Tried to go to sleep at 7PM. No luck. Got about 30 minutes of shut eye total. Left my house at 1AM Saturday morning, went to Huddle House in Lakeland purchased 2 ham n' egg samiches and went to pick up Ben. Got to his house at 1:42AM. He brags about how fast he can get to the coast, so let him drive. In 1 hour and 50 minutes we were at check station at Butler Island. Office was open and we were #5 and 6 on the walk in list. Learned later, that don't matter. We were told to pull a chip out of the can. By 5AM there were only 9 or the 30 permit holders checked in and 52 parties of stand by. Most standby were told if they had a boat to go to Rhetts. Then they drew out of the can and if and when your number was called you could pick for an unclaimed stand. So those of there long before the others got NO preference. My number was called for the next to the last blind and I pulled #7. We loaded up on the wagons and off we went. I had a good bit of gear...decoys, camo and shell bags. When they drop us off (after it is too late to cull some gear), they announce we must hike back to the cross road (bout 2 miles back) to have any duck's checked for avian flu. Area #7 looked good under the glare of our spot light, so off we went to put out dekes and get ready. There were nice 12 foot fisher boats at each station, thanks to Georgia Water Fowler (not this site, but the organization), although we did help to raise the money on the site. Only one paddle though (hence the paddle left in the back of my truck would have been good to have).
Just as day breaks, from the darkness behind us 2 birds swing within the outer limits of shoting range and ignore our calling. Then a ringer appears and I lay it out on the water. Another ringer and Ben lays it out a good bit behind us. While he is after it, a couple of teal swing in and he gets both. Then a big duck comes in. I wack him hard and down he comes. Up he pops and starts to try to get away. Several shells are expended in his apprehension and I've got a very nice large drake mallard. While chasing the big boy, a mergy slips in and Ben puts her on the water.
As the sun is coming up, we decide to move our spread to a tree line for better cover. A group of mergies kept sweeping through the decoys. I opted to nap rather than shot the sawbills. After laughing at Ben for the first fish eater, he held off too. Complaining that at least they would fill his limit.
Then the sky busting begins on the few ducks we saw. We paddle out about 10 AM and begin the trek with gear. When we get to check station, we are informed that they have sampled all they need to.
This came one mile after not being allowed to jump on a truck for a ride because our birds have to be checked. I won't give any names, but if you meet a fellow over there and his name makes you think of the manager of the Braves...watch out!
Report with just two blinds not in was 92 hunters and 100 ducks. Ben and I concluded that we probably had not seen more than 75 ducks total. Didn't get back to the truck until noon. Of the ducks that came within shoting range, only the two early birds survived. This was my first hunt of the season when I didn't limit out on something. Didn't see much food in the area, so I wasn't surprised by the lack of ducks.
Drove to Savannah BPS to pick up mudmotor. Its a ZOO. Got Drew some of his Santa Clause (hi tech underwear) and headed back home. Finally got my old tired butt to the house at 6:30 PM. Too tired for supper, I showered and hit the sack. Didn't wake up until 8:30 this morning.
