Posted By:
Ross-Malone
Guest
Raccoon Creek WMA 02-11-2006 20:52
Cloudy, Snow & Rain Mix – 35-40 Degrees
Well, when you take an eleven-year old out for his first ever duck hunt one does not know what to expect, but today’s experiences were all superb.
Alabama youth day has always been a good one for me and today was no exception. On Alex Baker’s second shot he hit a super greenhead out of the air and I was so happy all I could say was great shot, excellent shot, great shot. Samantha, my black lab, made an excellent retrieve. We did not have a boat today to get the ducks, and the water was way too deep for me to wade out to it. Our lab loves to work for us, and she is worth every dollar I have ever spent on her.
What a way to start off on your first duck hunt with a big old greenhead. It was not long after that 6 mallards were working and when one made a move closer to the decoys I did not have to say anything, for Alex took aim and fired. He hit the hen mallard hard and the then the second shot went off and you saw the duck’s head move back. Well, I knew Alex had hit the bird and we continued to watch as it flew off and then it fell out of the air like a wet bag of sand. A lung shot I told him. This is when pellet penetrates the ducks lung and it fills with blood and it dies.
We were well on our way for a limit three shots and two ducks. As the day went on the ring-necks, redheads, gadwalls, shovelers, and even woodies all escaped the wrath of Alex. We started missing and never did find the winning rhythm to down another duck. I know he hit another one or two, but not hard enough. He was kind of sad, but if we bagged a duck every time we shot then the resource we all love may not exist. This is part of the ball game. We can’t hit a home run every time out, but we got to keep swinging and thank God for the good memories on the good shots. This is what keeps us going back for more.
I have been around a lot of great young hunters, and today was no exception. This young man is made of the right stuff and it makes me happy to know we are going to pass on the legacy and stewardship of the sport we love in such good hands. When we share the passion with the youth of tomorrow, it does the heart good. Keep the faith and until next year, it’s crappie fishing and turkey time.
Ross A. Malone
Volunteer Ducks Unlimited
Regional & CPC Chairman
Posted By:
Ross-Malone
Guest
N. Alabama 02-01-2006 21:05
Cloudy, Occassional Rain Showers – 40-45 Degrees
Well the season is done for us big boys and now its time for the young guns.
Just wanted to remind everyone that this Alabama youth hunt is next weekend February 11-12. It’s NOT this weekend. Don’t want anyone to get caught out there with the kids.
Be safe and take a kid out to enjoy the great outdoors.
RAM
Posted By:
r-n-tms
Web Member
geridge ar. near stuttgart 01-31-2006 06:04
Cloudy, High Winds – 45-50 Degrees
hunted 1/27 1/28 1/29 this was my first trip to arkanasa it was great three hunters killed three limits friday moring and filled a few each time we went but the best was sunday afternoon 30 min. before shooting hours a pair of mallards came in and i killed the drake and he was banded that was my first band it has been the best season for me here in al.
Posted By:
benlowe
Supporting Member
SW GA 01-30-2006 08:26
– – –
Well it is over except for a weekend trip to Arkansas for the Snow Geese. It has been a good year for me and my buddies. I personally killed atleast one duck on every hunting trip. Most days limiting out on woodies. Also got a few mallards and a huge hooded merganser. It has really been a fun year and i am already thinking about next year.
If anyone is interested in going on a snow goose trip in feb. email me at
lowebe@lee.k12.ga.us and i will give you some info.
[Edited By benlowe on 2006-01-30 08:26]
Posted By:
wigeon55
Guest
Coosa 01-29-2006 13:14
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1/28 My last hunt for the season..Had a knot of Hooded Mergansers buzz by passed them up to tight afraid I would get a extra one or two…Thats was it alot of Geese still flying…Picked up the decoys had 4 wood ducks fly over…It was a decent season didn’t get alot of birds but enough to get me wanting to get more next year…The first couple of weeks of the season was great alot of birds but as the seaon went on the hot weather made them decoy shy and weary..Alot of Birds Mallards and Gadwalls still around just hunted hard…Look forward to next season may it be better..Post up on results this State posr are a lil sad…
Posted By:
LuckyTiger84
Guest
01-29-2006 12:11
– – –
Going to Abasolo, Mexico Feb. 8-12. Hunting ducks and quail. There limit is 20 ducks a day- of whatever species you want to kill, lead shot, no plugs required. Been going in the early fall to shoot whitewings and then ducks/quail in the winter.Hunt with my friends at Rancho Alablanco-an Alabama based outfit.Check it out at Ranco Alablanca.com
Will give report upon returning.
Posted By:
Last Shot
Guest
01-28-2006 18:59
– – –
SUCK IT UP BOYS! Tomorrow is IT! I flipped a coin about going in the morning and why not. Time to pick up the decoys and start dreaming about next season. AND, we always do. We always will: It’s part of being a duck hunter…
We will look back and start second guessing why we passed on that bunch of birds or why we did not stay in the blind for just 10 more minutes while that big flight of ducks that showed up while we are packing up for the day.
Good, bad, or indiferent. We will all meet here next year. God Willing.
Thanks Waterfolwer.com
Last Shot
Posted By:
Ross-Malone
Guest
Jackson County, Stevenson 01-26-2006 20:37
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 25-30 Degrees – Open Water
Well, the past two days have been OK as things go. Bagged a couple of gads yesterday. Still lots of ducks in the area. Lots of canvasback on the lake and several are being bagged. Going back for the next two days and then I will give it back to them for about 8 months or till teal season.
I want to remind everyone about Youth weekend that is coming up and old man winter is headed back before February 11-12
Our DU chapter in Chattanoogan takes a couple of kids out each year and it’s a blast. You’ll watch thinking you can make every shot, but let me tell you the kids will surprize you and humble you at the same time. Check the waterfowl guide for rules and regulations, but share the passion and pass it onto our future generations.
It’s also time to clean out the wood duck boxes, so get a Boy Scout troop and have at it. WE got more boxex than every to clear out this year. About 80 total so give something back to the conservation message and enjoy the great outdoors with a boy or girl.
Be Bless and good luck for this is the last weekend for several months.
Ross
[Edited By Ross-Malone on 2006-01-26 20:40]
[Edited By Ross-Malone on 2006-02-01 21:07]
[Edited By Ross-Malone on 2006-02-01 21:08]
Posted By:
Last Shot
Guest
North east Alabama 01-26-2006 19:49
Mostly Sunny, No Precipitation – 35-40 Degrees
Lots and lots of water & very few birds. What birds we have are very scattered.
We did have one smokin’ afternoon. We watched geese start to rest on our place for 4 to 5 days. By the 6th day, we had over 100plus honkers roosting. We patterned them, they would start coming in around 4:20 in the afternoon,
Six hunters = full limits within 20 minutes. Could have tripled a dozen times.
Had 3 dogs chasing crips & the rest of us picking up big geese.
Lots of fun but we knew it was a one time bust! Well worth the wait.
Other than that, super slow.
Can’t complain, 1st half of the season was exceptional. Our place went to #@$@ after new years.
Sad but true, It’s time to get on with life after duck season.
It’s just a mere 6 months before we start working on blinds.
Turkeys, crappie, shell crackers & bass. There is a God!
Thanks waterfolwer.com
It’s not over but it’s darn close
See in the fall
Donny Mac
Posted By:
WERD
WFC Sponsor
AL River NR. Montgomery 01-25-2006 15:56
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 40-45 Degrees
Had a good morning. As usual we saw a lot of wood ducks and got some shooting in. No big ducks, STILL! We had two Canada Geese come in on a string and got them both. Hopefully, the next few days things will improve, but I have been saying that all season.
Later,
WERD
[Edited By WERD on 2006-01-25 15:56]
