Southern Opener in WI

This is the one, and only, reason I dispise the noon opener.

We have to be at our spot, minimum, by normal legal shooting time (6:30), often times at least an hour earlier. That means we get minimum of 6 hours time with our thumbs firmly planted in our rear (aside from watching the morning flight for a half hour or so. The only other activity is trying to fend off other parties who show up later, whcih is always fun). At least if we had an 8 or 9 opener, it would be less thumb-in-butt time. I don’t think it would affect the kill in the least, and I am fine with that. Not to mention tomorrow morning 6 or more hours with squat to do will be COLD!!!!!

PS, if my posts sound a little crabby today, I have been sick all week, another reason the sit in the cold is not too appealing today!

For my first time duck hunting, it was a total blast . I found out how hard it is to hit a wood duck with their acrobatic moves and speed. I never did get a woodie but did get a blue-wind teal . Our group ended up with 3 wood ducks and 6 teal and no mallards or geese. There were plenty of ducks flying, but with all the sky busting going on, they stayed high. The only ducks that came to the dekes were the teal. We are headed back out in the morning for another round. So far I really like this duck hunting deal. There was a period when there were so many ducks coming in from all directions I started shaking like I was bowhunting. It is definitely a rush .

For my first time duck hunting, it was a total blast . I found out how hard it is to hit a wood duck with their acrobatic moves and speed. I never did get a woodie but did get a blue-wind teal . Our group ended up with 3 wood ducks and 6 teal and no mallards or geese. There were plenty of ducks flying, but with all the sky busting going on, they stayed high. The only ducks that came to the dekes were the teal. We are headed back out in the morning for another round. So far I really like this duck hunting deal. There was a period when there were so many ducks coming in from all directions I started shaking like I was bowhunting. It is definitely a rush .

This morning was a lot slower with all the sky busting going on . I am new to duck hunting, but come on, if the ducks are clearly out of range is it necessary to blast away? I also got to experience the steel shower 3 different times . But, it was still a good time. I took a pic of the three I got this morning. There is 1 green-wing teal, 1 hen woodie, and yes 1 hen mallard. With the group of 6 guys we ended up with 2 green wing teals, 1 mallard, and 4 wood ducks.

This morning was a lot slower with all the sky busting going on . I am new to duck hunting, but come on, if the ducks are clearly out of range is it necessary to blast away? I also got to experience the steel shower 3 different times . But, it was still a good time. I took a pic of the three I got this morning. There is 1 green-wing teal, 1 hen woodie, and yes 1 hen mallard. With the group of 6 guys we ended up with 2 green wing teals, 1 mallard, and 4 wood ducks.

The weekend finally came and is now gone, but what a weekend it was Got into the blind around 9 on saturday and found there was hardly no one around yet, so we decided to fire up the grill and get the first breakfast of the season going, marinated venison. Then as time passed the season was upon us and within 45 min I was done. Those 6 weeks of trap shooting do pay off So I watched as the rest of my group tried for their limit. Low and behold a goose made a bad mistake and my buddies wife got that. Nice to see the smile on her face. Then yesterday it was a bit windy, but not as much luck. Shot a variety all weekend long, pintails, gadwall, mallards, teal, widgeon, woodies, also seen 3 drake cans and a couple ringies. Overall an awesome weekend

The weekend finally came and is now gone, but what a weekend it was Got into the blind around 9 on saturday and found there was hardly no one around yet, so we decided to fire up the grill and get the first breakfast of the season going, marinated venison. Then as time passed the season was upon us and within 45 min I was done. Those 6 weeks of trap shooting do pay off So I watched as the rest of my group tried for their limit. Low and behold a goose made a bad mistake and my buddies wife got that. Nice to see the smile on her face. Then yesterday it was a bit windy, but not as much luck. Shot a variety all weekend long, pintails, gadwall, mallards, teal, widgeon, woodies, also seen 3 drake cans and a couple ringies. Overall an awesome weekend

We got 12 woodies and 8 teal on Saturday, and 9 woodies and 3 teal on Sunday. Saw mallards, pintail, shovelers and gadwall Saturday waiting for noon, but never got a shot at anything but woodies and teal after the opening bell. Tons of woodies on Saturday around, but less on Sunday. And flying ALOT higher!

We got 12 woodies and 8 teal on Saturday, and 9 woodies and 3 teal on Sunday. Saw mallards, pintail, shovelers and gadwall Saturday waiting for noon, but never got a shot at anything but woodies and teal after the opening bell. Tons of woodies on Saturday around, but less on Sunday. And flying ALOT higher!

Boy what an exciting weekend. Nothing better then back on the water blasting ducks. Weekend wasn’t as productive as we hoped, but still was a great time. Ended up with 24 ducks on Sat. and 23 on Sunday. Pretty amazed to see that the first duck of the season we shot was a diver (ringbill), but from there on it was a mixed bag of teal, woodies, mallys, pintail and gadwell. Hope everyone stayed safe and watched the sunrise and sunset.

Boy what an exciting weekend. Nothing better then back on the water blasting ducks. Weekend wasn’t as productive as we hoped, but still was a great time. Ended up with 24 ducks on Sat. and 23 on Sunday. Pretty amazed to see that the first duck of the season we shot was a diver (ringbill), but from there on it was a mixed bag of teal, woodies, mallys, pintail and gadwell. Hope everyone stayed safe and watched the sunrise and sunset.

Glad to hear someone is shooting birds. I did not get anything but a couple of empty shells (4 to be exact) and a hole in my waders! Made for a great opener. Did not even waste my time on Sun. I think that I am going to take up bowhunting. Got the dog but nothing to retrieve, so she is not helping much.

Glad to hear someone is shooting birds. I did not get anything but a couple of empty shells (4 to be exact) and a hole in my waders! Made for a great opener. Did not even waste my time on Sun. I think that I am going to take up bowhunting. Got the dog but nothing to retrieve, so she is not helping much.

Well my report from the weekend is pretty much the same as others. Not as many teal shot as we thought, but we hunted up near the upper doubles. Heard a lot of shooting, got some woodies, two blue wings and one greenhead….and I got the enjoyment of watching my brother do his first belly flop into the mud for the season at about 11:00 on saturday. Didn’t take long for him, hopefully I don’t have to go thru that this year.

Well my report from the weekend is pretty much the same as others. Not as many teal shot as we thought, but we hunted up near the upper doubles. Heard a lot of shooting, got some woodies, two blue wings and one greenhead….and I got the enjoyment of watching my brother do his first belly flop into the mud for the season at about 11:00 on saturday. Didn’t take long for him, hopefully I don’t have to go thru that this year.