The snow is disappearing....(pics)

[waterfowlin101]

What a week!!!

This year us Pac-Northwest hunters were presented with a somewhat unique challenge. Never in MY Oregon waterfowling history have I had to deal with sub-zero temps for such duration. I would imagine many of you found yourself in a similar position. This was truly a time to learn...a time to adapt!

Many of our typical mid-to-late December haunts were solid, and we were forced to break the mold, to try some new things in order to have consistent success.

At first, we struggled a bit. Here is Phoenix with two hard earned pairs for Dad and I.




SO.....After a day or two of scratching our heads and trying to get "dialed in", we really started to figure things out.

From then on we were lovin' life!!!

Dad and I hunted a time or two together...





....and also met up with some friends for some group shoots... **28 green!!**



....and 33 woodies in 2 days!! (28 of which were drakes)





....and of course, this time of year I usually run the old man into the ground, so I kindly gave him the day off and went solo. (Well, kind of... Phoenix never wants to stay home )



What a great week it has been....and proof of why I love waterfowling in Oregon so much. We are presented with so many different situations, which force us hunters to be both creative and adaptive. But, if you want it hard enough, and put in a bit of hard work you can really experience some fine wing-shooting and have a great couple days for the memory bank.

Hope you all had as much fun as I.... and away with the snow we go...

Jon

[Uplanders]

Sweet to see that youve been spanking them also, good job!

[Adjhunt]

nice. Fun looking hunts.

I got my first limit of all drakes yesterday!

[greenheadgunner]

somebody get jon some clorox and bleach...that is DIRTY! Thanks for letting Phoenix train Milo.

[Just Fish]

WOW you must like eatting duck.

[Adjhunt]

Originally Posted by Just Fish

WOW you must like eatting duck.

Yea that's what I was thinking...
Cause he's had to clean a lot more birds than I have this week.

Jon how do you cook your birds?

[Nw dukn]

Sweet pics..

[Something Good]

Looks like some good hunting Jon. Sorry I missed out. I ended up not having to work and now after seeing these pics I'm really kicking myself in the... BTW Pheonix is looking really good. Nice to see she's filled out a little.

[nevermiss]

Wow! What a collection. That's the kind of shooting we waterfowlers dream of. And all those woodies! Just HAD to be a swell time, weather be damned!

[duckkillerclyde]

good lookin' dog

[Headhunter]

What no bands? Geeze Jon your waterfowling skills are really starting to go down hill or Herb has lost his lucky shades?

Nice to see you getting after them!

[Dr Strangelove]

Wow, those are some BIG greenheads. Very Nice.

[water and sky]

Look forward to your posts.

[jacobp]

Originally Posted by waterfowlin101

What a week!!!

This year us Pac-Northwest hunters were presented with a somewhat unique challenge. Never in MY Oregon waterfowling history have I had to deal with sub-zero temps for such duration. I would imagine many of you found yourself in a similar position. This was truly a time to learn...a time to adapt!

Many of our typical mid-to-late December haunts were solid, and we were forced to break the mold, to try some new things in order to have consistent success.

At first, we struggled a bit. Here is Phoenix with two hard earned pairs for Dad and I.




SO.....After a day or two of scratching our heads and trying to get "dialed in", we really started to figure things out.

From then on we were lovin' life!!!

Dad and I hunted a time or two together...





....and also met up with some friends for some group shoots... **28 green!!**



....and 33 woodies in 2 days!! (28 of which were drakes)





....and of course, this time of year I usually run the old man into the ground, so I kindly gave him the day off and went solo. (Well, kind of... Phoenix never wants to stay home )


What a great week it has been....and proof of why I love waterfowling in Oregon so much. We are presented with so many different situations, which force us hunters to be both creative and adaptive. But, if you want it hard enough, and put in a bit of hard work you can really experience some fine wing-shooting and have a great couple days for the memory bank.

Hope you all had as much fun as I.... and away with the snow we go...

Jon

I count 16 male wood ducks!!! Holy Cow...that's awesome.

[waterfowlin101]

Originally Posted by jacobp

I count 16 male wood ducks!!! Holy Cow...that's awesome.

It was pretty sick!!...and to think how many we missed

there are 18 drakes if you look close!!! + 2 hens...oops!

Jon

[steelhead22]

Don't even think for a second that you're going to hide that ringneck under the pile!!!

Nice pictures! It's been a great week!

[JBG]

Way to MAKE IT RAIN in that snow . . .

[deadelk]

Thanks for the pics, Great job looks like some great shootin!!!!

[Adjhunt]

Originally Posted by steelhead22

Don't even think for a second that you're going to hide that ringneck under the pile!!!

Nice pictures! It's been a great week!

Actually 2 ringers
Oh and I see that teal.

[waterfowlin101]

Originally Posted by Adjhunt

Actually 2 ringers
Oh and I see that teal.

all drakes too...

What bothers me the most is the third ringer that flew away. all three were dandy drakes...yep, the kind with the purple irredescent coloring on the necks. Beautiful ducks if ya ask me...lol. Plus...they did it so dirty!!!

[Adjhunt]

Originally Posted by waterfowlin101

all drakes too...

What bothers me the most is the third ringer that flew away. all three were dandy drakes...yep, the kind with the purple irredescent coloring on the necks. Beautiful ducks if ya ask me...lol. Plus...they did it so dirty!!!

Yea they are good looking ducks!
Plus if they do it dirty there's only one thing to do

3 drake teal did it dirty last hunt, and somehow one got away...