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 amI have never had the opportunity to duck hunt,but it look awesome.I am more of a whitetail hunter and hopefully I get a shot with my bow at a black bear this year. I have gotten a few pictures of some bear on my trail camera.So we’ll see what happens. I’ll keep everyone posted on my results this year.
August 28th, 2009 at 4:02 pmi am a very good hunter and looking to to on your pro staf
September 3rd, 2009 at 5:27 pmi have never had the chance to hunt ducks, but i would like the chance to though. i have hunted whitetail deer and i have done alot of wild boar hunting around my area in texas.
September 4th, 2009 at 4:08 pmJuanita Booker, a journalist would love to be one of four Generation Wild pro staff members and meet with FIeld and streams for writing articles and participating in sports.
I have written travel articles and for several other publications. Home telephone number is 4047531582. Mailing address is Juanita Booker, P. O. Box 82363, Atlanta, Ga. 30354. I prefer you call and discuss my selection. Thank you! Nothing like the outdooors and fresh air!!!~
September 25th, 2009 at 10:39 amI come from southwest Minnestoa where the deer and pheasant hunting is a challenging and cherrished event for any hunter. It’s handed down through the generations. Hunting isn’t just sport here, it puts food on the table. It is necessary.
The incredible part about that is it has helped close the circle of life. For many years we have been hearing from the DNR about over population in the deer herds. Well, hunting for sport and to feed your family is “just what the Dr. ordered!”
I learned to hunt with my Dad as a kid and sort of left it behind for while. I got back into it a few years ago and really got jazzed up. I watch every hunting and fishing program that I can to help improve my skills. I spend time hiking and camping on our hunting land so I know the trails and feeding patterns of the game.
I turned 41 this year and I’ve been seriously hunting the last 5 years. I got a CVA Wolf muzzle loader and I can’t say I have much interest in hunting slug any more. What a rush! I have filled my tags every year since becomming a muzzy freak. Hope I continue on that record.
I also recently purchased a 870 express 28 gauge. First shot and she turned out to be a meat gun, as well. What can I say, I can never take full credit for a good shot. Our weapons are definitely as much a part of our success in the field as we are in our skill as a hunter.
OK, so I’ve bragged about my two favorite October thru December weapons. It is September 25th that I am writing this so I am a little focused. If you were to catch me in April I would be talking Walleys.
I do need to mention the importance of handing the passion and skill of hunting down through the generations. My father has taught me, just as his taught him. It was that way as far back as Dad remembers in his family. For food and for enjoyment. But there was always resprct for the land, land owners and the law.
There is nothing like crawling into your blind at 5:30 in the morning. Watching the fog roll of the food plot and hearing the world come alive. The owls, blue jays, nut hatches and squirrels are husstling around. Then the pheasants all start to roost. They hate to be wet and want to get up off the dewy ground. So, they start crowing and flying up into the trees. This is as close as you get to God folks. Here you are in all his majesty, this beautiful world He has created and given to us.
Pretty soon I start to see faint light coming into the sights on my gun. There goes my heart rate. My ears literally start to twitch as I listen for the foot steps of a buck that’s gone stupid from the rut. All he can think of is finding a ripe doe. Food is the last thing on his mind. And he really isn’t watching out too carefully for me either.
The sun is on the rise and I hear the leaves and branches start to rustle. I three deer moving in
September 25th, 2009 at 5:55 pmI come from southwest Minnestoa where the deer and pheasant hunting is a challenging and cherrished event for any hunter. It’s handed down through the generations. Hunting isn’t just sport here, it puts food on the table. It is necessary.
The incredible part about that is it has helped close the circle of life. For many years we have been hearing from the DNR about over population in the deer herds. Well, hunting for sport and to feed your family is “just what the Dr. ordered!”
I learned to hunt with my Dad as a young kid. But, it’s just been the last few years I have really gotten jazzed up over it. I watch every hunting and fishing program that I can to help improve my skills. I spend time hiking and camping on our hunting land so I know the trails and feeding patterns of the game.
Three years ago I got a CVA Wolf muzzle loader and I can’t say I have much interest in hunting slug any more. What a rush! I have filled my tags every year since becoming a muzzy freak. Hope I continue on that record.
I also recently purchased a 870 express 28 gauge. First shot and it turned out to be a meat gun, as well. What can I say, I can never take full credit for a good shot. Our weapons are definitely as much a part of our success in the field as we are in our skill as a hunter.
OK, so I’ve bragged about my two favorite October thru December weapons. It is September 25th that I am writing this so I am a little focused. If you were to catch me in April I would be talking Walleys.
I do need to mention the importance of handing the passion and skill of hunting down through the generations. My father has taught me, just as his taught him. It was that way as far back as Dad remembers in his family. For food and for enjoyment. But there was always respect for the land, land owners and the law.
There is nothing like crawling into your blind at 5:30 in the morning. Watching the fog roll of the food plot and hearing the world come alive. The owls, blue jays, nut hatches and squirrels are husstling around. Then the pheasants all start to roost. They hate to be wet and want to get up off the dewy ground. So, they start crowing and flying up into the trees. This is as close as you get to God, here on the planet, folks. Here you are in all His majesty, this beautiful world He has created and given to us.
Pretty soon I start to see faint light coming into the sights on my gun. There goes my heart rate. My ears literally start to twitch as I listen for the foot steps of a buck that’s gone stupid from the rut. All he can think of is finding a ripe doe. Food is the last thing on his mind. And he really isn’t going to be watching out too carefully for me either.
The sun is on the rise and I hear the leaves and branches start to rustle. I locate three deer moving into the far end of the sorgum patch. Blank! I’ve lost every thing. I can’t think. I can’t breathe. All I hear is blood pounding in my ears. Now I can’t even see the deer cause my eyes have started to water.
I force myself to take a deep breath and focus on the deer. I start trying to decide which one is the biggest and is moving my way. I take another breath and line up the sights. I keep my breathing regulated and squeeze the trigger.
I can hardly hold it in! I dropped that deer! I know it hit the ground. Now the adrenaline is pounding through me. I want to scream. But, I know to stay quiet and get busy reloading. Dad taught me early on that for some reason the other deer that were there will some times some back.
So, I get out my preload tube with pellets and bullet and shove them down the barrel with the ram rod. I put in a fresh cap and take a breath. OK, get out the bleat, the grunt and get ready. Breathe. And wouldn’t you know it, the brush starts to rustle again!
I’ve got my gun ready and when the deer walks over where the other one is laying I take aim and shoot. Down he goes! Yes!!!!!! I reload one more time and crawl out of my blind to go get a look at my deer. They had dropped 10 feet apart from each other. What a hunt! What till Dad hears his tag is full before 7 am on the first day of the season. A doe and a buck. Not bad for the first year out with a new gun.
If we hurry and get these deer hung by 9 we can get out the meat gun and go after those pheasant that I heard roosting.
Believe it or not, this was my first year getting back into hunting deer. Each year since has been more challenging and even more exciting. The hunting here is a new experience every day. So, bring on the season. I’m primed.
Oh, and if you have room for me there on the generation wild staff I sure would like to share some more stories and get in on some hunts with the wild gang.
September 25th, 2009 at 10:06 pmI wish sometimes people would realize that this is a website for kids 18 and younger. Read, please.
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February 17th, 2010 at 11:11 pm