2001 reflections

[GullGuide]

Twas a sad day.
Put all of the dekes in the rafters, turned my boat upside down, hauled the motor to the basement, cleaned the 1100 and placed my calls on the mantle.
Now comes the 10 month wait for next season!

The 2001 season was by far one of the best I've ever had. From the opening weekend teal shoot to the season long plethora of mallards.

I read the papers and hear of how the duck season has been a disappointment and I ask myself.."Where the heck are these people hunting at?" I did less traveling this year than in the past. On a normal year, I do a ton of traveling usually spending a weekend on Thief Lake, a weekend or two around Bemidji/Leech Lake area, around Wadena, Litchfield, Park Rapids, and Windom not to mention my usual spots near Willmar. This year the farthest away that I travelled was out to Appleton. I guess I did not need to move around to find ducks this fall, there were plenty where I was at.

This fall I tried out a ROBO type deke that I made out of a kit. I can honestly say that it did not help nor hinder the duck hunting from what I witnessed. Many times I would not have used it, but with everyone else having one, I felt I needed to to even the field. The birds seemed not to really pay much attention to them and it all came down to location, presentation and calling. Hopefully there will be a flyway wide ban on their use soon and we can get back to real hunting.

I also had to laugh at those who said the flight was over after that first storm. The birds that flew through en masse were from North Dakota and Saskatchewan, not from our bread and butter areas of Manitoba. The hunting only got better after that first storm with many of the birds sticking around till the end and a steady trickle of new birds from up north. Sure there were areas of the state that were not as good, but with a little scouting birds were there for the taking.

So, how was your season and how would you rate it compared to seasons past?
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[Duck-o-holic]

Overall, I thought it to be a stellar waterfowl season. I didn't get in on any real hot diver hunts this year, but the mallard shooting was consistantly excellent throughout the season! I shared the blind and many great memories with some new people, as well as family and traditional hunting partners this year. Can't wait to share the same experiences with my son!

Between being surprised by mallards with my gun cased, and having a weasel walk up to the boat while on shore, and putting its paws up and peeking inside, there were plenty of stories that I'll be able to pass on to my grandkids someday... I'll always cherish the hunts with my aging golden, as she continues life after 10 years of age. She is who I've shared the most hunts with in the last decade. Watching her develop, and seeing her unending desire to hunt has been a true reward in itself.

Yes, it's been a great year. It's always a sad time to know the end of season is at hand. Memories of hunts past and anticipation of the next year, just manage to sustain my attention until the next opening day...

Good Gunnin' !!!

Duck-o-holic

[Guest]

Oh, it was a fine waterfowl season. The best season I have experienced in the several years I have enjoyed waterfowling. I did a ton of scouting and really put on the miles on the truck and boat. I had some of the most memorable hunts all over the state, and my dog was a great hunting companion this year as he turned out to be a very fine hunter. The more he hunted, the more amazed and proud I was to have a dog that enjoyed waterfowling as much as me.

After five years of missing the bluebill flights, this was the year I had the most incredible bill hunts three weeks in a row. I would have never guessed to have great bluebill hunts in sunny 50-60's degree weather in one location (and that was it!)

It was also the best mallard and goose hunts for me too. So many memories, I wish I would have recorded them in a journal. I will have to do that from now on so I can relive those times during the off season.

I met a lot of great people, and introduced a friend to waterfowling to which he had wonderful experiences and he can't wait to hunt again.

After work I am going to dig the boat/motor from the drift of snow in my yard and (sadly) put all the equipment away for another year. This is truly a day that I never like and my wife knows that it is time I need to be alone for awhile.

On a better note....lets pray for real cold weather to get some ice on these lakes! SOON!

[EW6]

Closure Eve,
A night of reflection for sure. This year was really good for me. It started extremely well, and not just because the first duck of the year was a banded woodie! The first two weekends were awesome for me. The second saturday was the single best day of hunting I have ever enjoyed, huge flocks of Ringbills and Mallards that decoyed like I have never seen.

Later in the year It slowed down for me, but it was still great to be out there. The end was a flop, but what can you do. I still shot more ducks than I ever have, averaged about 3 per hunt, and had some great memories.

Top memories:
1.On opener I ended up swinging into a group of cattails while shooting at two teal, so much cattail fuzz flew up in the air I didn't see what happend. 5 minutes later my brother brings me the two teal that I had killed with the one shot.

2. Banded woodie for first duck of the year, banded ringbill second weekend.

3. Guiding my two non-hunting, non-sharp shot friends to 17 ducks and the single best day I have ever had in the blind.

4. Watching the best Northern Lights I have ever seen, then shooting a limit as the Lake Froze up in early November.

5. Peppering a huge drake mallard, only to have him fly off, then fold and tumble after he was about 600 yards out and 200 up, 2 pellets in the lungs.

Lessons learned:
1. Don't get mad when others set up close to you on Mud....it is going to happen no matter what....so why let it ruin your hunt?

2. Never give up on a duck, I had at least a half dozen ducks that were stone dead after they flew a long ways with just a couple of pellets in the chest. I only lost 3 ducks all year...not great, but an almost acceptable total with no dog.

3. Mallards, unlike any other duck will drop from the stratosphere, straight down to you and scare the [PoorWordUsage] out of you at roughly 10:50

4. Don't ever leave the house without the decoy on the pull cord....it will be calm no matter how much wind there is at 3:30 in the morning.

I hope you all had a great year....this forum doesn't have to die with the snow, there are stories, reflections, hunting tips, conservation projects, etc. that still need to be posted. I am planning on making a lot of duck housing this winter and turning the lake just down the road into my own duck factory. I also would like to have some home-made duck decoys done before next year. A dozen cork Ringbills should do nicely.

Let us all keep in touch...If I have time on during the break I would like to attend some of the ice fishing trips. But for now I will be satisfied to prepare for the next year, by remembering this year,
Eric Korman

Here they come, they're gonna be right over us...were're gonna take'em this time, ok, shoot some drakes, take 'em.

[Guest]

It was certainly not my best year for duck numbers, but it was still memorable. But is there ever a year that isn't memorable.

I got to hunt with my dad and my father-in-law a couple times. They're not real old, but they won't be hunting forever. I also hunted with a good friend that I haven't hunted with for several years. I got to go hunting with the son of a friend of mine that died this summer. I experienced the finest single day snow goose shoot I've ever had (53 geese in 2.5 hours amongst four of us). I shot the finest looking drake mallard and drake gadwall that I've ever seen. I should have mounted both of them, but I'm not big on trophies. I met many good people all over Minnesota and Saskatchewan.

For most of us, I'm not sure it's the number of animals we harvest that equal success. But instead, it's the memories and stories we accumulate in a season. Of course, the taking of game is always a story, but not the only story.

I probably learned a lot of things in college, I just can't remember any of them specifically except one. It came from an older math professor that I got to know well because of our mutual love for Gopher basketball. He frequently began or sidetracked class for a story. They were always entertaining and well presented. I once asked him why he so enjoyed working stories into his presentation (I also told him I enjoyed the distraction). He threw this at me, "Life is simply a vehicle to accumulate and retell stories."

Boy, if that doesn't nail down why we duck hunt, I don't know what does. Thanks, everyone, for sharing your stories this year.

[GullGuide]

Oh man! The MINK story!
I was going to write about that but never did. So here it goes....
Duck-O-holic and I were sitting out on our secret little honey hole about a week and a half ago. Duck said, "Look over there, a mink!" I slowly turned my head to see a pretty good size mink walking along the shoreline. Trying to be still I continued to watch as it made its' way across some rocks and fallen trees. Knowing that mink are fairly weary critters, I tried to watch it for as long as I could. Occasionally it would stop and look me right in the eye but would continue to get closer.
Finally I could not watch it any longer without turning around and looking the other way, so I did.
To my amazement the darn thing had climbed out onto the fallen tree that my boat was resting against. I thought to myself, "That mink is going to jump in the boat!"
He kept walking down the tree and unbelievably put its' little paws on the side of the boat and looked in. Thoughts dashed through my head of a wild mink running around in my boat and two stunned hunters bailing out over the side!
Just then it looked up at me and just stared me in the eye which seemed like an eternity.
It then casually turned around and scampered up the bank and into the treeline.
I turned to Duck and told him what just happened since he could not see the mink which was directly behind him.
Yea, that will be a story for the ages!
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[Sartell Angler]

Yeah, I'd have to say this was the best year of hunting I've ever had. I got 17 ducks in the bag this year, and only lost 2 (although one of those was a bull can, which would've been my 1st ever). I had a great time hunting with friends and family, and went out west to WMA's and WPA's, which was a good experience for me. Hunted Lac qui Parle for the first time, and also caught a glimpse of the infamous Mud Lake ( i got goosebumps, seriously). Started bringing my 7 year old golden out more consistently, and it must be in his blood because with very little training he retrieves every duck perfectly without ruffling any feathers, and also does a heck of a job kickin' up pheasants. And although it's tough to see the season end, I know i'll have plenty more chances on the water next year and in the years to come, especially since i'm only 17. It's nice to see that there are more people like myself who are interested in wildlife conservation. I look forward to seeing the ducks return in the spring and opening day in about 10 months.
Sartell Angler

P.S- Maybe I'll see some of you guys on the hardwater -- i'll be chasing some monster slabs!

[Guest]

Ok Duck-o-holic, put the hunting equipment away until late goose season and get out your ice gear! We have some slaps to chase!!ScottS

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ScottS

[GullGuide]

BLACKJACK,
I moved your post over to a new thread...the topic is a good one that will really take off! Good thinking!
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[Guest]

Well this years hunt was pretty much unbeleivable for me. The ducks were awsome, my buddies and i still talk about the early mornings spent out in the blind to this day, after this season. I'm from up in the Grand Rapids area, and i have never seen so many ducks. the season was at full swing the first day. My top memories are

1. Opening day shoot, we had our limit in less then an hour. this was quite an accomplishment for 4 people.

2. Getting some really nice banded birds.

3. Dropping two ducks in one shot, more then once.

4. Helping my friend who has never filled out on ducks in MN, fill out the second day of season.

I must say the season was astounding , and i too, now look at my calls hanging up an their rack, and smile, but we are almost there again, only 9 months left, haha.

Take 'em boys!!!

[Guest]

This was the best season i have had my far!! Between limiting out on Greenheads in 50 minutes, going to North Dakota ('nuff said), and training my Golden pup who is still recovering from surgery for his Hip Displaysia. My duck count fo the year was very good. And the duck variety was a little better this year too, mallards, woodies, BW teal, GW teal, gads, widgeon,pinners, and ringbills. This season was my first using a Spining wing Decoy. And I must say, boy do they make a diference!! Mallards and most other puddlers just commit suicide to the thing. Although I have found that the woodies definatly flare at it, definatly! All in all a very good season spending time with family and freinds in the blind, oh yeah and shooting ducks. In the offseason I will spend the time painting my new custom string of bluebills. I also am 17 so there are many, many more great seasons and "first's" to come......I'll see you on the hardwater Startell Angler. Peace!!

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If I'm not in the duck blind or the ice house I'm thinking about it!!

[Sartell Angler]

Bemidji Dux,
I got a new truck today!!!! Dodge Dakota '91 with 94,000 miles for only $1500 from my mom's boss -- great deal, plus it has a topper. Only downfall is it isn't 4wd, but it has sweet new tires that will handle enough snow, etc. We should hook up this weekend for some fishing. Name the lake and what time and we can meet half way or something. Got some new dekes, and also decked out my 870. Talk to ya later,

S.A.

[Guest]

S.A...... We should meet at Red in a couple weeks, if not then we will go down to tonka and we will venture out for some slabs. Shout me an email and I will give you my cell number.
Peace

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If I'm not in the duck blind or the ice house I'm thinking about it!!......maybe thats why I can't pay attention in class!