Last stop in Jersey for Lady M

[Mike]

Since Kevin Stupp and I live relatively close to one another, we decided to meet for a hunt and hand off Lady M instead of shipping her. We found a nice sheltered point and set out our spread with lady M front and center. High tide, mild temps, light wind and a low ceiling of clouds set the stage for a nice morning hunt. This area also happens to be a major roost for Snow Geese. As we settled in, just before shooting time, the roar of thousands of hungry Snows lifting off the water muffled our conversation. At 1st it was hard to make them out, but as they broke above the horizen the numbers became clear. When I say thousands, I mean tens of thousands. The show was amazing.

Soon after, Kevin and I each managed to harvest nice drake Blackducks. Then things slowed up a bit. Though we had Mallards trading around the area, none would commit to our spread.

We ended our morning hunt by each taking a drake Ringneck. These Ringers were a 1st for both Kevin and I.

We picked up Lady M and the rest of my spread and headed out for a little sight seeing. As we neared the back of the meadow, we stopped by to check out a local game preserve. Lady M wanted to have her picture taken with a "few" pen raised Mallards.

On the way back to the club we stopped to snap a pic of the last remaining old trapper's barge in the meadow. If this old barge could talk, the stories it might tell......

A few closing shots:

 

[Capt. Larry M]

looks like a nice day!

 

[Rich Hohler]

Awesome pics guys! It looks like you showed Lady M a good time. Thanks for posting.

 

[Bob B]

Mike,
great shots. You guys have a lot of duck history down that way. Sure is a sight to see all those Snows. Ringer Drakes are a very nice bird.

Bob

 

[Huntindave McCann]

Beautiful pictures, looks like you guys had fun.

 

[Tom Scholberg]

Nice to see that she is still doing well and having fun. I see that the cord stop anchor setup is still being used, hope you guys like it and maybe use that kind of setup on your own blocks. I sure like it. Thanks again Chuck for running this show and to all the hosts for treating her well.;-)

 

[mike braden]

A black and a ringer is a NICE mixed bag. Who cares if the limit is 6. Anyone would be happy just shooting 2.

 

[Anthony A]

Good stuff!!!

 

[Doug Bowman]

Mike it looks like a great hunt, congrats on the Ringnecks.

 

[Mike]

Thanks guys. It was a fun hunt for me. I hope Kevin enjoyed it as well.

Rich,
All my friends at our gun club have commented on how nice this decoy is. It has been fun to host it so far and look forward to the rest of this week. I hope to be able to get alot of gunning in over her. Thanks to all who have made this event what it is.

 

[Kris Schaumburg]

when you say game preserve, is that a refuge area or a private club where they release birds?

 

[Craig F]

Nice pictures guys! The weather certainly hasn't been helping matters this season so far.

I was wearing the same NJWA t-shirt yesterday.

 

[Kevin Stupp]

Thanks Mike! Had a great time hunting with you and Jersey Girl. You guys have a really nice club going there. We'll have to do it again sometime.


Mike and Jersey with his 1st "Ringer"
View attachment 2011-12-21 10.05.27.jpg

 

[Mike]

when you say game preserve, is that a refuge area or a private club where they release birds?

It's private property. The birds stay real close to the feed/pens. No reason to really leave. Sometimes they may venture out some and get whacked by a neighboring land owner/lease holder, but generally they stay put.

 

[shane blanchard]

Mike,

Congrats on your hunt. Great pics. Glad too see some birds being taken. You know where I hunt, and it has been a rough second season so far.

 

[matt s.]

Congrats on the ring neck mike. Looks like you have some good room in that box. How's it working out for you?

 

[Mike]

Congrats on the ring neck mike. Looks like you have some good room in that box. How's it working out for you?

It's ok. Always those little things that would make it better. I'm not a big fan of the raffia. May go back to woven palm mats next season. May even go natural with either bluebent or salt hay.

 

[Mike]

Lady M, myself, Jersey Girl and fellow member here (lurker) Benny Patten hunted this morning. Lately, in our region, the majority of birds are rafting up on big water where they are safe. It makes for tough hunts. I sure would like to get a good cold front come thru this week while Lady M was visiting......... we need some fresh birds. Thankfully, Benny and I each managed to get our 1 Blackduck. Both really nice drakes.

 

[matt s.]

nice hunt guys! i hear ya on the raffia mike. im definetely going back to spartina. this rafia gets caught in my motor, decoys, push pole, etc etc! looks good though ill give it that. great pics by the way!

 

[Mike]

Hunted this morning with fellow duckboats member Brian Miller and my Lab Jersey Girl. Still slow around here, but a good hunt just the same. Lady M did her job and lured in a potential suiter. It was good to catch up with Brian. He harvested the drake Mallet and I managed to bring down a Canada goose. It's good to be able to give my Lab a few retrieves. She's a real nice dog and lives to retrieve. She's really made these last few years in the meadows and creeks enjoyable.