So How Did You Say Goodbye To The Season?

MarshBum · 01-26-2009, 09:01 AM

Just thought I'd see how everyone finished up. The last dance of the party was Sunday... sorry to see it go.

My closing weekend went very well. Plenty of birds for us, sorry no pictures.

My last shot of the season folded a Wigeon at a distance I didn't think was possible to kill at. It had been shot at much closer and I was hoping to knock it down since I knew it was already hit. Didn't want him to fly off and die.

So anyway... the season ended well for me. I rank the season a 10.

Already looking forward to the opener.

Geoff

Hunt'nFish · 01-26-2009, 09:04 AM

It was great, simply awesome. I'm content.......for now.
Hunt'nFish

sprigkiller09 · 01-26-2009, 09:16 AM

Solo mission. Quickest hunt of the year. I cannot complain.

But i am FAR from done there is still a month of hunting to be had come feb. 7.

Adjhunt · 01-26-2009, 09:17 AM

I said goodbye with my last sunset on the boatride back to the ramp.

Also said goodbye after I accomplished my last (hope for the season).

What a season this has been!! Only thing I am looking forward to right now is the story's I can tell from this amazing season with the knowing that next season starts in less then 9 months.

Wingman Or. · 01-26-2009, 09:37 AM

Saturday was fun but yesterday was better. I closed out the ducks season like I try to do most years (simple & easy). Didn't call it a day until it was dark. Didn't even get out to where I wanted to hunt until 3:30 p.m. Only fired two shots. One of them brought down a single mallard drake and the other shot oddly enough a honker at 5:14 that put an end the 08-09 ducks season for me. But the best part didn't involve pulling the trigger at all. I was able to just stand out in the water & enjoy watching the birds silhouetted against the sky pile in to the area as care free as they could be. Almost as if they knew they had beat the odds.

jokester · 01-26-2009, 09:39 AM

My finale was awesome...I was at work

Oh well...waiting for late goose

-jokester

Tar Heel · 01-26-2009, 10:04 AM

By "grounding" my daughter, and me along with her! Sometimes parenting takes prioity over hunting, as rarely as that may be.

JCfisher33 · 01-26-2009, 10:15 AM

3 man limits both saturday and sunday. great season, to bad it has to end

waterfowlin101 · 01-26-2009, 10:21 AM

With my Dad sitting in the marsh. The sun went down almost as smooth as the single-malt scotch we were sipping on!

MarshBum · 01-26-2009, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waterfowlin101

With my Dad sitting in the marsh. The sun went down almost as smooth as the single-malt scotch we were sipping on!

Sounds rough

Geoff

Buckhuntraj · 01-26-2009, 10:36 AM

Got out Saturday and finished up nicely with between me and a buddy shooting 10 birds mostly mallards. It was a fun hunt and nice to get out one last time before the season ended.

Threemuch · 01-26-2009, 10:56 AM

With two hunts, one with my son, one without. Both very fun and successful hunts, including a completely new spot and new strategy. I learned a fair bit that last day, and that will help me be a better hunter going forward.

The second to last day, my son said to me, "Dad, I had those birds coming right in. Right up until YOU started calling." I figured I had a couple years til that started. We just howled. 10 hunts under his belt and he's the expert. I thanked him for his advice.

MarshBum · 01-26-2009, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Threemuch

... and that will help be a better hunter going forward.

Now that's success!

It was great seeing all your posts this year with your son. Those have to be some fun hunts. I can't wait until my daughters are a little older. We'll see what they think about the whole deal...

Geoff

SImudBogger · 01-26-2009, 11:00 AM

Shot my 2nd band of the season in a place i never hunted before. Learned a lot this year, but didn't shoot as many birds as last year.

RGB · 01-26-2009, 12:08 PM

No duck's, but a nice few hours in the boat with my five year old son and the dog. It was the first time I've ever heard someone sing " This Old Man" through a duck call.

MJ13 · 01-26-2009, 12:18 PM

What do you mean the season's over? I shot a limit of mallards this morning..........kidding

jokester · 01-26-2009, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ13

What do you mean the season's over? I shot a limit of mallards this morning..........kidding

If you shot the ones I saw this morning, you should have shot a limit of geese too

-jokester

OR_Bo_Huntr · 01-26-2009, 12:28 PM

By taking some deer pics

nevermiss · 01-26-2009, 12:40 PM

Really enjoyed this last season, taking my 2 year-old Lab out for a bit more polish, which he demonstrated. Got lots of roosters, several quail, some geese and a few lucky cracks at huns, along with mass quantities of ducks. Loved watching Lambo fetch 'em back to me. Good weather or bad, it's almost always nice to get out. Oregon is a terrific state for hunters!

weehunter · 01-26-2009, 01:04 PM

well i hated to say goodbye to the duck season, but at least the last few days were fun !!! no limits ... no bands but alot of fun !!! the teal flights that i witnessed the last few mornings were unforgetable hundreds if not thousands. ya gotta love it !!! and i can't wait for the next season !!! heres a few of the pics from this weekend

Pyrojake · 01-26-2009, 01:08 PM

Ended (and started) with my first duck hunt last weekend. A nice 3 man limit on Bluebills on the lower Columbia sloughs.

cityfisher · 01-26-2009, 02:29 PM

My duck season ended at home with a nasty, nasty cold...bad enough that I didn't even want to go hunting.

I ended my duck season a couple weeks ago with a limit of widgeon drakes...it is a hunt I'll remember and big thank you goes out a pal for the tip (you know who you are) on the location.

Not near as many ducks this year but lots (to me anyway) of geese - which I'm hoping to add on to in the late season!

Lots of learning this year - I enjoyed the days I got out.

Jay

thefishslayer · 01-26-2009, 02:36 PM

On friday didnt have school and had mallards all around us and geese by the thousands. Only we were hunting a no goose spot

Then missed a wigeon pair and came home empty handed and that night got a nice cold. Perfect way to end a season

BerettaMan · 01-26-2009, 07:02 PM

The morning shoot was slow, it was 12:30 and I had two greenheads hanging. My hunting partner left at 12:15 saying it was way to slow and his wife wanted him home (he checked three birds).
I was on my favorite piece of water, the sun was shining, and there was 3 1/2 hours left in the 08/09 season. I felt optimistic, I've been here before and the afternoon hunt can be pretty good.

12:31 I noticed a dot 300 yards away, two light quacks from the call, greenhead feet down in the decoys. 3 birds hanging.

12:45 Small flock of Spoonies fly in from behind, a little spinner action, one light quack, the whole flock turns on a dime, feet down. Picked out a nice drake. 4 birds hanging.

1:00 Six Teal feet down in the decoys, picked out the lead drake. 5 birds hanging.

1:15 Two mallards (one drake, one hen) crossing the lake, I started blasting on the "Red Leg" call, several pulls on the spinner, two more softer quacks, feet down in the decoys. 7 birds hanging.

I was blessed with a great afternoon solo hunt, 45 minutes, 6 shots, 5 birds. I could not have asked for more.

arkansasbasser · 01-26-2009, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adjhunt

What a season this has been!! Only thing I am looking forward to right now is the story's I can tell from this amazing season with the knowing that next season starts in less then 9 months.

Andrew, you need to try a hunt or 2 in flooded Arkansas timber. It's not so far fetched or expensive as you might think. There are some really great public hunting areas down there. You would have some stories and memories from that. I could put you in touch with people I know there and help you plan it. Bill

arkansasbasser · 01-26-2009, 07:38 PM

DTSportsman · 01-26-2009, 07:46 PM

I forgot the camera, so no field pics, but I ended with a fun hunt that you surely would enjoy Geoff.

1st Bird my first Ringneck

Next a nice Drake Wigeon

Later his girlfriend joined the party, here are the two together, she's got a bit of a head wound.

And ended on a great bird, a nice little Scaup

Daryn

Headhunter · 01-26-2009, 07:51 PM

Out with a bang. Showed up at the boat ramp for a solo hunt and saw a buddy launching. We were both going to the same spot so he invited me along

We opened up pretty quickly but then were getting busted. I left the blind so there was only one guy to hide and went across the lake and watched him put on a clinic. After he banged out I went back to the blind and finally started to get some action ending the season with a foursome on the strap.

Heron · 01-26-2009, 08:24 PM

Ended the season in the best way possible.

Traditional last day hunt with my son, in the spot we truely like to be. Not so much for the amount of birds, but the great memories this location has brought us over the years. We recall past, and plan future hunts, all with a few birds to shoot thrown in.

Watching my son grow from a young passionate duck hunter, into an adult waterfowler. Than getting to share a blind with him has been the biggest thrill of all.

The last day of the duck season always holds special meaning, as we both really look forward to the last day next year. Thus giving us another full season, and its memories under or belt.

Adjhunt · 01-26-2009, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BerettaMan

I was blessed with a great afternoon solo hunt, 45 minutes, 6 shots, 5 birds. I could not have asked for more.

BM- Congrats on the great hunt to end your season!! This is the first year and a LONG time that I haven't hunted that unit. Nice job! That log has seen a few birds....

Quote:

Originally Posted by arkansasbasser

Andrew, you need to try a hunt or 2 in flooded Arkansas timber. It's not so far fetched or expensive as you might think. There are some really great public hunting areas down there. You would have some stories and memories from that. I could put you in touch with people I know there and help you plan it. Bill

Bill- I have always been amazed at the amazing hunting over there and it is a dream of mine along with hunting Canada someday. But with being in college, even a little expense is a big expense still. But I would definitely be interested for the future!!

stlhdr1 · 01-26-2009, 09:15 PM

Certainly was a fun season....... Now I have to go fishing again.......

Keith

o/uhazjo · 01-27-2009, 05:57 AM

It was a fun season. I really enjoy take my 4 month old lab out and seeing her pick it up like a natural.

pixi and i can wait for next season.

Hooked up · 01-27-2009, 10:03 AM

Shot my first goose! I still haven`t figured out how to post pics.

It` in my gallery.

No Fences · 01-27-2009, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hooked up

Shot my first goose! I still haven`t figured out how to post pics.

It` in my gallery.

here you go. nice bird.

HonkerKnocker · 01-27-2009, 10:36 AM

I said good bye to the season with a bang...An invite on a duck hunt had me sleep less the night before due to the fact that I hadnt pulled the trigger on a duck in a lengthy period of time...Headed out to the marsh with a couple good buddies in the morning. The fog was thick, the mallards were chuckling, and the widgeon were whistling. After the smell of gun powder cleared, the feathers had settled on the water, and three limits had been filled we headed home. The highlight of the day had to be my good buddy Chris getting two bands back to back one on a ring neck and the other on a beautiful bull sprig.

Diver Killer · 01-27-2009, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BerettaMan

The morning shoot was slow, it was 12:30 and I had two greenheads hanging. My hunting partner left at 12:15 saying it was way to slow and his wife wanted him home (he checked three birds).
I was on my favorite piece of water, the sun was shining, and there was 3 1/2 hours left in the 08/09 season. I felt optimistic, I've been here before and the afternoon hunt can be pretty good.

12:31 I noticed a dot 300 yards away, two light quacks from the call, greenhead feet down in the decoys. 3 birds hanging.

12:45 Small flock of Spoonies fly in from behind, a little spinner action, one light quack, the whole flock turns on a dime, feet down. Picked out a nice drake. 4 birds hanging.

1:00 Six Teal feet down in the decoys, picked out the lead drake. 5 birds hanging.

1:15 Two mallards (one drake, one hen) crossing the lake, I started blasting on the "Red Leg" call, several pulls on the spinner, two more softer quacks, feet down in the decoys. 7 birds hanging.

I was blessed with a great afternoon solo hunt, 45 minutes, 6 shots, 5 birds. I could not have asked for more.

Hunted in blind 6 last week....didn't have your luck though. Nice job.

MarshBum · 01-27-2009, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HonkerKnocker

What kind of boat is that?

And wow, a diver band and a sprig band. Anytime I see bands that are not on mallards, I'm impressed (not that banded mallards don't impress me). Diver band in particular are very cool (at least to me).

Geoff

Hunt'nFish · 01-27-2009, 01:44 PM

Yeah, I was wondering the same thing Geoff.......Fatboy DP?
Hunt'nFish

HonkerKnocker · 01-27-2009, 02:06 PM

The boat in the picture is a marsh rat...I bought it due to my lab being sick and I wanted a way to be able to retrieve birds on my own.I used it on several hunts on rivers and some big water and wasnt very impressed but I was fighting currents and strong winds each time...Ive taken it out three times since then in marsh/ slough areas and been blown away by the performance of the boat...Its super stable super easy to manuever and a lot of fun to play around in. I took myself and my other buddy in it this weekend and didnt flip it...it was stupid yes...we both weigh 200 plus and the weight limit is 250 something but it handle it well...Chris shot that banded ring neck at point blank out of the boat...it hides well too...

waterfowlin101 · 01-27-2009, 02:58 PM

I'd really be interested in hearing about the history of those two bands. You guys should share them on the forum when you get a chance.

007SPRIG · 01-27-2009, 04:44 PM

Arkansas would be nice but you don't have to leave the state if you want to hunt ducks in flooded timber.

Adjhunt · 01-27-2009, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 007SPRIG

Arkansas would be nice but you don't have to leave the state if you want to hunt ducks in flooded timber.

oh I know.

bassin'87 · 01-27-2009, 08:19 PM

Ended up rollin solo on the last trip of the year for a little puddle hunt, great way to end the season. Last bird of the year was pair of mallards feet down, one shot and a dead greenhead. Here's to a great season, bring on the fishin and summer fun. Gotta pass the time somehow till next october

Adjhunt · 01-27-2009, 10:16 PM

Great job Casey!!

Dr Strangelove · 01-27-2009, 11:01 PM

I said goodbye by saying hello to Springer babies... I scotch doubled twice on huge mergansers last week with handloaded hevishot #5 1.25oz 12ga loads. The very last bird was a lesser scaup landing in our dekes while picking them up in a snowstorm. The gun jammed on it's playmate. And that's all she wrote.

Opportunist · 01-28-2009, 09:57 AM

We finished out our Washington season with a great day of goosin' and some bling. Saturday was slow, but our sunday hunt was great. My son got a bouble band and I got a single band. Great way to end the season. Sorry no field photo's, left the camera at home.

Adjhunt · 01-28-2009, 10:00 AM

Congrats on the succsessful Goose hunt and the trophy bands!!
Are you shooting the A-5 12 Ga?

Opportunist · 01-28-2009, 10:30 AM

Yeah it's a Belgium made Browning auto-5, 32" barrel. I love that gun, but it's a pretty heavy gun, not a fun gun to go jump shootin with.

Wreckless · 01-28-2009, 11:08 AM

I said good bye sitting with some good friends, in one of my favorite spots.

There were some birds, but it was more about fun, planning springer season with a smattering of Steelhead, Elk, Deer and NEXT YEARS DUCKIN'!!!

I didn't bring home a bird, but it was fun!

Duck season's over......Some Geese then some crabs / clams, maybe some arrow head hunting, Walleye, bottom fish, springers, Bass, summers, TUNA!, Salmon, maybe some more TUNA!, Fall 'nook, more Walleye, Deer, Elk (hopefully), then it all starts again!!!

Gotta love god's country!!!!

Wingman Or. · 01-28-2009, 11:09 AM

Tarsus Cackler? Hummmmmmm....how old is that bird?

bwild · 01-28-2009, 11:26 AM

Have not posted on this forum for a while, mainly due to nothing to post.

Didn't get to hunt hardly at all this year, due 90% to being extraordinarily busy. However, I had some of the best hunts I've had in a very long-time, including 2 brand new spots. Due to work, I was only able to hunt Saturday of the closer. To say the very least, it was amazing! Brand new spot that I've wanted to hunt for some time now. I actually bagged the nicest bull sprig I've ever shot, with the pin measuring just a smidge under 8-1/2". My hunting partner was able to scout it the day prior with another good buddy of mine. They did very well that day too. Nice to end on a high note and now another spot to stow away in the memory banks for next season. Can't wait!!!

Opportunist · 01-28-2009, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wingman Or.

Tarsus Cackler? Hummmmmmm....how old is that bird?

They are classified as resident dusky's that are not protected like the alaskan strain. They don't leave. They were banded at Miller Sands, the double banded one with the white tarsus band was banded as a juvenile and the aluminum tag was put on as an adult. These birds were checked out at Julia Butler Hansen refuge check station and I still have my permit with no hole in it, even though they are dusky's.

Wingman Or. · 01-28-2009, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Opportunist

They are classified as resident dusky's that are not protected like the alaskan strain. They don't leave. They were banded at Miller Sands, the double banded one with the white tarsus band was banded as a juvenile and the aluminum tag was put on as an adult. These birds were checked out at Julia Butler Hansen refuge check station and I still have my permit with no hole in it, even though they are dusky's.

Thanks for clarifying what it was. I could not tell it was a Wusky based on that picture. Looked kind of small and dark. Thanks for helping thin the population. The more of those gone the better!

MarshBum · 01-28-2009, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwild

To say the very least, it was amazing! Brand new spot that I've wanted to hunt for some time now. I actually bagged the nicest bull sprig I've ever shot, with the pin measuring just a smidge under 8-1/2". My hunting partner was able to scout it the day prior with another good buddy of mine. They did very well that day too. Nice to end on a high note and now another spot to stow away in the memory banks for next season. Can't wait!!!

Good times...

Geoff

bwild · 01-28-2009, 02:02 PM

Had I only been a better shot......

Good times, indeed!

BrotherWolf · 01-28-2009, 05:27 PM

I watched my boys basketball games on sat morning and went to a company party sat night and didnt get out of bed till 1pm

steelheadslayer · 01-28-2009, 07:01 PM

This was my last day, Friday before the closer. On the actual closer I worked 2AM to 6PM, very difficult to hunt with that schedule.