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Wow! Has it been an odd duck year

So far species shot are

Blue Wing Teal
Green Wing Teal
Widgeon
Canvasback
Ruddy Duck

What an odd mix

Who else has shot ducks this year?

Mike

p.s. send the Mallards down!!!!!!!!

Member Joined: 25 Oct 2010 Posts: 199 Location: NJ

I've shot rails, teal, mallards, a black duck, surf scoters, common scoters and watched brant zoom by overhead to start the season, but...this is New Jersey.

The hurricane has put paid to our season for not sure how long. The marina where I keep my Whaler was basically wiped out, Whaler was in the driveway but hammered by other boats swept onto the street and into our yard (only 4 of them), decoys spread over the entire lot when the storage sheds were destroyed (got most of the back already if that on coming Nor'easter doesn't hammer us next week), ramps in Belmar where we went sea ducking are off limits now; Barnegat Light has been swept by the sea so that inlet will be hard to use; Beach Haven is off limits still and Long Beach Island is closed to all still. Those are places we have hunted for years but this year will be tough.

So, will have to look to the marshes and the bay for action later in the season when the buffs and Old Squaws come down. Think I'll take a 16 out to the fields to see if this cold snap brings any Woodcock down.

New Jersey is not a happy place this week...no power, no traffic lights, gas lines stretching 1/2 a mile to be conservative, gas rationing, tons of household goods on the streets, docks, boats, and whatever piled on the yards, beaches and marshes. So it will take a bit of doing to get out for ducks...the brant season opens on the coast on the 10th but don't quite have the heart for it yet. Maybe next week.

Ah, but the bright spot is a new granddaughter born today, a red head in the family tradition!

Good Lord, Dave!! Sorry to hear about your season getting screwed up by the weather! Down below you, here on the NC outer banks, Sandy came for a visit, but her center stayed far enough offshore that we did not fare quite so badly as you folks. Sure hope you can get back to normal in time to salvage a little late season shooting! Here is hoping any northeaster will stay well offshore and not visit any of us!

CONGRATS on the new grandaughter! What a time for the poor kid to come into the world...but her happy arrival will help take your mind off a hundred other little weather-related unpleasantries! Get ready for some fun years ahead! Very Happy

....Thoughts and Prayers to all of those affected by that storm!

Using my recently aquired 16ga Model 21, I shot five Wigeon here in So Cal this morning.

There are a lot of ducks around and our species mix is pretty typical for this area except that there are more Wigeon than usual for this time of year. I've been told that it's dry down by San Jacinto and Hemit, which are Wigeon hangouts so maybe that's why they're here in the Chino/Corona area.

Member Joined: 20 Sep 2012 Posts: 3

Mallards could soon be on there way. I had to break ice to set decoys yesterday. I hunt Michigan farmland pot holes. I'm not happy unless I'm sittin in a good snot. Mallartds and woodies galore this year. Woodies noticibly more abundant. With the cold spell we've just gotten the woodies are likely headed south already. Who said 16ga isn't a duck gun? That person never set a good snot with ducks in close and intimate.

LDave, congrats on the new granddaughter, a red headed lining in a dark NJ cloud. Wink

Teticork, welcome aboard in your first post. You are preaching to the choir. Gil

Member Joined: 20 Sep 2012 Posts: 3

Appreciate the welcome thanks.

This morning
2 shovelers (double), 1 Drake Pintail, and one BANDED Ringneck hen Smile

Set up a small spread of 9 mallards and 9 widgeon decoys

teticork, WELCOME

Mike

p.s.
so now ...

Blue Wing Teal
Green Wing Teal
Widgeon
Canvasback
Ruddy Duck
Pintail
Shoveler
Ringneck

Send the mallards Very Happy