Hunting Report 2008 Waterfowl Reports - Page 2

Patrick Olson · 10-12-2008, 08:40 PM

Shot about twenty mallards this weekend in the basins. Also killed a a bunch of wigs both days. Filled our pins easily yesterday, but didn't have the same luck today. Picking drakes on the pins was real tough because most were still well eclipsed. Had to focus in on the speculum. Was real careful with them, and went 100% on drakes even with the conditions. A five man yesterday and a few short of a six today because we passed on teal early to shoot big ducks. Ended this weekend with under half teal, which is good enough for me.

Specks were ALL over the basins on Friday. Birds were on the ground almost everywhere. We found public basins that had at least 50, most more than 100 specks on them. The only thing that kept us from going specifically for them was knowing that it was going to be a chore with all the pressure to finish specks and have them sit on the marshes without getting kicked off. I hate the openers! Pressure, pressure, pressure. Gets old. Real duck season starts for me tomorrow.

James has plenty of pics and I have a few I have to sort through as well, but I have dinner to cook and sleep to get.

PO

**Ty Stromquist** · 10-12-2008, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick Olson

Real duck season starts for me tomorrow.

Agreed. I didnt even get out today because of it. Oh well.

Oh yea ACDC tickets. I got 4 in 10th row. Thank the duck god for limits so I could be home quickly to buy them.

Wingman · 10-13-2008, 09:48 AM

Great pics. Thanks for sharing.

BTW, where did you find the prairie chicken decoys?

Quote:

Originally Posted by BPbowhunter

Heres some pictures.

Saturday:

Death Row

Sunday:
Fishman has more pictures and a group shot.

My first widgeon

Beautiful drake woodduck.

Evenflow · 10-13-2008, 11:03 AM

Showed up at 4:30 on sat. morning to the marsh we wanted to hunt to find 7 trucks all ready there! Decided to drive by some other marshes and to our surprise found half a marsh to ourselves! Had a 5 man limit fairly easy about half and half big ducks/teal. Hunted the same marsh the next morning and came home with 20 ducks/teal between 5 guys. All in all, a great weekend we shot mallards, pintails, red heads, gadwalls, wood ducks, gwt, bwt, and one shoveler. Now I just need to catch up on sleep.

**Ty Stromquist** · 10-13-2008, 01:23 PM

Had a good shoot this morning. Ended up with some widgeon, some divers, and even a lonely dove in the mix. Felt great to get out again with the guys. Will be back at it all week long.

Patrick Olson · 10-13-2008, 02:45 PM

A sporting solo teal shoot this morning. Made quick work of a limit of GWTs. Waited around for a while, only big ducks I saw were two pins that came in at legal, but passed w/o positive ID. A huge flock of wigs was absolutely dead to rights, dropped in from way up, until a group that was on the marsh a little ways away opened up on some teal.

So waited around and popped Greenwings. Easy enough to pick out five drakes, had one oops hen on the second shot of a double. Went six for eight. Was a great day all around, didn't even notice I was soaked.

That was duck hunting weather!

PO

CDILL · 10-13-2008, 04:24 PM

Was able to get out Saturday morning. No ducks for the first hour of shooting time, then we were buried in teal. Big ducks didn't want to come in very bad, but the teal were game. Shooting was horrible though and ended the morning with 2 green wings between me and my brother-in-law.

Fishn4Life · 10-13-2008, 07:03 PM

im going out to pawnee sat mourning if anyone wants to join. Beleive its just ganna be me. I dont have a boat but prob will be walking in....

BPbowhunter · 10-13-2008, 07:22 PM

Here's another from Sunday with the total bag.

**Chad** · 10-14-2008, 05:24 PM

It was not without some lulls, but a great day overall. John and I had mallards, gads, wigeon, woodies, and teal pulling up perfect. Should have left with our limits, but came up just a tad shy due to a couple truly magnificent air balls.

Sunrise Over Decoys, October 14, 2008

BPbowhunter · 10-14-2008, 05:25 PM

Nice sunrise picture Chad!

James Watson · 10-14-2008, 11:19 PM

Hunted basins solo for the first time ever this am. Very humbling experience. Had no problem shooting my six big ducks. 5 widgeon and mallard. Couldnt believe the number of specks I saw today. Saw the first snows of the year, 4 flocks. Lots of ducks dumping in from the stratosphere. Sat around over the goose decoys waiting for my two specks. Shot into 2 bunches. One even had their gear out, but somehow I managed to come up empty both times. Back at it in the am. Could have used a breath of wind the first few hours. Nice to be the only one on the marsh.

flatcoats · 10-15-2008, 01:49 PM

we shot 9 teal but struggled with some big ducks..didnt get the spot we wanted. couldnt believe seeing 6 trucks during the middle of the week

jbrooks44 · 10-15-2008, 01:56 PM

Hunted Sunday morning in the basins. We had really high winds and rain throughout the hunt. I know wind can help a duck hunt, but it was so stiff it hindered us as much as anything. Teal were easy and we started to let them land and fly waiting on bigger ducks. But when they came we missed or they landed short. Ended with 7 Teal, a Widgeon and drake Mallard, head 3/4 green, 2 hunters.

The best part is that we had the spot to ourselves. Opening weekend and not a hunter in sight. Didn't see any tracks from anyone being there Saturday either.

bassnbaseball · 10-15-2008, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad

It was not without some lulls, but a great day overall. John and I had mallards, gads, wigeon, woodies, and teal pulling up perfect. Should have left with our limits, but came up just a tad shy due to a couple truly magnificent air balls.

Sunrise Over Decoys, October 14, 2008

Awesome.

goose abuser · 10-15-2008, 09:05 PM

Whitefronts outnumbered the ducks this afternoon, they were everywhere.

Hope they stick around, but who am I kidding..

**Ty Stromquist** · 10-15-2008, 10:12 PM

Shot our 18 ducks in about 40 minutes. Also bagged 3 canadas. SEEN tons of specks but like I said seen was about it. Only got a few to stop their wing beats.

Back at it in the AM.

James Watson · 10-15-2008, 11:02 PM

10 minutes too late. After minimal sleep the last few days of hunting, it was hard to get off the couch this morning. Got to the marsh with what we thought was plenty of time to get set up. Recent rains more than doubled the water in the basin and we spent longer than expected finding a spot for the neotubs. Threw the decoys out 5 minutes after legal. Blinds were still on shore waiting to be grassed up and put into the neotubs. Guns were in cases. Birds were all over us. Hard to get the guys to pay attention to what we still had to get done when we all wanted to bird watch. Walking back from throwing out decoys a flock of specks making their descent into their marsh known caught the attention of my ears. They were about 2 miles high so the decision to ignore them was easy. not 10 seconds later I hear them again, this time much closer. I look over my shoulder and see 40 or so specks getting much to friendly with the goose floaters. 40 yards and closing fast. Keeping my eye on them I manage to unzip my gun case. 35 yards ...feet drop. Pull the gun out pop in a shell, still standing in the middle of the marsh. Before pickin out my bird i whisper to danny who has his back to the birds, kneeling in the water. "Look over your right shoulder very carefully." I wanted someone to see what I was seeing. He creeps his head around. I scan the flock as best I can for a decent looking bird on my end. They spot us at 30 yards. Found my bird. Shot rings out and he crumples. After my misfiring yesterday, I was definitely relieved to see that bird drop. Still makes me sick thinking about what would have happened had we gotten set up on time. Only saw 6 more flocks of specks, all 5 miles up headed south. Ducks worked good early but shut off quickly. Didnt shoot teal figuring we wouldnt have a problem filling out on bigs. 3 flocks of mallards did it just about perfect, but bailed just as the shot call was running through my head. Wigs ate it up. Scouting trip after I left the marsh proved to be worth my time. I just hope they dont bail on us before we get the chance to confirm what I found wasnt a fluke.

Wish I woulda gotten the whole flock.

BPbowhunter · 10-15-2008, 11:06 PM

Can't say we haven't all been there before. I distinctly remember a day last year when fishman, tc, and I were about 10 minutes late getting to our spot. As were standing in the dekes finishing up throwing out the last few we had birds all over us.

Let's just say, we aren't late very often anymore....

bassnbaseball · 10-15-2008, 11:17 PM

Yup, me and a buddy went out scouting a spot today. Honestly, I think we saw way more birds when we were doing a little work to the outside of the blind then by the time we got inside and were just hanging out.

10-13-2008, 01:23 PM	#25 (permalink)
Ty Stromquist Moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: in a treestand Posts: 4,023 Thanks: 52 Thanked 25 Times in 20 Posts	Had a good shoot this morning. Ended up with some widgeon, some divers, and even a lonely dove in the mix. Felt great to get out again with the guys. Will be back at it all week long. __________________ "Go afield with a good attitude, with respect for the wildlife you hunt and for the forest and fields you walk. Immerse yourself in the outdoor experience. It will cleanse your soul and make you a better person." - Fred Bear

10-13-2008, 07:03 PM	#28 (permalink)
Fishn4Life Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 100 Thanks: 3 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	sat mourning im going out to pawnee sat mourning if anyone wants to join. Beleive its just ganna be me. I dont have a boat but prob will be walking in.... __________________ . . . No dought that stubborn boy was just like my fathers son. . .

10-13-2008, 07:22 PM	#29 (permalink)
BPbowhunter 2007 NEFGA Outdoorsman Of The Year Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Broken Bow Posts: 2,514 Thanks: 8 Thanked 32 Times in 24 Posts	Here's another from Sunday with the total bag. __________________ Whackin' Woodies Waterfowl Crew "Look, a pair of singles!"

10-14-2008, 05:24 PM	#30 (permalink)
Chad Director Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Gone Fishin' Posts: 6,474 Thanks: 60 Thanked 70 Times in 43 Posts	Finally! It was not without some lulls, but a great day overall. John and I had mallards, gads, wigeon, woodies, and teal pulling up perfect. Should have left with our limits, but came up just a tad shy due to a couple truly magnificent air balls. Sunrise Over Decoys, October 14, 2008 __________________ *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.*

10-14-2008, 05:25 PM	#31 (permalink)
BPbowhunter 2007 NEFGA Outdoorsman Of The Year Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Broken Bow Posts: 2,514 Thanks: 8 Thanked 32 Times in 24 Posts	Nice sunrise picture Chad! __________________ Whackin' Woodies Waterfowl Crew "Look, a pair of singles!"

10-12-2008, 08:40 PM	#21 (permalink)
Patrick Olson Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Omaha/Lincoln Posts: 338 Thanks: 3 Thanked 21 Times in 11 Posts	Shot about twenty mallards this weekend in the basins. Also killed a a bunch of wigs both days. Filled our pins easily yesterday, but didn't have the same luck today. Picking drakes on the pins was real tough because most were still well eclipsed. Had to focus in on the speculum. Was real careful with them, and went 100% on drakes even with the conditions. A five man yesterday and a few short of a six today because we passed on teal early to shoot big ducks. Ended this weekend with under half teal, which is good enough for me. Specks were ALL over the basins on Friday. Birds were on the ground almost everywhere. We found public basins that had at least 50, most more than 100 specks on them. The only thing that kept us from going specifically for them was knowing that it was going to be a chore with all the pressure to finish specks and have them sit on the marshes without getting kicked off. I hate the openers! Pressure, pressure, pressure. Gets old. Real duck season starts for me tomorrow. James has plenty of pics and I have a few I have to sort through as well, but I have dinner to cook and sleep to get. PO

10-13-2008, 11:03 AM	#24 (permalink)
Evenflow Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Omaha Posts: 276 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Showed up at 4:30 on sat. morning to the marsh we wanted to hunt to find 7 trucks all ready there! Decided to drive by some other marshes and to our surprise found half a marsh to ourselves! Had a 5 man limit fairly easy about half and half big ducks/teal. Hunted the same marsh the next morning and came home with 20 ducks/teal between 5 guys. All in all, a great weekend we shot mallards, pintails, red heads, gadwalls, wood ducks, gwt, bwt, and one shoveler. Now I just need to catch up on sleep.

10-13-2008, 02:45 PM	#26 (permalink)
Patrick Olson Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Omaha/Lincoln Posts: 338 Thanks: 3 Thanked 21 Times in 11 Posts	A sporting solo teal shoot this morning. Made quick work of a limit of GWTs. Waited around for a while, only big ducks I saw were two pins that came in at legal, but passed w/o positive ID. A huge flock of wigs was absolutely dead to rights, dropped in from way up, until a group that was on the marsh a little ways away opened up on some teal. So waited around and popped Greenwings. Easy enough to pick out five drakes, had one oops hen on the second shot of a double. Went six for eight. Was a great day all around, didn't even notice I was soaked. That was duck hunting weather! PO

10-13-2008, 04:24 PM	#27 (permalink)
CDILL Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lincoln Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Was able to get out Saturday morning. No ducks for the first hour of shooting time, then we were buried in teal. Big ducks didn't want to come in very bad, but the teal were game. Shooting was horrible though and ended the morning with 2 green wings between me and my brother-in-law.

10-14-2008, 11:19 PM	#32 (permalink)
James Watson Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NE Posts: 321 Thanks: 10 Thanked 7 Times in 4 Posts	Hunted basins solo for the first time ever this am. Very humbling experience. Had no problem shooting my six big ducks. 5 widgeon and mallard. Couldnt believe the number of specks I saw today. Saw the first snows of the year, 4 flocks. Lots of ducks dumping in from the stratosphere. Sat around over the goose decoys waiting for my two specks. Shot into 2 bunches. One even had their gear out, but somehow I managed to come up empty both times. Back at it in the am. Could have used a breath of wind the first few hours. Nice to be the only one on the marsh.

10-15-2008, 01:49 PM	#33 (permalink)
flatcoats Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: omaha Posts: 1,329 Thanks: 15 Thanked 39 Times in 29 Posts	we shot 9 teal but struggled with some big ducks..didnt get the spot we wanted. couldnt believe seeing 6 trucks during the middle of the week

10-15-2008, 01:56 PM	#34 (permalink)
jbrooks44 Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 34 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Hunted Sunday morning in the basins. We had really high winds and rain throughout the hunt. I know wind can help a duck hunt, but it was so stiff it hindered us as much as anything. Teal were easy and we started to let them land and fly waiting on bigger ducks. But when they came we missed or they landed short. Ended with 7 Teal, a Widgeon and drake Mallard, head 3/4 green, 2 hunters. The best part is that we had the spot to ourselves. Opening weekend and not a hunter in sight. Didn't see any tracks from anyone being there Saturday either.

10-15-2008, 09:05 PM	#36 (permalink)
goose abuser Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 512 Thanks: 7 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Whitefronts outnumbered the ducks this afternoon, they were everywhere. Hope they stick around, but who am I kidding.. __________________ My frilled dragon eats more than your frilled dragon...

10-15-2008, 10:12 PM	#37 (permalink)
Ty Stromquist Moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: in a treestand Posts: 4,023 Thanks: 52 Thanked 25 Times in 20 Posts	Shot our 18 ducks in about 40 minutes. Also bagged 3 canadas. SEEN tons of specks but like I said seen was about it. Only got a few to stop their wing beats. Back at it in the AM. __________________ "Go afield with a good attitude, with respect for the wildlife you hunt and for the forest and fields you walk. Immerse yourself in the outdoor experience. It will cleanse your soul and make you a better person." - Fred Bear

10-15-2008, 11:02 PM	#38 (permalink)
James Watson Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NE Posts: 321 Thanks: 10 Thanked 7 Times in 4 Posts	10 minutes too late. After minimal sleep the last few days of hunting, it was hard to get off the couch this morning. Got to the marsh with what we thought was plenty of time to get set up. Recent rains more than doubled the water in the basin and we spent longer than expected finding a spot for the neotubs. Threw the decoys out 5 minutes after legal. Blinds were still on shore waiting to be grassed up and put into the neotubs. Guns were in cases. Birds were all over us. Hard to get the guys to pay attention to what we still had to get done when we all wanted to bird watch. Walking back from throwing out decoys a flock of specks making their descent into their marsh known caught the attention of my ears. They were about 2 miles high so the decision to ignore them was easy. not 10 seconds later I hear them again, this time much closer. I look over my shoulder and see 40 or so specks getting much to friendly with the goose floaters. 40 yards and closing fast. Keeping my eye on them I manage to unzip my gun case. 35 yards ...feet drop. Pull the gun out pop in a shell, still standing in the middle of the marsh. Before pickin out my bird i whisper to danny who has his back to the birds, kneeling in the water. "Look over your right shoulder very carefully." I wanted someone to see what I was seeing. He creeps his head around. I scan the flock as best I can for a decent looking bird on my end. They spot us at 30 yards. Found my bird. Shot rings out and he crumples. After my misfiring yesterday, I was definitely relieved to see that bird drop. Still makes me sick thinking about what would have happened had we gotten set up on time. Only saw 6 more flocks of specks, all 5 miles up headed south. Ducks worked good early but shut off quickly. Didnt shoot teal figuring we wouldnt have a problem filling out on bigs. 3 flocks of mallards did it just about perfect, but bailed just as the shot call was running through my head. Wigs ate it up. Scouting trip after I left the marsh proved to be worth my time. I just hope they dont bail on us before we get the chance to confirm what I found wasnt a fluke. Wish I woulda gotten the whole flock.

10-15-2008, 11:06 PM	#39 (permalink)
BPbowhunter 2007 NEFGA Outdoorsman Of The Year Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Broken Bow Posts: 2,514 Thanks: 8 Thanked 32 Times in 24 Posts	Can't say we haven't all been there before. I distinctly remember a day last year when fishman, tc, and I were about 10 minutes late getting to our spot. As were standing in the dekes finishing up throwing out the last few we had birds all over us. Let's just say, we aren't late very often anymore.... __________________ Whackin' Woodies Waterfowl Crew "Look, a pair of singles!"

10-15-2008, 11:17 PM	#40 (permalink)
bassnbaseball 2008 Catch & Continue Champion (18 and Under) Join Date: May 2008 Location: Fremont Posts: 451 Thanks: 19 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Yup, me and a buddy went out scouting a spot today. Honestly, I think we saw way more birds when we were doing a little work to the outside of the blind then by the time we got inside and were just hanging out.

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