For those of you who have been anxiously awaiting the State of the Union Address, here she comes:
The odd-year (as opposed to even-year) crop rotation on Gibson Farms doesn't exactly lend itself to variety, at least with respect to fowlin'. On even years, it isn't any secret that we've got one specific field that produces solid numbers consistently when it's in rice. During those years, however, the hunting doesn't have to begin and end there, as we still have spots all over the farm that, while anything but consistent, put up solid numbers at one point in the year or another.
The odd-year rotation is different. The old Home place is the "go-to" for the season opener, and it will be the "go-to" on the day season ends. Instead of rightfully expecting the 8-10 duck-per-day average that we see on the East side of the farm, we anticipate 3-5 duck-per-day numbers, which is, historically, a reasonable number.
Chucks will hold birds on the East and West farms, but it'll be later in the season and only then IF we get sufficient rainfall to inundate the place. As for the Lost 20, GW's, Amy's, Baser North, etc., they'll all play their roles, but the bread and butter will be right across from the shop, like always. Suffice it to say, it would be absolute folly to expect that we'll duplicate last year's numbers. We're good, but not that good.
As for the present day circumstances, we're at full pool on the Home field and the Lost 20, and while I haven't seen the 20, I'm absolutely certain that the Homer's holding a good number of birds. Up to ths very minute, we're extraordinarily dry in Northeast Arkansas, and I for one hope that it'll stay that way for a month or so. Less water means less competition, and less competition means more for me!
Should be fun.
