Opening day 2008 - Waterfowl Hunting – Ducks & Geese - Waterfowl Hunting – Ducks & Geese - Page 2

Well after a sleepless night, the boys and i hit the field at 3 am. Haha i know a little early but its opening day. We were running a traffic field, that we were lucky to get permission to hunt just the evening before. This field was dead center in between where the birds were roosting and feeding. After watching these birds dump into this other field for the last week we knew exactly how the dekes needed to be set. The birds were coming into the field as family flocks, but would quickly get lost into one big feeding line, cosisting of 300-400 birds. Well we figured we needed to replicate this to the best of our ability, so out come ten dozen full bodies and three dozen flocked shells. The field we were hunting was a lower meadow with the grass only 5-6″ high, so we were a little concerned about hiding the blinds, but persistance pays off, and since we had the time, we took special care to get everyone hidden to the best of our ability.

With morning breaking over the horizon there was a slight fog drifting over us and the dekes, and anticipation was high. There were seven of us hunting, but only six shooters at a time. One guy would run a video camera, and we would take turns after every flock. We also had another camera running stationary out the back end of a decoy. Needless to say the birds cooperated exactly as we hoped. Running two flags we were able to get birds attention fairly quickly, and it was easy sailing from there. Calling was very limited. Moans and a few clucks were key. There was no reason to hit the calls hard, when the birds were working us. Highlights from the morning were having a group of eight come in and none leave. Shooting two or three mature birds, and having the young one circle back around to get pounded again. Early season at it’s finest. Also one band that looked really old, judging by how worn down it was. At the end of the morning we had twenty five on the ground and some phenomenal footage, and the season just started. Can’t wait to get around to editing it.

Sunday I had to work, so i wasn’t able to make it out, but four of the boys were able to head to another field and shoot ten so they were pretty happy about that hunt, also.
Needless to say the season has started out great, and with bowhunting next on the list i don’t know how im gonna be able to sleep at all this week, with visions of birds and bucks in my head. Good luck to all, stay safe and keep the reports coming. Also not quite sure how to get pics off the computer and posted. I know college boy and im still computer illiterate (To much time in the field) Any help would be appreciated.