Ducks/Feeding

[tweedlap]

On Thursday we had about 600=800 mallards spotted on this small lake. We watched and waited until it was black outside and not a duck left the lake. Friday morning we were there better than an hour before sunrise until 8:30am and, still, not a duck went out.

We were looking for a field shoot so we planned on following them out, getting permission and then setting up.

Not only did these ducks not come out but we could not find any looking for a field. There were plenty of greenies in the area --BUT--can anyone give us some insight as to what was happening? Were they feeding at night? Eating what was in the water?

The area had plenty of chopped and chiseled corn fields.

Two and a half days of that has us, still, scratching our heads.

We could have set up for a water shoot but with the wind and deep water we passed because we would have lost most of the birds.

Another quick question: anyone seeing any mallards in the Ortonville, Waubay or Watertown area? I know the main flight is still in Canada but some should be coming down.

Thanks to anyone with suggestions or comments.

tweed

[jeff127]

They were probably eating feeding in the pond/lake. In my experience our local mallards really don't mill up and feed in the fields like the ones raised from the dakotas and Canada. I hunt fields in the belle plain area and don't see the mallards working the fields until deer season. That is usually when some northen birds are coming down and the locals join in. Robos will help suck in the smaller flocks if you are close to the roosting area and the birds are moving around.

It also is WAY too warm out for the birds to be serious about loading up on grain when they can kick back in the water.

Jeff

[vexalicious]

we have been noticing the same thing out here in SD. Me and my buddy scouted a field that had upwards of 2,000 mallards in at night and we got permission and hunted it the next morning and only shot 2. All the birds we saw flying were high and heading back to the water from the fields. Kinda frustrating out here right now with the birds being as unpredictable as they are. Some colde days would change that though i think...Good luck

[Pistol Pete]

Was out last night and the only time we had any ducks look was just after sunset When it was shooting time the ducks would not even give us a look. Looks to me like they were just out for a joy flight.