Two weekends ago we had quite a few ducks land southwest of us. Couldn't hunt last weekend cause of ACT, winds, etc..., so I went to that spot this morning.
Woke up to 38 degrees (which is cold for us Gulf Coast folks) and a stiff 15-20 mph northwest wind. Finally ducky weather, perfect conditions for my spot.
From daylight to about 8:00 it was barren skies. Other than seagulls & commorants, just simply nothing flying. Maybe saw 3 ducks in the air. Only excitement was a flock of Canada geese which roosted northwest of me. I sweet talked them into swimming to about 75 yards out. They were all looking for the talker but didn't see any geese so they swam back to where they came from. Other than that, there was a small flock of gadwalls feeding about 200 yards away. Was thinking this is just miserable.
Then about 8:00, someone opened the gadwall valve, wide open.
A flock of about 20 came in & tried to set down 10 yards outside the decoys. Stood up and shot three times and didn't think I hit a bird. The north wind started pushing the birds my way as they tried to gain altitude so I looked down & grabbed some shells. When I looked back up, there were two gadwalls flopping around on the water. HUH????
One was swimming, so I took off after them. I was sweating but after a 75 yard chase I got them both.
Got back in the boat and caught my breath.
Not 5 more minutes, here come a drake gaddie like he is on a string, flaps down into the landing zone. Boom, 3rd gaddie down.
Walk out, get him, climb back in & settle down.
Another 5 minutes didn't go buy and a flock of around 8 come in cupped and committed. Stand & fold my first one. Swing and drop another. As the flock moves off, about 60 yards out, another drops from the sky, stone dead! I think it was behind the first one I shot, had no idea I hit it.
Its 8:35 and I am done.
Start picking up decoys and had 3 more small groups & pairs try to come in. "Left them biting", as we say when fishing.
If I had picked up early when nothing was flying, I would have been skunked and called it a bad day. Instead its ones for the record books.
Did some running around on the way to the ramp and did not see any more ducks near where I was hunting. Also did not see a single redhead, can or bluebill, which is what I was really expecting to shoot this morning.
Talked to some other guys at the ramp who hunted a bay north of me, they didn't fire a shot. Said they saw ducks but they were all rafted up in open water.
For how many ducks we have (or should I say don't have), I have really gotten lucky this year. I somehow keep managing to get on the X one way or another.
Worst part this morning was that my son had 3 finals yesterday and was beat, so he decided to sleep in. Bad decision! And we can't hunt tomorrow. Actually won't hunt again until December 29th because of holiday commitments.
Back bench seat pic:
[inline Gadwall12-18-15.jpg ]
View attachment Gadwall12-18-15.jpg
Woke up to 38 degrees (which is cold for us Gulf Coast folks) and a stiff 15-20 mph northwest wind. Finally ducky weather, perfect conditions for my spot.
From daylight to about 8:00 it was barren skies. Other than seagulls & commorants, just simply nothing flying. Maybe saw 3 ducks in the air. Only excitement was a flock of Canada geese which roosted northwest of me. I sweet talked them into swimming to about 75 yards out. They were all looking for the talker but didn't see any geese so they swam back to where they came from. Other than that, there was a small flock of gadwalls feeding about 200 yards away. Was thinking this is just miserable.
Then about 8:00, someone opened the gadwall valve, wide open.
A flock of about 20 came in & tried to set down 10 yards outside the decoys. Stood up and shot three times and didn't think I hit a bird. The north wind started pushing the birds my way as they tried to gain altitude so I looked down & grabbed some shells. When I looked back up, there were two gadwalls flopping around on the water. HUH????
One was swimming, so I took off after them. I was sweating but after a 75 yard chase I got them both.
Got back in the boat and caught my breath.
Not 5 more minutes, here come a drake gaddie like he is on a string, flaps down into the landing zone. Boom, 3rd gaddie down.
Walk out, get him, climb back in & settle down.
Another 5 minutes didn't go buy and a flock of around 8 come in cupped and committed. Stand & fold my first one. Swing and drop another. As the flock moves off, about 60 yards out, another drops from the sky, stone dead! I think it was behind the first one I shot, had no idea I hit it.
Its 8:35 and I am done.
Start picking up decoys and had 3 more small groups & pairs try to come in. "Left them biting", as we say when fishing.
If I had picked up early when nothing was flying, I would have been skunked and called it a bad day. Instead its ones for the record books.
Did some running around on the way to the ramp and did not see any more ducks near where I was hunting. Also did not see a single redhead, can or bluebill, which is what I was really expecting to shoot this morning.
Talked to some other guys at the ramp who hunted a bay north of me, they didn't fire a shot. Said they saw ducks but they were all rafted up in open water.
For how many ducks we have (or should I say don't have), I have really gotten lucky this year. I somehow keep managing to get on the X one way or another.
Worst part this morning was that my son had 3 finals yesterday and was beat, so he decided to sleep in. Bad decision! And we can't hunt tomorrow. Actually won't hunt again until December 29th because of holiday commitments.
Back bench seat pic:
[inline Gadwall12-18-15.jpg ]
View attachment Gadwall12-18-15.jpg
