So, How do you like duck hunting, Now?

[4dawgma]

I haven't been because Wal mart is sold outta face paint and 3.5 BBB's

[champcaller]

Best I've had numbers and mallard number wise.

[Double Reed]

Great season. Not as many "burn em " days but great days afeild with my brother and a few friends. My 7 year old male has really become a gentlemens gun dog and miss Roxy at 5 is becoming a hunting dog. My 7 year old has got some boat time with me and Blue and White restaurant has put a few pounds on me for sure. But after hunting nearly 50 days so far I'm tired, but completely satisfied with the season. I'm bout ready to pick up my crappie pole and warm up the old box call.

Here's to the last push gents........ Here here.

[khound22]

One of the best years I've had, haven't hunted much but the times I went we burned um up pretty good. Plus I took my ole yella dog out of retirement for an easy hunt and she retrieved around 20 birds. That was my best duck hunt, then a few weeks later, my daughter killed her first deer. This has been a great season

[Blake Williamson]

Been about Avg yr I guess.....

[Bonecollecter1111]

i like RRs's comment! i been more than last year not as much as i once went, had some great hunts, some bad hunts, no skunks, killed a 134" 9 point, and filled the freezer to the brim with meat. have been able to get my wife and both my boys in the woods hunting squirrels ducks and deer, even with less time in the woods, the time spent was with family and good friends. even been with several of our DS bretheren. i would rate it a great success!!!

[gentimmy]

hunted Mississippi for the first time after transferring here last January, had an amazing weekend limiting out every day on the Texas Coast, wonderful experience on Texas/Mississippi WMA's, and making new friendships/fortifying old ones

[Double Reed]

hunted Mississippi for the first time after transferring here last January, had an amazing weekend limiting out every day on the Texas Coast, wonderful experience on Texas/Mississippi WMA's, and making new friendships/fortifying old ones

I forgot to mention that this year was a first for me also. I hunted opening day of the 2 week split in South East Texas in the marsh and boy that was fun. Killed 3 limits of Pintail and Wigeon and the ole Grey Duck or what we call a Gadwal. Also had a close encounter will a big ole lizard sice it was 80 degrees that day, but awesome none the less.

[GulfCoast]

The fact that my "old dog" recovered enough from her ACL repair surgery to be able to hunt in January and pick up a mess of birds was enough, by itself, to make it a good season for me. Nothing like seeing a mature dog's face light up like a kid at Christmas staring at the sky with ducks working. It was just not the same in December without my girldogg with me.

[gentimmy]

I forgot to mention that this year was a first for me also. I hunted opening day of the 2 week split in South East Texas in the marsh and boy that was fun. Killed 3 limits of Pintail and Wigeon and the ole Grey Duck or what we call a Gadwal. Also had a close encounter will a big ole lizard sice it was 80 degrees that day, but awesome none the less.

Where abouts did you hunt?

[Double Reed]

Bridgetown

[H20 Fowl]

Hasn't been this bad for me since 02!

[Anatidae]

I asked the question to see if those guys that seemed so 'enthusiastic' before the season were still enthusiastic now.......at the 'tail-end' of the season.

Most of the folks that have responded have been here a while - no surprising comments. Which may indicate that the relatively new crowd has lost enthusiasm to the point they aren't interested in ducks, duck hunting, or 'forum discussion'.....are hunting hard the last few days........or have figured-out the magic formula and are still killing them by the boat-loads (no time to post silly messages or 'in-the-know' acknowledgements).

I also asked because honestly, my interest had waned a bit......mainly due to mud motor troubles and loss of use (and access - now resolved), missing 16 days of January due to the flu/crud and slow re-gain of strength and desire to get-out after a week's worth of rain, cold, and snow. Fortunately, the weather seemed to push just enough 'workable' birds down at the right time........and not a moment too late.

So, I'll just say that nothing rekindles the fire like:

Good health and.....

.........the first sight of big ducks, a crisp chop-chop, a little 'happy' tail-wagging, altered wingbeats, 2 passes over soft clucks and quacks, following the dog's head to avoid wary eyes, the cup 'n glide, bank 'n pitch, parachuting downward, orange feet reaching for the water, back-peddling wings and arched necks, a clean shot, a steady dog, the release to fetch a belly-up fathead with both orange feet slowly pumping, a big smile from a grateful wife, a clean delivery, and a happy dog shaking-off and resuming her position on the hunt deck.

It only takes seeing that picture once to disolve memory of all the slow days of what otherwise might have been accurately categorized as a dismal season........and keeps you wanting more.

Long live the Fatheads

[ScottyLee]

anat- you definitely have a way with words... good post.

i answered earlier as to how i like hunting... and i still wouldn't change my answer but to expound on the statements previously made, i have been dissapointed with my preseason expectations as far as kills go... about halfway through the season i started taking more time looking and enjoying the sights and the sounds the go with it all vs getting hung up on killing. although, i am very much so ready to kill 4 more mallards and 2 off ducks to boot one more morning, and that's just the hunter in me!!

[JaMak84]

Duck hunters = eternal optimists