Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 28

Thread: One last shot!

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Petaluma CA / Moncks Corner SC
    Posts
    3,920

    Default One last shot!

    Got to get after em one last time thanks to the military/veteran hunt weekend out here in California. The forecast was for rain in the morning and then mostly cloudy skies with 15-25mph winds gusting to 35mph. Sounded pretty sporty and a little much for bass fishing so I decided to load up the AquaPod and gear to try the birds one last time. With the early morning rain I sat in the truck until shooting light before paddling out. The place I chose to hunt was two big ponds separated by a pair of parallel levees that have a few breaks in them.

    D51F1AEB-E54C-4A77-95CA-D1BD4BA732C4.jpg

    For whatever reason this area doesn’t get mallards during the season but they get in there in decent numbers as soon as the season closes. They love sitting between those levees once the hunting pressure goes away. It’s only about 35yds between the two levees and with the wind blowing hard I figured jump shooting would be the ticket. I slid the Aquapod into the water just as legal shooting time started. I didn’t take long before I could hear birds just over the dirt levee from me. I had to stay low as the levee is only about two feet high. When I was just about to take a look over the top a group of geese busted me and jumped to the air. This caused all kinds of havoc as they spooked a giant group of ducks nearby. Birds were going every direction. I picked a pair out of the air and as soon as I heard the mallard hen quack I swung to her partner and let a few shots fly. Miffed!!!! I couldn’t believe it. The only thing I can figure is that the wind was blowing my shot as soon as it got up over that levee. I paddled on looking for the next group.

    About a two hundred yards down I peeked over the top again. I saw a pair of pintail drakes about 50 yards up. I sat back down and slowly pushed forward towards a small bush that I used to mark their location. As I stood up I discovered that this was another large group of mixed birds. I found a greenhead and folded him clean. Back down into my seat I paddled on. There were a couple chances that I passed on for gadwall while hoping for another mallard or pintail that never came. Once I got to the end I put out about a dozen decoys and started my wait. Didn’t take long and a pair of teal landed just out front of me. I leveled off on the closest one and rolled her over. Then about an hour later four gadwall landed just down the bank from me and started swimming in. I waited for them to get close enough, lined up on a pair, and folded them as well. That was pretty much it for decoying action. I sat for a good while and watched a few big ducks trade here and there but nothing really wanted to work. Looking back down the thin strip of water between the levees I could see several groups of birds between me and the truck. I decided to pack it in and sneak my way back down the levee towards the truck.

    The first bird that I jumped was a GWT drake. He had been sitting on the bank on the pond side of the levee. He actually spooked me when he took flight at about five yards and I never even lifted the gun! LOL. It didn’t matter as I knew there would be a shot at big ducks just down the way. Again, a goose busted me when I got close to the first group and everything took off before I could get into range. The last group was holding tight about 100 yards from where my truck was parked on the edge of the highway. The levee was a little higher in this area so I was able to get right in line with them before they knew what was happening. When I looked over the top I could see a mixed flock of gadwall, wigeon, teal, canvasbacks, and ruddy ducks. The cans were my target so after making sure I was as close to them as possible I stood up. They took off running across the top of the water. There were three drakes in the group out front. I dropped the lead drake on my first shot. I tried for a second one but no dice. Then I noticed a drake wigeon that had jumped to my left at about 18 yards. Down he went on my third shot. Birds were in the air everywhere at this point. I figured my hunt was over and I’d be one shy of my limit. I paddled on to the end and pulled the AquaPod up to the edge of the bank closest to my truck. Then I noticed another trio of drake cans that hadn’t taken flight. I belly crawled about 20 yards and took three shots at the closest drake. He didn’t seem phased and the group headed to the middle of the pond where they lit with some other birds.

    I unloaded all my gear from the boat, hiked it over to the truck, and started loading up. Took a few pics of my six birds on the tailgate and called the wife to let her know I was done and would be heading her way shortly. The birds that I had disturbed were working their way back into the ponds by this time. Lots of spoonies, pintail, gadwall, and cans were landing here and there. I grabbed the binoculars to take a look around and as I scanned the ponds low and behold what did I see??? That other drake can that I emptied the gun on was now stone dead and being washed right back to the levee where I had shot from. Turned out I got a limit today afterall! LOL.

    46D4FFF9-6586-4791-9DBB-10822351445B.jpg

    EB29F47E-F65F-44ED-B0E2-342BD55B6E35.jpg

    What a way to end the season! I made 20 hunts this year and killed 125 birds. My first hunt wasn’t until the 23rd of December. I’d say that isn’t too bad at all!!!

    2020-2021 duck season

    Wigeon 33
    Pintail 5
    Spoonie 2
    Canvasback 21
    Gadwall 5
    GWT 56
    Mallard 1
    Canada geese 2

    Total 125
    Hunts 20
    Last edited by Ring King; 02-13-2021 at 08:33 PM.
    Living in Moncks Corner but looking forward to moving back to the West Coast in 2020 where there are more ducks and less duck hunters!! LOL

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Location
    Wateree, South Carolina
    Posts
    48,812

    Default



    Great way to end it!

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    In a house
    Posts
    8,437

    Default

    Man id take them greenwings all day! Good killin.
    "I'm just a victim of a circumstance"

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Posts
    2,192

    Default

    Strong, as always. Nice work!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    May River
    Posts
    7,338

    Default

    Pretty heavy on the kings over there? Looks interesting...
    you aint did a dawg gon thang until ya STAND UP IN IT!- Theodis Ealey


    Quote Originally Posted by Rebel Yell View Post
    The older I get, the more anal retentive I get.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2001
    Location
    Hampton Co., SC
    Posts
    10,123

    Default

    Impressive for sure....
    \"I never saw a wild thing feel sorry for itself. A small bird will drop dead frozen from a bough without ever having felt sorry for itself.\" <br />D.H. LAWRENCE

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    Lexington County
    Posts
    5,230

    Default

    Sounds like a fun hunt! Thanks for sharing!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Lexington
    Posts
    1,888

    Default

    Great season! Glad you were able to get out one more time. Have enjoyed following your season in California. Seemed like yesterday you were out there the last time. Any idea what subspecies of Canada Geese you shot? I’m wanting to find a guide out there for Aleutian Geese and Black Brant.
    Last edited by BEAR; 02-14-2021 at 09:38 AM.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    Charlotte
    Posts
    892

    Default

    Sounds like a great season!! Always enjoy your posts

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Jame isle
    Posts
    6,041

    Default

    That’s sick! I just counted the pics I did take . 15 hunts 125. Mostly teal gadwalls pintails and wigeon
    867-5309

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Probation
    Posts
    10,071

    Default

    Enjoyed that. Congrats bud. Great season!
    Quote Originally Posted by BOG View Post
    Tip:
    Although it is natural for you and seems to be out of your hands, try to suppress your natural inclination towards dumbassedness and do some research of your own.I wish you luck.
    Tekton Game Calls
    http://tektongamecalls.com

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Petaluma CA / Moncks Corner SC
    Posts
    3,920

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by fro View Post
    Pretty heavy on the kings over there? Looks interesting...
    The cans are a gimmie bird out here where I hunt. They raft up by the thousands on public water not 50yds off the side of the road. No one really chases them but me. I have about 4 dozen cans (mixed upright and sleepers) that when I run them you could stand in the middle of the spread and they will decoy in as if their lives depended on it!
    Living in Moncks Corner but looking forward to moving back to the West Coast in 2020 where there are more ducks and less duck hunters!! LOL

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Petaluma CA / Moncks Corner SC
    Posts
    3,920

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BEAR View Post
    Seemed like yesterday you were out there the last time. Any idea what subspecies of Canada Geese you shot? I’m wanting to find a guide out there for Aleutian Geese and Black Brant.
    My orders to the ship in Charleston were only for two years. Thankfully I promoted to Chief before I left there which is what allowed me to get back to the schoolhouse here in Petaluma.

    The geese I shot were giants. We get quite a selection here in NorCal but mostly what I see are giants and lessors. There are a couple small flocks of Aleutians that mix in the with dry field bird on my base but I never see them in the salt marsh.

    We have some serious Brant here very close to where I’m at. The hunting for them is pretty tightly guarded and no one ever speaks about it. I have a good friend here that targets them regularly and absolutely hammers them. That’s how I got mine. I don’t believe anyone guides here in the North Bay Area for them. If you wanted to shoot them and the Aleutians I would think your best bet would be up at Humbolt Bay
    Living in Moncks Corner but looking forward to moving back to the West Coast in 2020 where there are more ducks and less duck hunters!! LOL

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Oklahoma
    Posts
    6,322

    Default

    Bullshit vets get special days in February to shoot ducks.
    Quote Originally Posted by trentsmith View Post
    Honestly I don't remember why I don't like you but I do remember that I don't like you.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Clarendon County
    Posts
    8,402

    Default

    Congrats on a fine season RK!

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Petaluma CA / Moncks Corner SC
    Posts
    3,920

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by sprigdog View Post
    Bullshit vets get special days in February to shoot ducks.
    You could have come down and joined me. I hunted by myself!
    Living in Moncks Corner but looking forward to moving back to the West Coast in 2020 where there are more ducks and less duck hunters!! LOL

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Lexington
    Posts
    1,888

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Ring King View Post
    My orders to the ship in Charleston were only for two years. Thankfully I promoted to Chief before I left there which is what allowed me to get back to the schoolhouse here in Petaluma.

    The geese I shot were giants. We get quite a selection here in NorCal but mostly what I see are giants and lessors. There are a couple small flocks of Aleutians that mix in the with dry field bird on my base but I never see them in the salt marsh.

    We have some serious Brant here very close to where I’m at. The hunting for them is pretty tightly guarded and no one ever speaks about it. I have a good friend here that targets them regularly and absolutely hammers them. That’s how I got mine. I don’t believe anyone guides here in the North Bay Area for them. If you wanted to shoot them and the Aleutians I would think your best bet would be up at Humbolt Bay
    I had heard Humbolt Bay Area was the best option for Aleutians and Brant. I wasn’t sure how far north you were. Thanks for the info.

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Oklahoma
    Posts
    6,322

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Ring King View Post
    You could have come down and joined me. I hunted by myself!
    Buddy had great shoots in the Sac valley the last 2 days, he invited me down.
    Couldn’t bring myself to doing a nine hour drive each way for 14 ducks.
    Good stuff RK. My last weekend veterans hunt was a nice ending to a decent season.
    Quote Originally Posted by trentsmith View Post
    Honestly I don't remember why I don't like you but I do remember that I don't like you.

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Ware Shoals
    Posts
    1,803

    Default

    Great hunt and thank you for your service. Love that Wigeon. Wigeon was this years bird to mount but it did not happen. Killed enough Green and Blue Wing teal and everything else but not a wigeon.
    Poverbs 27:17 "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another"

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Posts
    49,831

    Default

    Coast Guard? Holy hell, I guess next year they’ll let the Air Force folks hunt on the military days too. Damn.

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •