Last minute Ducks

This year seems to have gotten away from me when it came to the pursuits of our webbed friends.  Each year seems to be a bit different with where I spend my time and efforts, and this year I spent more time in a tree stand. Can't do it all.  

Duck season was literally almost out and we finally made our way to a really special spot that always produces ducks.  The challenge is that this shallow swamp is usually all froze up in the late season...but not this year.  We enjoyed a mildly warm weather and able to take a handful of ducks over a couple brief hunts.  I was even able to sneak the wife out for a few hours, which was a real nice treat for us both.

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.