Winter is here. Who’s hunting?
- Thread starter Carl
- Start date
Wasn't meant to be this morning. Three nights in the teens and the ramps in my area are locked up with ice. The Mississippi River is basically a lake right now with very little flow so no thoughts of ice moving out. Time to clean things up and put them away for the season. I hope everyone that still gets to hunt has a great season.
It's going to get colder I hear. I remember that damp cold goes to the bone!Finally saw a few flocks of bluebills on Tampa Bay on my way into work yesterday morning.
It was 42 this morning.
Tampa winter is here.
William Reinicke
Active member
Had 6 really solid weekends. Went out on Sunday and they are gone. Winter showed up and cold and birds moved. I dont do well with that, so I drove 1100 miles and 19 hours in 2 days and finally found them again. Should be a good weekend next weekend. Found them late and no wind. Knew I only had about an hour to get on them. Ended up with 2 greens and a stud woodie. What was fun, I have never in my career as a waterfowler ever seen wood ducks decoy so well. They are usually heard, then seen, and shot pass shooting if within range. I had 4 groups decoy right into my mallard decoys. Something I have never seen before. I always say once is a fluke and twice is a pattern. I will see if they do the same next weekend, either way was a very cool experience. The only frustration.... ALL HENS! Finally on the last group a stud drake showed up.
Here is what 1100 miles can account for this weekend. But here are few straps from previous weekends as well.
Here is what 1100 miles can account for this weekend. But here are few straps from previous weekends as well.
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Craig F
Well-known member
As someone who exclusively hunts puddle ducks you can imagine how pressure could ruin a good thing. Combine that with the amount of eyes on social media, YouTube, etc. you can really shoot yourself in the foot in a hurry with videos. I still film a lot of my own hunts, obviously North Dakota was easy and I'm still deep in the editing bay with that one, but stuff back at home is almost impossible to share these days.
To be back on topic, a black duck retrieve on my new 360 camera from last week with the background edited out of course
William Reinicke
Active member
How long is that barrel???? Looks like its 40+ inches lolAs someone who exclusively hunts puddle ducks you can imagine how pressure could ruin a good thing. Combine that with the amount of eyes on social media, YouTube, etc. you can really shoot yourself in the foot in a hurry with videos. I still film a lot of my own hunts, obviously North Dakota was easy and I'm still deep in the editing bay with that one, but stuff back at home is almost impossible to share these days.
To be back on topic, a black duck retrieve on my new 360 camera from last week with the background edited out of course View attachment 61705
Craig F
Well-known member
26" wide angle lens magic
Neal Haarberg
Active member
Went out this moring before work to get the first flight. I had to choose between spot A and spot B. I chose poorly.. Didn't fire a shot at spot A and watched mallards dive into spot B for the first half hour. No time to move so I packed it up and went to work.... Traveling th rest of the week and will be back at next week.
William Reinicke
Active member
lol i figured it was the angle of the lens and how the picture was taken. Looks like a cannon! I too shoot 26" barrels. Like the quicker swing.
BobThompson
New member
I went to 3 different spots that have been pretty productive in the past, I didn't see a single duck. The water levels in a couple of them were less than ideal but there should have been at least a few birds.
How I would love to hunt in water that had a hard bottom. Where I hunt there would be ankle deep water but you'd be up to your crotch in mud!As someone who exclusively hunts puddle ducks you can imagine how pressure could ruin a good thing. Combine that with the amount of eyes on social media, YouTube, etc. you can really shoot yourself in the foot in a hurry with videos. I still film a lot of my own hunts, obviously North Dakota was easy and I'm still deep in the editing bay with that one, but stuff back at home is almost impossible to share these days.
To be back on topic, a black duck retrieve on my new 360 camera from last week with the background edited out of course View attachment 61705
jode hillman
Well-known member
Been a few birds in Jersey and keeps getting better.48 in Tampa this morning. Rest of the Gulf and east coast is colder with north wind Sure wish I as was back in duck hunting territory.
Who’s hunting?
Pleases share pics so I can get my fix.
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Myself and fellow Member David K went out a few days ago at the close of our 1st split. Had a nice morning harvest with some Blackducks & Gadwall. We did a "traditional" style gunning using his Aero-Marine 2 man boat and my Higbee Pond Box with the .28GA's
Todd Duncan Tennyson
Well-known member
You guys are killing me. Haven't hunted since 2012. And haven't had a dog since Kaden died in 2021, BUT, I have finally gotten the landlord to ok my having a golden retriever. I was going to get a puppy, but now I think i am going to rescue a youngish one (around 2 years old.). All my Bird dogs have been rescues or from the dog pound. So next fall... Lookout!
roy brewington
Well-known member
Haven,t seen a long early stretch of cold like this in many years. 23 this a.m. on E.S. of Md. Theres been lows in or near the 20,s all week. With the same happening north of us its sure to be a fun reopening of duck season on Dec. 16th. Bring on the birds!
don novicki
Active member
Layout hunting Lake Erie this a.m. in my home made big water layout. I wish I knew how to post pictures so I could show you the boat. Something special about hunting out of your own creation.