The pre season duck work is in full swing

We are installing blinds, brushing blinds, setting decoys, and getting ready to rock! Looking forward to another great season!!

New Decoys

You know you bought too many new decoys when they show up in a semi truck!!

Sunny and 70

Great shoot for these guys today! The had the hot blind and made there shots count ending up with a great strap of ducks on this no weather day!

Overcast skies, but dead calm

 Hit the blind this morning with Mark and Ryan. There were a decent amount of birds in the air, but they were hard headed! We had some birds come in on a string that ended up on the strap and quite a few that lived to see another day! We ended the morning with 7 birds and should of had that many more.

Cold and Clear but still pretty slow

Back to the rice hoping the ducks would show but again they weren't cooperating! We stayed at it and ended the morning with 5 ducks and 4 specks. Seemed like there were a few more ducks today so it should pick up soon.

Specks and more Specks!

The weather was clear and calm again this morning so back to chasing specks! No ducks flying at all but the specks listened and it didn't take long for the 3 of us to get our closure limit of 3 each! I really wish they would do away with that damn closure! 

Trifecta

Quite the mixed bag today! A few ducks, a few geese and a bonus pheasant on the way back to the truck!

Back on the geese

Sill no ducks to speak of but the specks are cooperating! We ended up with 7 specks and 4 ducks this morning. Not red hot but damn sure better than nothing!

Finally some wet weather!

 We finally got some much needed rain today and the guys laid the smack down on the birds! It was slow and steady but we will take it. Ended the hunt with 18 ducks and 3 geese.

This is just a friendly reminder of what happens when you close your action with your finger inside of it!! Derek decided to give it a try this morning and I bet he won't do it again!

Clear Calm Skies

After yesterday's ripping North wind we were met with clear calm skies today. I headed back to the same blind that I hunted yesterday with high hopes but the flight just wasn't there, what a difference a day makes! Jerry and Arie managed to kill most of the birds out in front of them today and went home with a decent strap for a no weather day!

Quinn's first goose!

Regina and I took Quinn this morning on a waterfowl hunt to try and get her first duck or goose! We got into a blind and there were quite a few birds flying but as hard as I tried I could not get them to set up right to get Quinn a good shot. With her shooting a .410 we needed them perfect and they just wouldn't do it! I finally got a speck to come in feet down and she let him have it! The feathers flew and he buckled but caught himself, so I batted clean up and she was soon holding her first speck! She did a great job in the blind and was very cautious and safety minded! She had fun and as the season goes on I am sure she will get some birds of her own!

Afternoon wood ducks

I got an invite from my buddy James to bring Cade out for an afternoon wood duck hunt in the flooded corn and I couldn't pass it up! I picked Cade up from school and we made our way out to the sink. It was clear and 70 degrees but as we approached the corn a bunch of birds came out of the corn and headed back towards the creek. Within minutes we were in the blind and ready to shoot. Slowly but surely they woodies started coming back and after a few missed opportunities Cade got it together and started putting the smack down. He had 6 birds on his strap and as hours drew to a close he whiffed on a single drake that would have gotten him his limit. He had a great time and I can't thank James enough for the opportunity.

Hunting with Billy G

This morning Regina and I had the pleasure of hunting with living legend Billy G! We had a great time harassing Billy and he was even kind enough to give us a few duck calling tips from the pro! Billy is an absolute blast to hunt with and I left the blind with a hurting stomach from laughing so hard! I have attached a few video's from the mornings hunt for your enjoyment! The highlight of the day was when I let Billy try out my 10 Gauge, I guess it kicks a bit harder than his 28 gauge! We were only able to fool 3 mallards, but had a blast doing it!

Afternoon In the rice!

This pic was text to me from some of our members on the Packer ranch. They had a great evening shoot in the weather! The ducks are out there for the taking so go get them guys!

The new Yamaha Viking got a facelift!

The 2015 Yamaha Viking got it's new shoes today and is officially ready for battle! A big thanks to Hillside power sports in Lakeport for getting us set up with our new rigs! If you are ever in need of a boat or ATV give these guys a call, they are great to deal with! 

Regina and the kids took to the field this morning!

I had to guide this morning and the kids weren't about to miss opening day so they talked mom into a quick hunt before they had to get to the soccer game. Regina, her father big AL, Cade and Quinn headed out this morning to get in a quick hunt. The hunting was slow as they were in a blind that had minimal water but at least they were out enjoying the morning! They manged to fool a drake mallard that just couldn't resists Cade's calling! They had fun and are looking forward to getting some shooting in when the season gets going.

  

Keep a close eye on your dogs!

 Today while working in the wetland I had my dogs Cash and Brutus with me and they were running wild and having fun while I worked. I guess the puppy hasn't figured out how to keep the watergrass seeds from getting in his eyes yet! When I finished up what I needed to do out there I noticed Brutus had red eyes, upon closer inspection his eyes were loaded with seeds! I got as many out as I could but they were so deep I had to take him into the vet for removal. They knocked him out and went to digging, the bottom picture is what came out of one eye! The poor little guy is fixed up now and hopefully we won't have this problem again! Just a friendly reminder to check out your dog for problems after each day afield. 

Getting the wetland dialed in for the opener!

Water is moving across the wetland! Spent some time today touching up the blind and opening up kill hole  around the blind! Can't wait to see the first greenhead of the season make a splash!

My #1 Target This Season!

I had this image sent to me today by one of our local CWA biologists who was out doing pre season banding work! This big beak is number one on my hit list! I've always wanted a banded spoon and now proof exists that there is one in circulation! I will be searching for this beauty come opening day and sure hope to have him feet down in the decoys this season!

Tree Time!

Phase two of the willow tree plants for this year started today! The guys a Beymer Well Service called today and we should be back in action the first of next week. I am getting ahead of the game and working on getting close to 900 holes drilled so that we can plant them all in one quick shot and turn the water to them to ensure that they take. By next spring the entire wetland will take on a new look!