Season’s over…time for reflection

[jedventure]

Where you sticking them? Sheet water?


For me:
1. Savor the moment, appreciate the work it took to get out and the amazing places we get to sit and enjoy
2. Skip November
3. Don't discredit your gut on spots

Yeah in the skinny and along the shore line.

 

[Calikev]

I was most impressed by my Lab this season. 8 years old and did fantastic this year. Always up for the early call and never quit on me. Just appreciative of the times we put in together out there and her companionship.

I also appreciate my wife as much as ever. Being a sort of widow during the season isn't fun but she never complained once about me going hunting. I took a few more days off than I used to as the fire doesn't burn quite as hot as it used to but I still put some work in this year. She has a lot of patience for this obsession.

I also was very happy to get my oldest daughter Riley out for a few duck hunts this season and a field goose hunt. She is pretty busy now teaching school and all but she still had a great time getting out a few times with Dad. She also shot pretty well all things considered!

I also enjoyed putting some hunts in with my hunting partner Scott this season. When I could keep him in CA it was nice to sit in the marsh this year and enjoy our time together. Hard to beat those conversations.

It was also nice chatting often with some of the younger hunters I networked with to share information and learn from a fresh perspective. We are never too old to learn and never too old to teach.

Those things made the season what it was for me. All of the birds were a bonus.

 

[RefugeHunter]

Things I did different that worked well:

1. More afternoon hunts - took a bit longer to get my birds but enjoyed less crowding and more sleep.
2. Plan B - with no water for the first 4 weeks and then flooding for a week and a half in prime time January, I was forced into plan B for 5 hunts. Those 5 hunts resulted in 34 ducks.
3. More solo hunts - an afternoon looking out over the decoys is relaxing with birds or no birds.
4. Brought more guests to da club to experience the underwater gravel paths.

 

[Silver Wings]

I wasn’t sure if I’d get my money back on the season pass, but I did and was reminded how much I love that place. The club’s warts seem a little more obvious to me now…and pulling the trigger on an equity membership will not be a no brainer. That said, I had probably the most epic waterfowl hunt of my life with my boy on said club. What to do?
Grateful for retirement and the health to keep up with the young guys…also grateful for them making it easy on me when they can.

 

[freefall]

I also appreciate my wife as much as ever. Being a sort of widow during the season isn't fun but she never complained once about me going hunting. I took a few more days off than I used to as the fire doesn't burn quite as hot as it used to but I still put some work in this year. She has a lot of patience for this obsession.

I'm fortunate to have a wife like yours as well. I hunted A LOT in December and January and she was always supportive of it. We have a great relationship and she supports me being in the blind as much as I choose. Our arrangement is I am all hers from the Veterans weekend until Wyoming Deer. Whatever project she wants done or location she wants to travel to, all she has to do is say the word and it happens.

Aside from that I got to spend more days in the blind with my cousin and boys than normal. My pup had her first season and man did it really click in about mid season. She really put it together and I never left the blind from that point on. I'm really looking forward to seeing what an off season of training with that experience brings going into next year. Plus she is the perfect family dog, I'm very pleased.

I shot all of my ducks with the exception of 7 with the 16ga and hand loads. That was a goal of mine going into the year. I absolutely love that gun.

The "Thanks, but No Thanks" blind saved the season....

I met some new people, hunted some awesome areas thanks to flood waters, talked some smack, had a lot of laughs at my expense and cut some dead weight.

I've got an extremely busy off season ahead but things look promising going into next year already.

 

[freefall]

M2 20g with bismuth 6s was awesome. Dog was awesome. Next year I’d alike to shake hands with a couple of guys on here. Maybe pick up a lease as well. Do more out of state hunts.

The invite still stands....

 

[Silver Wings]

Waders well they still suck, I might have to take the plunge.

I’m 3 1/2 seasons into mine. I had figured if they made it 5 seasons I wouldn’t feel dumb. I’m pretty confident they’ll make it and then some. They put new boots on them somewhere in the middle of that time. It’s a good thing being dry and comfortable.

 

[MS39]

The invite still stands....

I’ll be there. We’ll make it happen next year.

 

[RefugeHunter]

Thumbs up on the Cabelas waist high breathable stockingfoot waders. No leaks, great to walk in (no chafing) and never got cold feet or legs while sitting in the blind.

 

[drahthaarducker]

Learned a couple of new Refuges. Shot about a 5 bird average last 6 weeks.

Made a ton of mistakes in the learning curve '

Looking forward to nest year