Duckmen1 season thread

[duckmen1]

Thought it would be fun to keep a thread going this year on success. Last year was an awesome year dropping 101 ducks and a few geese. So this years season I have high hopes. Started early goose season with 5 geese dropped between two of us the first day and 4 the second day. The third day saw a bunch but no shots. These photos will be of total birds on trip and me with my birds primarily due to not wanting to post others without permission.

[duckmen1]

Day one and two totals.

Haven't hit duck hunting up yet due to big game hunting trips and work but hoping this week will have more to show for.
Going into this season with the least amount of areas to hunt since I started duck hunting due to private lands selling off and other area closures. So hoping the knowledge I've gained and persistence I plan on putting into the season will pay off.

[duckmen1]

We had a slow couple days local to my area only getting 1 mallard. So took a trip today and did decent. Saw tons at first light then other hunters took a few shots and things died quickly. But stuck it out and took what we had offered to us and made a decent hunt out of it. Missed a few but did decent overall on our shooting. The mallards called right in and worked over us perfectly and took full advantage of the opportunities by them.
Our stoegers and the benelli once again proved flawless work.

[irishevox]

why am I not hunting with you

[duckmen1]

A quick little jump shoot. Most stayed too far but this one got a bit to close. And shot one single duck that was not pictured

[duckmen1]

Another trip. Was a fun two man limit. If I would have shot better early on we would have had more mallards and less buffies. But still had a great time.

[duckmen1]

And the most recent trip. A last minute decision after finding out I had the day off. Called a hunting partner up and my brother and had a good hunt. 16 ducks. 2 mallards. 3 teal. 1 ringneck. 8 shovelers. And two widgeon. And 3 geese. Good day.  For the most part we shot them up. I missed one bird off the start and got gun caught on jacket raising on another flock which caused me not to shoot but otherwise birds that came in went down. But made up for.that on 3 teal that I dropped all in the group.

[duckmen1]

I would try to get you out Irishevox but honestly though schedualing is tough to go right now and each hunt I go on is last minute decision. Some hunts are on a whim after getting off work. Other hunts are a lot of work that most aren't willing to do to get there. We definatly work hard on some of our hunts to get what we do. Wish I could hunt with everyone but even close buddies right now are waiting for a phone call to hunt.
Sorry Irish I didn't see your other thread of unofficial pics otherwise I would have posted there on my pics. But since I got this going now I'll stick with it.

[irishevox]

sounds good I like seeing them regardless

[duckmen1]

A little two man morning hunt. We were gonna go for and evening duck and goose to to add to the morning but opted to have some fun at the range. Missed one duck and didnt see a pair coming in other wise we shot good.

[duckmen1]

Seeing the biggest flocks of mergansers ive ever seen. So taking them out for now

[duckmen1]

A slow thanksgiving hunt. But took out two fisheaters.

[duckmen1]

Decided while I was out taking care of buisiness I would bring the shotgun along and do a quick jump shoot. Found a flock of 6 mallards and got two. Also thought I would try to take better field photos instead of in the truck. They look nicer.

[lokidog]

Definitely nicer composition on the field pick.  Keep knocking them down.   

[Badhabit]

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.