Christmas Eve duck hunt

A group of friends went out on Christmas Eve on a perfect setup for an absolutely awesome morning.  All the credit goes to one buddy who did all the scouting and knew there was one shot at this setup, so he called the crew.  Ironically, he also has a red lab, so I didn't need to bring Cooper.  One of the guys happened to be a lights out duck caller too.  I just needed to show up with my thermos of coffee and shoot.  The ease and simplicity felt foreign and almost uncomfortable.

As promised, the ducks began dropping in right after first light.  We had some decoys out and sets of 5-15 ducks dropped in during the first 1.5 hours.  We saw black ducks and mallards and with 5 guys on the hunt, not many got away.  

The Duck Roost

I was extremely fortunate to get access at a great lake / swamp area that was a great waterfowl spot.  I set up in a swamp I have yet to hunt and was surprised there was even open water in the shallow flats.  As I set my decoys in the pitch dark, I could hear ducks ALL around me. A few nervous ducks couldn't take it anymore and decided to get the heck out.  This set off a slight chain reaction and I ended up listening to what sounds like a thousand ducks take off around me in the dark. It was nuts.  The rest of the morning, I watched ducks take off all around the swamp, but none were interested in circling back into my spread...go figure.  And I opted not to sky bust the few that flew high over me.  Needless to say I was in a roost, and I know not to shoot these up.  I plan to return for a mid-morning or early afternoon hunt where I don't spook the entire flock that is working this roost.

Early duck season

It's been a few years now since the glory days of this wood duck hole.  It used to pile them in at first light and usually resulted in a limit within the first 45 minutes.  The past few years have been disappointing though and the woodies seem to be elsewhere.  I don't have time to scout this spot in advance, so its literally boom or bust.  

To be fair, I always see a 'few' ducks.  This time was no different as the first set of 3 ducks buzzed my ass and I sat there dumbfounded at their speed and ability to surprise.  This shouldn't surprise me as they do this to me every year.  I never get a shot off on the first set of ducks.  Its almost as if my coffee is still working its way into my veins.  But in years past, I usually get opportunities to redeem myself and actually get ready.  

This year, I said it wouldn't happen again and sure enough they came in from behind me and scared the hell out of me.  I was ready for the next set of ducks, but they never came.  

Winter Ducks

This was most likely going to be the last hunt before Cooper's minor  eye 'surgery' and I wanted to get him out (and get me out) of the house.  Plus there was a storm rolling in and I had a good setup for an evening hunt.  I had a feeling.

Winter Storm Hercules was coming in hot and as people panicked to get home, we went duck hunting.  It turned out to be the best hunt of the year, as ducks were piling into the decoys as soon as we setup.  The first duck was memorable - I shot him on my 3rd shot and he landed a football field away.  He ended up literally crawling onto the ice and leaving us with no option to get him.  30 minutes later and a half inch of snow on him, he rose from the dead and start waddling to the far side of the lake.  Just goes to show you how tough these birds are. 

Other side of the frozen lake. Just looks cold

We circled the 1 mile lake and then I sent Cooper in on a search.  Ten minutes later, he came back with the duck that couldn't fly.  He's just an amazing retriever and this was one of his finest.

Fine retrieve

 We hunted another hour and about 30 ducks came in sets of 2-5.  It was perfect hunting and ended up with a limit of mallards. 

The drive home was insanely treacherous, but we made it back and ended the season on a high note.

Buffleheads

Setup on an unnamed location for a morning hunt for the first hunt of the year at this spot.  Saw some geese and some high flying mallards. ended up taking a male Bufflehead diving duck which was the first one I have ever shot.  By far, one of the coolest looking birds I have ever seen.  Love the cool mohawk that this bird sports.  Saw some more Buffleheads, but just wanted this one.