6 Mallards
5 Green-wings
2 Specks
3 Gadwall
1 Pin
3 Shovelers
Monday, November 22, 2010
Shattered Expectations
Well, the opener ranked among the top 5 most disappointing of my days. High hopes based on a forecast of sunny weather and medium winds were dashed by dense fog and no winds. What should have been a short-order slaughter turned out to be a grind. Tasha, Papa, Jordan, Meredith, Dave, John, Blake, & I left the field with 20 birds.
6 Mallards
5 Green-wings
2 Specks
3 Gadwall
1 Pin
3 Shovelers
6 Mallards
5 Green-wings
2 Specks
3 Gadwall
1 Pin
3 Shovelers
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Praise Jesus and Pass the Ammunition
They're still there!!!!! I dunno if they'll stick until the opener, but as of this morning, we still have birds on the Home field. Despite my repeated attempts to contain the situation, I'm starting to get excited.
Probably setting myself up for a huge disappointment. Nonetheless, pray for stubborn ducks and south winds for the opener. It could turn out to be a decent shoot.
Probably setting myself up for a huge disappointment. Nonetheless, pray for stubborn ducks and south winds for the opener. It could turn out to be a decent shoot.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Why Now?????
Okay, let me get this straight: For 4 months I've begged for rain. For 4 months I've pleaded for rain. Despite the fact that I have desperately needed it, for 4 months I've had no rain.
Five days ago I started begging for dry weather. And of course, now its raining.
The birds have been on a night-feeding pattern. They are leaving the roost early (like 4:30 p.m.), but they're definitely most active at 5:00 and thereafter. Nonetheless, there remains a small, densely populated pocket of birds that are holding in the Home field in the mornings, and another sizable group that is hitting the field at 8:00 a.m. and thereafter. Unfortunately, that will all change today.
The night feeding pattern on the Home field ended this morning, with the arrival of this rain. Face it, birds on a night-feeding pattern rarely switch fields so long as weather patterns hold and they aren't forced by a lack of food, because flying into unfamiliar waters at dusk presents them with many risks they wouldn't encounter by flying to the same familiar field, night after night. On cloudy days, those ducks are prone to stretch their wings rather than loafing all day like they have been doing in the sunshine. Moreover, because there are no shadows on cloudy, rainy days, the ducks exploring new habitat aren't prone to predator ambushes, since the birds can see much more clearly. In summary, this shift in the weather exponentially increases the likelihood that the ducks will move to another field to feed.
To be clear, this is the worst kind of rain -- it is the kind that doesn't accumulate water in our other fields, but merely makes the birds jumpy and allows them to scout fresh water, like that recently pumped on the field immediately north of ours. Their pattern is broken, and now they've got the opportunity to switch feeding grounds. Had the dry, sunny conditions remained constant, I haven't the slightest doubt that opening morning would have ended in limits for our blind. However, given the dramatic change in conditions, I'm 100% less confident.
Cross your fingers and pray that these birds are stubborn, because otherwise we may watch someone else shoot the birds we've held for a week and a half on opening day.
Five days ago I started begging for dry weather. And of course, now its raining.
The birds have been on a night-feeding pattern. They are leaving the roost early (like 4:30 p.m.), but they're definitely most active at 5:00 and thereafter. Nonetheless, there remains a small, densely populated pocket of birds that are holding in the Home field in the mornings, and another sizable group that is hitting the field at 8:00 a.m. and thereafter. Unfortunately, that will all change today.
The night feeding pattern on the Home field ended this morning, with the arrival of this rain. Face it, birds on a night-feeding pattern rarely switch fields so long as weather patterns hold and they aren't forced by a lack of food, because flying into unfamiliar waters at dusk presents them with many risks they wouldn't encounter by flying to the same familiar field, night after night. On cloudy days, those ducks are prone to stretch their wings rather than loafing all day like they have been doing in the sunshine. Moreover, because there are no shadows on cloudy, rainy days, the ducks exploring new habitat aren't prone to predator ambushes, since the birds can see much more clearly. In summary, this shift in the weather exponentially increases the likelihood that the ducks will move to another field to feed.
To be clear, this is the worst kind of rain -- it is the kind that doesn't accumulate water in our other fields, but merely makes the birds jumpy and allows them to scout fresh water, like that recently pumped on the field immediately north of ours. Their pattern is broken, and now they've got the opportunity to switch feeding grounds. Had the dry, sunny conditions remained constant, I haven't the slightest doubt that opening morning would have ended in limits for our blind. However, given the dramatic change in conditions, I'm 100% less confident.
Cross your fingers and pray that these birds are stubborn, because otherwise we may watch someone else shoot the birds we've held for a week and a half on opening day.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Still in Business.
Cross your fingers, boys. It's lookin' like 30 or better for the opener. Of course, that is until things change and the ole Homer looks like a dry, barren field.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Brace Yourself . . .
Gentlemen: There remain ten (10) days before waterfowl season makes its glorious return into our otherwise mundane lives. AND, with a mere 10 days before the big dance, you'll never guess who showed up. No, really, GUESS. Okay, time's up: it's Mr. Hollywood himself!!!!!
I know, it's a HUGE surprise that a clan of boot-lips would show up in the Home field prior to the opener, but ready-or-not, here they come. Looked to be about 75-100 around this morning, and those are added to the 200 or so mallards, pins, gadwall, wigeon, and teal that were already feeding 20 feet North of the blind.
If we can hold our water, we're in for a decent shoot opening day.
I know, it's a HUGE surprise that a clan of boot-lips would show up in the Home field prior to the opener, but ready-or-not, here they come. Looked to be about 75-100 around this morning, and those are added to the 200 or so mallards, pins, gadwall, wigeon, and teal that were already feeding 20 feet North of the blind.
If we can hold our water, we're in for a decent shoot opening day.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
From Little Acorns . . .
. . . Mighty Oaks Grow!
November 8, 2010:
November 10, 2010:
Dust off them waders, boys . . . we've got water, and where there's water, there will be ducks!
November 8, 2010:
November 10, 2010:
Dust off them waders, boys . . . we've got water, and where there's water, there will be ducks!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Workin'
Face it, if you're one of the 4 people that actually take a look at this blog from time to time, you're more than aware of the fact that there ain't no water and there's precious few ducks in town at present. I, however, not to be thwarted by desert conditions, defied my mantra and cranked the pumps on Friday to ensure the the Home Field will provide the birds a place to stop in for a drink 13 days from now. That being said, I'll try to post pictures tomorrow that detail my reasons behind why it seems like such a good idea. Big Creek is stuffed with mallards and a couple of dozen have found their way to the pit blind. If they're still there in 2 weeks, I intend to invite a few of 'em to my place for dinner.
As per the norm, since Saturday was the first weekend in November, the crew descended upon Gibson Farms like Cattle Egrets on a fresh cow pie. We worked at a fevered pitch, which was an optimistic undertaking at best. Given the drought conditions we've put up with over the last 6 months, we'll be lucky to see water in any of the 4 blinds we've brushed by the 1st of the year.
As per the norm, since Saturday was the first weekend in November, the crew descended upon Gibson Farms like Cattle Egrets on a fresh cow pie. We worked at a fevered pitch, which was an optimistic undertaking at best. Given the drought conditions we've put up with over the last 6 months, we'll be lucky to see water in any of the 4 blinds we've brushed by the 1st of the year.
Monday, October 25, 2010
La Niña is a Spanish Whore!!!!!
That's right . . . I said it, and I ain't takin' it back, either.
La Niña is a phenomenon typically following El Niño that is caused by cooler than normal currents in the ocean depths off the cost of Peru. The term "El Niño," which is Spanish for "little boy" was aptly named as such by local fisherman after the Christ-child, because the pattern normally occurs around Christmas. La Niña, "little girl", on the other hand, should be named "la puta", because she's a heartless little tramp and I hate her. The "event" is most often characterized by strong weather patterns which, in recent years, have been discovered to play a significant role in North America, particularly during the fall and winter months. During a La Niña year, winter temperatures are warmer than normal in the Southeast and cooler than normal in the Northwest. Furthermore, rainfall totals are typically higher in the Northwest and lower in the Southeast.
What this all means to YOU, the avid duck hunter in Northeast Arkansas, is that you can expect continuing hot, dry conditions, which, in essence, translates into swatting mosquitoes and sweating over dry fields with absolutely no birds until sometime in mid-January. Now, wouldn't you agree that La Niña is inappropriately named?
To illustrate this point more clearly, what follows are verbatim quotations from my 1999 (which happens to have been our last strong La Niña year) hunting journal:
November 19, 1999: For records purposes, this is the third Spanish year in a row. Two years ago, in 1997, there was El Nino’, which plagued us with warm weather and little rainfall. Last year, there was La Nina’, El Nino’s evil twin sister. This year, she’s back. I am truly frustrated with warm, dry fall weather patterns. I hope for cold fronts which bring heavy rains and lots of ducks in the near future. Last night, one week to the day before Thanksgiving, I mowed my lawn in blue jeans and a T-shirt. I burned up and was eaten alive by mosquitos. The highs during the daylight hours are generally in the high 60's to the low 70's. Nighttime lows average 45 to 55.
. . . and the pattern continued right up until January 1, 2000, wherein I noted that "We hunted under high sunny skies and 60 degree temperatures."
Don't get me wrong . . . there were some nice, cool days during that season. But my point is that I don't have any hopes of a normal season, and the lack of water mixed with the abundance of dust has dampened my spirits, if you know what I mean.
Nonetheless, if there are ducks to be hunted, we'll pursue 'em with reckless abandon as if there is no tomorrow!
La Niña is a phenomenon typically following El Niño that is caused by cooler than normal currents in the ocean depths off the cost of Peru. The term "El Niño," which is Spanish for "little boy" was aptly named as such by local fisherman after the Christ-child, because the pattern normally occurs around Christmas. La Niña, "little girl", on the other hand, should be named "la puta", because she's a heartless little tramp and I hate her. The "event" is most often characterized by strong weather patterns which, in recent years, have been discovered to play a significant role in North America, particularly during the fall and winter months. During a La Niña year, winter temperatures are warmer than normal in the Southeast and cooler than normal in the Northwest. Furthermore, rainfall totals are typically higher in the Northwest and lower in the Southeast.
What this all means to YOU, the avid duck hunter in Northeast Arkansas, is that you can expect continuing hot, dry conditions, which, in essence, translates into swatting mosquitoes and sweating over dry fields with absolutely no birds until sometime in mid-January. Now, wouldn't you agree that La Niña is inappropriately named?
To illustrate this point more clearly, what follows are verbatim quotations from my 1999 (which happens to have been our last strong La Niña year) hunting journal:
November 19, 1999: For records purposes, this is the third Spanish year in a row. Two years ago, in 1997, there was El Nino’, which plagued us with warm weather and little rainfall. Last year, there was La Nina’, El Nino’s evil twin sister. This year, she’s back. I am truly frustrated with warm, dry fall weather patterns. I hope for cold fronts which bring heavy rains and lots of ducks in the near future. Last night, one week to the day before Thanksgiving, I mowed my lawn in blue jeans and a T-shirt. I burned up and was eaten alive by mosquitos. The highs during the daylight hours are generally in the high 60's to the low 70's. Nighttime lows average 45 to 55.
. . . and the pattern continued right up until January 1, 2000, wherein I noted that "We hunted under high sunny skies and 60 degree temperatures."
Don't get me wrong . . . there were some nice, cool days during that season. But my point is that I don't have any hopes of a normal season, and the lack of water mixed with the abundance of dust has dampened my spirits, if you know what I mean.
Nonetheless, if there are ducks to be hunted, we'll pursue 'em with reckless abandon as if there is no tomorrow!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Smells Like Sumthin' Died In Here . . .
Dove season was a SMASH, and, for once, the birds showed up and cooperated just like they were supposed to. The action was fast and furious, and everyone in the group left with a sore shoulder, so I'd call the day a success!
Monday, February 1, 2010
. . . And It Wasn't Even Close!
It's over. Thank God! The last 37 days of duck season have been, BY FAR, the most frustrating of my life. Now the aftermath . . . the sweeping clean-up effort that's left behind after 3 months of a passionate yet demoralizing chase. What started as the season with the greatest potential for harvest of any thus far of my life ended with a cynical whisper as we gazed at icy fields and empty skies. 413 ducks died over the first 23 days, whereas a grand total of 65 died during the last 37. In a nutshell, the 2010 part of the '09-10 season was a dud.
Saturday, January 30, 2010, Meredith, J-Hawk, & I stalked a single mallard on Gaylon's pond.
Friday, January 29, 2010, Meredith, Dave, Fred, & I killed 1 Canada Goose.
Wednesday & Thursday were no-shows.
Total for Regular Season: 478
Combined Teal & Regular for 2009: 538
Birds Per Day of Season: CRAPPY!
257 Shovelers (Arrrrrrrrgh!)
129 Mallards
31 Green Wing
24 Specks
17 Pintails
8 Gadwall
5 Wigeon
2 Blue Wing
2 Canada Geese
1 Red Head
1 Wood Duck
1 Snow Goose
Saturday, January 30, 2010, Meredith, J-Hawk, & I stalked a single mallard on Gaylon's pond.
Friday, January 29, 2010, Meredith, Dave, Fred, & I killed 1 Canada Goose.
Wednesday & Thursday were no-shows.
Total for Regular Season: 478
Combined Teal & Regular for 2009: 538
Birds Per Day of Season: CRAPPY!
257 Shovelers (Arrrrrrrrgh!)
129 Mallards
31 Green Wing
24 Specks
17 Pintails
8 Gadwall
5 Wigeon
2 Blue Wing
2 Canada Geese
1 Red Head
1 Wood Duck
1 Snow Goose
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Five Days to Go . . .
. . . and I don't think we'll be making it to 500. What a shame . . . the season started out so well.
Oh well, at least we've been killing a few.
This morning we hunted Charles' field and killed 6, 5 Mallards, 1 Gadwall.
Monday afternoon we hunted the Home field, bring home 8 birds: 4 GWT, 4 shovelers.
Sunday we hunted the Home field and bagged 10. 8 Mallards, 2 GWT
Saturday we hunted Charles' field and killed 15, including 10 Mallards, 2 Shovelers, 1 Gadwall, 1 Wigeon, and 1 Canada. FIRST BAND OF THE SEASON.
One correction to note. Friday-before-last, the Don, Fred, Blake, & I hunted Beedeville and brought home 1 shoveler. I added him to the total below, but forgot to mention it on the daily list.
Total for Regular Season: 476
Combined Teal & Regular for 2009: 535
Birds Per Day of Season: CRAPPY!
257 Shovelers (Arrrrrrrrgh!)
128 Mallards
24 Specks
31 Green Wing
17 Pintails
8 Gadwall
2 Blue Wing
5 Wigeon
1 Red Head
1 Wood Duck
1 Snow
1 Canada
Oh well, at least we've been killing a few.
This morning we hunted Charles' field and killed 6, 5 Mallards, 1 Gadwall.
Monday afternoon we hunted the Home field, bring home 8 birds: 4 GWT, 4 shovelers.
Sunday we hunted the Home field and bagged 10. 8 Mallards, 2 GWT
Saturday we hunted Charles' field and killed 15, including 10 Mallards, 2 Shovelers, 1 Gadwall, 1 Wigeon, and 1 Canada. FIRST BAND OF THE SEASON.
One correction to note. Friday-before-last, the Don, Fred, Blake, & I hunted Beedeville and brought home 1 shoveler. I added him to the total below, but forgot to mention it on the daily list.
Total for Regular Season: 476
Combined Teal & Regular for 2009: 535
Birds Per Day of Season: CRAPPY!
257 Shovelers (Arrrrrrrrgh!)
128 Mallards
24 Specks
31 Green Wing
17 Pintails
8 Gadwall
2 Blue Wing
5 Wigeon
1 Red Head
1 Wood Duck
1 Snow
1 Canada
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Bet You're Wondering How This Week's Shaping Up, Aren't You . . .
We're not exactly burning 'em. Ahh, but I think we will on Saturday.
Monday afternoon, DB, Willie & I tried the Home field for a skunk. The next day, the Don & I returned and brought out 8, including 4 GWT's, 2 Pins, and 2 Shovelers.
Wednesday, the Don and I tried again, this time bringing only 2 Mallards, 1 Shoveler home.
Finally, Today, Don, Dad & I left with only 2 shovelers.
Total for Regular Season: 436
Combined Teal & Regular for 2009: 496
Birds Per Day of Season: CRAPPY!
251 Shovelers (Arrrrrrrrgh!)
105 Mallards
24 Specks
25 Green Wing
17 Pintails
6 Gadwall
2 Blue Wing
4 Wigeon
1 Red Head
1 Wood Duck
1 Snow
Monday afternoon, DB, Willie & I tried the Home field for a skunk. The next day, the Don & I returned and brought out 8, including 4 GWT's, 2 Pins, and 2 Shovelers.
Wednesday, the Don and I tried again, this time bringing only 2 Mallards, 1 Shoveler home.
Finally, Today, Don, Dad & I left with only 2 shovelers.
Total for Regular Season: 436
Combined Teal & Regular for 2009: 496
Birds Per Day of Season: CRAPPY!
251 Shovelers (Arrrrrrrrgh!)
105 Mallards
24 Specks
25 Green Wing
17 Pintails
6 Gadwall
2 Blue Wing
4 Wigeon
1 Red Head
1 Wood Duck
1 Snow
Thursday, January 14, 2010
We're Giving It the Old College Try in the Morning On the River
Wish us luck. I'm not terribly optimistic. Oh well, enjoy the melody as you admire an enlarged photo of
Special Fred
Special Fred
Monday, January 11, 2010
Waiting on the Tales of Our Satisfied Thurst for Blood?
Well, you won't find them here. Last Wednesday, on January 6, 2010, the Don, Meredith, and Meredith's father-in-law Brent accompanied me to the Cache River. We killed a wood duck. That's what I said, a (singular) woody. That's all. No mas. Fin. The end.
Haven't been back since. This would be the first time since the 2000-2001 season that I've hunted one day out of eleven.
Point being, it sucks.
Total for Regular Season: 423
Combined Teal & Regular for 2009: 483
Birds Per Day of Season: 10.58
246 Shovelers (Arrrrrrrrgh!)
103 Mallards
24 Specks
21 Green Wing
15 Pintails
6 Gadwall
2 Blue Wing
4 Wigeon
1 Red Head
1 Wood Duck
1 Snow
Haven't been back since. This would be the first time since the 2000-2001 season that I've hunted one day out of eleven.
Point being, it sucks.
Total for Regular Season: 423
Combined Teal & Regular for 2009: 483
Birds Per Day of Season: 10.58
246 Shovelers (Arrrrrrrrgh!)
103 Mallards
24 Specks
21 Green Wing
15 Pintails
6 Gadwall
2 Blue Wing
4 Wigeon
1 Red Head
1 Wood Duck
1 Snow
Sunday, January 3, 2010
No Real Surprises
Much to report, very little to say. It's cold, the hunting is non-existent, and I'm almost depressed over what could have been, but what simply ain't.
So here it is, from present to the past, that hasn't happened over the last couple of weeks. Christmas Eve, a massive squall rolled through Eastern Arkansas, dumping as much as 9.5 inches of rain across the delta. The resulting ocean has been less than hospitable for the duck hunting community.
We are currently 32 days into the season, leaving 28 to do some legitimate damage. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear as if it's going to thaw over the next week or so.
Total for Regular Season: 422
Combined Teal & Regular for 2009: 482
Birds Per Day of Season: 13.18
246 Shovelers (Arrrrrrrrgh!)
103 Mallards
24 Specks
21 Green Wing
15 Pintails
6 Gadwall
2 Blue Wing
4 Wigeon
1 Red Head
1 Snow
Today, Sunday, January 3, the boys did not hunt.
Saturday, January 2, 2010, the boys did not hunt.
Friday, January 1, 2010, we hunted Charles West for a Skunk.
Thursday, December 31, Special Fred, the Don, J-Hawk & I hunted Amys. 2 Mallards.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009, I hunted the fabled Yoke Opening with the Beach Clan. Always a pleasure, but the ducks beat us -- we left with only 2, including a Mallard and 1 GWT.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009, my friends from Michigan entertained me at the Beaver Dam on the Cache, and we left with 1 Pintail.
Monday, December 28, 2009, Jim, Mike, & the Boys started on the Cache with a zero and finished on the Home Field with 1 Shoveler.
Sunday, December 27, 2009, the Yanks showed up for a Beaver Dam hunt, and whilst we dropped seven birds, we left with only 3 Mallard Drakes.
Saturday, December 26, 2009, as a result of the very high water, we did not hunt.
So here it is, from present to the past, that hasn't happened over the last couple of weeks. Christmas Eve, a massive squall rolled through Eastern Arkansas, dumping as much as 9.5 inches of rain across the delta. The resulting ocean has been less than hospitable for the duck hunting community.
We are currently 32 days into the season, leaving 28 to do some legitimate damage. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear as if it's going to thaw over the next week or so.
Total for Regular Season: 422
Combined Teal & Regular for 2009: 482
Birds Per Day of Season: 13.18
246 Shovelers (Arrrrrrrrgh!)
103 Mallards
24 Specks
21 Green Wing
15 Pintails
6 Gadwall
2 Blue Wing
4 Wigeon
1 Red Head
1 Snow
Today, Sunday, January 3, the boys did not hunt.
Saturday, January 2, 2010, the boys did not hunt.
Friday, January 1, 2010, we hunted Charles West for a Skunk.
Thursday, December 31, Special Fred, the Don, J-Hawk & I hunted Amys. 2 Mallards.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009, I hunted the fabled Yoke Opening with the Beach Clan. Always a pleasure, but the ducks beat us -- we left with only 2, including a Mallard and 1 GWT.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009, my friends from Michigan entertained me at the Beaver Dam on the Cache, and we left with 1 Pintail.
Monday, December 28, 2009, Jim, Mike, & the Boys started on the Cache with a zero and finished on the Home Field with 1 Shoveler.
Sunday, December 27, 2009, the Yanks showed up for a Beaver Dam hunt, and whilst we dropped seven birds, we left with only 3 Mallard Drakes.
Saturday, December 26, 2009, as a result of the very high water, we did not hunt.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Buckling Down for the Grind.
23 down, 37 to go. This is it -- the last break we'll get until the end of the big dance. Thus far, I've hunted 22 of those 23, and I don't intend to stop until the ducks do.
Once again, low clouds, overcast skies, and ducks in the Home Field. Today, we were soggy, but we saw lots of weary mallards on South winds and 50 degree temps. They didn't exactly work to our liking, but they did fly close enough to the blind for us to carve out 25 birds. Looks like some fairly nasty weather is setting in in the Dakotas and the Mid-West, so we'll be looking for those stupid birds any day now.
J-Hawk, Special Fred, Casey, the Don, Matthew, Gipper, and Cannon Ball (singular). 25 Birds, including 10 Mallards, 3 GWT, 1 Wigeon, 1 Gadwall, 10 Shovelers.
Total for Regular Season: 413
Combined Teal & Regular for 2009: 473
Birds Per Hunt: 18.7
Birds Per Day of Season: 17.96
245 Shovelers (Arrrrrrrrgh!)
96 Mallards
24 Specks
20 Green Wing
14 Pintails
6 Gadwall
2 Blue Wing
4 Wigeon
1 Red Head
1 Snow
Home Field: 321 (on 18 hunts = 17.83/day)
GW's: 56 (on 2 Hunts = 28/day)
Butterworth: 23 (on 1 Hunt)
Charles (East): 13 (on 1 Hunt)
Once again, low clouds, overcast skies, and ducks in the Home Field. Today, we were soggy, but we saw lots of weary mallards on South winds and 50 degree temps. They didn't exactly work to our liking, but they did fly close enough to the blind for us to carve out 25 birds. Looks like some fairly nasty weather is setting in in the Dakotas and the Mid-West, so we'll be looking for those stupid birds any day now.
J-Hawk, Special Fred, Casey, the Don, Matthew, Gipper, and Cannon Ball (singular). 25 Birds, including 10 Mallards, 3 GWT, 1 Wigeon, 1 Gadwall, 10 Shovelers.
Total for Regular Season: 413
Combined Teal & Regular for 2009: 473
Birds Per Hunt: 18.7
Birds Per Day of Season: 17.96
245 Shovelers (Arrrrrrrrgh!)
96 Mallards
24 Specks
20 Green Wing
14 Pintails
6 Gadwall
2 Blue Wing
4 Wigeon
1 Red Head
1 Snow
Home Field: 321 (on 18 hunts = 17.83/day)
GW's: 56 (on 2 Hunts = 28/day)
Butterworth: 23 (on 1 Hunt)
Charles (East): 13 (on 1 Hunt)
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
History Repeats Itself.
No, really . . . it DOES. Exhausted, but not broken, I returned to the Home Field Blind with the Don, J-Hawk, and our Mystery Guest this morning. Once again, the Mystery Guest had to leave within 15 minutes of shooting light, but he took his two shovelers with him when he left. I was late, 'cause I was tired. That notwithstanding, I wasn't gonna let the chance to bring those numbers back up pass me by.
As per the norm, we came out with limits, and those limits were comprised of mostly shovelers. 20 Ducks, including 2 Mallards, 1 Wigeon, 1 GWT, and 16 Boot-lipped Shovelers.
Total for Regular Season: 388
Combined Teal & Regular for 2009: 448
Birds Per Hunt: 18.4
Birds Per Day of Season: 17.64
235 Shovelers (Arrrrrrrrgh!)
86 Mallards
24 Specks
17 Green Wing
14 Pintails
5 Gadwall
2 Blue Wing
3 Wigeon
1 Red Head
1 Snow
Home Field: 296 (on 17 hunts = 17.41/day)
GW's: 56 (on 2 Hunts = 28/day)
Butterworth: 23 (on 1 Hunt)
Charles (East): 13 (on 1 Hunt)
As per the norm, we came out with limits, and those limits were comprised of mostly shovelers. 20 Ducks, including 2 Mallards, 1 Wigeon, 1 GWT, and 16 Boot-lipped Shovelers.
Total for Regular Season: 388
Combined Teal & Regular for 2009: 448
Birds Per Hunt: 18.4
Birds Per Day of Season: 17.64
235 Shovelers (Arrrrrrrrgh!)
86 Mallards
24 Specks
17 Green Wing
14 Pintails
5 Gadwall
2 Blue Wing
3 Wigeon
1 Red Head
1 Snow
Home Field: 296 (on 17 hunts = 17.41/day)
GW's: 56 (on 2 Hunts = 28/day)
Butterworth: 23 (on 1 Hunt)
Charles (East): 13 (on 1 Hunt)
Georgia Hands
On Sunday, December 20, 2009, we were graced by the arrival of Ray Tew and his sons, who hail from the Atlanta, GA area. I'll be the first to admit that I'd been sweating bullets because, as of Saturday, every duck in Northeast Arkansas was sitting smack dab in the middle of a field directly North of Rick's reservoir, and they didn't look as if they had any intentions of altering their pattern.
Nonetheless, God loves me, and he apparently don't hate them GA boys either. The winds gave us fits, and I cursed the weatherman on more than one occasion, but the end result was a fairly nice gut-pile.
On Sunday, the headcount was 21, including 3 Pintail, 1 Mallard, and 17 Shovelers.
On Sunday evening, as I was scouting Charles' Field in search of Monday's prey, I heard something curious. In the distance I could hear the sound of mallards feeding to the East. Following said curiosity, I drove around the ditch to discover a large raft of birds on the Butterworth field, which would be a first in the history of our farm. Appropriately, we set up on them on Monday, and the results were good, I must say. 23 Birds, Including 2 Mallards, 1 Wigeon, and 20 Shovelers.
In the afternoon, we moved the blind to Charles' East and hunted again, where we killed another 13 birds, including 2 Mallards and 11 Shovelers.
Total for Regular Season: 368
Combined Teal & Regular for 2009: 428
Birds Per Hunt: 18.4
Birds Per Day of Season: 17.52
219 Shovelers (Arrrrrrrrgh!)
84 Mallards
24 Specks
16 Green Wing
14 Pintails
5 Gadwall
2 Blue Wing
2 Wigeon
1 Red Head
1 Snow
Nonetheless, God loves me, and he apparently don't hate them GA boys either. The winds gave us fits, and I cursed the weatherman on more than one occasion, but the end result was a fairly nice gut-pile.
On Sunday, the headcount was 21, including 3 Pintail, 1 Mallard, and 17 Shovelers.
On Sunday evening, as I was scouting Charles' Field in search of Monday's prey, I heard something curious. In the distance I could hear the sound of mallards feeding to the East. Following said curiosity, I drove around the ditch to discover a large raft of birds on the Butterworth field, which would be a first in the history of our farm. Appropriately, we set up on them on Monday, and the results were good, I must say. 23 Birds, Including 2 Mallards, 1 Wigeon, and 20 Shovelers.
In the afternoon, we moved the blind to Charles' East and hunted again, where we killed another 13 birds, including 2 Mallards and 11 Shovelers.
Total for Regular Season: 368
Combined Teal & Regular for 2009: 428
Birds Per Hunt: 18.4
Birds Per Day of Season: 17.52
219 Shovelers (Arrrrrrrrgh!)
84 Mallards
24 Specks
16 Green Wing
14 Pintails
5 Gadwall
2 Blue Wing
2 Wigeon
1 Red Head
1 Snow
Catching Up.
Alrighty, then. Looks like we've got some catching up to do.
December 17, 2009, a leaner, crafty crew showed up at Gibson Farms just in time to watch the ice thaw and the birds not flying. We never even left the shop, determining instead to check some water, patch up some levees, and catch an afternoon at work. No hunting = no dux.
December 18, 2009, the Don & I gave 'er the old college try on the Home field, only to leave skunked and demoralized for a second time this season.
Saturday, December 19, 2009, Jake, Blake, Meredith, the Don, and I headed south to give things a look on the river. What we saw when we got there was low water and empty skies. Four days in a row with no ducks. Things are NOT pretty.
December 17, 2009, a leaner, crafty crew showed up at Gibson Farms just in time to watch the ice thaw and the birds not flying. We never even left the shop, determining instead to check some water, patch up some levees, and catch an afternoon at work. No hunting = no dux.
December 18, 2009, the Don & I gave 'er the old college try on the Home field, only to leave skunked and demoralized for a second time this season.
Saturday, December 19, 2009, Jake, Blake, Meredith, the Don, and I headed south to give things a look on the river. What we saw when we got there was low water and empty skies. Four days in a row with no ducks. Things are NOT pretty.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
There Will Be Blood.
Well, it had to happen eventually . . . and today it did. SKUNK!!!! Ouch. December 16, 2009, the 16th day of the 2009 Arkansas Waterfowl Season, is the day we left the blind empty-handed. Light wind, 20 degree temperatures, lots of ice, NO DUCKS!
We'll not be venturing out tomorrow morning, opting instead for the afternoon sneak-attack. Wish us luck. For the record, I'm mad at 'em now. There will be blood.
We'll not be venturing out tomorrow morning, opting instead for the afternoon sneak-attack. Wish us luck. For the record, I'm mad at 'em now. There will be blood.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
. . . and Smiling . . . and Smiling!
Well, we're officially 15 days deep in the 2009-2010 season, and of those 15 days, we've spent 13 in the old Home Field. She's been good to us, and despite the fact that we keep trying to bury her, she just won't die. I should also mention that the Home Field is exactly 27 birds short of an all-time record for total number of birds harvested in a single blind over an entire season. If the scenario doesn't change, we'll break that record tomorrow.
Yesterday's exit from GW's field yielded high expectations as we watched the swarm of birds encircling the Home Field. Unfortunately, the winds shifted out of the North at about 20 m.p.h. over night, creating a scenario wherein we were forced to face the sun this morning. For the record, it didn't matter. Neither the sunrise stare-down nor the mass of birds congregated in the top two paddies of the field would thwart our efforts today. J-Hawk, Papa, Gibby, Cannon, and a mystery guest who requested that he remain anonymous. Our mystery guest was forced to leave the blind after 10 minutes of hunting, but carried out his 3 shovelers as he left. That left only myself, J-Hawk, and Blind Dog to finish out the morning, but we did it with style. 21 Birds, including 12 Mallards, 3 Pins, 2 Gadwall, 4 Shovelers.
Total for Regular Season: 311
Combined Teal & Regular for 2009: 371
Birds Per Day: 20.73
171 Shovelers (Arrrrrrrrgh!)
79 Mallards
24 Specks
16 Green Wing
11 Pintails
5 Gadwall
2 Blue Wing
1 Wigeon
1 Red Head
1 Snow
Home Field: 255 -- avg. 19.61
GW's: 56 -- avg. 28
Yesterday's exit from GW's field yielded high expectations as we watched the swarm of birds encircling the Home Field. Unfortunately, the winds shifted out of the North at about 20 m.p.h. over night, creating a scenario wherein we were forced to face the sun this morning. For the record, it didn't matter. Neither the sunrise stare-down nor the mass of birds congregated in the top two paddies of the field would thwart our efforts today. J-Hawk, Papa, Gibby, Cannon, and a mystery guest who requested that he remain anonymous. Our mystery guest was forced to leave the blind after 10 minutes of hunting, but carried out his 3 shovelers as he left. That left only myself, J-Hawk, and Blind Dog to finish out the morning, but we did it with style. 21 Birds, including 12 Mallards, 3 Pins, 2 Gadwall, 4 Shovelers.
Total for Regular Season: 311
Combined Teal & Regular for 2009: 371
Birds Per Day: 20.73
171 Shovelers (Arrrrrrrrgh!)
79 Mallards
24 Specks
16 Green Wing
11 Pintails
5 Gadwall
2 Blue Wing
1 Wigeon
1 Red Head
1 Snow
Home Field: 255 -- avg. 19.61
GW's: 56 -- avg. 28
Monday, December 14, 2009
He's Still Smiling . . .
. . . and I like it. Again, a lean crew for the morning activities. Again, low clouds and moderate winds from the Southwest made hiding impossible. Ahh, but again, dumb ducks -- my favorite kind -- were the rule, not the exception. Blind Dog Willie, the Don, Fleabag, Gipper, and Cannonball (singular) emerged at 8:30 with full bags. Total: 26; 16 Mallards, 1 Pin, 1 GWT, 6 Shovelers, 2 Specks.
Total for Regular Season: 290
Combined Teal & Regular for 2009: 350
Birds Per Day: 20.71
167 Shovelers (Arrrrrrrrgh!)
67 Mallards
24 Specks
16 Green Wing
8 Pintails
3 Gadwall
2 Blue Wing
1 Wigeon
1 Red Head
1 Snow
Home Field: 234 -- avg. 19.5
GW's: 56 -- avg. 28
Total for Regular Season: 290
Combined Teal & Regular for 2009: 350
Birds Per Day: 20.71
167 Shovelers (Arrrrrrrrgh!)
67 Mallards
24 Specks
16 Green Wing
8 Pintails
3 Gadwall
2 Blue Wing
1 Wigeon
1 Red Head
1 Snow
Home Field: 234 -- avg. 19.5
GW's: 56 -- avg. 28
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Sometimes God Just Smiles On You
Boy Howdy, He sho-nuff did on us today. This was our first excursion on the farm outside the Home Field, which has been the go-to hole this season. Fortunately, having done a bit of scouting yesterday, we discovered a large concentration of mallards on GW's. After a quick team meeting, we set our sights on big ducks for Sunday morning.
Given the Sunday morning time slot, we had a fairly lean crew, consisting of the Fleabag, the Kid, J-Hawk, Meredith, and of course, ole Gibby -- a highly trained team of professional assassins.
Temps hovered in the lower 40's, but the gray skies and drizzling rain couldn't quench their desire for breakfast this morning. A quick blind set and a few dek's later, we plopped down on a levee and commenced to shooting at precisely 6:35 a.m. At 7:15, bags were full, limits were tapped, and we quickly realized that it had all passed before we really got the chance to enjoy it. We'd hoped that the mallards would show, and they exceeded our expectations with rare form. By far, it was the best hunt this season, and at 7:20 we walked out with 30 birds, including 20 Mallards and 10 Shovelers.
Total for Regular Season: 257
Combined Teal & Regular for 2009: 317
Birds Per Day: 19.77
160 Shovelers (Arrrrrrrrgh!)
22 Specks
51 Mallards
15 Green Wing
3 Gadwall
7 Pintails
2 Blue Wing
1 Wigeon
1 Red Head
1 Snow
Given the Sunday morning time slot, we had a fairly lean crew, consisting of the Fleabag, the Kid, J-Hawk, Meredith, and of course, ole Gibby -- a highly trained team of professional assassins.
Temps hovered in the lower 40's, but the gray skies and drizzling rain couldn't quench their desire for breakfast this morning. A quick blind set and a few dek's later, we plopped down on a levee and commenced to shooting at precisely 6:35 a.m. At 7:15, bags were full, limits were tapped, and we quickly realized that it had all passed before we really got the chance to enjoy it. We'd hoped that the mallards would show, and they exceeded our expectations with rare form. By far, it was the best hunt this season, and at 7:20 we walked out with 30 birds, including 20 Mallards and 10 Shovelers.
Total for Regular Season: 257
Combined Teal & Regular for 2009: 317
Birds Per Day: 19.77
160 Shovelers (Arrrrrrrrgh!)
22 Specks
51 Mallards
15 Green Wing
3 Gadwall
7 Pintails
2 Blue Wing
1 Wigeon
1 Red Head
1 Snow
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Obscene . . . Simply Obscene
Wulp, we've found our groove. That's not to say that we've got the game figured out, but we've finally fallen into the rut, and this season its coming early.
Friday, December 11, 2009, Tom Waleszonia joined Donnie, the Kid, and I for an afternoon shoot over the ice. Continuing the tradition, we smoked those wide-bills like there was no tomorrow. 4-man limits in about an hour -- 24 total. 2 Pintail, 22 SHOVELERS!!!!!
On Saturday, Tasha, J-Hawk, Jake, the Don, the Kid, Meredith, ole Gibby, and Cannonball (singular) made another trip to the fabled Home Field blind, the 12th such trip out of 12 hunts this season (that'd be 100%, for you math majors). Took us till noon, but we finally emerged with 39 birds, including 23 shovelers, 9 Mallards, 6 GW Teal, and 1 Speck.
Total for Regular Season: 234
Combined Teal & Regular for 2009: 294
Birds Per Day: 19.5
151 Shovelers (Arrrrrrrrgh!)
22 Specks
31 Mallards
15 Green Wing
3 Gadwall
7 Pintails
2 Blue Wing
1 Wigeon
1 Red Head
1 Snow
Friday, December 11, 2009, Tom Waleszonia joined Donnie, the Kid, and I for an afternoon shoot over the ice. Continuing the tradition, we smoked those wide-bills like there was no tomorrow. 4-man limits in about an hour -- 24 total. 2 Pintail, 22 SHOVELERS!!!!!
On Saturday, Tasha, J-Hawk, Jake, the Don, the Kid, Meredith, ole Gibby, and Cannonball (singular) made another trip to the fabled Home Field blind, the 12th such trip out of 12 hunts this season (that'd be 100%, for you math majors). Took us till noon, but we finally emerged with 39 birds, including 23 shovelers, 9 Mallards, 6 GW Teal, and 1 Speck.
Total for Regular Season: 234
Combined Teal & Regular for 2009: 294
Birds Per Day: 19.5
151 Shovelers (Arrrrrrrrgh!)
22 Specks
31 Mallards
15 Green Wing
3 Gadwall
7 Pintails
2 Blue Wing
1 Wigeon
1 Red Head
1 Snow
Friday, December 11, 2009
FINALLY!
Well, yesterday started out a bust. The second split of season was supposed to start out with blinding swarms of Mallards on the only open water available. Unfortunately, it didn't quite end up that way.
Despite the Don's admonition not to do so, I made the executive decision that he, Special Fred, Meredith, & I would head South in search of open water on the Thursday re-opening. Since we were en route to public spaces, we decided to leave J-town at 2:00 a.m. -- that's right, TWO IN THE MORNING. Doing so ensured that we'd be first in line to get our honey hole, and we left town in the wee hours with high expectations.
Unfortunately, our camping excursion remained private less than one hour, as company showed up by 3:45 a.m. What started as a party of four quickly turned to a party of eight, including two lads from South Carolina. Being Gentlemen, we welcomed them and ensured that there would be no hard feelings regarding their tagging along.
Fortunately, they didn't screw us up. By "didn't screw us up," what I mean is that there were no birds to be found, i.e., it sucked. Furthermore, we found that what sucks doesn't suck anymore with eight people than it does with four people. Sucks is as sucks does, and we finally left empty-handed at 9:30.
Demoralized, we returned to the farm for an afternoon skunk saver. At first, we gave them 30 minutes of our attention on the Lost 20. However, when that didn't happen, we shifted to the Home Field, and boy howdy, were we glad we did.
Seeing our first decent groups of mallards for the season, we promptly cut seven out of the first flock. And then another two out of the next flock, and then another three out of the next flock, etc. Just that quickly, we doubled our mallard count for the season. When the smoke cleared, our pile included 12 Mallards, 12 Shovelers, 2 Pins, 4 Greenwings, and 1 Mystery Bird. 31 for the day!!!
We set two records yesterday:
1. We have now actually surpassed the most ducks we have EVER killed in the Home Field in an entire season. Our previous high was in the 130's, and we have now killed 170, and in 10 days of hunting.
2. We have now actually surpassed the highest number of Northern Shovelers we have ever killed in a single season (ouch!).
Total for the day: 31 birds.
Total for Regular Season: 170
Combined Teal & Regular for 2009: 230
Birds Per Day: 17.00
106 Shovelers (Arrrrrrrrgh!)
21 Specks
22 Mallards
9 Green Wing
3 Gadwall
5 Pintails
1 Blue Wing
1 Wigeon
1 Red Head
1 Snow
Despite the Don's admonition not to do so, I made the executive decision that he, Special Fred, Meredith, & I would head South in search of open water on the Thursday re-opening. Since we were en route to public spaces, we decided to leave J-town at 2:00 a.m. -- that's right, TWO IN THE MORNING. Doing so ensured that we'd be first in line to get our honey hole, and we left town in the wee hours with high expectations.
Unfortunately, our camping excursion remained private less than one hour, as company showed up by 3:45 a.m. What started as a party of four quickly turned to a party of eight, including two lads from South Carolina. Being Gentlemen, we welcomed them and ensured that there would be no hard feelings regarding their tagging along.
Fortunately, they didn't screw us up. By "didn't screw us up," what I mean is that there were no birds to be found, i.e., it sucked. Furthermore, we found that what sucks doesn't suck anymore with eight people than it does with four people. Sucks is as sucks does, and we finally left empty-handed at 9:30.
Demoralized, we returned to the farm for an afternoon skunk saver. At first, we gave them 30 minutes of our attention on the Lost 20. However, when that didn't happen, we shifted to the Home Field, and boy howdy, were we glad we did.
Seeing our first decent groups of mallards for the season, we promptly cut seven out of the first flock. And then another two out of the next flock, and then another three out of the next flock, etc. Just that quickly, we doubled our mallard count for the season. When the smoke cleared, our pile included 12 Mallards, 12 Shovelers, 2 Pins, 4 Greenwings, and 1 Mystery Bird. 31 for the day!!!
We set two records yesterday:
1. We have now actually surpassed the most ducks we have EVER killed in the Home Field in an entire season. Our previous high was in the 130's, and we have now killed 170, and in 10 days of hunting.
2. We have now actually surpassed the highest number of Northern Shovelers we have ever killed in a single season (ouch!).
Total for the day: 31 birds.
Total for Regular Season: 170
Combined Teal & Regular for 2009: 230
Birds Per Day: 17.00
106 Shovelers (Arrrrrrrrgh!)
21 Specks
22 Mallards
9 Green Wing
3 Gadwall
5 Pintails
1 Blue Wing
1 Wigeon
1 Red Head
1 Snow
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