First time at the cape

[BigBrother]

Bug spray. Lots and lots of bug spray. The amount of skeeters down there right now are insane.

[willyworm]

Take the dog, unless you just like trouncing through pluff mud.

You hunting alone?

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[cajunwannabe]

Got drawn for the cape opening day. Any advice on types of decoys? Bring the dog? Motion decoys or just a Jerk rig? Only get to go once every 4 to 5 years just trying to cover all the bases.

I was at the Cape this morning. Pray for wind, the mosquitos were like I've never seen before I'd say a bug tamer jacket would be a good idea along with skeeter spray with 100% DEET. Not sure if this lil video clip shows the skeets but it was unreal.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/WAHknGWfbOU


I've never hunted the Santee Coastal Reserve but I'd say BE MOBILE, go to where the ducks want to be. We saw TONS of Mottled duck and BWT and a few Greys. Amazing and absolutely gorgeous property with a rich waterfowling history.

[FLS]

The quality of your hunt and the type of ducks you kill depends on the blind you draw. Take bug spray and leave your dog at home.

[Catdaddy]

I would not consider taking a dog.......period.

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[cajunwannabe]

We saw this big one sunning in the Cape yesterday morning. Once the temp drops below 70 degrees they shouldn't be a problem, I'm sure there is always an exception. According to the technician, no one has ever lost a retriever hunting SCR and I believe him. Now, if they were open for early teal season, that would be a different story. Eagles will snatch your downed duck, and we saw plenty, so keep that in mind, it's impossible to out paddle a flying eagle to try to get your duck.

I will be hunting in Louisiana a week from now and we will see gators but I've never had a problem using a dog when the temps are below 70 degrees. They don't eat because they can't digest their food when it's cold.

[mudflat]

I went into Santee Coastal the other day and things have changed since I was last there. Stopped and talked to a technician who had a South African accent. Started asking questions about this and that and he had no clue it "use" to be that way. Campground, being able to hunt out on the dikes, driving past the maintenance shed, portable trailer they organized hunts. It looked nice but I doubt I'll go back anytime soon.

[darealdeal]

I am curious as to why people are saying not to take a dog?

[Coot_Commander]

I am curious as to why people are saying not to take a dog?

2 posts before this should be all the proof you need

[joshua2]

Last time I went was late January. The temps were above normal but the techs assured us the gators were very lethargic. Saw 3 grown ones in the area we were in once back in the truck headed back to the house. Bastards didn’t look lethargic to me but I ain’t no gator person either.

[darealdeal]

2 posts before this should be all the proof you need

Oh I see why people are saying it. Guess I’m just thinking about it a little differently. If it’s between me or my dog getting hit by a gator I think I’ll let the dog pick up the ducks.

[mudflat]

You are thinking about it differently, very!

[willyworm]

We saw this big one sunning in the Cape yesterday morning. Once the temp drops below 70 degrees they shouldn't be a problem, I'm sure there is always an exception. According to the technician, no one has ever lost a retriever hunting SCR and I believe him. Now, if they were open for early teal season, that would be a different story. Eagles will snatch your downed duck, and we saw plenty, so keep that in mind, it's impossible to out paddle a flying eagle to try to get your duck.

I will be hunting in Louisiana a week from now and we will see gators but I've never had a problem using a dog when the temps are below 70 degrees. They don't eat because they can't digest their food when it's cold.

This is too much logic for these guys Paul.


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[willyworm]

And remember it's not the air temp, it's water temp that matters.

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[darealdeal]

You are thinking about it differently, very!

Yeah sorry if it me or the dog I mean…. I like my dog an all but I mean let’s be honest….. you go to pick up a duck and your dog does get hit well sorry it’s sad but it’s a dog. You pick it up and get hit I’m sure your wife and kids would miss you more and not the dog…. Idk that’s just me.

[usrgce]

Yeah sorry if it me or the dog I mean…. I like my dog an all but I mean let’s be honest….. you go to pick up a duck and your dog does get hit well sorry it’s sad but it’s a dog. You pick it up and get hit I’m sure your wife and kids would miss you more and not the dog…. Idk that’s just me.

The real answer to your last sentence may surprise you.

[Catdaddy]

I know someone that lost a 90 lb male in the woods at Packs......on the first retrieve of the day.

In a duck hunting situation, there's no saving him


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[CUduckreeper]

I know someone that lost a 90 lb male in the woods at Packs......on the first retrieve of the day.

In a duck hunting situation, there's no saving him


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I wonder what the water temperature was that day.

[Catdaddy]

I wonder what the water temperature was that day.

It was the Thanksgiving season.

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[willyworm]

So was it an assumption that a gator was involved in said disappearance? Or was there some evidence?

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