Just wanted to give everyone an update after all the awesome advice that was provided to me. Yesterday felt like a huge milestone day for me in my duck hunting career.
My first 2 days duck hunting in Western Washington were very humbling to say the least. I did not fire a single shot those 2 days. Several ducks did come close to my decoy spread but I was seriously caught off guard by their speed and wariness. Several times they were on a flight path straight towards me, I got too excited and moved, thereby alerting the ducks. My lack of bring home ducks was not a bummer for me as I was blown away by watching the sunrise over the wetlands and the beauty of the environment.
I went out late last week with a hunting buddy and got my first ever duck in Western Washington. While walking along the edge of a slough, I saw a greenhead flying directly towards me. When he was just about over me, I fired a single shot and he fell instantly. My buddy marked the spot, and I did a 20 minute bushwack through the reeds to the spot where he fell and retrieved the duck. I was ecstatic, what a beautiful bird!
Yesterday was the first day where I felt that my calling and decoying was actually starting to work. I was hiding in some reeds and let out a hail call on some far away ducks, and to my surprise a hen mallard came flying full speed over the reeds right at me. I missed 2 shots at about 20 yards as she got spooked and started furiously beating her wings trying to gain altitude. I can't believe I missed that shot, but it felt so rewarding to have my calling actually pay off.
I am looking forward to the rest of the season, and improving my techniques. Thanks everyone for all the great advice you shot my way!
