Mark W
Well-known member
This weekend it is youth waterfowl weekend. I took my son and one of his best buds (both named Christian - what's the chances of that) hunting this morning. I decided to hit a good, but a spot that tends to be popular. I know this area well and knew that if it was crowded, I could go into one of the back channels where no one goes but the wood ducks tend to fly to. If nothing elses, the boys would get some passing shots at woodies.
Got to the landing and there was no one there. Good sign. Started boating to the spot thinking the whole time we would see spot lights soon enough. Nothing. Changed our plans and set up in a good overall duck spot with every intention to move if we see the flocks of woodies winging their way over to the woodie spot.
Got the dekes out and watched the morning come alive.
View attachment duck1.jpg
View attachment Duck2.jpg
Five minutes before legal time a small flock of ducks landed in the decoys. Should have seen the boys shaking with excitement. "Is it time yet Dad"? - "Nope". "Is it time yet Dad"?. "Nope" "Is it time YET Dad"? "Nope". And so this went every 30 seconds for 5 minutes. By the time the legal hunting time began the ducks had swam out of range. Didn't stop the boys from taking a couple of shots. Nothing dropped.
5 minutes later here comes a pair of ducks. Boys have got the guns over the blind and are intently watching the ducks circle and circle. "Can we take em yet Dad"?. "Not yet boys". Ducks come into the dekes with their wings cupped and I say "Now". My son gets the first duck and his friend Christian gets the other duck - first time he had ever fired a shotgun in his life. I told him it was going to be his lucky day and that the duck he shot was probably banded. No band.
The morning went by with many opportunities for the boys to get shots at ducks and geese. Highlight of my day was when my son shot a double on a couple of greenheads. It was his first ever. I think he is still smiling.
View attachment duck4.jpg
Great day all in all. Lots of shooting, lots of good discussion and memories that will last quite a while. Only bad thing is that since my son was shooting my gun, and shooting it well, I can't blame the gun when I get out next week. Now he wants a 12 gauge semi auto.
View attachment duck5.jpg
Mark W
Got to the landing and there was no one there. Good sign. Started boating to the spot thinking the whole time we would see spot lights soon enough. Nothing. Changed our plans and set up in a good overall duck spot with every intention to move if we see the flocks of woodies winging their way over to the woodie spot.
Got the dekes out and watched the morning come alive.
View attachment duck1.jpg
View attachment Duck2.jpg
Five minutes before legal time a small flock of ducks landed in the decoys. Should have seen the boys shaking with excitement. "Is it time yet Dad"? - "Nope". "Is it time yet Dad"?. "Nope" "Is it time YET Dad"? "Nope". And so this went every 30 seconds for 5 minutes. By the time the legal hunting time began the ducks had swam out of range. Didn't stop the boys from taking a couple of shots. Nothing dropped.
5 minutes later here comes a pair of ducks. Boys have got the guns over the blind and are intently watching the ducks circle and circle. "Can we take em yet Dad"?. "Not yet boys". Ducks come into the dekes with their wings cupped and I say "Now". My son gets the first duck and his friend Christian gets the other duck - first time he had ever fired a shotgun in his life. I told him it was going to be his lucky day and that the duck he shot was probably banded. No band.
The morning went by with many opportunities for the boys to get shots at ducks and geese. Highlight of my day was when my son shot a double on a couple of greenheads. It was his first ever. I think he is still smiling.
View attachment duck4.jpg
Great day all in all. Lots of shooting, lots of good discussion and memories that will last quite a while. Only bad thing is that since my son was shooting my gun, and shooting it well, I can't blame the gun when I get out next week. Now he wants a 12 gauge semi auto.
View attachment duck5.jpg
Mark W