I have a spot I normally jump hunt and it always has ducks.. but everytime they spook long before I can ever reach them. I go almost everytime I get out with the same results.
I decided last year towards the end of the season that I would change my tactic on this tiny lil pond next to the train rails! This year I would set my boy down first thing in the morning with a few black duck decoys on that lil pond with his Baretta Semi 20 gauge, (kid has a nicer gun than me lol! bratt!)
In this early morning light and slight mist we snuck in to my pond and spooked 4 roosted ducks. I'm a newby and my son and I are learning together and I remember reading that you could spook roosted ducks and if you don't shoot at them they will come back in a short time. Counting on that to be true my son and I spooked out those four ducks and set up the decoys. Did I mention my boy is ten?
We sat on the deeks for 2 and a half hours in the light rain and mist and after a while of sitting my kiddo started the "Duck Prayer" I know you've all done it!! I know I have! "c-mon Ducks" Maybe ten minutes after that we heard the ducks coming in! I've never heard wood duck calls before so I had no idea what was about to fly in but I knew it was ducks.. so I told my boy to get ready.
Within a split second they shot from over the trees and within 2o yards I gave him the go, "take em" Two shots later we had a Drake Woody within ten feet of us and a hen about 20 feet away! The other pair made a sharp turn and I dropped the secong Drake at about 35 yards down the pond!
Man I'm shaking right now trying to type this out! I want you guys to feel the impact this day had on me! More than just a little proud!
We spent the second half of the day scouting and trying to set up for a few jump spots. We saw a few blacks but never got close enough to let the steel fly! but it was a great day.. While we were out jump shooting he said " it's nice to be up front for a change" I let him lead all afternoon. thing is I never noticed he was the front man until he mentioned it! it never mattered to me!
I decided last year towards the end of the season that I would change my tactic on this tiny lil pond next to the train rails! This year I would set my boy down first thing in the morning with a few black duck decoys on that lil pond with his Baretta Semi 20 gauge, (kid has a nicer gun than me lol! bratt!)
In this early morning light and slight mist we snuck in to my pond and spooked 4 roosted ducks. I'm a newby and my son and I are learning together and I remember reading that you could spook roosted ducks and if you don't shoot at them they will come back in a short time. Counting on that to be true my son and I spooked out those four ducks and set up the decoys. Did I mention my boy is ten?
We sat on the deeks for 2 and a half hours in the light rain and mist and after a while of sitting my kiddo started the "Duck Prayer" I know you've all done it!! I know I have! "c-mon Ducks" Maybe ten minutes after that we heard the ducks coming in! I've never heard wood duck calls before so I had no idea what was about to fly in but I knew it was ducks.. so I told my boy to get ready.
Within a split second they shot from over the trees and within 2o yards I gave him the go, "take em" Two shots later we had a Drake Woody within ten feet of us and a hen about 20 feet away! The other pair made a sharp turn and I dropped the secong Drake at about 35 yards down the pond!
Man I'm shaking right now trying to type this out! I want you guys to feel the impact this day had on me! More than just a little proud!
We spent the second half of the day scouting and trying to set up for a few jump spots. We saw a few blacks but never got close enough to let the steel fly! but it was a great day.. While we were out jump shooting he said " it's nice to be up front for a change" I let him lead all afternoon. thing is I never noticed he was the front man until he mentioned it! it never mattered to me!