Hunted w/ my 11 yr old son Dom this week, Max (13) was on IR with a cold, so we made the most of what remains of our fading season. This hunt was a good demonstration of what you get when you hunt the full moon, have calm winds, temperatures 10 degrees above normal, and the tail end of the season on public land where birds have been pounded for 100 days. I knew it was going to be tough when the birds that did commit took about 10 circles to decide what they wanted to do.
It may sound dismal for the hunter, but what we experienced was 100X better than what awaits us all in a week, and that is the offseason with no option to do what we love, and kill a few ducks while we can - that is, before we turn into conservationists for the next 8 months, then back to killers for 4, and the cycle continues.
Our day started slow with fog
This was Dom's hunt so I played the backup role. First bird into our hunt was a beautiful drake Greenwing teal - Dom dropped him like an opening day dove as it jetted through the spread.
Dom admires his prize.
In short order, another one commits and gets dumped as he put the flaps back and was about to drop in next to a plastic goose.
OK, an hour into the hunt in bluebird conditions and we have 2 teal - at least it's not a skunk. Dom continues to practice his widgeon calling and gets one to commit.
After a broken wing and chasing it down in the timber, Dom secures his prize.
We end the day with this beautiful drake widgeon.
We decide to pick up at noon, grateful for the experience of the day.
Dom, is now working on getting proficient in is mallard calling. His goal is to have his DR-85 wired come next season. We've got some work in that dept.... Hopefully we doesn't blow the rest of the family out of the house in his quest to hit his goal!
Thanks, and we hope you've enjoyed the posts-
