Storm Hunting

[fish_or_die]

Couldn't resist, this weekend looked PERFECT for waterfowling. Took the wife and a buddy that's never hunted before and ended up getting to the pond a little late, oh well. 20mph winds had me a bit worried but trudged into our spot and kicked out 100+ ducks.....[] This should be good! Hunting with rookies took a bit longer to set up the spread but we got set. The birds were definitely moving but we were standing in tall phrag and the birds wanted to be on the other side of the pond 80 yards away in the short reeds. Flock after flock of birds moved into the area and headed directly to the other side of the pond, even when we'd scared all the ducks off it. It was crazy, they must have seen a 50' tall red X from where they were and didn't pay us any mind. We had a few birds come in though, I knocked down 4 and the wife got 2. Had a double of drake widgeon at 15 yards feet down, rolled the first with my first shot, and whiffed the next two. I think I was shooting out in front of them because I'm used to ducks really moving, not standing still in the wind! Not a bad day, but it could have been better, think I'll try and go back with a jet sled and use it like a coffin blind in the short stuff, they seem wise to me and my current strategy.....anyway, here's a pic of the wify doing all the work for me[inline downsized_1112111011.jpg]
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[FOD]

Nice job, I was out scouting a bit today and fishing as well. I saw a lot of birds everywhere I went. Hope to put it to use tomorrow.

One thing to try next time,(you may already do this but its the only guess I have on why the ducks were landing in one specific zone) is look at the current of the waves from the wind. The ducks are always going to want to rest/feed in the calmest area where the waves start from. Then set you deeks up like they were trying to push up next to the bank and have a couple pairs finger out to where you want the (real) ducks to land.

The wind in the Basin usually goes every direction but today it was pretty consistently flowing from the northwest to the southeast. Almost every bird I saw(sitting) was sitting on the north side of the body of water.
BTW Does your wife make you do all the dishes?[sly]
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[Youngbuck410]

Nice drake mallard! What WMA were you hunting?
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[fish_or_die]

We were on the west side of the pond, ducks wanted to be on the east. Problem is, without using a coffin blind I can't hide in the shallow stuff. No she helps me do the dishes! Can't wait till we have a dish washing machine though.....

We were at farmington bay. Lots and lots of good places out there, just gotta put in the work to find em.
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[fishinfool]

I will say it again your a lucky man!!!! She even has a on her face!!!! After we talked I went out and it was crazy tell shooting ended ducks everywhere coming in from all directions. But I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn or I am just not use to shooting at teal that's all that was coming in and after 20 or so we started shooting at them. 2 boxs of shells between me and the boy and got four teal,three greenwing and one cinnie drake. One thing I have learned over the years if your setup isn't working move to where the birds want to be. you would be surprised how well you can do knelling in the short stuff even if you think they can see you most the time they are watching the decoys and you can do very well.
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