Category: Alabama

Posted By:
JS Wilson
Guest

North Eastern AL 12-29-2011 21:43
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 60-65 Degrees
During the next 7 to 10 days it looks to be warm and sunny. We really need more precipitation to fill up our swamps and sloughs when the push does come!!!

Outboard repairs plus balmy days tells me to take a few days and wait for the weather and the ducks. Catch you up after the Christmas Holidays!!!

Merry Christmas,

JSW

Dec 21 2011

Posted By:
JS Wilson
Guest

North Eastern AL 12-29-2011 21:39
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 45-50 Degrees
Two of us hunted a swamp off a large lake that usually holds a mixture of ducks and geese through mid to late season.

We set up on the lakeside of the swamp with very few opportunites to shoot this morning. I took one greenhead that worked early and that was it. We saw a few moew mallards and 20-30 woodies but birds seemed very shy and wary.

We will reat the hole and it again when more birds push down later in the season.

Hoping for cold,

JSW

Nov 15 2011

Posted By:
JS Wilson
Guest

North Eastern AL 12-29-2011 21:34
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 35-40 Degrees
Two of us hunted a beaver pond that had been holding ducks and geese a few days before.

The pond is tight so we knew this would be in your face shooting!! We took a two man limit by 900 am of gw teal, mallards, woodies and a single honker.

A great morning with birds responding very well to calls and in your face action!!! The dog defintely got a good work out this morning.

Most all the birds are big and fat northern birds…heavy down and thick fat layers!!!

Gray skies and whistling wings,

JSW

Dec 13 2011

Posted By:
JS Wilson
Guest

North Eastern AL 12-29-2011 21:29
Cloudy, Winds Calm – 25-30 Degrees – Ice
Two of us hunted a small slough off the river during the morning hours. Killed a mixed bag of 10 birds by 9 am. Birds included 6 gw teal, 1 greenhead and 3 woodies.

Most of the slough was froze over my thin ice…we broke up an area threw out a dozen dekes and set up the mojo’s. The teal and mallards wanted in the hole bad with the woodies all passing shots over dekes.

Good day,

JSW

Dec 11 2011

Posted By:
JS Wilson
Guest

North Eastern AL 12-29-2011 21:20
Cloudy, Winds Calm – 30-34 Degrees – Open Water
Two of us hunted a small beaver pond during the morning and killed 10 birds by 830 am. The pond is choked with vegetation and surrounded by water oaks…definitely holding some birds when we scouted a few days earlier.

The first flight screamed in just past 6 am and we took several gw teal out of the flock. Later on more gw teal came buzzing in and we took a few more. The birds were literally sitting down on top of us. The woodies were the late comers and we killed 4 woodies before we pulled out.

Seriously thinking about shouldering the o/u 20 gauge in such tight quarters next go around!!

Gray skies and whistling wings,

JSW

Dec 04 2011

Posted By:
JS Wilson
Guest

North Eastern AL 12-29-2011 21:07
Mostly Sunny, No Precipitation – 35-40 Degrees
Did an afternoon hunt in a small swamp off the river. The area usally roosts large numbers of woodies and few puddlers.

Bagged a limit of woodies within 30 minutes of the hunt and pulled out quickly. Over the next 2 hours I watched hundreds of woodies, a few dozen mallards and a few teal come into roost.

A beautiful site to watch especially this early in the season!! Season closes and opens up again in a week…can’t wait!!!

Gray skies and whistling wings,

JSW

Nov 26 2011

[Edited By JS Wilson on 2011-12-29 21:08]

[Edited By JS Wilson on 2011-12-29 21:12]

Posted By:
JS Wilson
Guest

North Eastern AL 12-29-2011 21:00
Sunny & Clear, Morning Fog – 40-45 Degrees
Hunted large slough off the river with low water. Moderate fog low on the water during first hour of daylight. Large concentration of puddlers in the area for this time of year. Majority of birds consist of gadwall and some mallards.

I hunted out of an FA Brand marsh gunner and took a limit of birds by 7:45 am. Birds responded well to calls and came right in the dekes. Bag limit consisted of 4 mallards and 2 gadwalls.

Excellent opening morning and the fog helped immensely to break up the layout boat profile!!

Gray skies and whistling wings,

JSW

Nov 25 2011

[Edited By JS Wilson on 2011-12-29 21:09]

Posted By:
coldkiller
Web Member

Sledge,Ms 09-02-2009 16:41
– – –
I offer some of the best waterfowl hunting in the south and have plenty of refernces if you need them.

We are lovated in Sledge,Ms close to Tunica. The duck hunting has been exceptional for the last 5 years when Arkansas was suffering we were killing ducks.

I have locations from $3000 to $14,000.00 which is an entire farm with fields and timber hunting combined. These spots just came available and want last long

Charles Morrison
Coldwater Duck Club,Inc.
President
931-224-0700
931-698-1914
Mautosun@aol.com

Posted By:
Paul-Slovisky
Field Editor

youth hunt event 06-30-2009 15:17
– – –
Gentlemen:

Thought i would pass on the link for the info to what we hope will be a huge youth hunting event the end of July. My buddy is the Alabama State DU Greenwing Chair and is putting it on with the NWhat and US Corps of Engineers. It started as a duck event and before we knew it the thing grew into an outdoor event. The sponsorship is definately there. Already have commintments from the likes of QDMA, DU, NWhat, Academy, Bass Pro, several Banks. The list goes on and on. The plan is for every kids to walk away with something hunting related free. All we need are the kids. Heck we are even feeding people for the weekend and having a fishing rodeo. Can’t beat that.

Check it out and hopefully you all can bring a kid.

http://www.ducks.org/states/31/events/event18553.html

Posted By:
JS Wilson
Guest

Northeast and North central Alabama 01-13-2009 21:35
Cloudy, High Winds – 35-40 Degrees
A little catching up is needed giving the date of my last posting…I took a break from hunting over the Christmas holidays for a few reasons…worn out, warm weather and RAIN!!

But I was back at it after the holidays and have been hunting hard the last week. We had a major push of birds over the last week and half with large numbers of mallards, widgeon, gadwall, pintail and a scattering of divers showing up on local waters.

With the heavy rains over the last two weeks the rivers are at flood stage and the rain could not have come at a better time. The mud flats are covered and the waters are flooded back into the timber line. And with the bumper crop of acorns this year the ducks are having a feast!!

Over the last few days we have taken limits of ducks on each outing. This past Sunday three of us killed a three man limit with a total of six species in the bag!

We also hunted a dry corn field on Monday for honkers killing four geese and pass shooting a pair of bonus woodies!!

Now I’m bracing for the Arctic blast coming our way and waiting for more migrators to show up and put a great finish to the season!!

Gray skies and whistlin’ wings,

JSW

Posted By:
JS Wilson
Guest

Northeast AL 12-17-2008 07:41
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 50-60 Degrees
Me and a parnter hunted a slough off the river yesterday and took a single limit of ducks…mixed bag of shovelers, gw teal, and ruddies. Should of stayed put we could of taken our limit of honkers too!!

Heading back out tomorrow…with the rain slickers on!!! Rain is messy but we need all we can get here in the southeast!!

Later,

JSW

Posted By:
JS Wilson
Guest

Northeast AL 12-13-2008 14:21
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 30-34 Degrees – Open Water
A cold afternoon hunt hoping to shoot some divers coming off the river to roost on a weedy lake…worked a few mallards but no divers. Just before shooting time was over we worked several groups of honkers.

My partner managed one out of four…needless to say I muffed the shot!! Heading back tomorrow evening with some goose dekes and flags. We should have a good hunt…about 50-60 geese roosting on the lake!!

Gray skies and whistlin’ wings,

JSW

Posted By:
JS Wilson
Guest

Northeast AL 12-11-2008 22:48
Cloudy, Rain & Thunderstorms – 50-60 Degrees
Wow…today, or at least this morning, was an utter frog strangler!! Rain, rain and more rain…we definitely need the rain here in the south but it makes for a miserably hunt.

Pulled out about 7:30 am running from the deluge. Grabbed some breakfast and let the rain pass. Hunted a lake off the river and did very well mid-day to early afternoon. I killed 5 ducks and 2 honkers…mixed bag of ducks including ringers, mallards and scaup!!

Gotta love layout boat hunting…

Later,

JSW

Posted By:
JS Wilson
Guest

Northeast AL 12-09-2008 21:02
Cloudy, High Winds – 60-65 Degrees
Ducky weather…maybe a little colder would have been nice!! I hunted a marshy lake this afternoon and what a hunt!!

When I pulled up to slide my layout boat in the water I estimated around 250 birds on the water. Mostly divers but with a scattering of gadwall and widgeon.

I motored across the lake set up a spread of divers and took a limit of ringers before dark…wished the bluebills had worked back over!!

Later,

JSW

Posted By:
JS Wilson
Guest

North AL 12-09-2008 20:56
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 35-40 Degrees
Hunted a small swamp off the river the other morning and did okay…the swamp is usually a woodie magnet but the swamp is just now starting to flood.

Killed a couple of mallards and missed out on a pair of wood ducks left the area about 7:30 a.m.

Hunted a small swampy WMA the following afternoon and smoked some ringers…should have had a limit but shooting was poor!!

Gray skies and whistlin’ wings,

JSW

Posted By:
JS Wilson
Guest

Northeast AL 12-02-2008 22:31
Mostly Sunny, No Precipitation – 35-40 Degrees
Another great day for the 2008-2009 waterfowl season…hunted a large swamp off of a main lake that is choked with vegetation and loaded with oak trees on the edges. Needless to say the ducks where everywhere…our two man team took a limit of woodies just after sunrise…the wood ducks were working the brushy area of the swamp with the big ducks piling up out in the weedy pockets of the lake.

After taking our limit of woodies we moved our dekes and staged up at the head of the lake…where we finished off the morning by filling our bag limits with mallards!!!

Highlight of the morning were the two black ducks that buzzed over head…maybe next time!!

Gray skies and whistlin’ wings,

JSW

Posted By:
JS Wilson
Guest

North AL 11-30-2008 22:50
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 35-40 Degrees
A few days after the opener…put the layout boat in and hunted the open water for big ducks this afternoon. The winds where high and the clouds where spitting rain. Managed three mallards but should have limited out…many birds came in after shooting hours.

Heading back tomorrow with gang lines and a floating flasher!!

Gray skies and whistling wings,

JSW

[Edited By JS Wilson on 2008-11-30 22:51]

Posted By:
JS Wilson
Guest

North AL 11-30-2008 22:46
Sunny & Clear, Morning Fog – 35-40 Degrees
Opening morning was a blast…loads of greenwing teal buzzing around everywhere. Hunted out of my new layout boat and the little boogers where literally flying right off both the port and starboard decks!! The dog was going crazy they where so close!!!

Took a limit of gw teal very early and a buddy hunting behind me killed a banded green-wing…his first band!!

I saw very few big ducks but a few gaddies, shovelers, and two pintail where sighted during the early morning.

Hunted the following afternoon and managed a few more gw teal and one goldeneye…the highlight of the day!!

Going back again soon,

JSW

[Edited By JS Wilson on 2008-11-30 22:52]

Posted By:
JS Wilson
Guest

Northeast AL 11-10-2008 09:58
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 45-50 Degrees
Indeed we have started welcoming the migrators from the far north….always a very welcoming sign to see good numbers of migrants this early way down in the deep south!!!

The numbers of woodies, gadwalls, and mallards are looking good along the rivers and the mourning doves are pouring in as well.

I dove hunted two days this past weekend and limited out both days…the doves were really trying hard to land on my head yesterday…thanks to the mojo dove!!

Just about two and half weeks away and regular waterfowl season kicks off…get ready fella’s!!

Gray skies and whistlin’ wings,

JSW

Posted By:
bamaduckaholic
Guest

N Alabama 11-09-2008 09:31
– – 50-60 Degrees
Outside grilling some burgers last night and heard snow geese heading south. The high winds and arctic blast up north definitely had those birds pushed to far east but it is a good sign the first real push of fowl took place this weekend. Get your gear ready guys……

Posted By:
JS Wilson
Guest

Northeast AL 11-02-2008 19:23
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 50-60 Degrees
Let the scouting begin…over the past couple weeks I’ve been checking local swamps, reservoirs, and rivers and seeing a few birds!

Hopefully the migration is underway and with more cold temps up north the ducks will begin moving south and the sooner the better!!

I watched about 150 puddle ducks come into roost on a local reservoir, mostly mallards and gadwall with a few teal in the mix.
The swamps are holding a few woodies but should pack full in the coming weeks with migrators…the water oaks are loaded this year so the birds shouldn’t need to travel far to feed…and thats good for me!! The resident geese are grouping up again and moving from field to field…it should be a bang up weekend with the season opener only a few weeks away!!!

Gray skies and whistlin’ wings,

JSW

Posted By:
JS Wilson
Guest

Northeast AL 11-02-2008 19:23
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 50-60 Degrees
Let the scouting begin…over the past couple weeks I’ve been checking local swamps, reservoirs, and rivers and seeing a few birds!

Hopefully the migration is underway and with more cold temps up north the ducks will begin moving south and the sooner the better!!

I watched about 150 puddle ducks come into roost on a local reservoir, mostly mallards and gadwall with a few teal in the mix.
The swamps are holding a few woodies but should pack full in the coming weeks with migrators…the water oaks are loaded this year so the birds shouldn’t need to travel far to feed…and thats good for me!! The resident geese are grouping up again and moving from field to field…it should be a bang up weekend with the season opener only a few weeks away!!!

Gray skies and whistlin’ wings,

JSW

Posted By:
JS Wilson
Guest

Northeast AL 10-05-2008 10:37
Sunny & Clear, Morning Fog – Over 70 Degrees
Well…as early teal season closes for the 2008-2009 season me and my partner did manage a couple of good hunts limiting out each morning. Always nice to bang up on some blue wings to get the season started.

The teal were scattered this year (or at least during the season) in my area with no large concentrations of birds in any one area.

Just returned from a field goose hunt this morning (Oct 5) and oh what a morning. My partner and I have been beating up on the early resident geese during Sept-Oct but mostly pass shooting. This morning though we set up in a cut corn field with layout blinds and a couple dozen hardcore dekes and it was some hot action. We both limited out on big honkers and plan to do it again tomorrow morning!!

Gray skies and whistlin wings,

JS Wilson

Posted By:
JS Wilson
Guest

Northeast and North central Alabama 09-18-2008 10:57
Mostly Sunny, No Precipitation – Over 70 Degrees
While scouting for geese over the last weeks I’ve noticed the resident honker populations produced large clutch sizes this year as well as good gosling survival rates. Of course, this means more resident geese for us to chase this year during the split goose seasons!!

As of last week, I’ve not seen any large numbers of teal on area lakes but only scatterings of small flocks. Me and a partner did manage a two man limit last week but hunted ’til mid day. After this weeks cold front the southeast should get a push of birds for the last weekend of early teal season!!! Lets hope so anyway…

Gray skies and whistlin’ wings,

JS Wilson

Posted By:
JS Wilson
Guest

Northeast AL 09-18-2008 10:42
Cloudy, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
And the 2008-2009 season is upon us…opened the hunting season with an early goose/teal hunt on September 6th bagging a couple of honkers and watching the teal mix in with resident mallards. Too close for comfort to shoot any blue wings though!!

Finished off the day with a barrel melting dove shoot on a 300 acre corn field…what a way too kick off the season.

JS Wilson

[Edited By JS Wilson on 2008-09-18 10:43]

[Edited By JS Wilson on 2008-09-18 11:01]

Posted By:
coldkiller
Web Member

SLEDGE,MS 09-10-2008 11:06
– – –
I STILL HAVE SOME PITS AND BLINDS AVAILABLE FOR THE 08/09 WATERFOWL SEASON.WE ARE LOCATED JUST 20 MILES FROM TUNICA,MS.WE ARE VERY SUCCESSFUL AND HAVE ALOT OF GUYS FROM ALABAMA AND GEORGIA THAT LEASE FROM US.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
CHARLES MORRISON
931-224-0700

Posted By:
JS Wilson
Guest

Northeast AL 01-17-2008 20:18
Cloudy, Snow & Rain Mix – 30-34 Degrees – Open Water
Well what do you know…the first snow event of the year for our area. I hunted yesterday with little success. Killing a couple of gadwall during the early morning hours.

My area is still holding birds but most birds on the big waters are very wary at this point in the season…at least this season. Thankfully the rainfall has helped fill the small holes that are beginning to hold fair numbers of mallards and woodies. After the wind picked up and sleet and snow moved into the area on Wednesday I started scouting holes for the upcoming weekend.

With local meteorologists predicting some nasty weather for the weekend I’m hoping this will send us another big push of birds before seasons end!!

Whistlin’ wings,

JSW

Posted By:
JS Wilson
Guest

Northeast AL 01-07-2008 20:51
Cloudy, High Winds – 35-40 Degrees
Lack of posts are result of downed internet service…but we’ve been hunting for sure.

I haven’t been up on the TN river since before X-mas… though two of us did manage a few gadwall that morning off the river south of Raccoon Creek.

Mostly hunting along the Coosa River System since the rains have raised lake levels. We got a big push of birds around X-mas that stayed around for a couple of weeks. We killed limits of widgeon, gadwall mallard, with a scattering of gw teal and ringers in the mix…not bad for mid-season!!

Hoping the puddle ducks hold close but they’re likely to push back north to the freeze line with these spring temps.

Getting ready for my annual diver hunt along the Gulf Coast in a few weeks…diver mornings and speckled trout afternoons!!

Whistlin’ wings and tight lines,

JSW

Posted By:
Shooton3
Guest

01-01-2008 08:21
– – –
Do you guys just not hunt or just not post hunting reports.

Posted By:
termite
Guest

12-11-2007 18:32
– – –
Anyone hunting ducks in Jackson county-Racoon creek area???

Posted By:
mstone
Guest

Raccoon Creek 11-18-2007 17:12
– – –
Does anyone know if they started pumping the water here in Jackson county? food looks decent but as of 11/11, no water.

Posted By:
JS Wilson
Guest

Scouting in Bama 11-14-2007 15:45
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 60-65 Degrees
I’ve been scouting over the last week and I’m pleased to report fair numbers of ducks on local reservoirs.

The majority of species counted were mallards, gadwalls, and ringnecks with a scattering of BWteal in the mix.

The weather reports are shaping up for opening weekend…hope the reports stay true!!

JSW

Posted By:
Marcdf
Web Member

Guntersville 11-14-2007 15:43
– – –
The lake has been running 1-1.5 feet below full pool.

Posted By:
dmealer
Guest

11-12-2007 18:54
– – –
Does anyone have any information on lake Guntersville? i prefer water level and any new concentrations of ducks in the area

Posted By:
Dr. Skillet
Guest

Alexander City 11-06-2007 07:50
Cloudy, High Winds – 50-60 Degrees
Just a note on the migration hitting here in south central alabama. While dropping my 2nd grader at school I noticed to balls of feathers 10 feet front he sidewalk where we park for drop off and immediately my mind said woodcock. There sat 2 woodcock 10 feet from the sidewalk and just to make sure they were real I just had to flush them! I hope they signal the start of our winter migration. I am assuming they were flying out in front of this cold front and got tired and decided to sit down in AC! It was good to see them as I have not seen any for several years. Friends report increase in “wild” ducks swimming with locals in what is left of Lake Martin, but one never knows.

Lets hope for more cold weather to push ’em on down.

Dr. Skillet

Posted By:
woodsman695
Guest

10-27-2007 22:54
– – –
What is the water situation in north alabama? Thoughts of hunting in the area this year. Appreciate any info. woodsman

Posted By:
r-n-tms
Web Member

montgomery 10-24-2007 06:02
– – –
did some looking around yesterday saw 40 blue wing teal and 5 spoonies.they were on one of my farm pounds first teal i have seen in over a month.

Posted By:
coldkiller
Web Member

Sledge Miss 08-23-2007 09:21
– – –
I have some exceptional Duck hunting opportunities available for the 07/08 season.Pits available in flooded rice fields that have been red-hot in the last several years.Pits are capable of hunting 6 hunters.Land formed fields with crops left for the Ducks.Plus millions of Snow geese.

[Edited By support on 2007-09-12 12:45]

Posted By:
r-n-tms
Web Member

04-20-2007 05:39
– – –
you will be about three hours from where i live

Posted By:
Darren Speirs
Field Editor

04-19-2007 09:06
– – –
NW staying around Jasper

Posted By:
r-n-tms
Web Member

04-19-2007 05:43
– – –
what part of the state are you coming to

Posted By:
Darren Speirs
Field Editor

turkey hunting 04-18-2007 07:55
– – –
ok I am going to be in Alabama April 26 to may 1 and thought I might get a day or 2 hunting

Posted By:
r-n-tms
Web Member

04-18-2007 05:52
– – –
we might could work somthing out for next year season is just about over and the birds are not doing alot this year with our crasy weather

Posted By:
Darren Speirs
Field Editor

A canadian guy needs help 04-17-2007 08:31
– – –
Hey do you know of anyone that could take a Canadian guy Turkey hunting in your great State

Posted By:
GOOSE SLAYER22
Web Member

03-20-2007 14:26
– – –
Just wanting to let you know, If anybody is wanting to hunt in manitoba ,canada this year , i no a good place to go if you want more information just pm, And i will tell you about my experences up there.

Posted By:
r-n-tms
Web Member

01-30-2007 05:58
– – –
bama we are hunting cow pastures farm ponds and the river hunting over 6 full bodies in the fields and both full bodies and 6 floaters when we hunt over water we killed 49 of the 64 in the early season this is the first year we have realy been successful with the geese i realy enjoy hunting those big honkers

[Edited By r-n-tms on 2007-01-30 06:00]

Posted By:
Bama
Guest

Season 01-29-2007 21:21
– – –
Well I sure did not kill that many geese WOW. Real nice job.

If your killing on public land you must share some secrets to your success.

I had an OK season. No great days. Some frustrating ones, for sure.
.
My news pups are starting to get the hang of the game. They made some good retrieves but lost some that make me want to scream.

I will have to get them some off-season work.

I averaged a little better than a duck a day. Not many ducks around and poor shooting do not help.

Had a great time. I will start to count the days soon.

Need to fix all the things I broke and replace the things I lost.

Posted By:
r-n-tms
Web Member

01-29-2007 05:41
– – –
well the season is over finshed with 64 geese combind early season and rergular 35 ducks combind early teal season and duck considering the amount of birds down it was a fair season

Posted By:
Ross-Malone
Guest

Jackson County, Stevenson 01-21-2007 21:53
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 40-45 Degrees
Hunted yesterday at Raccoon Creek WMA. Two guns and bagged three ducks. Did not see, but five ducks and when you shoot three of them that is not good.
OK here is another observation fact. From about 7:30 to 9:30 on Saturday morning we saw flocks of ducks sky high and headed north. Ducks were in numbers of 4, 12, 15 to groups of 30. So you tell me what that was all about. It’s about it’s over, stick a fork in it. Unless we have gadwalls and ducks move in from the south it’s over for this year. Another fact and observation, we went to the Stevenson Park and we did not see a total of 100 ducks of all species.
Also, I went to one of the big roost spots and where normally ~600 ducks there maybe 50 showed up for the roost.
OK, we are the ultimate optimist for duck hunters like today go in the rain and we saw maybe 10 ducks. OH well, whatelse do we have to do with all of that high tech expensive equipment to hunt these feather birds with. Got to go and use it for our better half will kick our butts if we do not use it after we order it and store it in the house 10 months of the year.
Good luck on the rest of the reason and take this like a man and don’t give up till it over and that’s next Sunday.
Be safe.
Ross

[Edited By Ross-Malone on 2007-01-21 21:54]

Posted By:
Bama
Guest

Jackson CO 01-15-2007 17:17
Mostly Sunny, No Precipitation – 60-65 Degrees
Well hunted Sunday Monday in Jackson CO.

Great fun but few ducks. Some woodies and Gads. Few mallards and other big ducks.

I would say we have less ducks now then in JULY.

Got a woody and gad. Lost a black duck , good swimmer. dog could not make it happen.

Saw a few geese.

Posted By:
WERD
WFC Sponsor

Alabama River near Montgomery 01-15-2007 08:53
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 50-60 Degrees
Duck hunting has been slow for big ducks. I have seen several groups of big ducks, but they don’t want to work. I guess they have been “sky-busted” too many times by people that don’t know when a bird is in range or not.

I have shot a lot of woodies on a regular basis and the occasional diver. Duck and goose activity will continue to be low as long as the weather is warm. Good luck to your guys hunting this week, it should be good with this cold front coming through.

WERD

[Edited By WERD on 2007-01-15 08:53]

Posted By:
r-n-tms
Web Member

alabama river north and south of montgomery 01-15-2007 05:42
Mostly Sunny, No Precipitation – 45-50 Degrees
past two weekends hunting river killing limits of woodies with two to three hunters each time out not seeing any big ducks and geese are already paring up

Posted By:
Ross-Malone
Guest

Guntersville Mid-Winter Survey 01-08-2007 22:30
Mostly Sunny, No Precipitation – 50-60 Degrees
OK the duck survey numbers are in and then really tell the story. Bottom line we are about 45% less mallards from a year ago and only 15% increase since Thanksgiving. So you know why your not shooting mallards. Black ducks are down 70% less from this time last year. Only 74 total.
Canvasback down 87% from last year. Divers numbers have decreased since Thanksgiving so you figure it out. Warm weather makes it hard to work any ducks into the shooting range of a blind. So read the numbers and think about it. It’s too late for any new birds to migrate. Hang in there and keep the faith. Maybe the youth day will be best ever.
First survey number is from 1-3-2007 (mid-winter), second is from 11-21-2006 (Pre-season) and third is from 1-5-2006 (last year’s Mid-winter).
Mallards -1764/1605/3100
Black duck – 74/4/270
Gadwall – 16,951/11,662/16,500
Wigeon – 80/30/806
GWT – 79/75/960
Shoveler – 530/210/640
Pintail – 10/0/80
Wood duck – 0/0/200
Total Dabblers 19,488/13,586/22,556
Redhead – 0/2/45
Canvasback – 142/15/1000
Scaup – 83/320/360
Ringneck – 351/300/1310
Goldeneye – 5/0/20
Bufflehead – 13/10/411
Ruddy Duck – 20/10/60
Hooded Merganser 54/52/390
Total Divers 668/899/3206
Canada Geese 171/175/670

RAM

Posted By:
Ross-Malone
Guest

Jackson County, Stevenson 01-07-2007 09:17
Cloudy, Winds Calm – 40-45 Degrees
Well, it’s slow and whatelse is new.
Here is an report from some of my friends that hunt in Alabama. It’s not worth the drive for me to make from Chattanooga. Kind of sad for we do not have any winters anymore. When you out hunting and never have to use gloves that just about tells one the story.
Be Safe.
Copied from Chattanoogan.com/outdoors.

Jackson County, Alabama
44 Degrees and rising
No wind, Minimal fog
2 Hunters, 5 Hours
Zero Ducks
Ran about 80-100 ducks off of the roost early, set up and waited for them to come back. One group shot in Raccoon WMA about 15 minutes early. Come on guys! One lone greenhead came back about 9:15. Should have had him but waited for one more pass and he didn’t do it. Didn’t see more than a
handful all morning. Very little shooting, heard lots of geese on the river though. Even the divers and Gadwalls that “land out in the middle” were gone. Talked with the game warden and three officers hadn’t checked in a single duck at a little before noon, surveying 3 different WMA’s. They had however checked in 3 coots, yummy. It is as slow as I have ever seen it. We were attacked by ants and mosquitoes and heard frogs most of the morning. Spring has apparently arrived.
L. Lewis, J. Boles

Posted By:
Ross-Malone
Guest

Jackson Cty. Stevenson Alabama 01-01-2007 22:13
Cloudy, High Winds – 40-45 Degrees
Well, we need to just give it a rest. Heck I have seen more action in a morgue.
Took out a 11 year old today. Got started about 1pm and did not see much all afternoon. Some ringnecks and one mallard. Birds did come in till after shooting hours eneded. Also above the 117 flat bridge we heard at least 7 volleys that were shooting as late as 30 minutes after hours. You know I have faith in Alabama Conservation Department, but I have hunted this area 7 times this year and 3 of these times have heard late shooting. Really do not know whatelse to say about it except someday I do hope they get caught and have to pay big time. Hard to explain to my young hunting partner today why is not just a law it is a conservation tool to help keep ducks in the skies for future years.
Keep the faith and pray for rain and cold weather to help make this year a good finish.
RAM

Posted By:
Bama
Guest

Rivers other than TN 01-01-2007 12:19
Sunny & Clear, Morning Fog – 40-45 Degrees
Hunted in West Central Alabama one day and in East Alabama another day. Skunked one Day and One woody the other. Not much going on. Glad to get a woody drake to Ring in the New Year right this AM.

May head to North Alabama today to a couple of Days.

Happy New year go kill some ducks and maybe even a goose.

[Edited By Bama on 2007-01-01 12:19]

Posted By:
Ross-Malone
Guest

Jackson County, Stevenson 12-27-2006 11:23
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 40-45 Degrees
Well, it was a typical holiday routine in Raccoon WMA yesterday. In the four different launch areas I counted 16 boats with 7 walk in cars. WOW! That would be great if the birds were working, but from our hunt of the day one ring-necked. Yes that was it. We left out early due to all of the different hunting groups. I know of only one hunting group that did very well at all. They shot some gadwalls, woodies and ring-neckeds in the early morning. Not to say there are not mallards somewhere in the county, but we sure did not see them. I think we saw a total of 14 all day with none giving anyone of the different hunting setups a second look. The calling by some of the hunters is OK, but I guess when you see the birds not responding you would think they do not want to hear you or maybe see those flashing strobes lights. Really does not matter to me just hope you enjoy the holiday routine season out there and take a boy or girl out and experience the outdoors this year.
Still observe late shooting on this WMA and this is the worse thing that can happen to any duck hunting area. The later you shoot the later they come in. Wake up and smell the coffee everyone for someday you will receive what you reap and have to pay the piper. From my understanding it has potential lost of license for one year so think about it before you shoot late and go before the judge and tell him your weak excuses for we all have cell phones with the correct time. Shooting 20 minutes after sunset is just not smart and there were more than one group playing this game so do not get caught up in the fever. More rain this weekend may help the situation, but without snow and hard freezing weather north of us it will be limited success in our areas.
Be safe and do what is right.
RAM

Posted By:
Bama
Guest

North Alabama 12-24-2006 14:53
Sunny & Clear, Morning Fog – 45-50 Degrees
Hunted a few days of late in different spots. Mallards are on many of our lakes. The Geese are getting real wise. Still seing woodies every morning.

The rain will help open up some spots. Should flood some new food ont the WMAs that have any.
Still getting a woodie or two and a Green head or two each day.

We need some Wind and Cold.

Merry Christmas to all you Quack types.

Posted By:
WERD
WFC Sponsor

Alabama River near Montgomery 12-22-2006 10:27
Cloudy, Occassional Rain Showers – 60-65 Degrees
Hunted the “pen” hole and shot 2 wood ducks. Saw a couple of “very wary” mallards and one flock of Canadian geese.

Posted By:
Bama
Guest

TN river 12-18-2006 07:35
Cloudy, Heavy Fog – 40-45 Degrees
Unreal fog. I was back up in a creek and we could not see Squat until well into the morning. The two of us did get a drake and Hen Black Duck.

Not big #s sure but I just love those Blacks. They had super thick yellow fat.

Yankee birds I would think.

Stayed foggy until almost 11:00

Posted By:
r-n-tms
Web Member

montg.co 12-18-2006 05:49
Cloudy, Heavy Fog – 40-45 Degrees
hunted sat 3 hunters 2 hoodies sunday 4 hunters 5 geese

Posted By:
Bama
Guest

Coosa/ TN river 12-14-2006 12:45
Sunny & Clear, Morning Fog – 50-60 Degrees
Nothing.Hunted Yesterday and Sunday. Very few birds in the Air. No geese on the move at all. The warm weather will mess up hunting. It will change soon I hope.

Some birds had shown up on the last couple of fronts. Coots seemed to be back near normal levels. I hope they stay and the Greys join them. The “Nice” weather will make it hard.

[Edited By Bama on 2006-12-14 18:50]

Posted By:
Ross-Malone
Guest

Jackson Cty, Stevenson 12-12-2006 11:45
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 50-60 Degrees
Well, the weather should tell anyone the story. It was not a waste of time, but not a productive time to be in the field. Two wood ducks by two guns after all day in the field.
Love being out in the great outdoors, but would have liked to seen some ducks flying. No birds and no birds even after sunset to speak of. Where normally 1000 birds roost, maybe 25 to 50 at upmost.
Get that the Christmas shopping over for hunting will be a big disapointment with the warm weather this week. In two weeks the cold weather is predicted to be back on and activity should be back to normal.
Be safe and wear those life jackest.

RAM

[Edited By Ross-Malone on 2006-12-12 11:46]

[Edited By Ross-Malone on 2006-12-12 11:46]

Posted By:
Ross-Malone
Guest

Jackson Cty. Stevenson Alabama 12-06-2006 21:20
– – –
Need rain and less colder temps. All the freezes do is push the birds into the river and creeks and I for one do not hunt those too much.
We are dry and need rain to provide more habitat for the ducks. This is very critical for us to be successful in the up coming weeks. The birds will move on and not stay without fresh food sources.
Arkansas is dry again this year and the hunters are paying for it big time.
Had a few reports from Jackson County this past weekend and about the same as the Thanksgiving opener. Woodies and gadwalls in the bag.
This next cold wave may help provide some push of new birds, but most birds seem to be still north of Alabama.
Good luck and be safe.
RAM

[Edited By Ross-Malone on 2006-12-06 21:24]

Posted By:
Ross-Malone
Guest

Jackson Cty, Stevenson 12-01-2006 08:35
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 40-45 Degrees
Steve is correct and yes the Agency is trying to find out who is doing this.
Just cover your back at this time and inspect before you launch your boat.
They also broke the gate above the flat bridge and open the valve up. Valve has been close and gate repaired. Great effort by the Agency to repair so fast.
Bottom line we all need to watch out as a team on this one and report to the Jackson County WMA any items off normal to Jud Easterwood at 256-437-2788.
Last week the agency took many swapped samples of birds looking for the H5N1.
None has been found in the N. America at this time so no worry. Just remember to use good practices when dressing and handling your birds.
The Agency is doing this by request of the USFWS.
Should be a good weekend with the front that has just blown in.
Here are some numbers from last Tuesday flight survey. These numbers are at the normal trend for the last five years. Gadwalls maybe a few low, but when the survey was taken lake level was high and this tends to push birds in different sloughs.
Mallards 1605, Black ducks 4, Gadwalls 11,662, wigeon 30, GWT- 75,Shoveler 210, 0 pintail, scaup 350, ringneck 300, canvasback 15, redhead 2 bufflehead 10, hooded mergansar 52. This is from ~ Hwy. 79 in Scottsboro to TN state line.
Regards and be safe.
Ross
Ross A. Malone
Hixson, TN 37343
Volunteer Ducks Unlimited
Regional & CPC Chairman

[Edited By Ross-Malone on 2006-12-01 10:00]

Posted By:
atlwaterfowl
Web Member

Jackson County – Racoon Creek 11/24-25 11-30-2006 21:47
– – –
Great to get out last Friday and Sat. Lots of woodies. Ok guys, for those that hunt around Racoon Creek WMA, be advised. Somebody is out to mess with us hunters. As we came in to the boat ramp with my good hunting friend and our 2 sons (who we were introducing to the sport, they did not hunt with guns, just learning the process)my partner notice roofing nails and tacks spread all along the boat ramp and we noticed them all through the gravel lot. At first we thought that someone had an accident and accidently spilled some nails from their vehicle but after a few adults and kids picked up a pound + of nails or so, it is pretty obvious that someone wants to mess with hunters. From what I remember there was some vandalism in the area last year. Ross if you read this, maybe let the management folks know about this. It is a shame that someone would try ruin an outing. Was kind of interesting trying to explain to an 11 year old why someone would do this? If any one wants clarification on this then pm me.
Oh yea, folks in Racoon creek remember to be courteous of hunters that are already set up and also do not be quick on the draw at someone if a group of hunters are just trying to make their way by you to get to another destination either by boat or foot. As long as ducks are not flying no one is really hurting the other.
Be safe
Steve

Posted By:
r-n-tms
Web Member

montg. co 11-27-2006 05:42
– – –
sat am 4hunters killed 5 gadwalls sat pm 2hooded mergansers and 1 ringneck

Posted By:
Bama
Guest

River 11-25-2006 19:33
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 60-65 Degrees
Nice day for fishing on the opener and second day.

1 Drake mallard made a mistake.

Saw few woodies. Some Geese and Mallards.

Oh, well next week we can get after them.

Posted By:
Ross-Malone
Guest

Jackson County, Stevenson 11-24-2006 20:09
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 35-40 Degrees
Well, the season has opened and from the sound of things (lots of shooting) the first hour or two it was kind of a successful start. From all reports seems to be a good start. Wood ducks, Gads and some teal seem to make up the bag. Some big ducks were bagged. Water levels seem to be OK for the most part. Thanks to last week rains. Now we just need that cold front next week to push some new birds in for north. Will hunt in TN for the season opener tomorrow. Hope everyone had a safe and great Thanksgiving.
RAM

[Edited By Ross-Malone on 2006-11-24 20:12]

Posted By:
Ross-Malone
Guest

Jackson Cty. Stevenson Alabama 11-22-2006 22:44
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 50-60 Degrees
Well, less than two days away from the season opener. Raccoon Creek should be pumped up and ready. It was about a foot down on Monday, but the Agency was pumping. The river was high last week, but will be back to normal winter level by Friday. The high river provided good pumping conditions this year not like last year. Do not have pre-season duck count at this time. Bottom line if your going anyway does not matter what the numbers are.
If you were in the area last week scouting beware the river will be almost two feet lower. Also, there are no entry rules on the WMA’s till midnight tomorrow so don’t get caught scouting and spooking the ducks off the WMA’s.
Good luck, be Safe and have a Happy Thanksgiving.

[Edited By Ross-Malone on 2006-11-22 22:47]

[Edited By Ross-Malone on 2006-11-23 09:31]

Posted By:
CFGadwall
Guest

11-20-2006 12:51
– – –
Mike,

I hope you were joking about killing 2 gadwalls the other day. The season does not open until Friday the 24th.

I read a report that a bunch of kids from a high school up on the Tenn River were discovered hunting Saturday (on a WMA at that) and were quite surprised when they found out the season did not open yet. I wish it had been the game warden that caught them, dumb asses.

Posted By:

near goose pond 11-19-2006 15:48
Mostly Sunny, No Precipitation – 50-60 Degrees
Hey guys
I was in scottsboro hunting this morning in a cove off the river near goose pond.I seen lots of ducks for this time of year, I am sorry I can’t give any more info due too work calling me back home.It looks like it might be good year.The water seemed to be up but I have not checked in to it yet.Well we will see what happens next weekend.

[Edited By Mike-HesterAL on 2006-11-23 12:39]

Posted By:
Ross-Malone
Guest

Jackson County, Stevenson 11-12-2006 20:31
– – 40-45 Degrees
Howdy Sport Fans,
Less than two weeks to pop a cap at our favorite past time, duck hunting.
Just a note to let you know that ADNCR are in the process of pumping Raccoon Creek WMA.
The Guntersville Reservoir level is high for this time of the year. This high water level is helping efforts to pump up Raccoon WMA. However, this river level will not continue. TVA is trying to dump water and obtain winter levels on all of the lakes. Go to the following address for more on TVA lake levels. Copy and past the following: http://lakeinfo.tva.gov/htbin/lakeinfo?site=GUH&DataType=All&submit=View+info

Also, Wannville WMA is flooded holding several wood ducks at this time. The water level at Wannville depends on the Guntersville reservoir that is controlled by TVA.

Reelfoot lake in west TN had a OK season opener yesterday with a lot of birds staged just north of the area. For more on this survey go to
tn.ducks.org
Arkansas opens next weekend with a lot of good reports across the state that will be a nice season opener. Kentucky will open Thanksgiving day and hunt for four days then close and reopen on December 4.

Take your dog out for a test run it’s T-11 days till the opener in Alabama.
Be Safe.
Ross
Ross A. Malone
TN Volunteer Ducks Unlimited
Regional & CPC Chairman

Posted By:
Ross-Malone
Guest

11-05-2006 20:55
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 50-60 Degrees
Well, it’s about that time and we can all use a brush up on etiquette before the season starts. This was copied from the DU webpage.
Ross

Etiquette for Hunting Ducks on Public Areas

In many respects, hunter etiquette can make or break the quality of shooting on public areas. If all hunters would observe the following rules, ducks would work in tighter, shots would be closer, and the pleasures of this sport would be more widely shared by all. Everything you learned in kindergarten about getting along with others applies in the duck blind, too.

Don’t encroach on someone else’s spot. If they got there first, go find another hole.

Quit calling when ducks are working another hunter’s spread. If he has their attention, let him have them.

Don’t be a sky-buster. Avoid taking shots that are at marginal range. Sky-busting is unsporting, and it results in too many cripples that aren’t recovered.

Don’t block boat ramps or parking areas any longer than necessary. Be ready to launch with all your gear loaded in, plug installed and straps undone when it’s your turn to launch.

Be respectful of hunters in boats with less horsepower than you have. When passing another boat, ease around it with as little wake as possible. Don’t shine a spotlight in another boat driver’s eyes.

Don’t violate a friend’s trust. If he takes you to a secret spot on a public area, don’t go back there without his knowledge or permission. And never take others there.

Remember that the Golden Rule certainly applies to hunting on public areas. In all regards, treat others as you would like to be treated. Such respectful behavior will translate into better hunting and greater pleasures for all who must share an area.

By Wade Bourne

Posted By:
mstone
Guest

10-30-2006 18:50
– – –
Ross, that doesn’t suprise me one bit. The Agency down there was shortsighted years and years ago in their decision to let people hunt all day, everyday. In most states that have quality hunting, that condition simply does not exist.As far as the people breaking the law down there, that is a local subculture. Before I ever started hunting there, I always heard that evenings could be the best time. Well, when outlaws shoot the feeding and roosting areas until well after hours,who couldn’t kill ducks. The sad thing about that is, the local wildlife officers knew it was happening. If they really wanted to catch somebody, they could have. Sorry, I’ve heard them too many times.

Posted By:
Ross-Malone
Guest

Jackson County, Stevenson 10-19-2006 21:40
– – –
Well, if you have not heard check out the website for some new shooting times in Jackson County Alabama WMA’s.
They have opened the season back up to all day hunting seven days a week. I for one agree with this idea for we tried the Monday-Thursday half day closures with no changes that were observed by many hunters and some hunters were hunting all day reguardless of the law. I observed on three different days guys hunting in Raccoon and Mud Creek all day. Too much for the Agency to enforce.
I hope they have closed the valves and gates to catch some of this rain we have had the past few days. Last year several of the units never did fill up, for it was a very dry year.
Also, crops are average if that. Not much quality food. The farmers in the county had a huge soybean crop failure and lots of corn did not make for summer drought. This could be OK for it means the priviate clubs do not have a lot of food to keep the birds sitting tight near the refuges. The more the birds travel for food could mean a good thing unless it turns off real cold and the birds have to leave out to find new food sources.
Bottom line is get your dog out there and start getting them in shape. Don’t even think you best friend in the blind can go our and hit it hard without some training.
Be Blessed and get ready for time is short.
Ross

http://www.outdooralabama.com/hunting/land/wmamaps/Jacksonwma.pdf

[Edited By Ross-Malone on 2006-10-19 21:44]

Posted By:
hiballer211
Supporting Member

Gator HUNT PIC!!!! 09-25-2006 12:27
– – –
Here is a pic of a gator we took at Lake Blackshear, GA last week. He was 10.5 Feet long and weighed in at a little over 500lbs.

www.livinitoutdoors.com

[IMG]http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c173/hiballer211/gator1.jpg[/IMG]

Posted By:
hiballer211
Supporting Member

Livin It Outdoors 09-25-2006 01:59
– – –
Hey,
I just wanted to let everyone know about a new hunting show on t.v. called Livin It Outdoors

Iam on the show if anyone has any questions…..

“LIO” TV currently airs onWRJM MY67 (UPN) out of Montgomery Alabama at 10:00am Saturdays July 2006 to December 2006. Coverage area is 18 counties in South Alabama.

“LIO” TV will air on The CW (UPN) out of Dothan Alabama at 9:00am Sundays starting October of 2006 to March 2007. Coverage is 8 counties in South Alabama and South West Georgia.

If everything goes as planned we will go national around this time next year…. Until then please watch the show and checkout the website and let us know what you think…….

www.livinitoutdoors.com

Posted By:
Dr. Skillet
Guest

Mobile 09-20-2006 06:58
– – –
Is there anybody hunting in Mobile Bay for teal?
I need to read about some killin’ in a bad way!

Posted By:
r-n-tms
Web Member

09-18-2006 05:39
– – –
saturday 15 doves sunday afternoon 15 doves