Duck seasons started.

Post by **Cranfield** » September 2nd, 2006, 6:15 pm

Duck season started here on the 1st September and late this afternoon I went and sat in a hide on a field of barley stubble, to see what flighted in.
It was blowing a near gale, with low cloud, drizzling rain and almost dusk by 5 o'clock.

I was nearly fooled quite a few times by seagulls swooping down low to avoid the wind, as they headed back to the sea, about a mile away, but there seemed to be no ducks flying.

Well, I sat there for a couple of hours, the light faded fast, the wind got louder and I was just about wet enough to justify the walk home.
Then I heard a whistle and three wigeon almost took my head off, as I looked over the top of the hide.
It was too late to get a bead on them, as they had the wind in their tails, but I did see four shadows against the dark sky, slowly quartering the field against the wind.

As they approached the hedge I was sitting in, they dropped to within a few feet of the ground and I lost sight of them.
I was frantically straining my eyes for a clue as to where they were, when they suddenly flared up in front of me, to a height of about 25 yards.
I swung quickly and took a bird in front and took another as they veered away on the wind.

I found the first bird quickly as it fell right by the hide, but it took me about 15 minutes to find the other bird.
By now I was really wet and glad it wasn't a long walk home.
I don't hang wildfowl and I have just finished sitting in the garage and plucking and cleaning two plump corn fed mallard drakes.
They currently reside in my freezer.

Not a bad start to the season.

Post by **bman** » September 2nd, 2006, 6:44 pm

Great Writing Cran-
I just spent the better part of the afternoon getting my Jonboat ready for Duck Season here in FLA. I painted all the worn spots. Put the blind on(the Hide) and sorted through the camo. Fired up the mudmotor and i'm almost ready.
I still need to pull out the decoys and I have s short list of things to pick up.
I may be ready for our early Teal/ Wood duck season.

The only part I dont like about the early season is it is still too hot!

Post by **Sir reel** » September 2nd, 2006, 7:49 pm

Great report Cran. We sure do appreciate hearing your adventures felt like we were right there with you straining to see those birds low on the deck coming right at you. Thanks for giving us a treat.

Post by **Reel Slow** » September 2nd, 2006, 8:22 pm

I had the opportunity to shoot some ducks across the pond, both estuary and pond. Great sport there with less restrictions than here.

Congrats on a fine start.....

BTW, doubt you'll find to many hanging anything here

Mark K · Post by **Mark K** » September 2nd, 2006, 8:45 pm

Great post!!! Waterfowl are my first sport of choice with flats fishing a close second. Just two more months and we'll be at it. Gonna try some geese Labor Day.

I haven't started my pre-season muster yet - trying to hold off until cooler weather.

Post by **MudDucker** » September 3rd, 2006, 7:34 am

Thanks for the report Cran...gets my blood boiling. However, as Mark said, it is too danged hot here for me to get too fired up with getting my gear ready. Goose season is open here...didn't even scout for them. Teal opens in 2 weeks. I will muster some equipment to get the buzz rockets a go!

Post by **Sea Fox** » September 3rd, 2006, 9:07 am

Thanks for the report Cran, I spent the afternoon Saturday on a dove feild getting warmed up.

Post by **rocket** » September 3rd, 2006, 10:16 am

A double on opening day

. Nice shooting Cran.

Post by **seatrout99** » September 5th, 2006, 10:16 am

Congratulations on the double, Cran. It's that time of year. Goose season opened here on Saturday. I just cannot make myself hunt waterfowl at 90+ degrees. Getting the boat and decoys ready for teal season on the 16th. Maybe it will cool off a little by then. Send us some of that cold, rainy weather.