We arrived at a favorite pond with only a slight breeze to the 40 °F morning. We had paddled out with plenty of time to set-up but for a couple of reasons we weren’t quite ready when the birds started flying. Consequently, we missed a few golden opportunities as ducks landed in the dekes. I was kickin’ myself for that and was a tad frustrated…... With Casey’s 20 gauge now loaded we were ready but the bird opportunities had slowed down. Casey took a couple of shots at teal but didn’t connect as he was shooting behind them. We re-discussed how to lead ducks and five minutes later a pair of big ducks flew in over the dekes. On Casey’s third shot he dropped one! It wasn’t quite dead and it landed about 50 yards away hugging low in the water. I shot three times trying to finish the job but had to reload. Collectively, we shot 7or 8 times and finally finished the deal. It was a big duck and we excitedly discussed what it could be. With birds still flying we decided to leave it there and remain hidden.
At the ready
We picked away at our opportunities but there weren’t many teal flying. During a dry spell I heard a soft pintail type call right over my shoulder and I looked up to see a big duck close, thinking about dropping in the dekes. Once we looked at each other it started to climb (on my side). I took the shot and a drake widgeon splashed down 20 feet next to the boat. Sweet! Casey took a few more shots at other ducks but no duks down. I picked up another drake widgeon, a green wing drake and a couple of blue-wing teal. A lone green wing dropped down over the dekes, deciding at the last second that it wasn’t exactly what she was thinking of. With one shot Casey drops it. That was very satisfying to watch!
Gotta love a teal
Casey had a couple more opportunities but the ending of our day couldn’t have been sweeter. A pair of big ducks dropped down, left to right, and I drop the back bird and Casey drops the lead bird. Just like how we discussed it just an hour before! With some excited chatter from Casey it’s time to finish up so we strike our camo and pick up the last two birds. Turns out to be a drake and hen widgeon with Casey getting his first widgeon, a beautiful hen!
Casey ended up with a drake gadwall, a hen widgeon, and a hen green wing! Not bad for a Florida DUK hunt! Considering Florida’s anemic duck hunting, for his first duks, Casey took some outstanding birds. Paddling back we discussed the FANTASTIC hunt and we were looking forward to our traditional root beer & summer sausage tradition (we do this after all of our outdoor adventures).
A memory to last a life time: First DUKs
(drake gadwall, hen widgeon and green wing)
You couldn’t have asked for a better first duk and we both can’t wait to see it mounted on his bedroom wall.
Hoo Yah!!
Brian
