well today was opening day for the central valley in California. there isnt much water in the valley yet, and most of the rice fields aren't flooded, but ours is so the birds were attracted to our blind for the most part.

we didn't get too many quality ducks to work, although there were spoonies everywhere. we did end up bagging our sprig, a couple nice greenheads, and some teal. we had lunch then went out for the afternoon and on the way out holy s*** there was ~5000 white fronted geese (specks) sitting in our field. we crept into the blind, only spooking about 1/4 of them, and then they all started working. there was a nice wind, and even as we shot some out of the flock they continued to work back in, and we bagged our limits of dark geese.

a great day overall for being as sunny as it was, ill add some pics later when i upload them.

anyone else's opening day results are welcome!

 

I have to admit, having a house full of pet birds of various species, my insides twinge at the prospect of "shooting a bird". However, I'm making preparations to "Go forth and shoot Bambi". I know I shall reap the wrath of various "conservation" groups. I shall also do my best to decimate the resident deer herd!

I wish you "Good Hunting", regardles of my feelings for birds, and know you do the same for me, regardless of your feelings for Bambi!

 

mSALL150, ya let's see some pics

I honestly have not been duck hunting in 5+ years After i moved i just don't really have anywhere to go. I used to love hunting ducks!! I hope to get back into it again someday.

 

I hear **** Cheney is inviting Democrat Senators and Congressmen for a big outing.


No takers yet. Go figure.

 

Just less than one month away here from opening day. I am getting my stuff ready and probably need to break out the calls and start practicing.

 

Our ducks are mainly gone now. But the Merganser Ducks are still here. The Geese are leaving too. Mergansers usually hangs around till the snow flies. Theres still some hooded mergansers here too.

I love duck hunting

 

i can understand how you feel that way about birds and hunting them, but maybe this will make you feel better.

92% of the funds that go toward restoring natural wetlands and waterfowl habitat comes from hunters. The other 8% comes from government grants. without hunters, the duck population would be drastically declining from habitat loss, but instead is improving with the restoration of wetlands (with the aid of organizations like Ducks Unlimited). With human population on the rise and the need for housing, contractors are getting ahold of public wetlands and building up housing complexes, destroying vital habitat for ducks and other waterfowl. the wetlands also contribute to the quality of our drinking water, another reason people should push to save it.

you dont know how bad i want to get up to Canada to hunt someday. waterfowl in Canada brings the hunting up to a whole new level. Next september i might be coming up to Saskatchewan for some hunting.

 

Sask is great for duck hunting!! Manitoba is great so is northern Ontario in Mid September.

There still is a lot of ducks here right now just cause its been kinda warm here. So they aren't in a big hurry. But next week they are calling for snow so the ducks will be on the move. I hear litterally hundreds of geese fly over my house ever night around dinner. We still see some mallards flying out too.

When you head to Sask bring lots and lots of shells! You;ll know what I mean when you get there. There are ducks in the millions flying out (seems like it).

 

Anoher 3 weeks til it opens here, I can't wait

 

I know all that. I wish everybody knew all that! The hunters and groups like DU have done such a wonderful job! The increase in waterfowl population is a spectacular example of the social responsibility and dedication of people who hunt and love to hunt. Like me! I love to hunt. In fact, I have plans to do some serious damage to the local deer herd in a few days! I hate to kill, but I can't eat the buggers alive! I just... don't... think... I... could shoot a bird!

 

Any Partridge hunters here???

They are a challenge but sometimes its waaay too easy.

 

Present and accounted for.....

Our season doesn't start until Thanksgiving day. We've been caught up in a severe drought all year and things are extremely dry here. We are finally starting to get a little rain but it's going to take a whole lot to get us to where most places will even start holding water.

For now, I'm having to pass the time chasing Bambi around the woods.

 

Weather around here starting to turn so we'll have to see how the season goes this year.
On the subject of hunting however, how are the rules for native americans in your areas?
Deer and Elk herds around here get molested by these people!!
A native american in my state can take 1 animal per family member every day for a 6 month period of the year, it sucks when we have to find a 3 point or better, or only take a cow, whatever the regulations for that particular gmu calls out.
Ridiculous..

Good luck in the fields gentlemen.

 

Last year we had a drought year, and the hunting was pretty slow most of the season (aside from a few overcast days with 30mph winds...the birds were basically stationary flying against that wind )

This year we have had a few rains, although it is quite hot right now. Not many fields have water, and a new measure passed in the central valley allows only certain areas to flood the rice fields at this time in the year. Its okay though, our field is one of the only ones with water in in, and theres a few thousand specks sitting in our field, so i'm not disappointed.

good luck to you as well.

as far as natives here, in Northern California they must abide to the tag laws that every other hunter does. But the Indians still think they own the land and everything that roams it, they will go shoot deer out of season all the time. They will shoot a doe in the spring without hesitating. Its really quite sad.

 

Made it out this weekend for a couple hunts...

Here's my first day limit.