Lake Miccosukee

[cygraphics]

I posted this on a duck hunting forum as well, but knew a lot of the same guys probably read both.... just a story about a crappy morning on micco.

The duck hunting in Tallahassee hasn't been anything to write about this year, but my partner and I were still looking forward to the season opening back up this morning. However once we arrived to our blind we found it destroyed. ..Talking about putting a damper on your morning. Luckily, I had cut a handful of reeds last night and we placed the boat on the edge of the grass line and were able to use the reeds for the other side. We still managed a couple woodies (lost one in the grass)…. Not bad for the last minute I guess.

Once we started picking up our decoys some other guys came over to us. They had the same thing happen to their blinds. (I think they were making sure it was us, and not the evil bad guys) Our blind was there two weeks before the season. Their two blinds were there before the early wood duck season, so it's not like we all moved in on someone elses spot.... So, for some a-hole to come along just before the second phase and destroy at least 3 blinds really sucks.

We hunted our spot opening weekend and then two days over the Thanksgiving weekend. Anyone out there would have seen it as well as the other two boat's blinds.

It continues though…..Once we got back to the landing this morning we were talking to two other guys, and they had their blind destroyed the first phase as well…. Just insane!

Whoever trashed our blinds, you are the 1% of the hunters that give all the rest of us a bad name. The terrible thing is you probably sport your "cool" DU stickers on your truck and act like you respect the outdoors. When in fact, you probably just don't get it.

Next year try going out a few weeks early and finding a spot before ruining someone else’s morning. If you think someone is too close ask them to move and they probably will. Or better yet, ask them to join you, or they might do the same for you.

I would really like to think that this was someone else and not a duck hunter. Everyone I’ve met at the landings have been very nice and I think they would not do this sort of thing to other hunters that are working hard to have a good time on the water.

If by chance the guy with the mojo and pop-up blind that hit the lights early because there was a boat too close to him reads this, this is why we didn't move on. We had been hunting that spot since opening day and we didn't have another we could move to in the dark. I'm sorry that you probably thought we crowded you. However, if our blind wasn't trashed you would have seen it and probably wouldn't have setup where you were either.

[RD]

Thats why I don't hunt those lakes up there,I would rather fight gators and Moccasins for my ducks anytime.

[bman]

That stinks.
It has been years since I built a blind on public land- almost always use the boat blind. Also been years since I shot a public lake on Opening day- to many sky busters and newbies out there for it to be fun.

Sound's like those other guys went blind (not a pun) and got too close to you.

[grim reeler]

Wow, that sucks!

I have just about quit ducking because of nonsense like that. That scratches micossukke off my list this year.

Anyone have any info on hickory mound? Does t have any water or birds? PMs welcome.

[RD]

I havn't been down to HM this year but there are plenty of divers on the big water offshore from there and there should be some Woodies,they like to fly the salt water at night down there.

[BlindHog]

Had buddy who was checking HM early in Teal season, said nothing was coming in there back then. It may be a year away from building up to a decent food source. Plus the old saying was that HM was good in high water times and that aint now.

About the blinds, it would be great if we could get people to all understand that first out there hunts a spot, not who built a blind last year, or even this year. I avoid getting in a blind thats not mine but I think you should be able to set up where you are first to arrive.

As for putting a lot of work into an elaborate permanent blind, people shouldnt be doing that anyway. FWC discourages it for safety and to reduce arguments. But lots feel they own a place the more work they have put into it. I used to have one on Iamonia, but then learned of FWC discouraging it and let it go. Also have never built such on Micc.

After scouting early this year, I posted two "07-08" signs one weekend (in late October) at Miccosukee and, of course, there were dozens of same all around. Came back the next weekend, probably 1st Sat in November, and the signs were gone and blinds built about 40 yds in one direction and 60 yds in another direction. Who else but the owners of these new blinds could have taken my signs? I dont own that spot, even though I shot it 6 times last yr, but I was just letting people know I intended to build blind there. I went ahead and built two different blinds elsewhere, but my blood was boiling.

I have a popup but I still follow the convention of marking spots with a makeshift blind. I might just still go get in one of those built new close to my old favorite spot cause I dont know whether the builder will ever show up after the opener.

Anyway, it makes the whole thing a hassle and I hate it that my favorite outdoor activity is marred by this stuff.