No 2 box day but a powder burning day never the less

We had wind, and strong when we loaded the pits this morning. We had, a pair of carp circle early, but no cigar.

At about 9:15 our action got underway. Had a flock, we had followed for several minutes as they pumped up against the strong, northwest wind for several minutes. They were all over this lake, but finely got in front of us, then sliding back right in front, low. Offering us a memorable 15-20 yd. shot. There had to be about 55 of them when the boss call the shot. When the smoke cleared there was 14 laying in the lake for sure. Still sure there could be a couple more in the fields. We will be looking for them. One great shot BOSS!!

Should have run some of them over the scales, but this is one of those days when you just don't spend time doing things like, weighing birds.

Another flock from the south. Should have harvested more but got at least 3 anyway. Plenty of geese on the move, but not getting as many to decoy as we should.

There are stories to be told but there was to much activity, to type. Total now is 26. Kill is down with the couple of shots out back of blind.

Wind is still up over 30MPH, but that leads to some picturesque decoying. Have to hurry your shooting when the birds are down wind of you, much better than no shooting.

I think I can classify this as a POWDER BURNING DAY. I don't think anyone has burnt up a box yet but I am sure there several very close.

We now have 30 of the big boys in the old game bag, plus a couple of Mallards.

No frowns when we closed up shop. Was a very exciting day. I can will also assure you that if we would have had a couple of the latter shots out in front instead of behind, the bag would have been much heavier. We had them down and in, but just behind the blinds and them they get away so fast rolling out with the wind. The first shot of the day spoiled us, because that flock had to escape right over the blinds, so they spent a couple of seconds getting closer to us before really escaping.

Say a prayer for the troops tonight, as always and also please check back.

See Ya Carl

Slim bag but a fun day

We are making another time adjustment, we will be departing the cafe at 6:00.

For once this season we had ducks in on us early. This season has been strange for us here, in that way, we have had so few early morning ducks. I am sure if we would had early morning duck, the boss would be saying ducks just don't like what we have to offer. What we have seen have showed up later in the day. We had a pair of mallards that provided us one, excellent shot.

Also early, before it was legal we had two passes, by a flock of snow & blues. Before they got out of the area there were three flock, overhead. They know how to avoid getting shot, so as usual they moved on just before we could have shot. Guessing that is why there is to many of them, today. See, that one bunch was right on top of us at about 20 yards, on one pass. Would be fun to hammer a few of them again in the fall.

Shortly after 1:00 had a flock of about 35-45 big CAN's locked up way north and guided in all the way. Maybe a half mile. Was one great site in this wind. They wanted to land on the bar, out front. Had to call hard to keep them off the bar and they were rolling out in the 15 MPH southwest wind, making it a pretty challenging shot. Had 4 on the lake and one sailor to the east end of the west lake. This decoying has to be one of the highlights of the season. Miss America is below average looking in comparison, of this site. IT WAS BEAUTIFUL.

Great wind for tomorrow predicted.

Please say a prayer for all the troops, and check back.

See ya Carl

Have a happy Thanksgiving

Shortly after the clouds thinned up enough, to have just a little sunshine to filer through, we started to see birds, then at about an half hour later we had five Canada’s come from the north. They didn't get in for a good shot, but we took two out of the flock. One sailed out of our area. For awhile we were seeing and hearing birds. They were not decoy able, but at least we were seeing something.

The 12:08 flight was a loaned that come in from the west low. Made two rounds and then tried to set with our decoys. He was DIP.

So the total for the day was 3 big boys. We had one that we should of hung on the scales. It was a real big bird. RK guessed it at 13 LBS.

Remember the troops tonight in your prayers and check back when ever you can.

See Ya Carl

Fighting ice

We were still fighting the pump this morning. Have the Pump Shop working on it as I type. Sure they will have it back on line within the hour. Water is on at 10:30, thanks guys

Seen the first bunch of Mallards, of the day, that look like they would decoy. Could not get them to decoy into our ice patch.

While I was with the tech working on the pump, the hunters opened up three times. One Cackler, one Canada, and a long shot on a Blue, that left wounded. We're seeing a few bunches of Snows and Blues moving. We have got reports, stating the Sky Carp, was moving south in South Dakota, so guessing that is why we are seeing some flocks here today. Hope a few drop in here.

Including a picture, that is not a sunrise, but worthy anyway. The gentleman’s son, found these decoys on line and bought them. They were three K&W decoys that Ralph and Monty West manufactured, back in the 50’s. These three still had the original paint job. Quite the find.

As always say a little prayer for the safety of the troops that serve us tonight.

Also please check back, cause one of these days there is going to be a report about one great “powder burning” day.

See ya Carl

Tons in the sky but few in the pond

Was, one cold day this morning. This the first cold day, we have had some uncomfortable day before, but this day it is really cold, and then we find out the little pump went down and we have no open water. Going to have to gets some parts to get her back on line. Not an exciting thing, to happen at this time of year. But things never break down when you are not using them.

Have been into some Mallards an wiped out the whole flock of seven, followed up by a lone Canada. I think we got two Canada’s, I spent to much time on the pump to remember just what happened there.

Do know it was one of the biggest migration of Big Canada’s we have ever seen. Were also quite a few ducks moving too. With my new ears and I turn them up so I can enjoy it when the birds are calling, and it seamed like there were birds close most of the time.

Best get this posted and keep mama happy by not, setting at the computer.

So say a prayer for the troops and check back tomorrow and we will see ya

Carl

A funny thing happened today

The weather was a little different than forecast this morning. Our Northwest wind was a Northeast wind. We also had a little water falling out of the heavy clouds that covered the sun.

The group of hunters I had setting in my blind was a little anxious, because there was two brand new smoke poles, and was wanting to test out these guns. Both were formerly Clickity Clack owners and sporting brand new auto loaders. Bet before the day is over one or both, the owner will be shorted on a go-a-round, because he cannot pump it.

As the morning progressed, the wind got moving a little more into the Northwest. We are now seeing, more birds moving. There just has to be one of these flocks, that are interested in our spread.

At about 11:00, we had a flock of about 30 big boys, that like what we had to offer. They were low over the decoys out front when we went into action. In this wind they just kept getting closer. I was out of shells, way to soon. Wow was there some great shots late. Had 7 DIP. Have a couple of Biguns. Almost 13 pounds on a couple of them.

Bingo, I was wrong on the Clickit-Clack owners. He didn’t try to pump it BUT one of them was petting his new Smoke pole, and in the process he flip the magazine cut off lever, and got only one shot on the Canada’s. No tears but plenty of ribbing.

Sorry but you will have to put up with one of my Sunrise pictures to night. This was taken yesterday and I just have to post it.

Remember the people that lay their lives on the line for us tonight and every night.

Check back and we will see ya

Carl

Has the migration started????

Well maybe it is going to happen. Had reports of geese moving late yesterday. When they come down and open the pits this morning, they kicked out birds. At about 20 minutes, before legal, we had a flock of Hutch and some little Clackers give us a few swings. The north blind may not be dry for days because they were so low over them, they could almost grab them. After it was legal, about ten minutes, they give us another chance. After the smoke cleared we had 6 DIP. Then just a few minutes later we had a single that tempted us, and he failed. All of this was followed by a huge flock of over 200 Canada's that come down the river. They give us a little look, but no cigar there.

We had, ice this morning, about an half inch thick, stuck with us till the wind come.

Wind started blowing at about 12:30. Took, only a few short minutes to go from no wind to a great hunting wind. If only we would of had it early this morning when the skies were full of birds. We keep seeing birds but instead of minutes between flocks it is over an hour. We have seen our share of them today, but wished we could of had a few more shots at them. The bag is not to big, but better than it has been. Never a bad day when you have some dark geese in the bag. Also we have a big fat old Mallard.

The picture was not of today, but I like it, so you get it today.

Please to say a little prayer for the troops tonight.

Check back and lets see if we can have another report tomorrow

See ya Carl

Cold and Slow

Had both ice and geese on the pond when we arrived this morning. After another decoy adjustment, we settled in, and let a couple Canada's slip through.

The ducks flocks are in small bunches today. The Canada's come in pairs, and the ducks, were not making an easy shot for us either.

One of the highlights of the day was we had about, 75 Cacklers come darting and diving down thought the bottom. Took a notion to give us a look. Well after missing us for the sixth or seventh time heading on their merry way. They drive you nuts. One time I thought the boss was going to get to call a down wind shot on them. They evaded that shot too. They were in play for over five minutes. They are almost as good at breaking your heart as the Speck are.

About 3:30,, we had about 20 big Canada’s float over the lake, but had food on their minds and chose a field north of us, for their feast. We will see them in the morning.

Today's bag was three big boys and one was really a big one and less than a hand full of Mallards. At least they were mallards.

As always remember the troops in your prayers.

Please check back

See ya. Carl

A day with great conditions, BUT

Early morning shooting, was confined to just ducks. Had a couple go-a-rounds on ducks. Had one flock that was hurrying a little, at about 99 MPH, a small crew took 9 out of it. Seen a couple flocks of Cacklers, that give us a good look, but no tamale. Am hoping to work over of their friends yet this season before it ends.

We had a major migration of snows today. All were about two miles high, and could not hear. Also seen several flocks of pelicans. Believe it, there are still pelicans around yet today. This is November 9th and we are still. seeing birds that should have moved south in September or early October.

Afternoon proved to be limited to several near misses on ducks. Can't help but wonder if we are ever going to have one of the powder burning days, us water-fowlers, love so much. Guess I am saying "I NEED A TWO BOX DAY"!!

We have been getting the feeling that we are “Snake Bit” proof of that is, I will take today for an example. We decided that we were not going to kill anything, so was packing to go to the house. Blind flaps were up, dog running around, people walking around, and talking, Blind bags, trash bags, gun in cases and laying out, when some one says a few non reportable words. There was a Canada goose hanging about broom killing range of one of our hunters. I wonder if the movement brought him in??? Or maybe it was, he was fact we had every weed laying in the right place. Well he is still flying unless he was laughing so hard that he run into a tree, and broke his neck.

The summery for the day is around 20 ducks.

Let you go, so please say a little prayer for the troops and also please check back.

See Ya Carl

Quite the aerial show today

As legal time arrived we had birds over us nonstop. Both ducks and geese. We had not set the decoys just right and could not get them in for a good shot. For once this year we had a fair number of guns, so the boss was wanting a good shot. After a small adjustment the flight pattern was some better.

Before 9:00, we were into some geese. Early season jitters lead to a light kill. The sad thing was there was both Cacklers and the big ones. Well only little ones fell. The crew got a serious talking to about that. Decoys got rearranged.

The rest of the day was birds a plenty and then nothing for some time. Going to say it was a pretty good migration.

Got report that there are birds stopping and using Desoto Bend, so lets hope some of the movement we seen today stopped also.

Total bag today was around 15 ducks and the Cacklers.

Know this report is short today, but we had too much to talk about in the blind, to write a good report.

As I reread this I see I did not point out that we had a small movement of Snow’s and Blue’s, also today. Had a big flock early this morning. My guess was they were in the lake but heard us come out and was airborne before anyone knew. I am guessing there was in excess of 500 in that bunch. There was a number of other flocks of them today too.

For got to say that departure time from the Café is now 5:45.

Will let you go, but please include the troops in your evening prayers

See Ya Carl

The sky was very interesting today

Well it has been a week since an update, so here goes again. Been waiting for more than an hand full of duck, to make a report.

As legal time come we were seeing a few ducks , then some cormorant and now we are seeing some high flying Snows and Blue's. Have had two rounds on small bunches of ducks. So maybe we will have a bag limit big enough to report, tonight.

Just spotted a flock (35 ish.) of Whitefront’s. Something is brewing weather wise, best be packing the lunch kit and grabbing a seat, here in the pits. Hearing shooting through out, the old valley This morning.

Flash!!! Something we don't see in the fall. A flock of about 35 little, Ross Geese. Almost got them in. There is weather brewing. We are in need of some guns.

Before 9:00 we have seen Cacklers, Canada's, Specks, Sky Carp, Ross's, Crows, several species of, ducks, including Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard’s, and Pintail’s. WOW, a bird watchers delight and a hunters dream. Already four go-a-rounds on ducks, however no mallards as of yet.

About noon we got the midday thrill, when up over the west lake we spotted what first was a flock of 15 ducks, that turned into about 125 Whitefronts. They give us a hap-hazard swing then got back on their way to the south. The last posting, I said that we were to the end of the Speck migration, but as usual, I guessed wrong. Has been a much more fun day than it has been for sometime. Not seeing anything, makes, for a long boring day. Could really stand some more shooting, but seeing is so encouraging. Totaled out with 5 flocks of specks, giving us a pretty good look. A flock of about 75 at about 1:30, that had 4 that got the heart rate up pretty good, the whole flock look good but the 4 was really acting good. They would lock up and sail on every round. The main flock finely pulled them out.

We are thinking, that we have seen as much game today, as we have the rest of the season, total. Was a very entertaining day. I am sorry but I put this together as it happened today, sorry that it reads a little funny, I will try a different approach tomorrow.

Just before we pulled out of the blinds there was a huge flock of Specks that went down west of us. Had to be pushing 200 birds. Ended up with no geese but a couple short limits of ducks

Please say a bedtime prayer for all our hero's, and please check back. Maybe we have this season migration underway. I sure hope so.

See ya. Carl