Wood Duck box success

[mike braden]

On Sunday, I took the kids out to check on the wood duck boxes that we put out the prior year. One was "stolen" because I noticed that during the season that it went "missing". That ticked my son off a bit. We went to the other one that we knew was still there. Cleaned it out and added new wood shavings.

Kyle was VERY HAPPY to find a wood duck feather there. Proof that our box had tenants the prior spring.

Here is Kyle hard at work, later that night. We made two more boxes to put out this week. I hope to have 5 new ones out by the weekend.

 

[David Robinson]

Nice job Mike. I look forward to doing the same thing with my son when he's older. My hat's off to you and your kids

 

[mike braden]

Thanks Dave,

I printed some pics off the internet for my daughter. She is going to bring the pics and the feather in on Thursday for show-&-tell.

I am going to try and get back around the time that the eggs usually hatch. My kids wood get a huge kick actually seeing the ducks that are living in the box.

 

[Al Hansen]

Mike,
First of all, thank you for taking the time to help the wonderful cause of making the wood duck population a better one. It is people/hunters like you that have made the difference. Secondly, I sure did enjoy seeing how you got your two kids involved. Very nice pics. Brought back some nice memories of when I took my two kids out with me. It was good to hear that the box had a tenant last year. Who knows what this year will bring-----
Al

 

[mike braden]

Al,

thanks for kudos!! We have some rain predicted up till Saturday, so we will see what Sunday holds for us. I'd really like to get at least 2-3 more boxes out at this area and another 1-2 at another.

My wife gets a bit mad since I spent so much time outdoors with the kids and my son doesn't throw a ball real well :0) He can tell/show you how to break down a gun, how to set up the blocks and the way to a half dozen good hunting spots though.......

 

[stever]

Mike
When do you think the wood ducks in nj lay eggs and do they use the boxes as shelter without eggs in them
thanks Steve

 

[Gene Jr.]

Mike,

I've just gotten involved in a local Delta wood duck project and we (the chapter) are putting out 20 boxes this spring. Working on them saturday and putting them out ASAP.

Glad to see the kids out having fun! We'll need to get together for some fishing and crabbing this summer.

Gene

 

[mike braden]

New Jersey Waterfowlers usually has a yearly duck box build but I can't find the date.

I was just telling Kyle that I can't wait for spring b/c we are going to be out in the boat all the time. He was like yeah...and Sundays we are going to go quad riding all day.

Fishing and crabbing are good. Cheryl wants me to fish more anyway b/c she likes fish a lot alot along with all types of seafood.

I hope all this "bonding" with my kids pays off. I really want them to be able to come to me with any problems that they have and feel like I can give them advice without judging them. I never felt comfortable talking with my parents about anything. I must tell my kids 20 times a day that I love them.

 

[Gary Lee]

Great to see the youngins' involved. Looks like your boy really enjoys it. Have you had him out on hunts yet?

 

[mike braden]

He's been going with me since he was three. I can't wait till he gets his first duck. You know that one is getting mounted...even if he shoots a coot.

I have a spot that isn't far from my house and we usually go every Saturday afternoon for an hour or two. He has been riding my a lot this year to get a deer but the way that he talks and talks in the boat/blind, he'll scare every deer within 25 miles :0)

 

[Gary Lee]

That's awesome that he is so into hunting, not too many kids are these days . So when you going to let him carry a gun on a hunt? Taking him turkey hunting with you?

 

[mike braden]

He always wants to take a gun now. Sometimes I let him bring his fake SxS that I got from Cabelas. When we head out to PA for the spring turkey season, they whole family will be at the cabin. You can be sure that he is going to be in the woods with me. Kyle has been practicing with a turkey mouth call. He is going to be 10x better than I could ever hope to be.

I have some videos of when he was 15 months blowing on a duck call. I also have some videos of my youngest son Landon doing the same. Kids are definitely cool!!!