Author: Webmaster

Posted By:
Al-Faber
Field Editor

Central and NW Ohio 06-19-2010 12:09
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
Central Ohio getting lots of rain this Spring and Summer which should create and foster ideal nesting conditions.

Just back from Camp Perry up on Lake Erie and conditions seem great there also. Noticed Fowl Fooler Inc. for sale if anyone is interested in an outfitting/decoy/call business:)

Will miss Captain Charlie, he once helped me improve my calling when I stopped in to purchase a call.

Wonder how conditions on the Gulf will effect the duck habitat and populations in wintering areas. I am told the next DU magazine will have several articles on the subject.

Time to scout, get permission slips lined up, clean the decoys and prep the boat!

Be safe, teach a youngster to hunt & respect the great outdoors…and pass on the hens…!

Posted By:
Anthony-Santoli
Field Editor

05-05-2010 08:16
– – –
All in all the bredding grounds appear to be in excellent shape for all of the little ones. Although a few parts in Alberta,Saskatchewan are not so good,,, the Dakotas, Minnesota and Montana are looking A1. The powerhouse of the Missouri Coteau region is set for a pristine hatch of waterfowl this year. Parts above Ohio in Ontario ar enot so good this year, but other parts of Ontario are in pretty good shape as far as nesting goes. The lake Erie marshes are full of ducks and geese and I have also noticed on my journeys throughout the state that ducks are spread out. Some parts of the state remain very wet, while others are dry. I am also thinking that Snow geese will have a good hatch this year.

Posted By:
Al-Faber
Field Editor

Central Ohio Scouting 04-29-2010 14:48
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 60-65 Degrees
Large numbers of Geese in the area, more than usual for this time of the year. However, far less number of ducks.

Rainfall has been sparse, needs to pick-up.

Posted By:
Al-Faber
Field Editor

Central Ohio Scouting 04-29-2010 14:48
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 60-65 Degrees
Large numbers of Geese in the area, more than usual for this time of the year. However, far less number of ducks.

Rainfall has been sparse, needs to pick-up.

Posted By:
Anthony-Santoli
Field Editor

04-13-2010 08:27
– – –
Been seeing good amounts of birds this Spring. A lot of have actually settled on my areas and paired up to nest. Several pairs of geese, several pairs of mallards and gadwalls… good amount of woodducks paired up as well.

Posted By:
bridgeman
Web Member

Ohio River below Rome, Ohio 01-24-2010 17:28
Cloudy, Winds Calm – 40-45 Degrees
Duck Hunt 1-23-10
After my no duck day yesterday, went to Rome Ohio River mile 384. My partner went to bed at 9:00 pm and his wife said do not disturb when I called to set up our hunt Friday nite. The man is 79. Had a great breakfast of pancakes, bacon and egg at the Alberdeen Yum Yum. Wane(a local) was there and was being harassed by a friend. I did learn the the Aberdeen Police had a guy spread eagle on the ground on 52 last nite. I have decided to take my model 12 instead of the 1100 today. Drove to Rome and was at ramp by 9:30 to see I was second. River at 35 cloudy Downstream breeze, yes I said Downstream. On the Ohio River the only time the wind blows it is from the west or US. As I was putting the boat in I hear Geese directly across from me. Got out the binocs and found them. I said to myself, good grilled Geese. As I was just ready to get started , in the Geese were making a racket, I look up and here comes Mr. Decoy hunter running up the Ky bank and scares up my grilled Geese. Must be pretty boring when you are already moving at 9:30 am. They run up about .5 miles and pull into the bank and start putting out decoys.

I decided to run up maybe 2 miles to let things on the Ky bank settle down. Ran up the Ohio bank and crossed over and started down. Beautiful float conditions. I saw nothing on the float back to Rome. I then sighted the decoy hunters decoys below. You can always tell decoys though binocs because they never move, or flap their wings. I started up the 10 to motor down and say hi. I spotted down and up for ducks flying so I would not screw them up. I saw their blind but they hid behind and did not say Hi. I motored on down and started floating. I know they were there because I could hear them talking when I started floating. Guess they didn’t want to talk. My partner refuses to talk to other hunters. One day I asked him why, and he said they are the enemy, I don’t talk to the enemy. I floated down for 2 miles and nothing. Then I spotted 3 blacks, but they swam out and took off. They were locals who have seen the floating log before. Same thing happened to the next 2 blacks I saw. The same with 2 blacks and 4 mallards. The blacks swam right out to the middle. The mallards started back in, but they took off when the 2 blacks took off. I kept on going down. I got up to take a pee, I just leaned over the side and when I finished two blacks jumped up right besides me. I did not shoot because I like to float them then shoot, not just shoot. What is unreal is they sat there while I took a pee while all the other blacks swam out and flew away long before I was in shotgun range.

Right after that I passed a big cottonwood with a massive root ball at the waters edge. There past the tree is a drake and hen mallard sitting on the waters edge. I eased up and dropped the drake and missed the hen 2 times. I watch my drake swim into the root pile. I pulled into the bank and looked all over and could not find him. In order to wait him out I ate some cookies and coffee. In past hunts, we have had them burst out from their hiding spot if you wait long enough. This one never did come out. Started on down. Just above Brush creek island I spotted 5 geese on the bank. As I was floating down they ran up the bank, got out of shotgun range and then flew away. Very smart Geese. The green grass of Concord was still there, but no ducks this time. Below Concord a spot two ducks swimming in a good ¼ mile in front of me. I spotted where they swam in and floated down. Here it was a creek mouth. Went past it and nothing. They must have swam back in it. I started the 10 hp up and ran back just to see where they went. I could, not go up it, there was a log across the mouth. Started back down. Just above Manchester Island I spotted 2 more ducks swimming in a good ¼ mile below me. I spotted them and paddled up on them. When I got to where they were , nothing. I floated down for 5 minutes, and decided to call it a day and head back. When I started the 10 hp, 2 blacks jumped up just in front of me. They must have swam down a bit. I ran back up the Ohio Bank and in 10 miles of Ohio bank jumped up 2 blacks. Pulled out about 3:30, the other truck was gone. When I went to winch in the skiff there was a black duck wing on my winch. A present from the decoy hunters?.
Heres where it really gets bad. My normal duck truck is dead, a bad transmission (getting it fixed) so I got the suburban, the truck from hell. Both have 265,000 miles on them. Instead of going to the Yum Yum for supper, I decided to try out KFC. Meal was great, when I went to start the suburban, dead started. Bad carma for not eating at the Yum Yum. I called Debi to come pick me up. My only running vehicle is my 1972 Ford Bronco. She was not very happy about the 60 mile drive. I changed the boat over to the bronco, told the KFC lady I would be back and went home. I just got back from changing out the starter in the pouring rain, and 40 degree temps. This is its 4th starter. I wish I would have shot the white duck.

Posted By:
Darron Baker
Field Editor

S. Ohio 01-22-2010 07:29
– – –
With the warmer temps the fields are starting to open back up and if things go as planned, it could be a great way to end the season. As of yesterday we have a field holding several hundred birds. Going to scout them tonight and hit them hard Saturday.

Posted By:
Al-Faber
Field Editor

Central Ohio 01-18-2010 19:56
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 30-34 Degrees – Open Water
Ducks and geese moving throughout the area.

Had some success in local fields but birds were hard to work and to get to commit to our spread. Made several changes and a larger spread seemed to help.

local small rivers are the best bet right now with ducks and geese loafing most of the day.

coming to the end of the season as warmer temps start moving through the area. Should be an interesting closer.

Posted By:
bridgeman
Web Member

Ohio River at Rome Ohio 01-17-2010 20:13
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 40-45 Degrees
Duck Hunt 1-17-10
Took the Skiff to Rome mile 384 Ohio River. My partner decided that he did not want to sit in the Rain. Had a great breakfast at the Aberdeen Yum Yum, had 1 egg bacon and two pancakes. Slight wind low of 40 and river at pool stage, and of course rain. I changed into my waders and rain outfit at the Manchester “fort” at the downtown ramp, in the building next to the river, in order to get out of the rain. There was 1 truck at the top of the ramp. I put in at Rome and ran across to the Ky bank. I look down and ducks are swimmimg out, and I look up and ducks are swimming out. Its good to see ducks. I backed out and ran across the river and up about 1 mile and then putted down. I spotted the first group and started paddeling down. They did not like me at all and swam out to the middle of the river and then took off. The next bunch did the same thing, and a group beyond them. I decided to try the Ohio bank, to see if they were less educated. I spotted about 4 and could but could not get close to them , they swam out to the middle and appeared to be swimming across. At this point it is raining hard. I floated down the good Ohio band below Rome and switched to the Ky bank, the wind was picking up and I was hoping the bend below Brush Creek would protect me. As I ran across, I pulled the plug on the skiff to drain out some water. The first time I have done that , and it works, as long as you go .75 throttle. I putted down the Ky bank above Brush Creek Island, it was a little calmer. I wish some one could make binoculars that work in the rain, almost useless.

I spotted by eye 3 ducks below me. I could tell that were blacks. I held the boat out a little more than usual, maybe 30 yards. I got about 50 yards up to them and they decided to swim down a little. I kept right with them, and they went back into the bank. I got up to maybe 35 yards, and they came back out. We floated down together, and at last they went in. I held the boat out until I passed them, and then turned towards the bank. They had no clue, got out and sat on the bank. I eased up missed the first shot , pulled a little more lead and got the second. That was my only shot. I had to shoot him 1 more time on the water. Pulled in for coffee to warm up. I did not have on gloves , because of the rain, and the hot coffee and donut revived me. Da_ I hate rain. Started back down. Just a little up from the island I spotted 1 drake mallard all by himself. Floated down and got right on him. I eased up and no. 2 duck for the day. I headed on down and spotted a drake on the bank. Floated down, and when I was still 50 yards out he and the hen who I did not see took off. I pulled into the bank for more coffee to warm up. Pushed off. Directly across from the Island, I spotted a drake mallard. I paddeled down and he is swimming Up towards me. I got right on him, eased up and he will not fly, it is a cripple. At this point the wind starts and it was tuff floating. I got down to the Power Plant, and had enough. I headed up the Ohio bank. I jumped one group of fish ducks. Pulled out and drove back to Manchester to change out of my wadders and rain outfit at the Manchester “fort” at the ramp. Had a good supper at the Yum Yum and home by 8:00.

Posted By:
Anthony-Santoli
Field Editor

sandusky then Arkansas 01-15-2010 10:55
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We finished off our North Zone split…with a massive attack on the waterfowl. Gadwalls,Mallards,Blacks and Wigeons….we took 40 birds on the opener of the second spllit….. the very next day they were all gone except for a few Blacks. That is what you call hitting the nail right on the head for exact timing. We just came back from my Uncles in Arkansas and laid down the gauntlet there for some shoots….full limits each shoot on Mallards,Gadwalls,Wigeon,Green-Wings,Hollywoods,Snows,Specks,Canadians. The club we hunted was holding over 250 thousand ducks….best hunting I have experienced this side of Mexico…best that any of them had experienced as well…it was a beautiful site to behold. The one day we did strictly a teal swat…. 7 limits of teal in less than 3 hours… estimated 40K teal in and out of the dekes. THAT’S A WRAP FOLKS…… hangin with my family for a couple weeks,,,then off to Missouri for SnowGoose Fest 2010.

See ya

Posted By:
bridgeman
Web Member

Ohio River Downtown Cincinnati- no hunt 01-13-2010 12:21
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 10-20 Degrees – Ice
I drive over the Ohio river at downtown Cincinnati (mile 470) every morning and nite. This morning there was ice in downtown Cincin. It has been frozen from bank to bank above Meldahl (mile 436) since last sunday. I have hunted the Ohio above Cincinnati for 43 years now, and back in the 60’s and 70’s the Ohio was never at pool stage during duck season. Pool stage at Cincin. is 24′, and the river never droped more than 30′ all winter long. Now it is at pool stage all winter long. The problem is when the big O is at pool, there is no current, so when it gets cold- ice. You cant float hunt with Ice or decoy hunt, which sucks. Pray for rain and a little warmer weather, then 1 more cold snap.

Posted By:
bridgeman
Web Member

Ohio River below Foster Ky 01-11-2010 12:51
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 10-20 Degrees – Open Water
Duck Hunt 1-10-10
My partner Jim could not make it today, he is having some minor health problems. (the man is 79). I had to work all week as well as Saturday, but got up at 6:30 and was going to drive to Rome mile 384 Ohio River. I was a little concerned about the ramps, the transmission is out on my 97 chev pickup , so I took the 97 Suburban, both are 4×4 (and 265,000 miles, yes I said 265,000) because the suburban has conventional tires and gets stuck in a heavy dew. I took the skiff, River at pool, no wind low last nite 11. I stopped and got coffee at the mentor marathon and decided to drive up Route 8. As I passed the river below Foster, it was clear, no ice. With the Ohio at pool stage for 3 weeks now and the low temps. I was surprised to see open water. But above the Dam was solid ice, from bank to bank. The normal Red full size chev was parked 1 mile below Snag creek. I crossed over at the new Maysville Bridge. I had a great breakfast at the Yum Yum and had a spirited conversation about Avartar, you all must see it and in 3D. As I drove east out of Aberdeen, it looked bad, river was still solid ice. I don’t think I saw trucks at the Maysville ramp.
Drove up to Manchester, and saw that it was hopeless, solid ice. Drove back and put in at Foster. Mile 438. Ramp was salted by the commercial fisherman out of Mentor. I was first at 10:00 am. Started the C motor after 20 pulls, (still waiting for parts for the A motor) Started up the Ky bank. Ran up to just below Bear Creek and Crossed over to the Ohio side. With no high water, I decided to putt down spotting ducks with the glasses. A decoy hunter ran up my bank and stopped at the new ramp across from Foster, to pick something up because 5 minutes he headed back down. I watched all of this though the Binoculars. Since he scared up the Ohio bank, I switched to the Ky bank, putting down slow. There was about 100 Geese between barges at Black River (mile 441.5) I passed them because I will not shot a goose next to a barge. I went over to say hi to the decoy hunter on the Ohio bank across from Black River. They said they had 1 but did see a lot of Geese. I switched back to the Ky bank. Below Black River, I spotted about 50 geese about 1/8 mile below the last barge. I paddled very slow with the almost non existent current. There were two just above about 50. I got right up on them and got one goose. I pulled in the bank and had a cup of coffee. I headed on down. I screwed up on about 10 mallards at the second set of barges below Zimmer on the Ky bank. I putted down next to the barge, and they saw me while they were 1/8 mile DS. I pulled into the bank to let them settle down. I pushed off and never did get close to them, they took off while I was maybe 300 yds away.

I spotted 2 ducks below me and floated right up on them. They were fish ducks, and I thought they were Canvasbacks, I got right up on them and dropped the drake. At this point I am across from Point Pleasant, and I look up and here comes a runner (bored decoy hunter) up my bank and crosses over at Point Pleasant. Since the bank below me is disturbed, and there really are not many ducks, I decided to head home. I ran up the Ohio bank, spotting with my binoculars as I ran up. Very easy to do when there are sand banks. Across from Black River I spotted 4 mallards. I ran across the ky bank, and up and above these ducks, and crossed over again. As I was running up I saw 3 bald eagles, 1 had a white head and tail, but the other two did not. They were too big for hawks. I floated down right on the mallards. At this point the sun is out and it is very pretty. The mallards are walking at the waters edge, and have no clue that I am not a big log. I dropped a drake and missed a hen. I started back up the Ohio bank and spotted 4 blacks about a mile above Moscow. I crossed over ran up about .5 mile and crossed over and floated down. I had spotted them below a down tree. As I was floating down , crows were sitting on the bank below me taking baths at the water edge. I don’t recall seeing that before. They would duck their heads in the water and splash it on their backs. I spotted my 4 blacks, and headed down. I was maybe 20 yards from the bank. I got within 25 yards and they decided to swim out, but at a non-alarmed pace. We chased each other for maybe 100 yards when I decided to take them, two shots and nothing. Headed back to Foster and was home by 4:00.

Posted By:
bridgeman
Web Member

Ohio River Mile 397 date 1-3-10 01-07-2010 11:08
Cloudy, High Winds – 10-20 Degrees – Open Water
Duck Hunt 1-2-10
I decided to take the skiff to Manchester today mile 397 Ohio River. Low last nite was 17 river at 29, which is really to low to float, and high wind. I had a great breakfast at the Dairy Yum Yum. At water by 9:00. I picked this stretch because it is not as bad when the west wind blows, and it was already windy at 9:30. I had to clear brush off the bottom of the ramp, which was not easy, there were some big logs across the ramp, plus the assortment of 2”x4” with nails. My regular 10 hp is still waiting for parts, so I tool my C motor, my 10 hp 1959 Johnson. It did not want to start, but finally did. I started up the Ohio bank until the Island then ran to Ky bank. Since there is no current I putted down slow looking though the glasses. I screwed up on a black and then 2 mallards, they were already swimming out when I saw them. The wind seemed to be blowing from my right side, so I decided to switch to the Ohio bank. As I was motoring over to the Ohio bank I jumped up a Bald Eagle from a tree below Manchester, very cool. Putted on down and spotted some fish ducks and 1 goose. The goose got out of the water and walked up to a barn for protection, unreal. By now the wind calmed a little, so I went back to the ky. Bank which I like better. (better cover and no houses) I spotted some ducks and cut the 10 hp and started paddling. I looked at the bank and there was maybe 10 mallards walking along the bank, and they appeared to be eating the weeds. I got right besides them, got 1 drake and the rest crossed the sun, and I was blinded and did not shoot. Picked up my one and pulled into the bank for coffee and a cupcake. Started back down. Wind started picking up so I tried the Ohio bank, but it was worse. By now it is really blowing. Decided to call it and day and had a fun run US in the 3’ white caps. (luckily I was going with the wind) .I ran up the Ohio bank but out far due to low water. At Isaacs creek I saw about 4 blacks and 5 mallards at the mouth, but it was too windy to run up and float down. Pulled out and had chili at the yum yum . Home by 2:30

Posted By:
Al-Faber
Field Editor

Central Ohio 12-25-2009 14:47
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 30-34 Degrees – Open Water
Fields in central Ohio still doing very well and producing great early morning hunts.

Big water still productive as well. Geese everywhere. Find’em at night, set up next morning – hammer’em.

Small ponds were froze last 10 days but may start to open up with higher temperatures.

Look for good numbers of mallards North of Columbus and NW of Delaware.

Public hunting has slowed dramatically, Delaware marsh not hunted much since deer season.

Time to start looking at Southern counties towards the Ohio River starting next week.

Be safe, teach a youngster to hunt & respect the great outdoors…and pass on the hens…!

Posted By:
Darron Baker
Field Editor

S. Ohio 12-21-2009 19:48
– – –
Hunted 12/19 in an area I seen several flights go into during our last hunt. Set up 6 floaters and a robo. Found a nice hide and waited for shooting light. Not too many birds seen, but the birds that we did see came in feet down to our spread. Ended the morning with 8 mallards, 2 blacks (1 was banded) and a goose.

I hit the road today and scouted several areas and nothing to excited about. A few birds scattered around, but nothing worth dragging the field dekes out for. Every year we get a stretch when things freeze over night and open back up in the day. I wish it would get cold and stay cold.

Was hoping to get out tomorrow, but I think I will sleep in since the scouting turned up nothing. Buddy and I are hitting the road tomorrow. Hopefully we can put something together for Wed and Thurs.

Posted By:
Darron Baker
Field Editor

S, Ohio 12-17-2009 07:32
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Opening morning of the second split was very slow. Hunted a flooded field that was holding birds two days before, but the ice machine turned on and they boogied out. Ended the morning with 3 ducks.

After the hunt I found a nice pile of birds located on another property my buddy and I have permission on. It was a miserable morning in the rain, but we ended with 9 mallards, one of which was banded. The low ceiling had them flying all morning and it was steady action about every 30-45 minutes.

I plan on doing a little deer hunting Saturday morning on my property in SE Ohio and will be back after webfooted critters Sunday since I have two weeks off.

Until next time….

Posted By:
Shawn-Philbrick
Field Editor

Mitchells Bay 11-16-2009 07:54
– – –
Been up in canada the last few weeks. There’s a ton of birds staged up there, but they aren’t moving till we get some weather. They have been educated, and fly into the bay at night to feed, and out to the open lake during the day. Unless we get some weather, and push them down, Ohio’s first split won’t see them….lots of reds and bills….

Posted By:
Al-Faber
Field Editor

Central 11-02-2009 20:13
Cloudy, Winds Calm – 50-60 Degrees
Finished the 1st southern split limiting on mallards in a small pond located next to grain field. Lot’s of geese in the area for the remainder of the week.

Spotted tons of Geese on larger lakes up north over the weekend, not a hunter in sight… What’s up with that?

Weather this week looks like Wednesday and Thursday as the best days…

We’ll see!

Be safe, teach a youngster to hunt & respect the great outdoors…and pass on the hens…!

Posted By:
Anthony-Santoli
Field Editor

11-02-2009 13:28
Cloudy, High Winds – 45-50 Degrees
Hunted Sat AM for a few hours. Had some divers in the dekes 10′ away at first shooting light. Let ’em swim around for a while…then away they went. Extremely windy 50MPH from the West/Southwest. Tough to decoy birds. The ones that started lower to the water would work right in though. Shot 3 Mallards, 2 plump Ruddlers and 1 Beauty of a Drake Wigeonas (for the wall). Good amount of birds,,(not a ton, but enough to keep it interesting for a couple hours). Most were sitting tight in the surrounding marshes out of the wind. Easily a couple/few thousand in my direct area. Had several nice sized pods Flying High overhead coming either off of Erie or heading down from St. Clair. Looks like a couple of large arctic fronts brewing. One to the NW and 1 from the NE.

I’ll keep you posted.

Out

[Edited By Anthony-Santoli on 2009-11-02 13:30]

Posted By:
Al-Faber
Field Editor

Central Farm Pond 10-28-2009 21:29
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 50-60 Degrees
Woodies in and out quick this morning, but we limited. A few mallards flying, and LOTS and LOTS of Canada Geese in the area moving back and forth all morning.

Did not even lay out any goose decoys, took them standing in a woodline as they flew by.

Great morning!

Wet weather in the area until Saturday should make for continued good shooting up to the close of the first split.

Then we will have to pray for a big push from up North where Anthony is…

Al

Posted By:
Al-Faber
Field Editor

Central 10-27-2009 20:40
Mostly Sunny, No Precipitation – 50-60 Degrees
Have been out of the state for a few weeks, but back from scouting several areas tonight. Lot’s of ducks in the area especially woodies on small farm ponds with wooded lots near by.

Scouted 4 ponds, all had 4-15 woodies and a mix of other ducks. Travelling home from work and did not have my hunting clothes, but plan on hunting in the am. Wednesday and Friday.

Friends report some shooting on the bigger reservoirs in the area. Small streams also producing well if your scout ahead and have a plan to get in and out.

Interesting phenomenon taking place this year. About 4 of the 25 or so properties I get permission on have capitulated to hunters (with money) leasing their land to hunt it exclusively. I hope this is not a trend that locks us all out of good areas.

More tomorrow…

Be safe, teach a youngster to hunt & respect the great outdoors…and pass on the hens…!

[Edited By Al-Faber on 2009-10-27 20:41]

Posted By:
Anthony-Santoli
Field Editor

10-27-2009 09:00
– – –
Hawaii person:
BTW: If you are in Dayton and know anything about me or my postings,,,,I am nowhere close to you in Ohio. YOU get what I don’t kill to the North of you and send your way.

Also, if you hunt around Dayton and know anything about the areas…then you would know that 90% of the hunters there do their best hunting after November-end of the season when it is colder and all of the cornfields are cut. When I am done with them in my areas….they come to you.

Posted By:
Anthony-Santoli
Field Editor

10-26-2009 09:43
– – –
Depends on where ya go and what ya do… Just because you don’t have any ducks to shoot at,,,doesn’t mean that some other people don’t have a bunch of birds. Once again,,I post these reports to help all of you out,,,not myself. Don’t like it or have a bug up your azz,,,then don’t read it. I could care less. Sit in your same little pothole and wish that someday the flood gates will open and ducks will simply drop into your lap…

Posted By:
charles m jones
Guest

Pymatuning lake 10-25-2009 11:54
Mostly Sunny, No Precipitation – 50-60 Degrees
Hunted Sat from shooting until 11:30 very few ducks flying –geese high– nothing to decoys but one small flight of ducks early. Not much shooting elsewhere. Bird quantity rated as poor.

Posted By:
HAWAIIAN NENE
Web Member

Dayton Area 10-24-2009 12:38
Mostly Cloudy, No Precipitation – 45-50 Degrees
I heard a few woodies were taken over the last couple days. However, Mr. Santoli. I don’t know where your hunting but to describe the number of ducks you saw seems a little over blown ! I think your having memories of OLD MEXICO !!!!!!!! Maybe you should concentrate on going down there and keeping us posted about the TREE ducks and TEAL !

Posted By:
Anthony-Santoli
Field Editor

NOWHERE 10-22-2009 11:03
– – –
LAST YEAR AFTER THE FIRST DAYS WENT BY….THERE WERE DOZENS OF POSTS ON THE OPENING EVENTS ….. NOW NOTHING. That is pretty sad…. I guess a lot of people simply go on here to get “inside” info to benefit themselves and don’t give a rats azz on the season itself or anything that goes along with it.

Posted By:
Anthony-Santoli
Field Editor

10-21-2009 10:24
– – –
The opener was very good to us despite the 40MPH winds. Wind from the North brought many new ducks with it.

We shot a bunch of Mallards, some geese, Ringnecks,Bluebills,Wigeon,Greenwings, Pintail,Shoveler,Woodies,,,,,and on top it all 2 very nicely plumed Drake Redheads for the wall. They were colored like the Mexico ones we shoot in January.

Posted By:
Anthony-Santoli
Field Editor

10-15-2009 13:44
– – –
Get ready guys and gals….here they come. Countdown is on…. I called this weather, ducks,geese…everything verbatum, a long time ago…I should have been a meteorologist or something. Good luck.
Should be a complete mixed bag like a pack of Skittles this weekend. There is everything from woodrows,mallards,gadwalls, blacks,some teal,wigeon,pins… ruddlers,some bills,ringnecks….maybe even find ya a snow geese or 2 in the mix.

Posted By:
Shawn-Philbrick
Field Editor

Ontario, 10/10-10/11 10-13-2009 14:07
– – –
Went to St Clair for the weekend, had a nice mixed bag, redheads, wigeon, mallards, ringers, and blacks..

saw no teal or woodies like we did the week before, so assume they are here, or south. Should be plenty of birds moving, and most likely what we saw up there last week, will be here for the opener with these fronts.

Posted By:
Anthony-Santoli
Field Editor

10-13-2009 07:25
– – –
Big front coming out of the Northeast just in time for the opener. Most of our weather throughout the year is out of the West and Northwest, so when a blow comes from the NE things happen very quickly. Mallards,Gadwalls,Greenwings and Black Ducks will come in full force with this front from Eastern Ontario and the Quebec regions. It is early,,,, we usually wait for a front like this around Mid/End of Novemeber. Oh well…take it and run with it. Good luck to everyone this weekend,,, be careful if you’re hunting anywhere on Lake Erie,,,winds shift and big waves can pop up in a matter of minutes. Don’t crowd other hunters….there is plenty of space around for everyone.

It’s gonna be a gunfight….better get your mask on !!!!

Posted By:
Al-Faber
Field Editor

Central Ohio 10-11-2009 18:37
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 50-60 Degrees
Great weather approaching and ducks and geese are moving around the area. Spent the weekend in Port Clinton and scouted big numbers of divers, puddle ducks, and geese.

South through Marion large flocks at sunset tonight. Small farm ponds are ideal right now.

Central Ohio forecast calls for a cold front and rain WED-SAT next week 🙂

Should be a great opener!

Be safe, teach a youngster to hunt & respect the great outdoors…and pass on the hens…!

Posted By:
Anthony-Santoli
Field Editor

10-05-2009 08:27
– – –
We were up at the marsh putting on the final touches for the opener and did some scouting in the process. A good influx of birds has occurred with these recent cold fronts. Bluewings were all gone. Good amount of Blacks… Mallards increased considerably along with Gadwalls,Greenwings and a good amount of Wigeon. Geese were hitting the surrounding fields hot and heavy (they are picking them right now) along with a few snows mixed in for good measure. Tons of Cormorants littered the Bay and there were several pods of divers zipping around. All in all I would say duck and goose numbers more than tripled since the early cold fronts came in.

Posted By:
Anthony-Santoli
Field Editor

10-01-2009 08:04
– – 35-40 Degrees
Useasonable weather patterns have really got the birds on the move these days. We have had some serious showers throughout Ohio as well as high winds and temperatures dropping twenty degrees. Geese have been flying regularly and ducks are on the move.
Spoke to a colleague on Lake St Clair/Walpole Island and they had a terrific opener. Very good numbers of Mallards,Pintails,Greenwings and Redheads made up the bag. Within the island marsh potholes, Ringnecks and Woodducks are arriving hot and heavy with unusually high numbers building on a daily basis.
Get ready….its gonna be a gunfight.

Posted By:
Anthony-Santoli
Field Editor

09-24-2009 09:22
– – –
Okay,,,,I know this debate has been covered here and there,,,but what gives??? I have been noticing several other state getting an early Woodduck season along with their Teal season,,,not Ohio though… TN,KY,FLA,,, maybe IA and IL, the Carolinas ??? etc… yet we are North of pretty much all of them. A few quick cold snaps in Ohio sends a good amount of OUR Woodducks South to these other states. I believe Ohio is one of the big Woodie producing states so What??? Anyone have some thoughts or insight here??

Number next: Reporting wise, it looks very good for the opener next month. Geese are starting to come around,,pods of Mallards are getting agile in the sky with all of the young of the year taking flight. We should be in for a very good year. My synopsis is as follows: I do not think there will be one “BIG PUSH” of birds this year due to the El Nino effect. Instead, we will get some nice trickles of birds throughout the entire season. Birds will come down, stay for several days,,,get shot at then continue South for warmer climates, while at the same time fresh birds will come and take their place on a continuous cycle. Variety will be good this year with the abundances of Greenwings,Mallards,Gadwalls,Shovelers… Pins and Wigeon floating thru here and there and smatterings of varied Divers.

[Edited By Anthony-Santoli on 2009-09-24 09:23]

[Edited By Anthony-Santoli on 2009-09-24 09:23]

Posted By:
Al-Faber
Field Editor

Central Ohio 09-15-2009 14:27
Sunny & Clear, Morning Fog – 50-60 Degrees
Opening weekend on local marshes was great! Took limits of 4 Teal both Saturday and Sunday.

Key was early scouting and being where the ducks wanted to go at first light. Took 2 geese on Monday (Labor Day). A friend’s son also took his first banded goose as well.

Lot’s of ducks and geese in Central Ohio right now, looking for more teal this coming weekend. The unusually warm weather may hold even more and a few chilly nights may also push new ducks into the area. Farm ponds seem to be increasingly popular with teal around the Columbus area.

Looks like sunny weather through the end of the early season, so early shoots will be the norm.

Be safe, teach a youngster to hunt & respect the great outdoors…and pass on the hens…!

Posted By:
Anthony-Santoli
Field Editor

sandusky bay region 09-14-2009 07:50
– – –
Hunted Sunday up at the marsh. Shot some greenwings and a few geese. Good amount of birds…. but not a bluewinger anywhere…all greens. Cold night and clear skies have sent all of the bluewings in my area to the South. Nice bunches of Greenwings though,,,most appear to be fresh birds and decoyed very easily with a good teal call. Numbers of geese still are way down in the areas though. Lowest numbers that we have seen in years. Bunches of woodducks have moved in from the north and we even had 2 drake Redheads come right into the decoys. Pintails,Gadwalls and Hooded Mergs as well.

Posted By:
Anthony-Santoli
Field Editor

09-09-2009 07:34
– – –
Teal opener was pretty good,,,,could always be better,,but pretty good. Had a nice pod of 9 10 feet from the blind 15 mins till shooting time..let them lift off on their own. Ended up with 4 geese, 1 blue and 2 greens. Saw a fair amount. One pod of a few dozen were buzzing around all morning. Most were 2’s and 4 packs. Good amount of shooting from the surrounding marshes and out across the bay fairly steady all morning. The teal are all around,,,just a matter of when they come down and move thru. Bluewings do not stay around long…here one day and gone the next. Steady pushes should continue on from here out. PAY ATTENTION TO THE OTHER STATES REPORTS. As you can see large groups of Bluewings are in Texas,LA,etc…which is far South of Ohio. Try to get a reading on States that are parallel and to the North of us,it will help you out. Not many people post up on the migration map here anymore,,the Ducks Unlimited migration mapping system is very informatable when it comes to this.

Posted By:
Shawn-Philbrick
Field Editor

Killbuck saturday, Medina co Monday 09-09-2009 06:45
– – –
Killbuck was a bust for teal….didn’t see one where I was, and heard very little shooting on Wright marsh. Saw few ducks period…and the geese were already wise, and headed out before shooting time in the fog, and landed in Pine Tree lake after feeding.

Monday I hit Medina for doves….saw some, but numbers have dwindled…we need a good cold front.

Posted By:
Shawn-Philbrick
Field Editor

Lorain co opener. Medina county after 09-04-2009 06:54
– – –
Tuesday we hit lorain county for geese and doves….geese were sporadic…doves were plentiful

hit Spencer lae on thursday evening…nothing really flying til close to 7 oclock….a couple dozen doves gave us a look and we took some….we were loading the truck when the geese came in for the night…..

clear skies and full moon suck

Posted By:
Al-Faber
Field Editor

Central Ohio State Park 09-02-2009 08:24
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 60-65 Degrees
The Migratory Bird Season opener was a great one!!! Started the morning limiting with Doves on State Park land. There are literally thousands of Dove to make for exciting and fast-paced shooting. Then transitioned to Geese in the afternoon on local big water and called a flock into a cove they had been frequenting; taking 2 on one pass. Local Geese and Ducks are plentiful right now and marshes are holding good numbers of teal. Talked with wildlife biologists who are also seeing strong numbers in the area. Teal season opener looks good and the weather should be mild and make great shooting at first light.

Be safe, teach a youngster to hunt & respect the great outdoors…and pass on the hens…!

Posted By:
Anthony-Santoli
Field Editor

09-01-2009 08:07
– – –
Cooler temps overnight have settled in and did push some smaller birds out,,,,but at the same time have pushed some more into town…hopefully they’ll be around for this weekend. The neaby marsh across the street from us has a couple hundred teal on it(blues and greens). Water levels by the marshes are very high and this weekends wind is supposed to be a light 8MPH out of the NE, so levels arent going to drop at all. Good amounts of woodducks and the local mallards and gadwalls are flying around pretty good from pothole to pothole. Some geese were around, but not nearly as many as the norm, so I expect that they are out and about feeding and loafing and not in any patterns yet. Good luck this weekend and have a good Labor Day….

Posted By:
Anthony-Santoli
Field Editor

09-01-2009 07:31
– – –
Cooler temps overnight have settled in and did push some smaller birds out,,,,but at the same time have pushed some more into town…hopefully they’ll be around for this weekend. Water levels by the marshes are very high and this wekends wind is supposed to be a light 8MPH out of the NE, so levels arent going to drop at all. Saw some Blue and Greenwings up at the marsh,,plenty of woodducks and the local mallards and gadwalls are flying around pretty good from pothole to pothole. Some geese were around, but not nearly as many as the norm, so I expect that they are out and about feeding and loafing and not in any patterns yet. Good luck this weekend and have a good Labor Day….

Posted By:
Shawn-Philbrick
Field Editor

Northern Ohio 08-25-2009 08:28
– – –
made a ride from Strongsville to Pioneer Ohio on the turnpike saturday….tons of doves…..must have ridden in on the last cold front….

saw few flocks of feeding geese…but they were on developed ponds…

was in a very marshy area near La Su An…saw a handful of ducks, but no teal.

Posted By:
Al-Faber
Field Editor

Central Ohio Scouting 08-22-2009 20:50
Cloudy, Rain & Thunderstorms – Over 70 Degrees
Local marshes and heavy grass areas on larger reservoirs are holding good amounts of teal.

Lots of Geese everywhere you look.

Early season should get off to a good start.

Posted By:
Anthony-Santoli
Field Editor

08-20-2009 09:03
– – –
Teal are on the move for the past week. Small bunches have been building and trickling down South for the past several days. Cooler temps in the next several evenings WILL push good amounts down from the Northern Regions.

Posted By:
Anthony-Santoli
Field Editor

08-14-2009 10:58
– – –
Season regulations are out…..enjoy them. Small smatterings of Blue Wings have been spotted out and about throughout NW and Southern Ohio. Thye are beginning to trickle down…. the 5th-20th should be pretty good for Teal.

Posted By:
Anthony-Santoli
Field Editor

08-05-2009 12:33
– – –
Was up around the areas near my marsh and noticed a plentiful supply of ducks and geese. Several families of Mallards,,a family of Black ducks,, few poddlings of Tealies… 2 families of Pintails and some Gadwalls. Plenty of Canadians around as
well(geese thats is). An old aquaintance on Walpole touched base with me the other day and said plenty of water this year and and absolute sugarhouse full of ducks. Mallards,Pintails, tons of teal and out on The Lake there is an overabundance of Redheads this year. With the populations increasing so dramatically for my Redheaded companions I think that a good portion shifted over and are breeding on the lake and surrounding areas as opposed to just coming down there each year in the fall.
As for Snow geese… I don’t think that they did too bad on the breeding grounds. I got some reports in that bunches of them renested and ended up having ample time to hatch and raise broods…besides the fact that their numbers are upwards in the 15-25 million range.. it should still be a good year for them (if you know where to go and how to hunt them). I’ll be up at the marsh working on the blinds next week…so I’ll report back upon my return.

Out

Posted By:
Al-Faber
Field Editor

07-06-2009 14:47
– – –
As reported by Ducks Unlimited ” Ducks respond positively to wet conditions in Prairie Pothole Region

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released its preliminary report on mid-continent breeding ducks and habitats, based on surveys conducted in May and early June. Total duck populations were estimated at 42 million breeding ducks on the surveyed area. This estimate represents a 13 percent increase over last year’s estimate of 37.3 million birds and is 25 percent above the 1955-2008 long-term average.

“The increase in duck numbers in relation to the increase in habitat conditions is consistent with what we would expect to see in U.S. and Canadian breeding grounds this spring,” said Ducks Unlimited’s Executive Vice President Don Young. “History has repeatedly shown that when water returns to the breeding grounds ducks respond with a strong breeding effort.”
While numbers are up, DU Chief Biologist Dale Humburg explains that hunter success will still depend heavily on weather, which will dictate migration patterns.”

Ohio Spring and Summer weather has been ideal here in the central part of the state as well and should continue to support a strong opener for the early season.

Lot’s of Teal and Geese in the area, especially smaller wetlands out in farm country.

[Edited By Al-Faber on 2009-07-06 14:48]

Posted By:
Al-Faber
Field Editor

07-06-2009 14:47
– – –
As reported by Ducks Unlimited ” Ducks respond positively to wet conditions in Prairie Pothole Region
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released its preliminary report on mid-continent breeding ducks and habitats, based on surveys conducted in May and early June. Total duck populations were estimated at 42 million breeding ducks on the surveyed area. This estimate represents a 13 percent increase over last year’s estimate of 37.3 million birds and is 25 percent above the 1955-2008 long-term average.
“The increase in duck numbers in relation to the increase in habitat conditions is consistent with what we would expect to see in U.S. and Canadian breeding grounds this spring,” said Ducks Unlimited’s Executive Vice President Don Young. “History has repeatedly shown that when water returns to the breeding grounds ducks respond with a strong breeding effort.”
While numbers are up, DU Chief Biologist Dale Humburg explains that hunter success will still depend heavily on weather, which will dictate migration patterns.”

Ohio Spring and Summer weather has been ideal here in the central part of the state as well and should continue to support a strong opener for the early season.

Lot’s of Teal and Geese in the area, especially smaller wetlands out in farm country.

Posted By:
Al-Faber
Field Editor

Scouting Central Ohio 06-02-2009 07:47
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
Goslings everywhere and I cannot remember seeing so many teal and woody ducklings…

Conditions in the Central part of the state are ideal right now and this fall is shaping-up to be another banner year (at least the early season). Marshes look good and there are a number of large flocks of Canada geese on the reservoirs.

It’s been a tough off-season, the lab had a cancerous tumor removed from his neck, then blew-out his right ACL and had reconstructive surgery. He’s down for four and a half months but should be up again by July to start training.

Time to re-paint the decoys, fix up the boat, and scout new areas….

Posted By:
Anthony-Santoli
Field Editor

nowhere 05-22-2009 08:45
– – –
THESE ARE THE BEST WATERFOWL PRODUCING CONDITIONS ACROSS THE ENTIRE BOARD THAT WE HAVE SEEN SINCE THAT “ONE HATCH” IN THE 90’S.

For some of you,,,this year could be the best year that you might ever see.

Posted By:
Anthony-Santoli
Field Editor

Spring Synopsis thus far 04-23-2009 08:20
– – –
Hello everyone: I have compiled some research thus far and here is what I have come up with:
So far this has actually been a very wet Spring. As most of you know, Canada and the Dakotas have received a lot of late winter snow pack and early wet weather. The potholes for the most part are rockin and rollin with some areas having too much water for this time of year. As for Ohio goes, Ontario and Michigan have been fairly wet from the winters snow and early Sping rains. Water levels were way up throughout the Lake Erie Marsh region all the way across the board to the East and habitat looks very good for this years hatch. Overall, Summer weather permitting,we could have an excellent year for waterfowl and waterfowling this year so keep your fingers crossed. I’ll report more as I begin my work on the marshes this summer.

[Edited By Anthony-Santoli on 2009-04-23 08:20]

Posted By:
Shawn-Philbrick
Field Editor

Cuyahoga County 04-22-2009 06:45
– – –
We have geese hatched already!

Saw the first two clutches of babies yesterday.

Mallards still on the nest, woodies as well.

Posted By:
FF1101
Guest

04-11-2009 19:37
– – 35-40 Degrees
The nesting conditions around the state should be great this year with the amount of water we have.

Posted By:
Al-Faber
Field Editor

Ohio 03-04-2009 20:28
– – –
Had the fortune to serve on the selection committee for the new Ohio duck stamp for 2010. We selected a portrait of Ruddy Ducks. It was truly amazing to see all the great artwork competing for this prestigious opportunity and to serve on a panel with very distinguished artists and ornithologists.

The full story and press release are on the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Website and this is the link.

http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/home_page/NewsReleases/tabid/18276/EntryID/953/Default.aspx

The winner was announced during the state DU Banquet that night. If you ever have a chance to make the state banquet, it’s a fun and informative event.

Also have to mention the ODNR team that put the competition together and facilitated the process. A dedicated group of professionals who serve Ohioans and our great outdoors with pride!

Be safe, teach a youngster to hunt & respect the great outdoors…and pass on the hens…!

[Edited By Al-Faber on 2009-03-04 20:31]

Posted By:
Darron Baker
Field Editor

01-20-2009 20:39
– – –
“just passing through monday 19th east of dayton on 35 saw the most ducks/geese in one field of corn stubble i’ve seen all year 20k under estimated probably at 2pm what a sight!”

I know exactly which field you are talking about, too bad you can’t hunt it. 🙁

Posted By:
Darron Baker
Field Editor

S. Ohio 01-18-2009 20:53
Cloudy, Accumulating Snow – 25-30 Degrees – Open Water
Went back to the same property as yesterday and we were not disappointed. We knocked down a few ducks right at shooting time then we had a slow period until 8:30am. At 830am, it was like someone flipped on a switch and we had mallards working us every 10-15 min. We finished out a 3 man limit by 9am to end another great duck season in Ohio.

[Edited By Darron Baker on 2009-01-18 20:53]

[Edited By Darron Baker on 2009-01-18 20:54]

Posted By:
triple gads
Web Member

east central Ohio 01-17-2009 21:51
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – Below Zero
Hunted Friday in a spring pond that was still open, got 4 mallards and 1 gadwall. Hunted today in the upper end of a frozen pond where a creek feeds it. There was a open pocket about 30 feet by 10 feet. I got 3 beautiful greenheads in the first 20 minutes after shooting light. I be back for one last hunt tomarrow.

Posted By:
Darron Baker
Field Editor

S. Ohio 01-17-2009 19:05
Cloudy, Snow Flurries – 0-10 Degrees – Open Water
Found some more open water this morning and with below zero temps so did the ducks. Plenty of action through 9am. Two man limit came easy with several hundred mallards seen. After we shot our 8 we waited around for some different ducks, but seen nothing but mallards. Could have easily shot another 2 man limit of mallards. Going back in the morning for one last hunt. Hopefully they work as good as they did today.

Posted By:
Al-Faber
Field Editor

Ohio River Area 01-16-2009 11:28
Cloudy, Snow Flurries – Below Zero
Hunted the last few days on the Ohio hoping to see a pintail or some interesting divers. Most ducks were huddled on the banks and had to float the river to see ducks regularly.

Also hunted smaller rivers and creeks feeding into the Ohio but most fields around them were covered with grasses. Ducks probably searched out beans or corn in other parts of Southern Ohio and moved there.

Bitter cold and brutal hunting conditions spending all day on the boat. But the birds are there, just recommend a float trip, drifting along the banks and 3.5 inch shells with a full choke. Shots are long!

Less ducks and geese here in “Central” Ohio than any year in recent memory.

Field hunting Canada’s next week to finish off the Ohio season….

Closing 2008-2009 up with a snow goose hunt in the Spring, …or is that starting a new season?

Be safe, teach a youngster to hunt & respect the great outdoors…and pass on the hens…!

Posted By:
Darron Baker
Field Editor

S. Ohio 01-11-2009 15:39
Cloudy, Snow Flurries – 25-30 Degrees – Open Water
Hunted an open marsh this morning. All I can say is, we need some cold weather to lock everything up. The ducks we saw this morning were stale ducks. They knew the game and knew where they were safe. Only ended up with 4 mallards. Hopefully with this cold coming, it will congregate the birds into a few holes that stay open for us.

Posted By:
Al-Faber
Field Editor

Central Ohio (Fields) 01-11-2009 14:33
Cloudy, Snow Flurries – 30-34 Degrees – Ice
Light snow helped today and the ducks cooperated. Limited in an hour with mallards and geese, waited another hour to see if a black or widgeon would show-up, but no luck there.

A good recovery day after yesterday’s disappointing results.

Heading to the Ohio River for the final week of southern zone ducks, hope to see a pintail!

Weather looks good Monday through Wednesday.

Posted By:
Darron Baker
Field Editor

S. Ohio 01-10-2009 17:31
Cloudy, Snow & Rain Mix – 30-34 Degrees – Open Water
Scouted last night and found a good # of geese. Only problem was, they were landing in the field behind where I have permission where the owners do not allow hunting. For them to get to the field, they had to fly over the field I can hunt. We set out 6 dozen full bodies/silos hoping we could short stop a few of the smaller flocks. Well, my plan did not work. Although every goose flew over our fields, not a one gave us a look. We watched flight after flight of geese from 845-10 come right over us without even missing a wing beat. Very frustrating to say the least, especially for all that work. Hitting one our marshes tomorrow for an “easier” hunt. Hopefully the ducks cooperate better than the geese did today.

Posted By:
Al-Faber
Field Editor

Alum Creek State Park 01-10-2009 16:38
Cloudy, Snow & Rain Mix – 25-30 Degrees – Ice
Battled the storm, only boat on the reservoir. Perfect conditions, overcast, rain/snow mix. Was hoping to see a few divers.

Did not see one duck from 0600-1130.

Lot’s of geese in the center of the lake but as usual they lifted and flew right down the center towards Sunbury out of gun range.

A lot of treacherous work for nothing.

Back to fields in the am.

Be safe, teach a youngster to hunt & respect the great outdoors…and pass on the hens…!

Posted By:
220
Web Member

SW Dayton Area 01-09-2009 11:04
– – –
Geese have started moving pretty good around here. Have been hammerin them on the cloudy/snowy days.

I have heard reports of lotsa ducks, mallards, pintails & Blacks, but I have only seen a few.

Found some new geese in a field last PM, if they are there this evening we will be on them tomorrow.

Be safe!

Posted By:
triple gads
Web Member

east central Ohio 01-05-2009 21:25
Cloudy, Winds Calm – 35-40 Degrees
Found a field tonight with about 200-300 geese in it. 1 snow with them. Bad news, I cannot get permission to hunt it. This is the most I’ve seen in about a week. Bad weather coming in tonight so we’ll see what it brings in.

Posted By:
Shawn-Philbrick
Field Editor

medina, lorain 01-05-2009 10:33
– – –
4 days this year, 4 hunts, 4 zeros…

what few geese we have around, are very blind, call, and decoy shy

Posted By:
Darron Baker
Field Editor

S. Ohio 01-03-2009 10:59
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 30-34 Degrees – Open Water
With a little time and effort, ducks can be found in great numbers. This morning three of us hunted a ditch that was holding 500+ ducks the night before. We got in there well before shooting time and set out 12 floaters, 6 full body mallards and 1 spinner. The #’s of ducks at first light was unreal. I mean hundreds upon hundreds. We shot several the first 15 min of shooting light and then they disappeared, only to have them come right back 30 min later. They did this all morning until we shot our limit. We left with 12 mallards, 3 blacks and a pentail. The key this morning was NO calling.

Plan on hitting another area tomorrow that was holding a decent # of geese on Friday. Hopefully they return.

Posted By:
Darron Baker
Field Editor

scouting 01-02-2009 16:30
– – 30-34 Degrees – Open Water
Lots of ducks around the SE part of the state. Found a creek that is holding several hundred ducks including mallards, blacks and pennies. Permission was obtained and we will be setting up in the morning on them. Also found another area that is holding a good load of ducks. Got the plat book out and found the owner. After one call permission was obtained. Since written permission is required, he just sent me a message via e-mail for written permission!!!!! Can’t beat that. I only have two days to hunt before heading back to work. I think it may be an interesting two days.

Posted By:
Darron Baker
Field Editor

S. Ohio 12-31-2008 09:47
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 30-34 Degrees – Open Water
With the warm temps, everything thawed back out so I knew the ducks would have a lot of options this morning. However, we did see several hundred ducks this morning, but the high winds made it tough for them to get down to us. The geese were everywhere, but permission cannot be obtained. We ended up with 9 mallards and 1 goose that flew just a little too low. I am hoping for colder temps to freeze this small stuff back so the birds will congregate again.

Posted By:
Darron Baker
Field Editor

S. Ohio 12-28-2008 20:53
Cloudy, High Winds – 35-40 Degrees
Hunted a flooded CRP field this morning on my buddys godfather’s property. The place flooded was about 200 yards long and about 15 yards wide and knee deep. This spot looked phenominal, but the ducks must not have found it. We seen 10 ducks all morning and they were on a mission for somewhere else. We did manage to pull a flock of geese over and took three geese. Other than a couple flocks of geese nothing else was happening. Taking a break tomorrow and Tuesday to do a little deer hunting down on the farm. Plan on hitting them again Wednesday.

Posted By:
Darron Baker
Field Editor

S. Ohio 12-26-2008 21:24
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 35-40 Degrees
Hunted a field that was holding 300+ geese last night. The walk to the “X” was a long one, approx 300 yards. We decided to take no more than two trips since the owner allows no driving in the fields. We were able to get 5 dozen full bodies out. Three man limits of geese came very easy as the first two flocks finished nicely at 10:00am. We packed up and the majority of the geese started coming to the field right when we were done packing. Once the fog and drizzle set in birds were everywhere. The state needs to up the goose limit. All that work for only two geese seems a little ridiculous.

The weather forecast for the next few days won’t help bird movements. With highs in the 60’s and 70’s and sun, birds will be doing a lot of grass eating. Personally, I would like to see less water and colder temps to congregate the birds. This 60 and 70 degree temps isn’t good for much.

Posted By:
bmyers
Guest

N.W. Ohio 12-26-2008 16:21
Arctic Blast – Below Zero
Hunted Monday and Tuesday on Lake Erie.

Many thanks to all the guys at the boat launch…very friendly and helpful with info…very very cool!!!!

The high winds on Monday blew all the water out…and I mean ALL the water out. We walked a few hundred yards accross frozen bay bottom and sat on a log in the mist for a while watching the diver action. Amazing scenery that day. Tried a short hunt near shore shot one buffy.

Went at it more seriously on Tuesday. Shot two limits of ducks, our mallards a black, two blue bills, and a nice goldeneye. Had a great time.

The mojolator was key in grabbing the birds attention.

Again, thanks to everyone for the helpful advice.

[Edited By bmyers on 2008-12-26 16:23]

Posted By:
Al-Faber
Field Editor

Central Ohio 12-26-2008 08:11
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 30-34 Degrees – Ice
Just south of Big Island in a small pond today. Frozen over but broke some ice and drew in a group of mallards from an adjacent field.

Drove by Alum Creek, still mostly frozen but should thaw completely with coming rains.

Geese are everywhere in fields each morning and scouted 7 big groups locally.

We need more water…

Posted By:
Darron Baker
Field Editor

S. Ohio 12-25-2008 18:49
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 25-30 Degrees – Ice
Hunted a flooded field that was holding a couple mallards yesterday evening. Arrived this morning to 1/2″ ice. We made a decent hole and set out a spinner and a few floaters. I couldn’t hunt long this morning, but thought we might be able to whack a few birds and get out by 9am. Shooting time came and we decoyed in a flock of 4 and knocked all 4 out, including one mature drake gadwall. Had a couple more flocks work us, but the hole started to freeze back over and none would finish. Did not see another duck after 8am and we stayed until 9am. My buddy just called and said one of my fields has around 300 geese in it. Hopefully they show up tomorrow.

Posted By:
Darron Baker
Field Editor

S. Ohio 12-25-2008 15:31
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 25-30 Degrees – Ice
Hunted a flooded field that was holding a couple mallards yesterday evening. Arrived this morning to 1/2″ ice. We made a decent hole and set out a spinner and a few floaters. I couldn’t hunt long this morning, but thought we might be able to whack a few birds and get out by 9am. Shooting time came and we decoyed in a flock of 4 and knocked all 4 out, including one mature drake gadwall. Had a couple more flocks work us, but the hole started to freeze back over and none would finish. Did not see another duck after 8am and we stayed until 9am. Got a buddy out scouting right now for tomorrow, hopefully he can find some birds in some of our fields. If not, we might try hunting a drainage ditch directly across the street from a roost holding a couple hundred ducks.

Posted By:
Darron Baker
Field Editor

S. Ohio 12-24-2008 14:22
Cloudy, Occassional Rain Showers – 35-40 Degrees
Set up in the corn today not too far from about 500 geese and about half that many ducks. The ducks flew all morning long, but never set down anywhere. They would just fly around then go back and land on the roost. The geese started flying out about 10am and they had it on their mind to land in the field across the road which permission cannot be obtained (tried and got a firm no). We did manage to decoy a couple smaller flocks of ducks into the corn that came in feet down. Ended up taking a two man limit of mallards. Lots of birds around in this particular area, but most did not want to work or knew where they were going.

Posted By:
Anthony-Santoli
Field Editor

northwest ohio 12-23-2008 13:05
Cloudy, High Winds – 10-20 Degrees – Ice
Hello all,,,,Merry Christmas,Happy Kwanza,Chanukah…etc….etc…

Last weekend went very well all things considering. We got out to our only open hole Friday evening to scout around. Flushed an easy 200-300 ducks off the pool. Set up saturday early morning,,,moved some ice away and cleaned up the area pretty nice. It was a very fun hunt,,,freezing cold. 18 ducks, we shot all our black ducks,,a bunch of mallards and then had a constant flow of black ducks landing 10 feet away for 2 hours straight. It was a pretty sight to see. I shot a banded black to boot. (it came from Northern Quebec). Sunday ws windy as all get out and not much flew (20-40MPH winds all morning), we shot all of our Black ducks and that was it. Everything is frozen in Northwest Ohio,,, Sandusky Bay is locked up pretty tight on the east end and is filled with 10 foot tall icebergs. The water was also blowing out very quickly. We took a drive over to Castalia duck pond and it is loaded with birds. Very nice to see if you have never been over there. I would say it had a couple thousand Geese, a mess of beautiful Mallards, Gadwalls and a whole lot of perfectly colored Hollywoods. Report from the ODNR is that the arctic blast pushed most of the ducks out of that area so those of you in Southwest Ohio should be in for a very good weekend. Saturdays temps are supposed to be 50’s-60 degrees,,open water. I have also seen reports of various Ross,Snows and some Specks around Ohio as well.

Good luck everyone and Merry Freakin Christmas….now get your arses out there and “Getcha Some” for the holidays.

Out

Posted By:
Darron Baker
Field Editor

S, Ohio 12-22-2008 09:48
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – Below Zero
The brutally cold temps and sunny skies ended up making for some fast and furious mallard shooting this morning. I scouted a slough last night we have permission for that had 150-200 mallards in it. Got there this morning in just enough time to throw out a dozen dekes and a spinner. About 5 min before legal we started having ducks work in. We just let them sit until legal. Our first shots were fired into at least 30 ducks. Needless to say we knocked down several as they were within 5 yards. We took our 3 man limit of mallards (10 drakes and 2 hens) by 7:45am. It was flock after flock of ducks for the first 20 min of legal. Once we shot our mallards we stayed until 8:30am to see if we could’t see some different ducks, but all we saw were mallards.

A front is suppose to move in tomorrow bringing a mix bag of precip and rain on X-mas eve. I might have to try for some ducks and geese in the corn. I know where a bunch is at, including neck collars and pentails, just need nasty weather to get them to move.

Posted By:
Shawn-Philbrick
Field Editor

Medina co saturday, Killbuck sunday 12-22-2008 07:03
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the geese are in the corn, as we got a 4 man limit, and a bonus farm goose on saturday

sunday I hit some open water on Killbuck Creek, and shot 4 drake mallards….big fatties too…pics in the grip and grin…

could have shot 40….mallards everywhere, and they’re all concentrated on holes in the ice, or open water stretches of the rivers.

back at them tonight til wednesday….