Al Hansen
Well-known member
Last Saturday I had promised my wife that I would do a few things for her, so I knew that I would not be out at the teal pond for the opener. That means that I wouldn't be straining my ears to listen for the whisling of wings. Instead I found myself pulling the truck to a spot where I had picked to build a blind. This was easy for me to do because all I had to do was get out of the truck and get my Benelli Nova, three,7' stakes, my large piece of burlap camo, my camera, and the 5 gallon bucket that I sit on which was holding 5 teal decoys.
My only problem at the time was when I stopped my truck, I couldn't open the door because right at that moment I watched a flock of around 15 teal make two swings around the pond and then fly within 75 yards of me and then drop in like I wasn't there at all. I couldn't believe it but it sure was fun to watch. This about drove my duck dog nuts. Chip was all business. So as I got out I watched the birds get up and leave. Then I let Chip out. He has been waiting a year almost to go with me on a duckhunt.
I made a small teepee to break up our silhouettes and we were ready to hunt. The time 8:15AM when we arrived and in a short ten minutes I had everything done. My duck dog was to my left and slightly in front of me. That's all I needed to do because I use him as my radar screen, also. This was his stomping grounds and he was well aware of his environment.
We didn't have to wait but twenty minutes when three bluewing/cinnamons came in. I was lucky enough to pull down one and Chip was now on his way for a pretty long retrieve. He is ten years old but what I still enjoy about him is how he is so darn methodical when it comes to retrieving ducks. When he was younger he showed so much get up and go. Now he just goes about making a good retrieve with no time for splashing, leaping in or scrambling out. I just love him so much and pleased as punch that he can still be with me doing what he loves to do. I thought for a short while and realized I was no different in my approach to hunting. I'm very methodical and toss my decoys no further than my retrieving stick will reach. There is no way I can walk in the pond just because of the mud.
It was a very good hunt because when the second group of three teal came in, I took one them, also. It was now 9:23 AM and it was hotter than I cared for it to be, so I packed up and we headed for the house. Chip was one happy yellow lab. The only other reason I could have that made me want to exit this area is that it is prime western diamondback rattlesnake country. With heat they just become more aggressive.
Al
At 4:45 PM my phone rang. It was my barber and after talking with me, I knew where I was going to be tomorrow morning. He told me that he had just opened the gates to two pieces of property that he irrigates. Both are alfalfa fields and when they hold water, the puddle ducks love them. This should be fun.
My only problem at the time was when I stopped my truck, I couldn't open the door because right at that moment I watched a flock of around 15 teal make two swings around the pond and then fly within 75 yards of me and then drop in like I wasn't there at all. I couldn't believe it but it sure was fun to watch. This about drove my duck dog nuts. Chip was all business. So as I got out I watched the birds get up and leave. Then I let Chip out. He has been waiting a year almost to go with me on a duckhunt.
I made a small teepee to break up our silhouettes and we were ready to hunt. The time 8:15AM when we arrived and in a short ten minutes I had everything done. My duck dog was to my left and slightly in front of me. That's all I needed to do because I use him as my radar screen, also. This was his stomping grounds and he was well aware of his environment.
We didn't have to wait but twenty minutes when three bluewing/cinnamons came in. I was lucky enough to pull down one and Chip was now on his way for a pretty long retrieve. He is ten years old but what I still enjoy about him is how he is so darn methodical when it comes to retrieving ducks. When he was younger he showed so much get up and go. Now he just goes about making a good retrieve with no time for splashing, leaping in or scrambling out. I just love him so much and pleased as punch that he can still be with me doing what he loves to do. I thought for a short while and realized I was no different in my approach to hunting. I'm very methodical and toss my decoys no further than my retrieving stick will reach. There is no way I can walk in the pond just because of the mud.
It was a very good hunt because when the second group of three teal came in, I took one them, also. It was now 9:23 AM and it was hotter than I cared for it to be, so I packed up and we headed for the house. Chip was one happy yellow lab. The only other reason I could have that made me want to exit this area is that it is prime western diamondback rattlesnake country. With heat they just become more aggressive.
Al
At 4:45 PM my phone rang. It was my barber and after talking with me, I knew where I was going to be tomorrow morning. He told me that he had just opened the gates to two pieces of property that he irrigates. Both are alfalfa fields and when they hold water, the puddle ducks love them. This should be fun.
