Tom Wall
Well-known member
Christmas was quiet a my house, we went to my in-laws on Sunday. So, I went out to my local lake in the evening to see if there were any ducks or geese around after Christmas dinner. It was raining but neither the dog or I cared. We had a little time to get out and we were enjoying it. We ended up seeing a couple flocks of ducks. I found a willow tree the beavers had recently dropped on the edge of the lake near to where the feeder stream enters. It would be a perfect place to tuck into and disappear. The water along shore was on 4-6 inches deep so I wouldn't need waders to set the dekes. I was all set for a morning duck hunt.
Shooting time was 7:06 am. I only live about 15 minutes from the spot. We were on the road by 6 am. We had the parking area to ourselves. It wasn't raining but still overcast. The walk to the edge of the woods brought me right to the trail, I managed to get through the woods without poking an eye out or twisting an ankle in a hole. Everything was going just to plan. We were coming out right behind the fallen willow. We were still 50 yards from shore when I heard the first splash. When I was still 10 yards from shore the water was within a couple of inches of the top of my boots. The lake had risen about 18 inches overnight.
I set the decoys out in some flooded grass in an opening in the trees along the shore. They looked good sitting in the still water. The wind was a steady 15 mph so this would be an inviting spot. I managed to find just enough dry ground next to a tree for Muddy to sit on. There was another fallen willow behind us and the wind was at our backs. I was pleased with my set up.
Shooting light came slowly, 7:06 came and went. If a bird landed in the dekes I would have seen it, otherwise it was still dark. Slowly I could start to make out more and more details. To my left a flock of geese woke up and headed out to feed. I heard them but never saw them.
After eating all the sticks on his little piece of higher ground Muddy was out foraging for more sticks. Apparently, he was behind on his annual quota of sticks eaten and was making up lost ground. It was now almost punishment to keep him on the dry ground. Still no birds.
Before 9 I started pack things up. Central OH is not on a major flyway and our local birds become very educated by the end of the season, north zone closes Sunday. Plus, I had a list of jobs waiting at home. On the way back to the truck I snuck over to another feeder creek the beavers have damed up. It's not unusual to find a pair of greenheads resting there. The backwater was empty.
Muzzleloader season opens today so that was probably our last duck hunt there this season. I get a little nervous about walking through the woods with a brown dog and the season closes Sunday. The plan worked great, I had a great time, Muddy had a great time, and the birds had a great time somewhere else! I did take some pictures. When I finally finish the role and remember to develop them I'll try and post some.
Tom
Shooting time was 7:06 am. I only live about 15 minutes from the spot. We were on the road by 6 am. We had the parking area to ourselves. It wasn't raining but still overcast. The walk to the edge of the woods brought me right to the trail, I managed to get through the woods without poking an eye out or twisting an ankle in a hole. Everything was going just to plan. We were coming out right behind the fallen willow. We were still 50 yards from shore when I heard the first splash. When I was still 10 yards from shore the water was within a couple of inches of the top of my boots. The lake had risen about 18 inches overnight.
I set the decoys out in some flooded grass in an opening in the trees along the shore. They looked good sitting in the still water. The wind was a steady 15 mph so this would be an inviting spot. I managed to find just enough dry ground next to a tree for Muddy to sit on. There was another fallen willow behind us and the wind was at our backs. I was pleased with my set up.
Shooting light came slowly, 7:06 came and went. If a bird landed in the dekes I would have seen it, otherwise it was still dark. Slowly I could start to make out more and more details. To my left a flock of geese woke up and headed out to feed. I heard them but never saw them.
After eating all the sticks on his little piece of higher ground Muddy was out foraging for more sticks. Apparently, he was behind on his annual quota of sticks eaten and was making up lost ground. It was now almost punishment to keep him on the dry ground. Still no birds.
Before 9 I started pack things up. Central OH is not on a major flyway and our local birds become very educated by the end of the season, north zone closes Sunday. Plus, I had a list of jobs waiting at home. On the way back to the truck I snuck over to another feeder creek the beavers have damed up. It's not unusual to find a pair of greenheads resting there. The backwater was empty.
Muzzleloader season opens today so that was probably our last duck hunt there this season. I get a little nervous about walking through the woods with a brown dog and the season closes Sunday. The plan worked great, I had a great time, Muddy had a great time, and the birds had a great time somewhere else! I did take some pictures. When I finally finish the role and remember to develop them I'll try and post some.
Tom
