Teal Time in Ohio

Gunner's soft mouth releases a beautiful drake blue wing to his grateful owner!

Goose season in Ohio opened two weeks ago. We bagged our share of honkers the first two days. We did not fill the liberal 5 goose limit per hunter, but we did well. Not to be greedy, but our group voiced displeasure with the fact that "the state" did not open teal season with the early nuisance goose season. After 6 days, teal season opened and "the state" looked like geniuses! The teal had not made the big flight from the far north to the Midwest yet. They do not stay long when they cruise in, but they commonly check in to many of our local ponds and swamps. It's usually good for the economy to be on the route that travelers frequent!

 

Well two weeks after fresh goose stew became table fare, we finally have some travelers! Early Saturday morning, Blake and I, watched a number of woodies fly in and out of Scotto's little honey hole. We loaded our guns at sunrise, which is legal shooting time during the early season. Not more then two minutes later, a pair of teal glided over the decoys. After one loud bang from each of our scatter guns and it was "time to check out" for these two ducks! I gave the command and Gunner exploded into the water. Following several trips of retrieving giant Canada geese, the miniature feathered game had to seem like "easy money". He didn't mind! He loves to retrieve. Shortly thereafter we heard a honk. Gunner snapped to attention! The goose and I traded honks several times. Then the feathered 747 appeared over the trees. I hit him with a short series of double clucks and he was sold. He locked up and decoyed perfectly! I said "Take'm" and Blake bagged his first banded goose. I don't know who was happier Blake or Gunner! Either way it did my heart good to see these two pups enjoy the sport that I have loved for thirty seven years. 

Gunner retrieving his first teal of the season!



Blake and Gunner with a Goose wearing jewelry.