Why I Like An Early Opener

[BoogaBottom]

Here is a pic to show why I have always supported an early opening ! This is opening weekend 2003......Notice no greenheads for sure, but lots of gadwalls.....and a couple of blackjacks....(I didnt shoot all these ducks myself..that wouldnt be legal)(This is a group limit)

[Bustin' Ducks]

nice hairdo..

[RedLeg84]

damn did anybody ever tell you you are dog ugly!!

[chopper30]

I had a great opening 2 weekends myself, but I don't think it had anything to do with being early, but more to do with the ducks not getting shot at in a while.

[BoogaBottom]

After hunting the same spot for 10+ years...I have noticed that we consistently have birds, and lots of em, during the entire month of November and even in late October.....an early flight so to speak....

During the years where weve had late openers...the old 1st weekend in December....We consistently had no birds...even when the November birds were not shot during November...in other words, the early flight of birds had left before December 9 almost without exception, even if not shot at !

My theory, based on my limited experience at one particular spot, is that we have an early flight of birds in November..every year....Ive seen em even when season wasnt open, and that they leave no matter what by the end of the month......and that large numbers of "new birds" usually dont make it to our spot til after Christmas normally.....usually around the first of the year....and then more new birds dont seem to come til or IF the cold weather comes....

Im sure many will disagree....but Ive seen it with my own eyes for 10 years + I will admit that we always have natural water, even when no one else does, and that may be why the birds consistently use our spot early in the year.....

With all due respect, I think the timing of the opener does have something to do with success (at least at my particular spot)

Just my 2 cents based on my personal observations...