see. Then naturally, I can't see how to fix this on the radio as I can't see how to do this either. Find out later that MN doesn't allow you to watch a DVD on the front display even if you are in park and the vehicle is not moving nor the motor on. Another one of those "the State where absolutely nothign is allowed" moments....

Remember the part about me pulling the plug earlier. It was about this time that I realized that I had done so. I rush back to the boat, which is now filled halfway with water. I already have my waders off and where the plug goes, the water is 8-10 feet deep. After getting the waders on, I get into the water and put the plug back in place. Ok, the water is not coming into the boat anymore. Now how the heck am I going to get the boat out of the water.

After an hour of bailing with the 32 ounce cup I had on hand, the boat is missing most of the water. I extend the winch strap as far as it will go and attach it to the boat. I am able to pull the boat up onto the landing but not on the trailer. As hard as I try, I can't both lift the boat and crank the winch. Back in the water the boat goes. My frustration level is now at an all time high. How the heck am I going to get out of this mess? I know, I'll call Jeep and ask them. Oh yeah, when the boat filed up with water, it went over the top of the small bag where I keep my phone. Phone doesn't work either. Great.

I pull the Jeep up to the parking area. I back down a different spot on the ramp thinking I may have more traction. To make a long story short, I finally got the boat on the trailer and the whole thing up the ramp. What a last day. Oh yeah, got printed manuals now as well that are in the glove box.

Got home and washed all the hunting gear and cleaned out the duckboat. I may go out and finish up some hunting in the Southern WI zone or maybe go out and get after some geese later on but right now, it just isn't in me. Man I'm getting old.......

All in all, the season was not as good as last year. I shot 13 different species of ducks in 2010 while in the field 20 days. This year, I shot 6 species of ducks hunting only 16 days. I could have hunted more days but the ducks just weren't around. The water up here is still soft and there is no snow on the ground. Temps are finally in the 20's and water should start to get hard soon. Should be out on the ice in 3-4 weeks hopefully. Have to start planning the Annual Travis Bruce Ice Fishing gala now. Maybe one of these days we'll get him up to be a part of his fishing event.....

The fateful day (notice snow on the ground - a first for this year)

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Shot of the last hunt of the season. Thought I would try B&W. Don't think it worked very well.

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Mark W
 
Mark,

Some days it's better to have Red Solo Cup than be a solo hunter! I have been there myself. Glad it all worked out!
 
Since you have a Jeep, you ever have to figure out how to do the shifting into 4 LOW and neutral? I even shifted the transfer case into neutral and then couldn't get it out of neutral. Brakes weren't holding well without the engine running either. Had to apply the old handy parking brake. I tell you, it was a mess.

I now know how to shift into 4 LOW.

Mark W
 
The older you get, the more you appreciate the stories. You'll be telling your grandkids about that day!
Rick
 
Mark,

The Liberty may be different. I have a paddle looking shift solenoid. I shift into neutral then pull the paddle rearward. I've not had any issues.

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You can see the shift paddle just to the left of the gear shifter. I'm not to crazy with it. I'm used to having a handle to pull. I wonder what it'll cost when I have to replace the electronic soleniod?
 
Well, Mark, I sure am glad you were able to take a few ducks on your last day. As I read your story it quickly reminded me of Pete McMiller's story. Glad all ended up being ok. What kind of ducks did you shoot?
Al
 
Ed - it turned out to be very simple to put into 4 low - turn ignition on or have the ngine running, put transmission into neutral and then push the 4 Low button. As I was listening to the DVD, I thought I had to put the tranny and transfer case into neutral first and this is where my trrouble began. Then I couldn't get it out of neutral as the gears weren't matching up. Finally had to shove it into park and start over. An experience for sure

Al - the last day I shot all mallards. Day before I got mallards and a green wing teal. Day before that I got mallards, gadwall and a woodie. These ducks all shot on 11/20 or later. Truly unbelievale season.

Mark W
 
That is some story Mark. I have had one or two similar events myself. Hope you don't mind that I had a couple of chuckles reading it.
 
Sorry to hear your troubles Mark, but I am glad you were able to get out. Hopefully you can hit the south zone for another hunt to extend your season.

I just love those "life lessons"........
 
Wow, sorry to hear about your troubles at the launch. I'd be pretty jumpy if my rig started sliding into the water too!

Note to self, don't pull the boat plug until AFTER I make it to the top of the ramp. That one will come in handy some day when I can afford a larger boat.

Erich
 
Wow, sorry to hear about your troubles at the launch. I'd be pretty jumpy if my rig started sliding into the water too!

Note to self, don't pull the boat plug until AFTER I make it to the top of the ramp. That one will come in handy some day when I can afford a larger boat.

Erich


Yeah. MN had a law changed a couple years back where all water has to be drained from everything on a boat before you hit the road. If you are caught in MN pulling a boat and the plug is in place - instant fine. Thus the reason I pull it while on the ramp as the boat drains easier that way.

I feel for the guys with the expensive boats that have bait wells, fish keepers, etc that have to be drained. I don't know how hard it is to do so bu I don't thin I would want live bait without water or fish without water bouncing around on a long trip back home.

Mark W
 
The problem Erich is that if you drain the boat from the top of the ramp the water is going to freeze up on the ramp and make is slippery for the next guy. Mark did it the correct way - let everything drain near the water's edge. Some ramps I go to have sand/salt at the ramp for spreading on the ramp when icy. Knowing how to get your vehicle into 4WD is important. I had to avoid many ramps the last weekend of our season one year when my 4WD selector motor went out - only used fairly flat ramps.
 
I didn't mean to suggest that Mark did anything he shouldn't have, and I can understand the states position on transporting water in your boat that could carry invasive plants and animals. My only point was that when the ramp is slick and traction could be a concern I'll be mindful to remember his situation and anticipate the boat going back in the water incase I start to slide.

Pete, your point about not draining water on the ramp that will freeze for someone else is also welcome advise.

Erich
 
Oh I know you didn't Erich. My only point was about the freezing ramps. It can be a huge problem if the ramp is steep and everyone before you drains their boat and trailer on it. I try to keep the end of my trailer out over the water's edge until 90% of the water has drained out - you'd be surprised at those who never even think of it. I've heard of vehicles sliding into the water on icy ramps and don't ever want it to be mine.
 
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