Posted By:
Sloughslogger
Guest
Piedmont River Swamp 12-22-2009 11:21
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 25-30 Degrees – Ice
Went to the river this morning for a quick hunt before work. Splashed two woodys!
The mallards are here! About twenty in one bunch came over and circled the swamp several times but the swamp was frozen and they didn’t’ have anywhere to set down. I had made jerk in the ice for a few decoys but they froze back in a matter of minutes in spite of me making ripples in the water with my legs. Still; it was cool to see them working and have them respond several times when they broke off to go find open water and decided to come back. Eventually they did leave; and they left me with a little more confidence on being able to call them back. As always, it was a very cool morning.
[Edited By Sloughslogger on 2009-12-22 11:22]
[Edited By Sloughslogger on 2009-12-22 14:14]
Posted By:
Scott-Tolar
Field Editor
Neuse River 12-20-2009 08:00
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 40-45 Degrees
I went out with my son and my hunting partner for the December opener and we had a good day. It was real duck hunting, the temps were in the 40’s but felt like in the 20’s with the high winds(20 to 30 mph)and the horizontal rain and drizzle. Even on the small creek we were in off the Neuse, there were whitecaps (albeit small whitecaps).
We set up on the assumption that any ducks out on the Pamlico Sound would have to find sheltered water and we went equipped with bluebill,ringneck and mallard decoys to try to capitalize on them. We set out early in order to make sure that if there were large numbers out hunting we would not get beat to our spot. We have hunted here before during extreme weather, it has paid off in the past.
We got out decoys out and then we saw another boat coming up the creek from the ramp. They saw us and set up about 300 yards away in a small cove. I think they were headed for the same spot we were in, they had to turn around and hunt for a spot to set up. They were very considerate by moving off so far, it was what I would have done. There was no way for them to get out of sight of us, there wasn’t enough creek for that. But they did move off as far as they could and still get to hunt. It was refreshingly sportsmanlike. I have gotten so used to hunters that would set up too close, or set up to short-stop ducks on your spot that this behavour on the behalf of this hunting party seems to warrant notation.
At legal time a single bluebill flew up and landed outside the decoy spread. My son had not taken his first duck yet, so we let it swim up and then my son stood up and smacked it. He made a good hit with his 20 ga. Mossberg at about 20 yards, but when the dog got out there to retrieve it, it suddenly dove on her and did not resurface. Being this was my son’s first duck we really wanted to retrieve it,but to no avail. It never came back up.
A flock of bluebills then flew in behind us, circled and landed about 200 yards away. They swam around for awhile, then they picked up and flew into our decoys and my partner and I both splashed one. We saw another flock set up about 150 yards away in the small cove the other hunters were in.
Then a flock of bluebills came in and went to the other hunting party’s decoy spread and they fired on them. When they did, the flock back in the cove took off and flew over our boat and my partner and I splashed another one each. Four drake bills in the boat.
We sat there in the boat, telling jokes, trying to stay warm and dry until about 10:30 am, then we called it a day.
Wet dog, wet hunters and wet gear. Good day.
Posted By:
Scott-Tolar
Field Editor
Eastern NC 12-17-2009 09:41
Cloudy, High Winds – 35-40 Degrees
I went out on a rather extensive fact-finding expedition on Weds. to find out two things. Were the divers on either the Albemarle or Pamlico Sounds. I found almost no ducks on the Albemarle and only a few on the Pamlico.
The divers are not on the Albemarle at all. However, the news is not all bad. I talked to locals and got the scoop on what is going on on the Pamlico at least. The divers have begun to show up in the last few days, so far just buffles and a few bluebills. But they are coming. In fact, one local told me that a local guide was brushing up his blinds in anticipation of the new arrivals. He did not even guide any parties last season on the Pamlico in the location I was scouting becuase the birds never showed up. In fact, I only hunted there once due to the same problem. But my local source was under the impression that the guide expects big numbers in the next few weeks and was getting ready.
It is expected to be a hard north wind for the next few days at least. That should push in some new birds.
Posted By:
Scott-Tolar
Field Editor
Neuse River 12-14-2009 13:37
Cloudy, Heavy Fog – 40-45 Degrees
I went out to do a little scouting on the Neuse River this morning in anticipation of the last leg of our three part duck season. I went to a location that I found during the low water of this summer that seemed to hold real high-water potential. The water is now up and it warranted a new look. I have never hunted here, but I will remedy that soon.
I set out from the unimproved ramp at about 45 minutes before sunrise. It was heavy fog, vison was practically zero. Armed with my GPS, I set out to find the spot that I had found earlier this year. I first found the small creek entrance by the waypoint on my GPS(would have been difficult without it) and then I found the opening that held the most promise for hunting that I had found earlier(impossible without GPS on such a foggy morning). I set up in a fallen tree and awaited the sunrise.
I was very pleased as wood ducks began to fly through about 10 yards off the water, straight down the creek channel. After watching about 40 to 50 woodies blow through, I set out to further explore the new territory the high water had opened up.
Well up the creek, near the head waters, I found a large open area that could almost be described as a small lake-area. It opened up into a large opening(for such a small creek), at least 100 yards across. I jumped up some ducks in the back area of this “lake” and promptly marked it as well on my GPS for a return hunting trip this season.
trev, you will find black ducks and ringnecks(technically a diver that thinks it is a puddle duck) a lot of times on the Pamlico Sound in particular, but the majority of puddlers are found in fresh water or in the salt water marshes that have availible freshwater nearby. I have shot almost every black duck I have ever shot in NC in either salt or brackish water. I shoot a lot of ringnecks in brackish water as well.
If you get to the rivers, near the sounds where the water is still salt, or at least brackish, you can shoot puddlers. But I have never shot them on the sounds themselves, except outside of impoundments.
[Edited By Scott-Tolar on 2009-12-14 13:39]
Posted By:
trevorh
Web Member
12-13-2009 07:07
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 25-30 Degrees – Open Water
Scott-Tolar, thanks for all the reports and for taking new hunters out.
Saw several rafts of Bluebills and Buffleheads on New River on Sat. Not that many, but they are showing up. Have not seen any puddlers down this way, but I’m obviously not looking in the right areas. Will start looking up in the creeks.
I have never duck hunted in eastern NC. Is it common to find puddlers in salt or brackish water? Or do you go far enough upstream to find fresh water?
Posted By:
Scott-Tolar
Field Editor
Neuse River 12-12-2009 11:25
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 25-30 Degrees – Open Water
Went out for a scouting trip with my son this morning on the Neuse River and the word is good. The water is high, for the first time in the last 3 seasons and the timber is finally flooded during the hunting season. It has been high for all of November and now the weather forcasts predict rain enough to keep it up for the foreseeable future. While it was sunny and calm today, it is predicted to start raining tonight and continue through Monday.
It was a beautiful morning, 25 degrees and clear. We went into a spot that I have done well in years past, it is not heavily hunted even though I have on a rare occasion encountered another hunter there. It is a long creek that cuts off the main river, it’s mouth is so clogged with logs and debris as to make it practically impassable. However, the secret is to go up the river past the mouth and then cut through the flooded timber to the creek where it is more open. It is a long run up the river, it’s isolation contributes to it’s lack of pressure. The ducks were in there, not only the traditional wood ducks that I expect to see, but mallards as well. They were flying up the creek channel, that will make them easy to pattern when the season re-starts.
We also went to a secondary location in the area where we saw a few ducks. It is a small dead end creek in a sharp curve of the river, actually little more that a backwater swamp. We saw a few ducks in there, but not as many as in our primary objective. I will keep this in mind for the rare occasion when I get to the primary spot and there is someone in it.
Beautiful day and saw some ducks. The only thing missing was the season being open right now.
Posted By:
Scott-Tolar
Field Editor
Roanoke River 12-11-2009 16:01
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 35-40 Degrees
I apologize for my belated field report. I am a disabled veteran and I have been having some health issues lately. I have been making the trip out, but I have been knocked on my butt for a day or two afterward. It is easy when you don’t post up in a timely manner to just “write it off” and think you will make it up later. But I have decided to catch up and not take easy way out.
I took out another young man for his first duck hunt on December 2nd, but it was not a dream hunt like his friend had. When I got to the unimproved ramp, I was a little disappointed to see fresh tire tracks in the mud, but we went out and hoped for the best. We set up in the same spot that we had done so well in the previous Sat., but we did not get any ducks. In fact, we only saw a few. I think the people that went in the day before we did must have blown out the spot. Oh well, such is the fate that awaits hunters on public land, sometimes.
On the plus side, I did go out exploring in the area and found a new creek that might be just the answer to the problem of people overhunting my creek.
I went to scout the Newport River on Thursday, and I only saw a single buffle. I have heard the bluebills are starting to arrive, but I don’t think they are on the Newport River. I have never hunted there, but I have felt the area looked good and it’s difficulty to navigate in the upper extremities of the river promised to limit the hunter numbers. But so far it is logic that has not paid off.
I am going out with my son to scout jerk on the Nuese River. I promise to post up a timely report
Posted By:
Sloughslogger
Guest
Upper Cape Fear River 12-03-2009 11:39
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 50-60 Degrees
Went out for a quick wood duck hunt before work today. Very disappointing. We had a LOT of rain in the past 24 hours and the Upper Cape Fear River is above flood stage. I thought it would be a good day to catch the woodys in the green timber but I was wrong. Only saw 1 woody two minutes before I could shoot. I guess with all this rain they can pretty much set down anywhere or they were blown/floated down to Wilmington.
Posted By:
Scott-Tolar
Field Editor
Roanoke River 11-28-2009 14:43
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 30-34 Degrees – Open Water
I went out for a hunt today and it was awesome! In fact it was [b]AWESOME [/b]! Wet dog, ducks in the boat and a overall excellent day in the field. Dixie the wonderdog brought her “A” game today.
Today I took a young novice hunter with me, his name is Gilbert. He is my daughter’s husband’s sister’s husband. I guess that makes him my son-in-law-in-law. Very pleasant young man with a excellent attitude. He had only been duck hunting once and hadn’t gotten any ducks.
We went out to one of my favorite spots on the Roanoke River. I was careful to explain to Gilbert that I couldn’t guarantee anything, duck hunting is a fickle sport. I just didn’t want him to be disappointed. I need not have been concerned.
We got the decoys out and waited the approx. 20 minutes to legal time. Today I set out a dozen ringnecks, four mallards, and 4 teal as well as two wood ducks. I was encouraged when I saw several flocks of woodies fly over before legal time. At legal time a single greenwing teal blew in and landed in the decoys. I told Gilbert to go ahead and smack it and he did so at about 15 yards. One teal, feet up in the decoys. I sent Dixie out to pick it up and she made short work of the little duck. Once I had recovered the dog and reset up the blind, I had no sooner picked up my gun when a flock of ringnecks blew through, full speed, about 5 feet off the water. I smacked a drake that went down in a cruising descent, landing about 100 yards from the boat. He hit the water and didn’t move. Gilbert couldn’t believe a dog could swim that far and retrieve the duck and he was most impressed, especially when I had to hand signal Dixie in for the closing of the deal. Several flocks blew past us while we were reloading, working the dog, etc., but that is part of the game.
The Gilbert knocked down a second teal as it came in, wings cupped at about 35 yards. In short order Dixie was on her way. We sat there for about 20 minutes and a flock of ringnecks flew by and I managed to knock down a second one. After Dixie recovered it, I remembered to tell Gilbert that if ducks flew into the decoys, he was to take the one on the right and me the one on the left. A few minutes later, two more ringnecks flew into the decoys and we knocked them both down in unison. Gilbert was thrilled, he had never shot decoying ducks, he now had two with thier feet down landing.
We had some ducks fly by, had some mallards that I worked but wouldn’t commit and then I looked to the west of our boat blind to discover a woodie drake swimming up into the decoys. I stood up and smacked him the same instant he turned to make a hasty retreat. About 20 minutes later, I shot another woodie. By then it was 9 am. We sat there for about 30 minutes and decided to call it a day.
Dixie did some excellent work. The end take; Gilbert 3 ducks(two teal and a ringneck), Me 5 ducks(three ringnecks and two woodies). Dixie really stepped up to the plate today, she did well. Gilbert had a good time, I think he is hooked. Soon I will be taking my other son-in-law-in-law, I hope his first real duck hunt is as memorable.
Posted By:
Scott-Tolar
Field Editor
Pungo River 11-25-2009 19:42
Cloudy, Light Rain & Drizzle – 40-45 Degrees
I went out for a hunt today and it did not really turn out like I hoped. I decided to go to the Pungo River today as it is a place that has really produced for me in years past. In the last 10 years or so, I have begun to have a problem with fishermen in this area and I have learned not to hunt there on Saturdays. Those guys will fish right in your decoy spread and tell you they have just as much right to be there as you. But I hoped that there would not be too many fishermen there on a Wed. I long for the good old days when fishermen quit fishing around Labor Day.
When I got to the boat ramp at 5 am, there was a single truck at the ramp, a obvious duck hunter. He had a big water rig based in the huge trailer behind his truck, so I knew he posed no competition to me as I was headed into the small water. I put in my rig and took off to my spot. It is not all that far from the ramp, but it is hard to find and is overlooked by the masses of hunters. I got to my spot, set out a impressive spread of mallards,woodies,teal and ringnecks. I set up the blind and awaited the sunrise. It was overcast and drizzling on and off, it looked good.
I had a trio of woodies come through at legal time at the edge of range. I could have maybe gotten one, but it was a long shot and I passed on it in hopes of decoying them. Didn’t happen. I then had a single come through and again I passed on the 50 yard shot. Then I had a single ringneck come by about 45 minutes later and I took him at 35 yards. Took all three shots to put it down. I then sat there for the next 3 hours and didn’t see a duck.
I had wedged my boat in the sawgrass in a spot that I have used for at least 10 years that make it a natural blind. I throw my anchors out on the right side of my boat and pull myself into shore. As I was freeing my anchors, I made a discovery. A pile of about 6 teal and a ring neck in the brush behind my boat. They looked pretty fresh,I assume that they were killed yesterday. I don’t know if they represent what the hunters in my spot shot and didn’t want to clean, or if it was the ducks they shot over limit, but my guess would be the second one. This spot usually has a lot of teal and ringnecks in it, I was surprised when I saw none. Explains my slow morning.
I don’t think I will go back here unless there is some severe cold weather to move in new birds. And I will be keeping a eye out for the guys hunting my honey hole. If I see them in there in the same natural blind spot that I usually use, I will assume that they are the hunters in question and I will tell them I have my eye on them.
