Yesterdays hunt with no ice

John L

John L

Well-known member
What a difference a day or two makes. Last week we were socked in with sea ice. Two days of warm temps, rain and wind and it's all gone.

We arrived at the ramp yesterday at 5:15am to mostly clear skys and wind blowing around 20 to 25 kts. Upon arriving at the ramp, there were more trucks there than I have seen all year. I think the unseasonably warm weather brought out all the yahoos. We pulled away from the ramp and the boats were still arriving one after another.

We pulled out of the harbor and saw quickly how may boats were already out. The closer islands were covered with hunters already and we could see the rest were heading out. We continued to head a few miles farther than most guys were going.

As the sun rose it looked like it was going to be a nice day.




My friend Scott took his Black Brant II out with his new 25hp Evinrude E-tec. The boat ran fine with himself, his young son Jack and load of decoys and all the other usual supplies.



After sitting in this spot for couple of hours watching all the skybusters we decided to pick up and move. Jack wanted to take a ride to see some Seals so we picked up our gear and headed off to another island where I know there is a large Seal colony.
As we made our way towards the island I picked up my field glasses and could see more than 50 to 60 Seals hauled out on the island. We slowly motored closer and watched from a distance.


We were also greeted by a raft of feeding Brant. I knew this spot well and we were just in time for the falling tide.



So we headed a bit closer so Jack could get a good view of the Seals.


As we made our way closer we were treated to a nice show. The Seals were in the water all around us and also a bunch still hauled out on the island.







There was one young pup that seemed to be more curious about us than we were of him. He would come up right next to the boat and just stay there.




Then we were off to put Mocha back to work.



I'm sure Mocha liked todays weather much better than last week. We were in the mud flats so she didn't have to swim hard or far to get our quarry.


All in all it was a nice morning out on the water.
 
Neat pics. What does Mocha think about the seals? Given them any attention at all?
 
That is really cool. I had never really thought about seals in those numbers.
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Brandon,

This is one of the only spots I know of where they are in very large numbers and it's one of the few marsh islands where they haul out.
 
Neat pics. What does Mocha think about the seals? Given them any attention at all?
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Carl,

There are very few things that Mocha growls or barks about. Seals are one of them. She goes nuts when they are swimming around the boat and can not contain herself. It seems to get here excited when we get winded by them. They have an awful stick about them. When you start to get close to anywhere they haul out you can smell the stink from far away. She has already jumped out of the boat to go after them on more then one occasion.
 
John~

Great photos! We had seals in sight last week but only 1 or 2 at a time. Amazing how all that ice can disappear without a trace!

SJS
 
Back tag for License? John, I see in your photos here the back tag.... I know that is a NY requirement, but have never seen a warden up north when I hunt Lake Champlain in some 17 years.... so have gotten out of the habit. Will we need that hunting LI?
 
Back tag for License? John, I see in your photos here the back tag.... I know that is a NY requirement, but have never seen a warden up north when I hunt Lake Champlain in some 17 years.... so have gotten out of the habit. Will we need that hunting LI?
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Dave,


Don't worry about the back tag. I don't put mine on and it has never been an issue with any LEO's that have stopped me on the water. To many have been damaged or lost putting life jackets on and off. Just make sure you have your license with you along with your dustamp (signed) and your HIP#.
 
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Hi John -

Love that first shot !

Someone told me that seals can hassle a dog. Have no idea myself but a bite could screw a good dog up big time.

sarge
 
John
Enjoyed your post. Your hunting is such a contrast what we have in the midwest.
wis boz
 
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John, what's a back tag for?

Also, what would Mocha do if she caught up to one of the seals? I often wonder the same thing when my dogs chase the great blue herons out of our yard. What would they do with a 5 foot tall bird? Not something I want to see, but does make me wonder none the less

Neat pictures.

Dani
 
It just amazes me of the differences in duck hunting from where yall hunt and how and where we hunt. Temp here in SE TEXAS is in the high 60's never had to hunt in ice
(Raised on a salt marsh and started hunting alone when I was 10; I'm 47 now) ...and seals! I've got to get up there and hunt someday! Do seals steal your birds? I've had otters take some birds before along with alligators getting a few occasionally.
 
Yup we've had otters and gators take birds too. Also had a hog take some teal once. And gotta watch out for the buzzards if you leave your birds with your stuff and go for a walk....
 
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