A BANNER YEAR FOR DUCKS!

It was December 23^rd, and a typically cold winter morning on Buckeye Lake. We arrived at the boat ramp at 4:30 AM hoping to arrive early enough to select a choice hunting spot. Our hearts sunk as we discovered two truck and trailer rigs already in the parking lot. The blame began to circulate as to whose fault it was that we were not there sooner! We worked quickly to back my Grizzly Tracker into the frigid water, in spite of the ice left on the ramp by our competition. The electric start Johnson outboard groaned a bit, but eventually fired up and we were buzzing our way across the lake. With the cold temperatures and a forecast for record duck numbers, we were anticipating a plentiful harvest of ducks and geese.

We were doing well that second season, averaging about three birds per gun. However, we had not experienced that special hunt when it “rains ducks” and bag limits are filled by nine o’clock or sooner. We were hoping this might be one of those mornings. Our neighbors north of Lake Erie were getting a significant cold front and accompanying snow squall.  

As we turned the corner to observe our favorite stretch of shore line, we were shocked! There was not a boat in sight! We did not hesitate to pull up to our “ace” spot and start throwing blocks and assembling the five mechanical decoys we brought. We were clueless as to where those other hunters went, but we were grateful it wasn’t here!  I was glad I picked up two of the new gadwall Mojos with the magnetic wings! It is so cumbersome trying to tighten the screws on those old wings in sub freezing weather! We towed the last Mojo stand in place, and headed for shore to tie off and get set up.

The Avery Quick Set blind went up with easy, so we figured there was time for one relaxing cup of coffee before shooting time. No sooner did the thermos lid turn than the air was filled with wing beats and soft quacks. Oh yes! This is just what we were anticipating! We could barely see the small flocks land in the spread and fly back out again, but it was exciting. My eleven month old yellow Lab, Gunner, could hardly contain himself. He was whining and shaking as his head darted back and forth at the birds in black silhouette who were flying all around. All the while, he sat on his perch near the dog dock at the stern, waiting for the first shot.

Much to my horror, when shooting time came the birds were gone! Not a feather in sight! I optimistically pointed out that the birds went out to feed and would be coming back. We waited. Thirty minutes later we were startled by four birds who screamed by the boat about ten feet away. They were there and gone in less than a heart beat. What were those my friend asked?  “I am not sure, but whatever they are they are coming back!”, I responded.  In they came and with two barks of my SP 10 accompanied by the twelve gauge of my guest, there were three birds in the water. Widgeon! 

drake widgeon

When Gunner brought the first bird back, I could hardly believe it. We shoot far too few Bald pate in this area. This was quite a treat. I shot quite a few in four trips to Texas, and we shot several in the marshes around Sandusky Bay, but we see very few in central Ohio.

All in all it turned out to be a good day, and a good season. Our numbers were not up tremendously, but we did kill a wide variety of birds. Along with the aforementioned widgeon and typical mallards, woodies, and teal; we also shot pintail, gadwall, ring necks, scaup, red head, cans, and shovelers. It was a good year for numbers, but even better year for species. The government is calling for another banner year for ducks. I don’t know if they are right, but I do know that Gunner and I will certainly be there to find out!  

Gunner and five ring necked ducks

a pintail between two drake mallards