warnniklz
12-29-2010, 05:32 PM
So since I had to come back to the coast from Williams Lake earlier than planned, I thought I'd drag gramps out duck hunting.
We got up at 5:30 with the intent to be in the field by 7. We were in the Ladner area by 6:30 and it was still pretty dark. So we hit up Timmy Ho's for an early morning coffee/hot chocolate.
We got to the farm we were going to hunt before day light. Gramps and I went and chatted to Mr. Farmer for a bit and this lead to being a little late getting into the field (Gramps can talk a lot). We made our way across the field to the ditch we usually hunt. Gramps went left and I went right. I jumped a wideon and missed him. How? I don't know. He was probably only 20 yards out. As I was making my way to the spot I wanted to hunt. Two mallard drakes snuck in behind me, flying low and quiet. Having my 20 gauge 870 slung on my shoulder I wasn't ready for them. I got one shot off and by this time they were out of range.
8:30 rolled by and 3 big flights of ducks came overhead but up a good 300yrds. I asked Gramps if he seen them. He didn't because he was busy playing in the ditch. Well he pulled a bunch of garbage out.... anyone need an abb master?
I stayed out for another hour not seeing much. So I made my way back along another ditch. I jumped one mallard drake and didn't touch the trigger on this one. I slowed up and quietly peeked over the edge. Down the ditch I could see ripples in the water up 60 yards or so. I quietly made up 40 yards. I crept up to the edge of the ditch and jumped a mallard hen. BANG! one shot and she's down. I climb down and fetch her out of the ditch. Climbing back out I stood up and accidentally touched the electric fence! What an electrifying experience. Thanks for rubber waders!
Anywho. 3rd duck of the year :( 4th animal of the year :( (other being a grouse from my moose trip) In the pictures I think you can see that I ended up making a pretty good shot.
I got her home roasted her up(maybe I'll do a thread on that part... if the demand is there) and had her for supper and lunch today!! I'll be headed back out Jan 2nd and 3rd. Maybe the first depending on my head! Ah ha!
On a side note: after we finished hunting the field/ditches, we drove boundry bay to see what the ducks were doing. They were out there! Thousands! in one picture with the two eagles on the stump you can see a black cloud of ducks! So if you're hunting a punt or boat boundry bay on a high tide looks pretty good. Seen lots of eagles and hawks too out there.
http://s759.photobucket.com/albums/xx239/warnniklz/Duck%20Hunting%20Dec%2028%202010/?action=view¤t=6302.jpg
We got up at 5:30 with the intent to be in the field by 7. We were in the Ladner area by 6:30 and it was still pretty dark. So we hit up Timmy Ho's for an early morning coffee/hot chocolate.
We got to the farm we were going to hunt before day light. Gramps and I went and chatted to Mr. Farmer for a bit and this lead to being a little late getting into the field (Gramps can talk a lot). We made our way across the field to the ditch we usually hunt. Gramps went left and I went right. I jumped a wideon and missed him. How? I don't know. He was probably only 20 yards out. As I was making my way to the spot I wanted to hunt. Two mallard drakes snuck in behind me, flying low and quiet. Having my 20 gauge 870 slung on my shoulder I wasn't ready for them. I got one shot off and by this time they were out of range.
8:30 rolled by and 3 big flights of ducks came overhead but up a good 300yrds. I asked Gramps if he seen them. He didn't because he was busy playing in the ditch. Well he pulled a bunch of garbage out.... anyone need an abb master?
I stayed out for another hour not seeing much. So I made my way back along another ditch. I jumped one mallard drake and didn't touch the trigger on this one. I slowed up and quietly peeked over the edge. Down the ditch I could see ripples in the water up 60 yards or so. I quietly made up 40 yards. I crept up to the edge of the ditch and jumped a mallard hen. BANG! one shot and she's down. I climb down and fetch her out of the ditch. Climbing back out I stood up and accidentally touched the electric fence! What an electrifying experience. Thanks for rubber waders!
Anywho. 3rd duck of the year :( 4th animal of the year :( (other being a grouse from my moose trip) In the pictures I think you can see that I ended up making a pretty good shot.
I got her home roasted her up(maybe I'll do a thread on that part... if the demand is there) and had her for supper and lunch today!! I'll be headed back out Jan 2nd and 3rd. Maybe the first depending on my head! Ah ha!
On a side note: after we finished hunting the field/ditches, we drove boundry bay to see what the ducks were doing. They were out there! Thousands! in one picture with the two eagles on the stump you can see a black cloud of ducks! So if you're hunting a punt or boat boundry bay on a high tide looks pretty good. Seen lots of eagles and hawks too out there.
http://s759.photobucket.com/albums/xx239/warnniklz/Duck%20Hunting%20Dec%2028%202010/?action=view¤t=6302.jpg