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
1 comment:
Sweet!~ Thats the way to do it Troy!
Tom
Post a Comment