First Time Duck Hunter...

[kodiakfisher]

I would like to thank Jokester and Rauly and especially his dog Rauly for taking me out duck hunting. Everyone has their idea of what the first time should be like. Hey I watch TV black skies, birds dropping like rocks to any decoy spread and any haaaa, haaa, haaaa, haaa, ha duck call. Well it wasn't quite that good but honestly I expected to see more birds but fewer of them willing to come into our spread. The fact that I was impressed with how many actually came in to our spread...I guess if I have too give credit....not sure I can do it...ok ok it was Jokester he was the caller and must have done a good job.

I was as much fun as I could have hoped for, got 2 ducks with an assist from Jokester on the second. We pulled into Sauvie and did the chip pull, everyone before me had pulled over 70 and then I pulled lucky 13 for about 15 seconds I was the MAN! but Rauly not to be outdone pulled 11. We partnered up on the chip pull with another group so they got the lucky 13 chip

I became a little concerned when I was having trouble hitting ducks later to find out I'm shooting steel with a full choke over decoys. This is my turkey gun now pulling double duty, new choke will arrive soon trying to decide between improved or modified. I don't anticipate ever practicing enough to be worthy of shooting past 40yds.

Jokester showed me how to take care of the birds and wife cooked them up tonight was pretty darn good, nice little dinner for a days work.

Thanks Again and yes I'm already a DU member mostly because it's the best party Goldendale, WA throws during the year.


Kodiakfisher

[No Fences]

Good report. Sounds like fun. 2 great guys and I'm sure a hoot to hunt with.

[spurcrazy]

congrats on the first hunt and success!! Pattern your gun before you let others tell you what choke to use. I have shot full chokes in my guns with steel for years and had great results. Some say you can't or shouldn't do it, I totally disagree.

One thing we all agree on is pattern your gun and see what works best for you gun, with the shells you shoot, and the application you intend to use the gun for. Just like Turkey huning!!

[jokester]

Today was a fun hunt! Not many birds to show for, but good times with good people

-jokester

[Tar Heel]

Those guys know who to pull chips with! One thing where experience surely doesn't pay.

[kodiakfisher]

I should probably also thank the guys in the blind down from us that provided great humor with their same five sequence non-stop duck call ALL morning long. Also the wonderful examples of what "sky busting" is. We were particularly amused by the duck that was allowed to land in their decoys and swim around for maybe 1min before being blasted on the water. Now I did have to learn the subtle difference between making ripples and WAVES with the jerk cord...I know I flared at least one bird with my tsunami making. I figured I could just surf em in towards the shore for an easy shot. My hunting partners didn't think it would work....I still think it will.

Now granted after missing at least two ducks my first duck just about had its feet on the water before I unloaded, not sure what the definition of shooting them on the water is but this one was pretty close this duck hand the landing gears down and was flapping to land. It became obvious that the pefectly round circle of missing feathers was one of two things, a bird very close or someone shooting steel with a full choke. Could have been even both

After growing up on Kodiak fishing my brains out if I had $20 to spend on gas towards the coast and fish or buy a box of shells and duck hunt, I will be duck hunting for sure! Especially if Rauly brings his dog, I really enjoy watching a dog get excited about going hunting and the pure enjoyment of the retrieve. The look the dog gives when two, three, or five shots ring out and there is nothing to go get...and the look of you've got to be kidding me is priceless.

Kodiakfisher

[Rauly]

It was a fun day. I still don't think the hard rain is gonna be here for a couple of hours.
The end of the hunt. jokester and kodiakfisher
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=illyAdbWYb0
Here is Rauly making a retrieve from a younger day.