Early Duck in SE PA

Well early duck season has come and gone hear in PA and man was it slow! Pea soup fog every morning and warm weather to boot. I hunted a total of 5 days out of a 7 day season and only bagged 6 ducks. My bag was made up of Mallards, Woodies & GW Teal.

The last day of the season was the most productive with my group harvesting 9 ducks. The weather was a touch better, and some cooler temps helped with the flight. We did have a single pintail circle a few times but didn't commit. Thats a rare bird in these parts this time of year. I have only shot one pintail in my life time. Their just not here when the season is open. So that by far was the highlight on my season.

My dog Koda was able to get some work, and his new partner Roxy made her first retrieve at 4 months old! She's my brother in law's new dog. We're seeing tons of new geese showing up. I can't wait until Nov. 15th.

Tom

10/3/07 Opening day of NC Duck Season!

Here in NC, we have a short 4 day season in Oct., which we call Wood Duck season in the Western section - because it basically consist of targeting wood ducks. I had decided to hunt on Lower Creek at a friends tree farm (25-30 arces), which boarders the creek for a couple hundred yards. This creek had been productive in the past, but with the water levels at an all time low..... I was concerned how the morning would go.

About 6:15 am, I arrived and crept down to the creek. I put out 4 Greenhead Gear wood duck decoys (2 hens, 2 drakes), and then found a spot on the bank with some cover to sit back and wait. Unfortunately I forgot my ThermaCell, and the skeeters were in full force!

As day broke..... every thing was quite (except for the skeeters), and I figured it would be a morning of empty skies. But at 7:15 am, 3 drake wood ducks coming screaming up stream, and right over the decoys!!! What a sight it was to see them coming out of "no where", and DECOY right into the spread. As they cup up to land just past the decoys, I was able to collect my thoughts and quickly take my limit (it was fast and furious).

I waded into the creek and picked up the first bird, then on up stream to get the second bird off the bank. Great opening day morning hunt, and I was still at work by 7:45 am. I was happy to have a limit of drake wood ducks, and it felt good to be back out chasing birds.

Troy Smart
AC Caldwell County DU
Lenoir, NC