Central Florida Duck Hunt
Posted: November 23rd, 2006, 9:38 am
My son Drew, my buddy Ben and I loaded our gear (looked like the Beverly Hillbilly's) and headed down to hunt in Central Florida at a place where we have never hunted or even been. Turns out, it was within 2 miles of where I took my kids last year. Couldn't take my trax because of the hp limits, so took my 14X50 with 16hp godevil. Had not had time to get the trailer serviced, so Ben says, we can drill out the hub caps and put in a grease fitting, fill them with grease and go. We did just that and it looked like a circus. Couldn't find the trailer spare tire, so we said a prayer and headed out.
Stayed at a local "American" owned motel for the night and then got up a 3AM to get to the place. The guy who assigned our spot said it was an easy wade in hunt. Wish we had used the boat. We floundered out in the dark and found an opening with a little cover and chunked out the new lightweight inflatible decoys and sat back. Before shooting light, we had teal landing in the decoys. By about 30 minutes after shooting time, we had all shot 5 or so teal and held one or two birds in hopes of a big duck. Drew and Ben helped each other on what appeared to be a gadwall, but upon ground check, turned out to be a hen pintail. Then a bluebill came in and Drew layed it out hard. Had 2 mottles come out of no where and crap on us. The one duck I wanted. Then while Ben chased a cripple and lou and behold here comes what I thought was a hollywood. One shot and down it came. Decided to wade over and was shocked to see that I had my mottle duck. Drew went wading after a crip and here comes another big duck. He nails it, but it turns out to be a hollywood. We all limited and had a great time. After worrying about the boat trailer, when we got to Daytona, had a flat tire on the truck. Got that changed and had no other mishaps on the trip home. Long drive, but a great time!
Stayed at a local "American" owned motel for the night and then got up a 3AM to get to the place. The guy who assigned our spot said it was an easy wade in hunt. Wish we had used the boat. We floundered out in the dark and found an opening with a little cover and chunked out the new lightweight inflatible decoys and sat back. Before shooting light, we had teal landing in the decoys. By about 30 minutes after shooting time, we had all shot 5 or so teal and held one or two birds in hopes of a big duck. Drew and Ben helped each other on what appeared to be a gadwall, but upon ground check, turned out to be a hen pintail. Then a bluebill came in and Drew layed it out hard. Had 2 mottles come out of no where and crap on us. The one duck I wanted. Then while Ben chased a cripple and lou and behold here comes what I thought was a hollywood. One shot and down it came. Decided to wade over and was shocked to see that I had my mottle duck. Drew went wading after a crip and here comes another big duck. He nails it, but it turns out to be a hollywood. We all limited and had a great time. After worrying about the boat trailer, when we got to Daytona, had a flat tire on the truck. Got that changed and had no other mishaps on the trip home. Long drive, but a great time!
I made sure I had the info to make the call to the Good Sam Roadside Assistance if needed