Pro Staff: Another Duck Hunt, Another Limit
Hi everyone. It’s Wesley, checking back in after another successful Eastern Colorado duck hunt.
My story begins like this: It was an outstandingly cold morning with temperatures well below zero. Before I even got to the river I knew it would be frozen. But I also knew something many other hunters didn’t know—the spots that would have open water…and attract birds.
Having grown up hunting this particular river, I know it like the back of my hand. I know where the ducks will be, and I know when they’ll be there. I chose to walk into a spot about a mile from the road, which, in all my years of hunting, I have never seen frozen. When I saw that the rest of the river was indeed frozen, I knew that was a good sign. On past hunts whenever the rest of the river was frozen the birds packed onto the spot where I was headed.
I arrived at the spot well before light and tossed the heavy decoy bag off my back. I thought, “Man this is going to be a great day.” I set out my decoys in hen-and-drake pairs and family groups, which mimics how the birds behave in the area this time of the season. Once I had my decoys set out and my dog Cedar settled in a thicket of small Russian Olive trees next to the river, we both waited for the sun to poke up over the horizon.
About 20 minutes later the sky was full with the faint sound of whistling wings. Every once in a while, right above me, I’d hear “tweet tweet tweet tweet.” And although it was still too dark to see, I knew the ducks were flying everywhere. As the sun rose and shooting light came around, I began to see all kinds of ducks in the sky. There were teal, wigeon, and mallards everywhere. I began calling at the first group of mallards, and it was like they were on a string: Right when I hit those notes on my call, they turned on a dime and circled my setup once, cupped their wings, and, before I knew it, they were in my decoys.
I rose up. Two shots rang out—BANG! BANG!—and two nice fat drake mallards fell to the water. I called out ”mark!” to Cedar and sent her to retrieve the downed birds. This same routine continued for about an hour and a half until I had my limit. When it was all over, I walked the long mile back to my pickup and headed for home with another successful Colorado duck hunt under my belt.
The day was extremely cold but getting out there and braving the extreme temperatures paid off with a nice full stringer of ducks. —Wesley
Way to beat out the cold and get out into the field. Below zero temperatures would make some hunters stay inside. Good work.
January 6th, 2009 at 7:58 pmAnother great duck hunting story Wes. Keep them coming. . .
I think those late season days with temps that hover near zero are some of the best. . . Good photo too, very seasonal!
January 7th, 2009 at 8:43 amnice ducks that sounds like it was a fun hunt keep your stories coming they are very intresting
January 8th, 2009 at 9:01 amawesome story! keep them coming. sounds like you had a good hunt!
January 9th, 2009 at 11:45 pmI have been reading F&S this am and would like more info about being a Generation Wild
February 15th, 2009 at 1:29 pmGear Tester. I am 62 years old and have been fishing all my life.I am retired dnd have
ample time to to devote to testing. I have a great boat and motor,and am within 2 hours
of the Columbia,and snake rivers, and Moses Lake area.
I thoroughly enjoy reading F&S and get a lot out of it.
I await your reply. Thanx, Pat
Nice Drake Widgeon! Here in central pa that is a rare trohpy. If you are ever interested i will take you snow goose hunting in lebanon county, our season was extended until April 1st.
February 23rd, 2009 at 2:49 pmI would Just like to say Good Luck to whom Ever May Go Hunting! I’m not a Selfish person , and I don’t get jealous if I don’t kill and thing! It makes me happy to see someone else Kill a Animal ! I do have Good Sportsmanship ! GOOD LUCK EVERYONE !
February 26th, 2009 at 9:21 amHey Nathan I would love to go snow goose hunting with you man. Sorry for the late reply ive been so busy with school lately i havent had much time to do much of anything else at all. But ya man i would love to go on a snow goose hunt and then maybe next season you could come out here to CO and we could shoot some ducks!
March 16th, 2009 at 12:19 amSorry, our season’s over but definitely next year I would take you we are always looking for shooters to get into the field. This seasons total was 226, one neck collar, three bands, two blues. Just email me at redneckcollar@yahoo.com and I will email you back when the best dates are, this year it was a blast and I’d love to take another “outdoor writer” on a snow goose hunt. Me and my dad have a combined 1200 sillosocks and 35 fliers. 5 avery layout blinds. Well be ready to rock.
March 31st, 2009 at 10:11 am