Ducks, ducks, ducks

So.....I had to put my truck into the shop last week.  I was having my E-brake line replaced and new shocks put on and they found my sway bar bushings were rusted completely through so I had to have those replaced, as well.  I didn't have my truck until Tuesday afternoon, which was O.K. since I had an evening field hunt set up.  I made it out to the super secret spot at 3:30 pm, threw out a spread, brushed up the blinds, and waited for the action. At 6:39 pm (sunset) it was apparent there would be no action. I did have a set of mallards working, only for them to get spooked by a passing train. I also turned 4 geese out of a flock of 30 or so but was unable to keep them coming my way.  I had as good of a time as one can have and not shoot a thing.

Wednesday, I went to a lake in the area and had better luck. I dropped the first mallard that came over on the all too used 3rd shot. Then I had a pair of wood ducks come in; I shot and dropped the drake but missed the hen. 'Switched my attention back to the drake who was trying to make it to shore, shot and missed, shot and stopped him from getting away. I got out to retrieve my prize (25 yards to my right) and just as I was bending down to pick him up I caught something out of the corner of my eye dropping from the sky.... When I looked over to see what it was, it was the hen falling DOA onto the water. I could not believe my eyes! I stood there in amazement for a couple minutes before going back to the boat in order to retrieve my 3rd prize.

The only other shots I took were on 3 geese that were coming in left to right, low and slow. Easy right.... that's what I thought, until I ran 'er dry with nary a feather to show for it. Looking back I think I flock shot, I don't remember getting on a single bird.

Thursday was a weather challenge to say the least, winds 20-30 mph with 40 mph gusts, with alot of rain. I really hadn't seen that much before 10am and had it in my head that would be the time to skedaddle. The hen redhead changed my mind, she came in and I dropped her in a single shot.
Next I had a gadwall give me a fly-by. I gave him a 5 note with a quack and back he came, 2 shots later I was picking up a beautiful drake. Lastly I had a pair of mallards appear at the edge of my spread, feet down, backpedaling. Once again I dropped the drake on the magical third shot. I need to go through my shells, find the misses and throw them out, or just load the third shell first. Hmmmmm.... that's an idea.

I have almost topped my duck tally from last year already... good times.

Woodduck wednesday

I got out last Wednesday and had a pretty good day. I had a goose land right in my spread - good news. I was out moving 3/4's of my goose decoys because the wind switched and my gun was in my blind- bad news. So I didn't get him, I also had a mallard decide to drop in my spread and surprise me. Three shots later he was still flying, I did get this excellent wood duck specimen.

MMMMMMmmm purdy and tasty.
I gotta work one more day, and then watch out waterfowl.

My waterfowl season has begun

Since work thought it was a good idea to force me to work on Thursday, when they staffed out on Mon. I jumped all over it. Raced home, changed clothes hooked up the duck boat and was hunting by 8am. Even though I was late to my hunting spot it turned out to be a great day. To start the day I had a mink playing around behind me in the bushes.
The first duck I missed was a woodie flying at mock 1 and a little high, so I saluted him and he just kept going. I did ground a goose and a mallard just coming out of eclipse.

So that was yesterday, I got out this morning, a little late but early enough to see the river otters that were making their way down the shoreline to me. I don't think they liked my decoys, cause they stopped short of my spread and popped their heads out to look around. One of them got out and was walking the bank towards me, but I couldn't see him through the brush.
I did get this pic

I know, I know, he looks like Nessie, I assure you it is the head of a river otter. After I got this pic I though there were only 2 then I saw a 3rd otter, pretty cool to see.
After the otters left me I had a bird rocket in from across the water. I thought it was a woody cause he was winging right for the spot I usually have woodies fly to. So I jumped up and dropped him, when I went to pick him up I realized I actually shot a hen hooded merganser. Yuck, I don't like shooting divers cause they taste really bad, but this little girl got to ride in my truck. The only other birds I had a shot at was a 4 pack of gadwalls that came in and buzzed me. If they would've never came back after the second pass I wouldn't have been able to get this guy. Of course my superior calling was the game changer (right).

Moment of silence please

Tuesday was my last fishing day for this year. I got out in the wee hours and caught quite a few largemouths on many different lures. This white bass hit the lottery. I caught him in the morning,and kept him in the live well all day. Since I couldn't catch some company for him I let him go. I'll try to get him next year.

I also got out for some dove hunting on Wednesday. I didn't shoot that well but I did get a couple to ride in the car.

Next week I will be winterizing the boat and putting it in storage. I will also be getting ready for the upcoming waterfowl season.
I cannot wait.

Bow season opener

Well Oct.1st was Indiana's bow opener and this is how I spent my day.

My buddy sold his property and the guy that has been farming it bought the property. He has been taking out fence rows since he bought it and this year the last one came out. The bad news is that was the one with my stands in it, so I am now a displaced bowhunter. So I actually had a chance to try all the great fishing that I have been missing out on. So far I would rather be bowhunting, however I am sure I will change my tune when I can start waterfowl hunting after the 19th.
When I was fishing I noticed a little green grasshopper on my depthfinder right in the morning. That little dude stayed with me all day, either on my depth finder or my trolling motor. He tried to commit suicide once, I rescued him from the depths of Tippy and he stayed with me the rest of the day.

when I got back to the ramp I let him go

Since my wife is loving she let me go dove hunting on Wed. I went down to Huntington and this is what I found.

I had to wait until after 11am until I could see anything. My shooting was really bad but I did bring home 4 birds. I saw alot of birds but they are really skiddish. I suppose that will happen if someone has been trying to shoot you for the past 2 months.
Well I always have next week, and it will pretty much be a repeat of this week, with the exception of more fish brought to the boat and more birds brought home.