Winter Scenes from January freeze.

[Gerald N]

Some pictures from January 4, 2014 taken in Southeastern Massachusetts. That was the week of the cold weather-"POLAR VORTEX" and I opted to stay in bed that morning with temps at -5 F and recent snow fall the day before I was afraid the birds wouldn't fly until much latter in the day and I was right. My afternoon hunt with temps rising into the teens was great and even though the cold iced in the boat ramps, boating was not a consideration. I opted for my pond box and the black ducks pulled in on a string. As you will see from the pictures the marsh offered many scenes that day. For those that there seasons have ended I hope you enjoy as I do reading your posts with pictures.

View from pond box.

The pond box in a ditch.

View of marsh, temps and recent snow storm not so obvious.

My favorite, sunset over the marsh. Usually I pick up ten minutes early to see my way back and load up in the light.

More marsh grass and horizon.

The end of the day before I step off the marsh. One last look across the marsh where the temps and snow are apparent.

The last look toward western sky.

The pond box before loading up at days end.

 

[Al Hansen]

That looks like some great duck hunting country. Some of your shots were making me shiver down here in New Mexico. I envy you when thinking of a small flock of black ducks coming into those decoys.
Al

 

[Gerald N]

I get use to the temps and it does not phase me; however, your warmer climate is my envy. Not sure I could get use to snakes during duck season that can put a hurting on but what is the alternative. Even though we can only take one black duck they are my favorite and I set out for them almost every hunt with hopes of taking some other odd balls like gadwall, mallards or gw teal. The odd part of that marsh is it tends to be a mid day spot with the birds flying in between 9 am and 2 pm. The cold changed that a bit this year. I have always enjoyed your posts and look forward to the next picture laden post that gets me by until next season.

 

[Jeff Reardon]

This confirms my desire for some kind of pond box for those sorts of spots. Getting too old for the "lie in the mud in waders and an old coat with some burlap and grass over me" technique.

Pond box designs for size 16 feet in wading boots? LOL.

 

[James Woods]

That would be me 30 yrs ago on a certain North Shore LI marsh. We waited for this weather and on days like the ones in your pixs, we were confined to gunning on the low tide. A flood tide moved too much ice around. In addition, in this kind of weather, the birds were really looking for an open mud flat or some shallow open water in a pot hole where they could find food. Our tidal fall was about six feet. Afternoon gunning was almost always productive. Thanks so much for the pixs, and for bringing back the memories.

 

[Gerald N]

Ya Jeff the pond box makes it a lot more comfortable to hunt the flats without laying in the mud or tucking into the ditches. An easy alternative pond box is a Jet Sled or other snowmobile sled. Cut a piece of burlap to cover the box/sled and throw grass on top. It really brings the black ducks in close, to close at times.

James, same conditions as you described from your experiences years ago. I was hunting the low tide and most of the snow from the day before not only did it blow off the marsh but the flood tide took care of it. Missing in the pictures is the iced up creeks and rivers within the marsh system. I was hunting about 50 yards from the ice front and the birds were looking for the open water to feed as you described. Glad I brought back some memories.