Posted By:
Scott-Haight
Guest
Merrimack River 12-03-2004 02:54
Cloudy, High Winds – 45-50 Degrees
Returned to the marsh again on Thursday. Arrived early and got set up. The few birds that came did so early as I expected with the strong winds. Less than 30 minutes after being set I had my Black and a pair of drake Mallards. Then it shutdown. Still very few birds around. Don’t believe I saw over 75 birds total and probably not over 50.
With the inland swamps and ponds all still open the birds are very scattered. We need some cold weather to freeze inland up and then another push of birds into the area to liven things up. You can still take your bird on the coast up this way but you really need to know what you are doing and know where the birds like to go under the weather you are dealing with.
These last few days have really put my knowledge of the marshes to the test. If you aren’t where the birds want to be no amount of calling nor a good decoy set will swing them.
[Edited By Scott-Haight on 2004-12-03 02:57]
Posted By:
Scott-Haight
Guest
Merrimack River 11-30-2004 14:27
Cloudy, Winds Calm – 40-45 Degrees
Another very S-L-O-W day on the marsh today. Only a few birds worked the marsh again as the tide came in. Most were very wary and decoy and call shy already. Looks like the big concentration of birds that was here last week has moved on now that hunting pressure has resumed. Now we must wait for the next wave to arrive.
Brought 4 birds to bag today between myself and the gentleman hunting with me. 2 Blacks, a Buffie, and a crippled Greenwing Teal we found and dispatched while moving our set to a new location. Saw maybe 50-75 birds total during the 4 hour hunt.
Posted By:
Scott-Haight
Guest
Merrimack River 11-29-2004 18:18
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 40-45 Degrees
Returned to the marsh today for another go round. Was nothing like Friday and Saturday. The birds have really become wary now that the season is back in full swing.
The day started with much promise as I jumped a lot of birds while heading in to set up. Shortly after setting I decoyed 2 flocks of Blacks and killed my daily 1 bird limit. I then stuck around until after 2PM looking for the Mallards that never came. Hardly any Blacks came as well and those that did for the most part were very decoy and call shy already. Was really slow today. That happens though.
Saw a few Oldsquaw in the river.
Posted By:
krobison
Guest
Westport 11-29-2004 09:28
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 30-34 Degrees – Open Water
Hunted Westport with Buck Flather on friday and saturday. Friday was blustery with the winds down there. We managed our first pintail, what a beautifull bird and very tasty as I discovered last night. Also got a few bufflehead, they wouldn’t stay out of the decoys. Saturday we each got a black right over the decoys and again the buffleheads would not stay out of the decoys.
Looks like warm weather is here this week, we need a good solid freeze to get more birds to the salt marsh. Be safe out there.
Ken Robison.
Posted By:
Mike M.
Guest
Correction on brant limits 11-28-2004 19:18
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I was just reading up on the Masswildlife webpage and came across this months press releases. Apparently there was a mistake on the early versions of the 2004-2005 waterfowl abstract.
Released November 19, 2004
“Brant Limits – With the Brant goose season to start on November 26, waterfowlers need to be aware that the correct limits are 2 in the bag and 4 in possession. This information is on the Migratory Bird Regulations posted in the Hunting area of the MassWildlife website: www.MassWildlife.org. Brant season runs from November 26 to January 22 in the Coastal waterfowl zone only. For more information, contact H Heusmann, 508/792-7270 x122”
Posted By:
Mike F.
Guest
Many Places 11-28-2004 12:26
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Hunted the marsh on the opener, we shot our blacks and that was about it. Later on Thursday we hit up a corn field in the area and shot some mallards and geese.
Friday we shot the corn field in the morning, again more geese, but no mallards. Later in the day I went jump shooting, very surprised to find a few small flocks of teal and, like Scott said, lots of mallards. While I only ended that hunt with a black and a mallard, had I brought the deeks I probably could have limited out on the green heads.
Saturday, shot another corn field, only had one group of 3 geese and a pair of mallards come in, but they all stayed. Later dad and I moved to do some more jump shooting, again shot a mallard and a black, lots of ducks moving around for a blue bird day. Felt kinda woozy so I took a nap after I had my 2 birds waiting for my dad to get his.. You have no Idea how startaling it is to awaken to a 12ga going off. Finally went home around 1pm, and currently have a 102 fever. Guess my body wasn’t ready for 3 long days of wet waders and cold feet after a long month of upland hunting.
Mike
Posted By:
Scott-Haight
Guest
Merrimack River 11-28-2004 03:31
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Well, I hope folks have been getting out now that the season is in full swing again. I was unable to make the Coastal opener for the first time this year. Ended up having to drive to my Grandmother’s house to bring her and my Aunt and Uncle over for Thanksgiving as their car broke down. Hunting is my life but some things are more important.
So, Friday was my opener. I hunted with Mike M and man did we get into the birds! Was a remarkable day with Blacks and Mallards all over the place. The West wind was howling and really kept the birds up and moving.
Saturday found me back out on the marsh with Mike and his Dad. Very different day. No wind to speak of at all and the birds didn’t move as much. We definitely saw plenty however and had some good shooting.
There seems to be an unusually high number of Mallards around this year. I am really surprised at the number of them this early on the marsh. Usually you don’t see half this many until inland is well frozen up and they move to the coast. Not this year. Plenty of Mallards around to make you want to stay after shooting your Black duck.
A few Buffleheads seen and even a few Teal still around. Also saw a couple Gadwall and a Pintail drake mixed in with a flock of Blacks both days. Wanted him bad buthe never came my way. A few Scoters and Oldsquaw in the river as well. Saw one flock of Geese yesterday and heard some others that were on the water but not a lot.
The ONE thing lacking was hunters. Hardly anyone out hunting. I thought for sure the marsh would be loaded the 1st Saturday but only a small handful of hunters were out.
[Edited By Scott-Haight on 2004-11-28 03:32]
Posted By:
Mike F.
Guest
11-24-2004 18:28
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Just wanted to wish everyone a happy thanksgiving and good luck on the Costal Opener in the morning.
Mike
Posted By:
Mike M.
Guest
Delaney WMA 11-23-2004 11:21
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 35-40 Degrees
I hunted with my Dad this morning. Very, very, few ducks around here. Real bluebird conditions made for slow hunting. In fact, I think today I saw the least amount of ducks I have seen here all season. The morning flight consisted of 9 ducks. 7 mallards and 2 wood ducks. There were some geese around though, and my Dad shot a 13lb goose as it flew over our location. Just in time for the holidays.
That was it for the morning. This will probably be my last hunt here for the season as the coastal season opens in a few days.
Until next time,
Have fun and be safe.
[Edited By Mike M. on 2004-11-23 11:22]
Posted By:
Mike F.
Guest
NE MA Costal 11-22-2004 18:50
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Lots of geese and black ducks around, haven’t seen a whole lot of mallards, any divers? Only a few days left…The anticipation is really getting to me!!
Mike
