Opening Day on the Island

[jethro]

So who's going out tomorrow for opening day on VI? I can't wait to get out there for some ducks and geese. Got a new Benelli and can't wait to hammer some birds. I don't have any dogs this year but I got a buddy (bird retriever) who wants to tag along. I hope everyone has a great season opener!

[Marc]

I'll be out tomorrow morning with Marshall and the new layout boat. Keep the shots inside 40 yards guys and have fun!

[jethro]

I'll be out tomorrow morning with Marshall and the new layout boat. Keep the shots inside 40 yards guys and have fun!

X2 on keeping the shots within reasonable range. I hope there are less skybusters out on the bay than in past years. There is no reason to shoot at ducks beyond 40yds. even if you are a good enough shot to hit the bird (and most guys are not) you have a better chance of crippling it than killing it cleanly. Plus you ruin the day for the serious hunters by scaring all the birds. With a few decoys and a bit of calling practice anyone should be able to get the ducks within 25-30yds. Personally, I don't like to pull the trigger until the duck sets its wings and I can see the feet drop down. One more thought - Just because you have 3 shells in the gun, doesn't mean you need to empty the mag everytime a bird flys near. By the time most guys get that 3rd shot off the bird is out of range.

[Marc]

I'll be out in this tomorrow, heading outside now to grass it up so you may see me or you may not

[jethro]

That is one beauty of a duck huntin machine ya got there Marc! I doubt neither the ducks nor me will see ya in that sweet unit. With the tide being so low tomorrow, you should be able to get right to the birds. I'll probably have to hike a km or more on the tidal flats just to get to some water!

[PGK]

Have fun guys, take plenty of pics. I'll be balls deep in a swamp as well!

[Marc]

From what I can see on the tide charts it's not going to be a really low tide tomorrow. I was out there this evening around 6:00pm and the tide was a fair ways up. I'll play it buy ear if I decide to follow the tide out or not. I picked up some over-sized duck shell decoys that look fairly decent on the flats so we'll play it by ear.

[Marc]

Well just finished cleaning the birds from yesterday. The drake mallards had a small crab chewed up in it's crop. that duck should be interesting to try. I'll have to mark the bag to see if I notice any real difference in taste.



The mallard on the right had a darker fat color, I guess well find out the next time I've got people over for duck by the reaction on their face