Duck Withdrawals...

skahorse · 01-31-2005, 10:13 AM

Today is a sad day for me... The season I look forward to all year, is now over. Time again, to clean my decoys, and prepare them for long term storage in the attic. No more ducks will die at my hands for another 8 months, until it all starts again.

I did make it out yesterday, it was a beautiful day. Not really what you want to see on the last day of the season. My cousin and I made it out to the lake we've been hunting most of the season for one more final shoot. We ended the day with 10 birds, all mallards. We had to work for them, but it was all worth it.

I guess now, it's time to change my avatar. Any duck I see is just torture. Pretty soon, once the ducks figure out were no longer shooting at them, we'll see them flying all around the city. Sitting in every puddle they can find. And I'll be looking for them, waiting, and counting those 8 months.

On a good note, Goose season starts back up next Saturday. Though, it's just not the same to me. I love sitting and waiting, watching those cute puddle ducks make thier way into my spread....

Well... Only 8 more months to go... :depressed:

--Skahorse

duckcall · 01-31-2005, 11:05 AM

We closed up shop Saturday. Saw 2 bald eagles, a northern harrier, a red tail, lots of high flying geese and 5 ducks to take home. Saw a fellow duck hunter in church yesterday. He was wearing a dark shirt with ducks all over it. He said it was his mourning shirt. Season is only about 8 months away!!

DukAddict · 01-31-2005, 11:29 AM

Time for the offseason stuff.

Trap shooting, hunting expo's, calling competitions, cleaning the gear, and BUYING NEW GEAR! :grin:

What did everyones duck counts end up at?

duckdog310 · 01-31-2005, 01:51 PM

My final duck count was 104 birds. Ten of those were coots I freeze for dog training. Great season had by all in my blind!

Blue Tip Spinner · 01-31-2005, 03:31 PM

i already miss it too...

Get Bit · 01-31-2005, 04:40 PM

Skahorse,

I feel your pain. :depressed: At least we have the goose season to wean us off the season. Afterwards, I guess we'll have to start chasing those stinky steelhead until turkey season starts and the springers get here.

Get Bit

cade · 01-31-2005, 07:49 PM

I am definatley in duck mourning. I sat on my deck and watched a duck pond for about a good hour just remembering all of the great hunts i had this year. This was my first year of hunting ducks, and it is already my favorite hobby!! I just love the feeling you get when you see a duck fold up and hit the water!! Best feeling ever!!

SalmonSeason · 02-01-2005, 01:16 AM

worst season I've seen in years...my buddy and I average too many to mention here... and this year it's way low...ducks showing up late as usual...sounds like others spent a lot of time and gas...a hundred ducks use to be nothing now a hundred of ducks is something to say wow..

hopefully we'll get northern weather to give us those birds earlier...

Swamp Puppy · 02-01-2005, 06:05 AM

yup...time to pack 'em up and start dreaming about next season. shot quite a few this season. i don't have an exact number, but it probably tallys about the 150 mark.

had a great year. met some new people, shot a eurasion widgeon (a goal of mine for awhile now), and had many a fine day with friends......and all without the threat of frostbite or hypothermia. who'd a figured that?

Fishfaced · 02-01-2005, 10:51 AM

My 9-1/2 year old lab Chuckie is taking it the hardest. He up early every morning and ready to go, just to watch me go off to work. I'm not sure how many seasons he has left in him. He did a wonderful job this year. He did not miss a single bird I downed this year. Chuckie even made a couple of captures on his own. Nothing like a faithful retriever!

DukAddict · 02-01-2005, 12:11 PM

Yeah Ed we had some good times this year when we got to hunt together. Nothing like them NAVY jokes hahaha

Big TULE · 02-01-2005, 01:56 PM

Hey Duk no NAVY jokes...

jokester · 02-01-2005, 02:15 PM

Quote:

i already miss it too...

Ditto that!!! :depressed: This was my 2nd year huting waterfowl, and i've got to say that I had a blast (definitely pun intended :grin: ) I got to meet some new friends, had some awesome hunts, and had some hilarious days in the blind cracking jokes and being crazy when the birds just weren't flying! I guess it's time to hit the rivers for the next 8 months and stock up on my salmon/steelhead supply!

-jokester

HuntNFishAddict · 02-01-2005, 07:10 PM

Well it was another year where I spent too much time in the blind. Wait a minute, is that possible? Anyway, it was not as successful as I would have liked, but I was able to hunt with new people and enjoy some of God's creation. Plus any day of hunting is better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.
I am going to try to post a couple of pictures from the last weekend. Hopefully they work.
Look forward to next year.
Birdman1972

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