Duckmen1 season thread

[270Shooter]

I don't know anyone that shoots "Hollywoods" aka spoonbill/shoveler on purpose. Now I've never shot a merganser or eaten one so I don't know how they taste. The people I've hunted with over the years in Eastern WA. would not shoot them as they referred to them as a "POS" and not worth eating.
Someday I would like to harvest a mature fully plumed drake Shoveler for the wall.
I've seen lots of photos with shovelers being affected with rice breast.

I've been known to wack a bootlip or two but I seldom do anymore. I remember a few years ago we hunted a spot that was just covered in them and we shot mostly spooners for a couple hunts. I've still never shot a good drake though. I can't say I've even had one come into the decoys this year, seems to be more mallards than ever for me this season.

[duckmen1]

I actually really enjoy targeting shovelers getting them as there Decoying in. They decoy a little different then most ducks and there's just something about them that I like. As far as rice breast it has never been an issue for us. Never seen them with it. Now as far as taste of the different ducks I soak my meat overnight and it draws a lot of the blood out which makes the meat a milder flavor. I mix all the duck together and then mix an equal amount of elk or deer burger with and then make salami for sandwhiches. That's my favorite way of doing it.  If I was to cook it differently I would probably pass on different kinds of ducks like mergansers. Because I don't consider myself Lokidog quality chef.
But that puts my season total of ducks at 40 so far. Haven't put in as much time as I normally do but still getting out little bits here and there.

[BiggLuke]

Yeah man... I dig the field photo   

[lokidog]

I actually really enjoy targeting shovelers getting them as there Decoying in. They decoy a little different then most ducks and there's just something about them that I like. As far as rice breast it has never been an issue for us. Never seen them with it. Now as far as taste of the different ducks I soak my meat overnight and it draws a lot of the blood out which makes the meat a milder flavor. I mix all the duck together and then mix an equal amount of elk or deer burger with and then make salami for sandwhiches. That's my favorite way of doing it.  If I was to cook it differently I would probably pass on different kinds of ducks like mergansers. Because I don't consider myself Lokidog quality chef.
But that puts my season total of ducks at 40 so far. Haven't put in as much time as I normally do but still getting out little bits here and there.

I'll take that as a compliment.  Maybe saltwater fish ducks taste better?  If you want to save Mergansers for me for next summer's BBQ get-together, I'd be more than happy to turn them into Salsbury steak.   

Nice birds stacking up.

[duckmen1]

Yes that was a compliment lokidog.
Took a mid day trip to a couple different areas yesterday got two jump shooting then one decoying. Made a great stalk a on the mallards and a great shot on the teal.

[lokidog]

Nice.

[irishevox]

really nice... pretty drake teal!

[duckmen1]

 Very slow day. Nothing flying. Sat over decoys for hours then had to get a little success jump shootingNot the greatest pic. Weather got the best of me. Just wanted to head home and go bowling at basspro. sucked at that too. But my best game was a 172. Over all fun day anyhow
Season total so far
Ducks44
Geese6

[duckmen1]

Well it was a really good day on the water. I shot at 8 birds and got 7. The one I missed was because I shot at a pair. Hit the first one and swung to shoot the second. Ended up hitting the first one again by accident as it fell right into my line of fire.   Got 4 mallards and three teal. Brother got 4 mallards a 2 teal and a bufflehead. And brought a buddy out getting him into duck hunting. He got 6 buffleheads and a hooded merganser. His shooting really started picking up as the day went on and that just so happens to be when the divers started flying and puddlers quit. He was really happy to have such a great day. Wish I could have gotten better field picks but dealing with water levels changing we quickly ran out of land as soon as the last bird was shot so no time to get pics until we were back in the truck.

[duckmen1]

So it was a good 3 man limit. My only complaint was hitting two mallard hens off the start then having mallards cupping in all morning but due to light conditions and being straight over head I was having a hard time telling drakes from the hens so had to keep passing to be on the safe side. So settled with 3 little jets. 

[duckmen1]

Well last night I decided to go hit up a spot I normally jump shoot. This time I had planned to get out there before light and set a few decoys. As I'm carrying decoys and float tube as well as all my gear about 20 minutes before light I'm getting up to my spot. I see some clump in the water that looked outa place. Geese. Dropped down and loaded up with bigger shells and tried to get into position for first light.  Can't believe they didn't see me. Got set up hoping they would stay in the area. Few minutes before first light they started swimming even closer feeding. Waited for legal light and then some to see better. At this point they were 30 yards. So I jumped them and ended up with a triple. Then set up my decoys. 2 ringnecks landed to my right. Not coming in and diving where they were I decided to stalk those too. Jumped them and 2 shots and 2 birds fell. Later decided to walk around because I was not seeing anything. I spotted a flock of widgeon. Made a stalk got to 45 yards. An eagle spooked them and then they came back. Another flock landed way out and the eagle began to go after my flock again this time it looked like they were gonna leave for good so I shot and got one widgeon hen. Then things died so went to scout and see what was going on elsewhere. So much for doing a decoy hunt. Ended with a jump shoot again. good morning over all

[lokidog]

"Good morning overall."  I'd say!!

Awesome!

[irishevox]

very nice... I need to get out and shoot some honkers I have been slacking this season, the swans have over run the farm I have access to hunt and I think the Honkers are staying clear!  not really sure though.

[duckmen1]

Limit outa the layout boat. First time this season using it so coulda shot better. But started off with a triple on ol hollywoods. 
Coulda waited to finish a puddler limit but loki inspired me to wipe out the fish eater

[lokidog]

 

Save those fisheaters for me and bring them to the summer BBQ, I'd like to cook up a big batch of Salsburey Merganser.  I haven't been able to shoot any in a while.