I have to admit...

[sachem longrifle]

That I do miss duck hunting. It's not as good as it was when I was younger. I have posted that Duck hunting sucks but I never got excited about deer hunting but was a maniac for duck hunting. I thought of this as I went up to Rice lake near Duluth(before it froze over)this year and I saw flying flocks of mallards and ringnecks and then I had a vision of me at 25 or so going out in my camo 14 foot boat with my long dead black lab with 4 dozen dekes, my partner, and a light snow. Then I would drop my dog and partner off on an island and put out the decoys while they built the blind. Then I would see flock after flock of ducks pass but small flocks come in and shoot and watch my long dead lab do beautiful double retrieves(trained him myself by the way). He is long gone and my partner has moved out East but the old dogs spirit is still on that island, watching the sky and waiting for that precious command, "fetch." God, i hope they come back!!

[Sartell Angler]

not to say "told ya so"...

but TOLD YA SO!

sa

[IceHawk]

This is why I never gave up during the tough years. Friends of mine have hung it up over the years and now sometimes regret it. A true waterfowler will always have the desire even when he's not hunting. I myself will always be a waterfowler, to me it's not all about the kill but the memories. Over the years of hunting I have made many friends, lived some dreams and enjoyed alot of moments that will be imbedded in my mind for the rest of my life. This is why I will never quit just to keep the memories alive!!!

[Huey]

I'm thinking of quittin too. The desire is still there. The birds sometimes are too. I too have great memories of hunts from my teens and 20's. Lately I've had a bad string of luck running into fellow hunters who poor etiquette. I try not to interfer with other peoples hunt, they could care less. It's more of a headache than I want.

[Sartell Angler]

Quote:

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I'm thinking of quittin too. The desire is still there. The birds sometimes are too. I too have great memories of hunts from my teens and 20's. Lately I've had a bad string of luck running into fellow hunters who poor etiquette. I try not to interfer with other peoples hunt, they could care less. It's more of a headache than I want.

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Just be more selective in your hunting locations / times you hunt. For example, hunt private fields or private sloughs on the weekends and only hunt public water on weekdays or later in the season when there are less people around if you want to avoid running into mo_ron hunters.

Nobody likes getting their hunts ruined but for me that has been the exception, not the rule while I've been afield.

[Swill]

Well I have always hunted with buddies who had all the year up until this year, but at 32, I decided to plunk down all that cash on duck hunting gear. I am very glad I did. I had a good time this year, and I would bet that once I figure out a few more spots and the sport in general, the next years will be even better.

To me duck hunting is all about hunting with your friends. I deer hunt too, but deer hunting is all about the stand, and your own individual time in the woods. My best time out this year was with a good friend up in the bemidji area. It was just such a sweet time that when i came home and hunted by myself it seemed like a total different experience.

So find those friends and get out in the blind. nothing beats it.....

[Sartell Angler]

I have to agree with that Swill...

While hunting by yourself can be enjoyable at times, nothing compares with hunting with your friends/brother/dad/grandpa/uncle, etc.

Duck and goose hunting is unique in that you are alongside your pals the entire time and that in itself makes being out there worth it.

SA/wdw

[Fish&Fowl]

Diddo sartell and swill..

I did a lot, and i mean a lot, of duck hunting this year by myself simply because there's just not that many people who want to get up at 3:30 am to go sit in a cold, wet duck blind all day. I got a few buddies in school that are very serious duck hunters like myself, but they could rarely make it out when I could. This makes it that much more special when I get dad or other family/friends out there with me. Plus it's that much easier doing blinds, dekes, etc. that take a long of time and work when you're flying solo.

I just think it's sad to see less and less people interested in doing what I consider to be the best kind of hunting there is hands down. My way to battle this is get anyone out who is remotely interested for at least a couple hours. I've already infected one high school buddy with the disease and hope to continue with my work. The more people on our side the better.

[tealitup]

Swill - wow- we can agree on something! Great post - next year we will have to meet up for a shoot and beer.

[Swill]

Tealitup...

The best part about your post was we will have to wait till next year...Sweet that is only one month away!