Duck Hunting – First Outing Of 2014 Season

Today started at 3:30am when my alarm went off and I rolled out of bed, dressed in my camouflage pants, shirt, and put on my water-fowling wind breaker and took a quick run out to get coffee. Then it was off to my friend Todd’s house where we piled into his truck and headed for the boat ramp.

You can’t see much, but that is one of us guiding the boat back onto the ramp. Once we were in the water we had a brief moment of fear when the engine wouldn’t turn over, but Todd quickly figured out he had a loose wire and we were off. We motored into the marshes and found our spot.

I wish I could have snapped a picture of the falling stars, but I couldn’t quite get the timing right. As we waited for the sun to come up we saw at least four sparkling tracers cutting through the night.

One of my favorite pictures is taken looking up the channel as the sun came up with the reeds bending over our heads. 
It actually started out as just a bit chilly, but as we were waiting for the sun to come up the temperature dropped and I was glad I had my windbreaker and gloves. When the sun finally did come up the birds started to move around a bit, but it was a slow day. We shot at the first group coming fast down the channel and one of the other guys thinks he feathered one but they got away.

A short time later a wood duck came in crossing from right to left. I hit it with my first shot and we kicked on the motor go pick it up. I was super excited to get my first bird of the season – especially as it was the last bird we saw.

The day was too calm and nice and after the sun was fully up we spent an hour without seeing any more birds so we called it a day.

It amazes me how the ride out seems so short, but getting out to the hunting spot in the dark seems to be much further away from the launch.

My bird is now boneless meat in my freezer and I am thinking I am going to make some duck for dinner tomorrow night.

My favorite piece of gear (besides my Benelli M2) of the day is my Waterfowl Adjustable Shell Belt which makes drawing and reloading fast and easy.

The belt also has interior zippered pockets to hold wallets, keys, and whatever else you have. I highly recommend it if you don’t have one.