Weather coming

Mark W

Mark W

Well-known member
Thursday evening strong north/northwest winds are expected to hit the area to be followed by rain early Friday am turning to snow Friday afternoon/early evening. Only 1" expected and it will be gone in a day or so but it is snow none the less. Saturday morning temps are expected to be below freezing. I believe I can foresee some duck hunting occurring over the next few days. Already took the time off from work and to say I'm getting anxious is an understatement. May be duck on the appetizer list for Thanksgiving.


Mark W
 
They are forecasting the front to pass here early Saturday morning, with stiff north winds and temps falling from the upper 70s on Friday into the low 60s by Saturday afternoon.
Lows in the mid to upper 30's here on the Gulf Coast Sunday and Monday mornings. They could see a freeze on Monday morning in Eric's neck o' the wood in North AL.

We already have a good number of birds here on Mobile Bay but this first real strong cold front of the year promises to make our opener on the 25th a good one.

Good luck to everyone up north and be safe out there!
 
This is not just a little blow associated with a cold frontal boundary passage...it looks like temperatures will stay down in the seasonal range and another snowfall forecast here for Wednesday. Duck season died at three weeks into the sixty day season here. Hopefully, Mr. Big will finally come back to his core area (Passed one small basket rack buck trailing a doe yesterday morning; I had hoped that he would have been not far behind her, too-didn't happen.).
 
Well, that front may eventually change things here, but it's not in the local forecast discussion yet.

We have reached the point--from Minnesota to Alabama to Maine--that it's news when we might see a return to seasonal weather.

Meanwhile, the talking head "weather-persons" on the evening news talk about how the "good weather" will continue, as though warmth and drought are what we all want so we don't have to wear a sweater or carry an umbrella.

Yikes.
 
the "real" weather people here are way over the "nice weather" message. Our drought in central & northern AL is going into critical phases. Birmingham could lose its primary potable water source soon.

If we don't get normal rainfall over the winter, we'll see a saltwater wedge move up Mobile Bay and another Valisneria die-off like we had in 2006/07. Which will really suck.
 
Should be set up by 2:00 this afternoon. Hunt till 4:40, go home and then hunt everyday until closing on the 22nd (Northern WI closing date that is). Then hunt some more of MN to end the 2016 season. Hopefully will see some movement.


Mark W
 
I just stowed all the waterfowl related hunting gear in a "staging area", for when and if it's needed during this season. So far dismal is the word for this season, but things change fast here.

50+ degrees today, and close to 70 Friday - YAWN...

Deer gun gear is ready for Sat. opener. Thank Goodness! Forecast warm & rain, then the poop hits the propellers and we shall see what we shall see. A couple of years ago a Nov. big snow hit that no one expected, but kinda dealt with anyway.

All the buck that I have seen while squirrel and grouse hunting, are in thick, long, grey winter coat already. Food in the woods, except for wild grapes is sparse.

May have to consider going back to bow hunting. As each year there seems to be less reason to hunt for what ain't, and more reason to hunt for what there is. Sad situation and a helluva lot different than it used to be (I know a Geezer gripe, but where I am it's true).

No matter where you are, and what your hunting, be safe and enjoy your time outdoors. Bring home some Organic Food for Thanksgiving to savor with family and friends.
 
I don't deer hunt seriously, but I did get a doe permit this year and there is 800 acres of forest land around my house thanks to the New England Forest Foundation and the Kennebec Land Trust. I have a tree stand set up within an easy walk of the house over the trail in and out of a bedding area that was seeing a lot of traffic back in October when I put the stand up, and nice ridge line full of oak trees bordering a hay field that sees a lot of traffic where I have a couple of spots I like to sit.

Just saw my first deer of the season--at the end of my driveway, in the headlights as I pulled into my driveway, feeding on the pulled broccoli stems next to my compost pile.

Would love a little tracking snow . . . . . send cold thoughts my way!
 
The late season opens here in Indiana on Saturday. I'm hoping this cold front pushes some birds in for the opener. I'm in the process of playing catch up to get my new to me Triton 1650 DS together. I have to try to get a shakedown run in on the lake this afternoon. Hopefully all goes well and I don't meet up with any old salts at Davy Jones' Locker.

Good luck to all. Have a safe, fun, and enjoyable season !
 
Well, I got the shakedown run in late Friday afternoon, and got off the lake just minutes before a severe thunderstorm with strong straight line winds, severe lightning, and very heavy rain hit the lake. I had to pull off the road and wait out the storm because of the high winds and rain. It was then that I realized that I hadn't pulled the drain plug when I loaded the boat back onto the trailer. Not good.

The temperature dropped throughout the night, and the winds picked up speed through the night and all day today. Winds were forecasted to be gusting to 35+ mph today. After a 4:00 a m consult with my hunting partners, we decided to forego this opening day of the late season.

The new boat did well although the ride is a little rougher than what I like but I'm going to try and fine tune the tilt on the engine. Hopefully that will smooth out the ride. It's a flat bottom Jon with several strakes though so I know it's not going to ride like a Semi V or Modified V hull. I think it will serve its purpose well which is a wide, stable boat.

Glad to see some members are killing some ducks and geese. Hopefully we'll have a good year....
 
Went out Thursday evening and didn't see many ducks. None close enough to shoot at. Went out Friday morning knowing it was going to be a short morning as rain, and big rain at that, was expected.

There was another group of hunters already in the slough. Anyway, got a spot I cherished and set out the dekes. Shooting started around 7:00 and there was nothing in the air, or on the water. Eagles everywhere and seagulls but no game birds around. I was intently watching the radar and it was saying by 9:15 rain would be in the area and it was going to be a lot. I had planned to start picking up around 8:45 or so and hit the landing before the rain began. What's the old quote about the best laid plans......

At 8;15 raindrops were falling, not big ones but just starting to rain. A text from my wife and a buddy I let know where I was hunting both told me the skies in Minneapolis and further east were black and it was pouring. I decided to close up and head in early as the wind was really picking up. About the time I had this thought the rain came, in sheets. Picked up the dekes and started boating towards shore. I went by the other group of hunters and they were staying put. They must have had out well over 200 decks and it was going to take them awhile get get picked up and back to the landing. I shouted to tell to see if they needed help and they said they were going to ride it out. I told them what is coming and didn't think it smart but they were satisfied they were good to go.

Ride back to the landing I was getting pelted with raindrops I sear were the size of gold balls. Had some hail thrown in for good measure. Got back and got everything loaded and headed home. Temps dropped from the mid 40's - low 50's to barely above 20 in no time. Couldn't dry out the boat nor blind but the season is almost over anyway.

Went back out Saturday, once again no ducks. Actually got cold and figured it was due to the 25 mph winds blowing through my wet blind and boat.

Heading in early. Was planning to go today but still cold from yesterday's hunt and then going to a hockey game that evening. You know how it is when you can't shake being cold. Yesterday was it.

Two more days to hunt northern WI. Tomorrow is suppose to be cold but dry. Tuesday cold and rain and snow. I'm hoping for snow.

Mark W
 
spent hours in the marsh this morning- a little over an hour into the day, a pair of black ducks did a text book perfect circle, turning into the wind and cupped their wings and extended the landing gear, dropping right into the hole in the decoy spread left for them

i had not loaded up since I was looking forward to handling Macallan to is first real retrieve, my friend dropped his one black duck, with a little coaching the retrieve was completed

and I loaded my Parker - and sat there for a couple more hours while the wind blew snow into the backs of our coats and blind

never saw another duck until another pair of blacks flew over us on our way out

the lake effect warning is in effect until tomorrow evening - still some hope for migrants - but with nights in the twenties - they may need to find someplace not so frozen
 
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Lake effect here in til 10am, but it's the 20-40mph gusts that may keep me out of the deer woods til later. May go scout a lake nearby, to see if any new arrivals.

One Black duck, on a blustery day with your dog and partner is a good time in my book.
 
We missed a direct hit with this front, but got a little rain followed by light snow and some decent wind. Today is flat calm with a little tracking snow and clouds, so I'm playing hooky to see if I can figure out where the deer that have been avoiding my usual haunts have been playing. I haven't seen much rut activity yet, but it's got to crank up soon, so they may be moving about in the daylight

Saw a nice 6 point buck at the end of my neighbor's driveway on my way home after dark on Friday night--so far the only live deer I've seen this season.
 
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