Rainy then sunny opener.

[Spirit's Master]

After a rainy set up in the dark and heavy rain, the sun poked out just as we were packing up.

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt333/SpiritsMaster/20141011_110534_1.jpg (http://s625.photobucket.com/user/SpiritsMaster/media/20141011_110534_1.jpg.html)


Only one mallard hen and a teal hen to show for the day but it is always good to be back in the blind.

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt333/SpiritsMaster/20141011_110510_9.jpg (http://s625.photobucket.com/user/SpiritsMaster/media/20141011_110510_9.jpg.html)

And it's always good luck for the next day to see an owl and flush two grouse on the drive out.


http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt333/SpiritsMaster/20141011_112320_7.jpg (http://s625.photobucket.com/user/SpiritsMaster/media/20141011_112320_7.jpg.html)

cwf

[dak0ta]

Went out for an evening hunt just before sunset. Got 2 ducks in about 30 minutes, a mallard drake and teal hen. Need to bring more ammo next time. The Federal 3'' Mag BB shots seem to pattern well in my Benelli Nova.

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx226/knightofcydonia87/photo1_zps7a23e2f0.jpg

[duckhunter1488]

I really need to get out hunting with people who have experience! I got out there...set up, about 10 minutes in 2 mallards landed JUST too far right of my blind to get a clean shot off so I let them be.
Saw a couple other small flocks overhead but too far out to turn any of them! Saw a bunch of geese overhead but I dont have any geese decoys or have too much interest in hunting them.

[Spirit's Master]

Live decoys are my favourite. Just wait it out quietly, more ducks will follow and you'll get your shot.

cwf

[dak0ta]

Stay still, wear something over your head, look with your eyes. Calculate flight trajectory and follow suit. Follow through with your swing and you shall connect.

[duckhunter1488]

haha Will definitely take the tips into consideration...not going to lie, i may have panicked at the fact it was my first time out alone and couldnt believe how quickly I had ducks landing....I may or may not have got out of the blind to see if I could get em haha. Oh well, live and learn! I will hopefully take some next time im out! I am impressed with the actually positive and helpful tips and hints the people on this forum have been able to provide me with! Glad to see there is a positive place for newer hunters to feel welcomed!

[duckhunter1488]

Question for those with expericence:
Am I better off to place my decoys near the creek/wetland/marshy area next to the open field that I am hunting on? OR am I better off to place my decoys on the open field and hunt early season waterfowl a little bit away from the marsh area edge?
I placed my decoys this time out close to the marsh edge and along the shallow water.....unfortunately due to lack of scouting they were placed away from the direction of flight path of all the birds. Just wondering which is more likely to be a success?

[Discoverer]

... The Federal 3'' Mag BB shots seem to pattern well in my Benelli Nova.


BB for ducks?! It may explain why you need more ammo .. :)

[dak0ta]

BB works quite well for the larger ducks like the mallard, but I found for the smaller ones, some #2s or #4s are required. It's really hard to switch back and forth when all types of ducks are flying around. So I decided just go with what I had the most of on hand.

Do you guys use 2s or 4s for the small-med sized ducks?

[shotgunjohn]

Always best to put your dekes where the ducks want to be. That means either scouting the spot ahead of time or being ready to adjust once your in the field.
For shot size with steel we use 2's for ducks and BB's for geese but each will kill the other if you don't have time to change loads.

[Foxton Gundogs]

I use 3s for ducks and BBs for geese If there's a chance for both then #2s works fine for me.

[Discoverer]

#2 for all ducks and BBB for geese. And if I have no time to reload I will use #2 for geese too, which works just fine.

[Foxton Gundogs]

#2 for all ducks and BBB for geese. And if I have no time to reload I will use #2 for geese too, which works just fine.

I have never found triple Bs to pattern or penetrate well and Ts are even worse, I much prefer BBs or even 1s.

[field marshal]

#4 20ga. for ducks BB's for geese. Works for me. Cheers----Field Marshal.

[lorneparker1]

^^^^ look who got the internet!

[field marshal]

^^^^ look who got the internet!

Nope, this is my daughters computer! Cheers-----Field Marshal.

[Foxton Gundogs]

Nope, this is my daughters computer! Cheers-----Field Marshal.

Free Wi-Fi at Timmy's and a man needs his coffee lol