Ducks and politics don't mix well. Understand these inherent truths:
Liberals want to control guns. Guns kill wildlife. Killing wildlife is a good management practice.
Republicans want to cut taxes that go to conserving wetlands. Duck Hunters are overwhelmingly republican.
Neither party will support an increase in the cost of a federal waterfowl stamp. Hunters have a right to choose whether they buy a stamp or not. Thinking the cost of the stamp is fair now eliminates my choice as a hunter and the opportunity to conserve more wetland.
Liberals are environmentalists. They believe hunting is not environmentally sound. Science says it is. Liberals love science because it's not religion.
Hunting on Sunday should be a choice and a freedom. It's not. Freedom isn't supported by either party.
Liberals like lots of regulations. Duck hunters, most of which are republican, break these regulations. Does this make law-abiding hunters liberals?
Waterfowl conservation organizations will not support a candidate...it would polarize their "constituency". Instead, they lobby. Which is smarter...controlling policy before or after elections? Which is more efficient with the money I donate?
Most bird watchers, historically, seem to be liberal. If they love wildlife so much, shouldn't they be required to buy a federal stamp, too? Or does that disrupt the current discrimination in place of hunters. Hunters must pay their way for liberal birders. Hunters (conservatives) have to find the irony in providing environmental entitlements to the opposition...
Before you vote for a candidate, find out if he/she is a hunter. They'll know how you see the world, whether they a democrat, republican, conservative, liberal, extremist, radical, or whatever political theory you ascribe to. Just don't let someone else make the decision for you. Do your own research. As a North Carolina duck hunter, you should have the liberty and freedom to do your on research and not let it be affected by what's printed or spoken by anyone else...
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Species Profile: Common Loon
Just by reviewing the title, many of you are wondering why in the heck would anyone care to know about such a bird...it's not even a huntable species! True - it's not, but that doesn't mean it isn't a shootable species. Common loons are beautiful birds, but they will swim in and under your decoy spread. I've even has these giant divers swim right up to the bank of my blind, and upon stepping into the water to realign the fakes, it startled me so bad that I nearly gave up duck hunting for good. Nevertheless, it is a shootable species - one that is shot without regard for the species, North Carolina's game laws, or the Migratory Bird Treaty. Shame on those for shooting a smuthead or speckleback as they are called colloquially in many downeast burgs. Loon shooting was, and some say still is, a warm and rich tradition carried out in and around Cape Lookout and it's barrier islands.
Common loons look like a giant duck. There's no telling how many succumb to the bores of the Raleigh Riff-Raff on an annual basis. In flight, they could appear to be a goose. On Harker's Island, though, everyone knows what these birds look and taste like. Loons are large diving birds with a diver-like bill that's used to catch, spear, and eat fish. You won't catch them over your local corn pile, unless of course there are fish feeding near it. I've heard tales of many believeing that they had killed a giant black duck loon is the more glamorous cousin of the cormorant, America's Ugliest Animal. The cormorant is most often mistook for a goose or black duck. How it happens, I don't know, but I'm not dumb, so it's tough to imagine. Some people knowingly shoot these birds as they are either banes to a fish trap operation or because they just like to eat them.
Loon shooting in Harker's Island goes way back. Like 1800's back...either way, the folks down there were always resourceful and even had habits of shooting mergansers for food, if they lived "up the river" in downeast Carteret County. I'm big on tradition, but when it comes to Loon shooting, I'm also big on confusion. Still, the birds, when harvested, were parboiled (to reduce the fishiness) and then deep-fried (everything tastes better when fried, right). Sometimes, the back and neck meat of a loon was stewed. I'm not big on fish stew, so I can't imagine I would like loon stew. Nevertheless, other parts of the loon were used, too. The hollow leg bones were used to make fishing lures, or jigs, as many f us would call them. Either way, that's ingenious, resourceful, and practical. Old timers had a way of shooting a pile of game, and then using every last bit of it. The feathers were even used to line mattresses.
So how did they shoot loons? Well, as most of you know, the migration north generally commences in March. Core Sounders would watch the loons come in from the Atlantic into the fishy waters of Core Sound and feed on fish - storing up energy reserves for nesting and the long flight back that precedes nesting. Either way, the less than wary birds would cross the barrier islands at very low altitudes...and hunters would position themselves on high dunes or near pilentary bushes at small inlets and washes to surprise their quarry. A 12 pound bird is a big, but tough target. This was easy and fun, I imagine, but it was also a good way to help feed a family as the winter reserves would begin to run dry at this time. This tradition was carried out wholeheartedly until the 1950's when federal game wardens, who now had a presence on Cape Lookout arrested over 20 hunters for loon shooting. As a spat in the face and a bow to tradition, loon hunting still continued at the behest of game wardens.
Loons, though, are indeed unique birds...like most divers, they're black and white and with a lot of muted beauty and they do appear spectacular when viewed up close or through binoculars. The eerie call of the loon is noted from here to points as far north as the North Woods of Ontario. The loon is the state bird of Minnesota and the provincial bird of Ontario. They're held in high regard in most places except the Atlantic seaboard where overcrowded and under-educated hunters mistake them often and often curse their appearance. To me, they make a fine live decoy if you allow them to swim with the decoys. Just don't catch one and tether it like the old live decoys. Let them be. Also, they'll keep away eagles, which always make ducks nervous. And for anyone who has ever had a decoy ruined by a swooping eagle, a loon can be the cure.
Either way, learn to identify all ducks in flight and on the water. Then look into loons, cormorants, and grebes. These birds aren't pressured at all, and observation from the duck blind of these feathered weirdos can be interesting and entertaining. Grebes especially, as they dive and rise en mass. Grebes love company, and like all birds they are gregarious. Loons, though are generally solitary until it's breeding time. But then again, everything becomes gregarious at that time...
Common loons look like a giant duck. There's no telling how many succumb to the bores of the Raleigh Riff-Raff on an annual basis. In flight, they could appear to be a goose. On Harker's Island, though, everyone knows what these birds look and taste like. Loons are large diving birds with a diver-like bill that's used to catch, spear, and eat fish. You won't catch them over your local corn pile, unless of course there are fish feeding near it. I've heard tales of many believeing that they had killed a giant black duck loon is the more glamorous cousin of the cormorant, America's Ugliest Animal. The cormorant is most often mistook for a goose or black duck. How it happens, I don't know, but I'm not dumb, so it's tough to imagine. Some people knowingly shoot these birds as they are either banes to a fish trap operation or because they just like to eat them.
Loon shooting in Harker's Island goes way back. Like 1800's back...either way, the folks down there were always resourceful and even had habits of shooting mergansers for food, if they lived "up the river" in downeast Carteret County. I'm big on tradition, but when it comes to Loon shooting, I'm also big on confusion. Still, the birds, when harvested, were parboiled (to reduce the fishiness) and then deep-fried (everything tastes better when fried, right). Sometimes, the back and neck meat of a loon was stewed. I'm not big on fish stew, so I can't imagine I would like loon stew. Nevertheless, other parts of the loon were used, too. The hollow leg bones were used to make fishing lures, or jigs, as many f us would call them. Either way, that's ingenious, resourceful, and practical. Old timers had a way of shooting a pile of game, and then using every last bit of it. The feathers were even used to line mattresses.
So how did they shoot loons? Well, as most of you know, the migration north generally commences in March. Core Sounders would watch the loons come in from the Atlantic into the fishy waters of Core Sound and feed on fish - storing up energy reserves for nesting and the long flight back that precedes nesting. Either way, the less than wary birds would cross the barrier islands at very low altitudes...and hunters would position themselves on high dunes or near pilentary bushes at small inlets and washes to surprise their quarry. A 12 pound bird is a big, but tough target. This was easy and fun, I imagine, but it was also a good way to help feed a family as the winter reserves would begin to run dry at this time. This tradition was carried out wholeheartedly until the 1950's when federal game wardens, who now had a presence on Cape Lookout arrested over 20 hunters for loon shooting. As a spat in the face and a bow to tradition, loon hunting still continued at the behest of game wardens.
Loons, though, are indeed unique birds...like most divers, they're black and white and with a lot of muted beauty and they do appear spectacular when viewed up close or through binoculars. The eerie call of the loon is noted from here to points as far north as the North Woods of Ontario. The loon is the state bird of Minnesota and the provincial bird of Ontario. They're held in high regard in most places except the Atlantic seaboard where overcrowded and under-educated hunters mistake them often and often curse their appearance. To me, they make a fine live decoy if you allow them to swim with the decoys. Just don't catch one and tether it like the old live decoys. Let them be. Also, they'll keep away eagles, which always make ducks nervous. And for anyone who has ever had a decoy ruined by a swooping eagle, a loon can be the cure.
Either way, learn to identify all ducks in flight and on the water. Then look into loons, cormorants, and grebes. These birds aren't pressured at all, and observation from the duck blind of these feathered weirdos can be interesting and entertaining. Grebes especially, as they dive and rise en mass. Grebes love company, and like all birds they are gregarious. Loons, though are generally solitary until it's breeding time. But then again, everything becomes gregarious at that time...
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
How I do it...
Obviously, I'm not going to divulge a tremendous amount of secrets on here. I'm certainly not going to say where I see and shoot ducks, unless I use terms such as "northern Pamlico Sound" and central "Albemarle". My out of the way places are actually known by quite a few people, but I know when to hunt them. I keep an eye on them and bounce in when those places have been left for dead. But being a good duck hunter is also like a qualifier for the CIA. Only the most secretive survive. Sure, I've blabbed a bit too much, and I've got some buddies whose lips are as loose as their decoys' heads. But, I continue to evolve...at least I hope I do. But most times, I capitalize on my ability to be prepared when the opportunity arises. I don't do a lot of practice shooting at the range, though I probably do so more than the regular dudes. I do have a skeet range within earshot of my residence. Still, when I go and the results are less than desired I still have a good time because I do things my way, and not the ways suggested by your friendly outdoor television show host...so in order to keep things pleasant, this is what I do...
Picking a place to hunt: I'm a meticulous note-taker. If I kill or see ducks in a place, I combine the weather, moon, location, and duck data together. I award points for each category - nevertheless, the more points a date gets, the better. I'll highlight the exceptional days and once I've had two good days under said conditions, it becomes "law" meaning that when the conditions are there, I can expect to see ducks. I've given up on some ducky looking places because of this, though.
Gear: There's not much to say here. I pack up everything I need the night before so that I can be ready to roll in the morning. Generally, if I wait until I wake up, I may change my mind. However, nobody is a clear thinker at 0200, so it's best for me to monitor the weather the day prior, and go from there. Also, I forget more things if I get ready in the morning. Still, I never leave the house without a spotlight or the 6 decoys that remain in my boat all season. Six buffleheads are effective absolutely anywhere in coastal North Carolina.
Gun: People scoff and giggle at it, but I don't care. I shoot a twenty gauge shotgun. There, I said it. I've got some 12 bores, including a double gun, but generally, they kick too hard for my wormy frame. I also shoot a full choke in my 20. Sure, I miss some, but the ones I hit are down for the count. My 20 is lighter and the recoil is significantly less. I used to return with headaches from shooting my 12's, but not anymore. Also, I always shoot #2 shot. Larger shot acts strange from a full choke, and smaller shot just isn't lethal enough. And I always, ALWAYS, shoot cheap steel shot. But I like to get ducks in very close before I pull the trigger or call the shot.
Clothing: Wear wool. And waders. Each time. Oh - and layer. I never wear camo because everyone else does. Lurk in the shadows...it works and I swear it.
Decoys: I use the exact same spread each time I hunt a specific location. Also, I hate plastic decoys except when I'm sea duck hunting. Sea Ducks just don't care...but I never set up a decoy pocket facing land. It always has water in front of it, if I'm pursuing divers.
Superstitions: I never pass shoot the first flock. I let them work to determine how the birds will work for the rest of the morning. Also, I always hunt with the sun to my back. And I never, ever wear sunglasses. Also, I only hail call when birds are over 500 yards away. Once their working the decoys, it's clucks or purrs only, depending on the species. But I will blow the fool out of a wigeon whistle. Additionally, I always keep shells in my pocket and not in a blind bag. In fact, I've gone to not even carrying a blind bag. I also never hunt within 100 yards of the boat, unless of course I'm hunting from the boat, which I hate, OR if I'm hunting from my blind that has a boat hide.
Leaving: I never hunt past 10:00am. If I haven't done any good by then, rarely will I after10:00. And if birds decide to work later, then I'll let them live. Eventually, they'll screw up.
Hunting partners: I love hunting alone. Everyone else is a liability. But I do have some hunting pals that know how I am and they let me maintain the order. Those that shoot out of turn don't get many chances. If you talk or call too much, you get shushed and embarrassed. It's my boat, my decoys, my time, their privilege.
Picking a place to hunt: I'm a meticulous note-taker. If I kill or see ducks in a place, I combine the weather, moon, location, and duck data together. I award points for each category - nevertheless, the more points a date gets, the better. I'll highlight the exceptional days and once I've had two good days under said conditions, it becomes "law" meaning that when the conditions are there, I can expect to see ducks. I've given up on some ducky looking places because of this, though.
Gear: There's not much to say here. I pack up everything I need the night before so that I can be ready to roll in the morning. Generally, if I wait until I wake up, I may change my mind. However, nobody is a clear thinker at 0200, so it's best for me to monitor the weather the day prior, and go from there. Also, I forget more things if I get ready in the morning. Still, I never leave the house without a spotlight or the 6 decoys that remain in my boat all season. Six buffleheads are effective absolutely anywhere in coastal North Carolina.
Gun: People scoff and giggle at it, but I don't care. I shoot a twenty gauge shotgun. There, I said it. I've got some 12 bores, including a double gun, but generally, they kick too hard for my wormy frame. I also shoot a full choke in my 20. Sure, I miss some, but the ones I hit are down for the count. My 20 is lighter and the recoil is significantly less. I used to return with headaches from shooting my 12's, but not anymore. Also, I always shoot #2 shot. Larger shot acts strange from a full choke, and smaller shot just isn't lethal enough. And I always, ALWAYS, shoot cheap steel shot. But I like to get ducks in very close before I pull the trigger or call the shot.
Clothing: Wear wool. And waders. Each time. Oh - and layer. I never wear camo because everyone else does. Lurk in the shadows...it works and I swear it.
Decoys: I use the exact same spread each time I hunt a specific location. Also, I hate plastic decoys except when I'm sea duck hunting. Sea Ducks just don't care...but I never set up a decoy pocket facing land. It always has water in front of it, if I'm pursuing divers.
Superstitions: I never pass shoot the first flock. I let them work to determine how the birds will work for the rest of the morning. Also, I always hunt with the sun to my back. And I never, ever wear sunglasses. Also, I only hail call when birds are over 500 yards away. Once their working the decoys, it's clucks or purrs only, depending on the species. But I will blow the fool out of a wigeon whistle. Additionally, I always keep shells in my pocket and not in a blind bag. In fact, I've gone to not even carrying a blind bag. I also never hunt within 100 yards of the boat, unless of course I'm hunting from the boat, which I hate, OR if I'm hunting from my blind that has a boat hide.
Leaving: I never hunt past 10:00am. If I haven't done any good by then, rarely will I after10:00. And if birds decide to work later, then I'll let them live. Eventually, they'll screw up.
Hunting partners: I love hunting alone. Everyone else is a liability. But I do have some hunting pals that know how I am and they let me maintain the order. Those that shoot out of turn don't get many chances. If you talk or call too much, you get shushed and embarrassed. It's my boat, my decoys, my time, their privilege.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
If I lived in 1901...
I would certainly have enjoyed myself when it came to North Carolina Duck Hunting! Market gunning was at it's peak. Duck numbers were probably unimaginable, and even Durant's Island had ducks and a duck club. There was even a club called Gooseville near Hatteras where Van Campen Heilner was a member. Well, that came later on, but you get the point. It was so good in North Carolina that it was considered the premiere place to hunt waterfowl. Even more so than the vaunted Chesapeake Bay. Currituck was filled with fresh water and the wild celery was so thick that navigation would have been tough with a motorized boat. The only downside to the early 1900's was that if you moved your boat, you did it by sailing, pushing, or rowing. But at least that warms you up.
Lots of things that hunters did back then are now illegal, which meant they worked. You'll have to believe me when I say I'm not a killer. It doesn't matter to me how many ducks I kill. I measure the success of my hunts by how many ducks I have over the decoys. Decoying several flocks of wild divers that are 30 birds strong would be a good day for me. Actually, a great one. This was the norm back then, though. Of course, the work to bring these ducks to bag was much more intense. Today, there are very few waterfowlers that would carve 200 decoys from wood, cast their own weights, build their own boats, row said boat, sit in said boat with less than modern apparel, bear the brunt of a battery or punt gun, load their own shells nightly, then pick up 100-200 ducks. Oh - and row them all back. But back then, it was much better than farming with a mule.
But back to the banned practices. It would be an honor for me, if it were legal, just to shoot until 30 minutes after sunset. It would be a pleasure to hunt from a genuine sinkbox with a pair of 8 gauge shotguns shooting lead shot. It would be a romantic evening, if I could spend it firelighting with my ladyfriend. And pouring out corn to entice birds, well, I suppose I'd giggle until the livestock came home. But these things were legal, or at least allowable in those times. It's so easy for fellows to go duck hunting now, that officials must stack the odds in favor of the ducks. Pouring out corn is not fair. Firelighting is dangerous and very unfair. A sinkbox is dangerous, unfair, and uncomfortable. these practices, though, were so effective that the Gun Clubs felt that it devalued their hunting leases. And rightfully so. At this time, any blind permit holder from anywhere can build and hunt a blind in Currituck County. Blind permits aren't easy to get, but they are apparently not difficult either. However, the 19th Century saw a ban on all out-of-state hunters. How would that be today?
Humans have always been crafty when it came to turning a dollar utilizing our natural resources. Some mine coal or natural grass. Some grow grass. Some use the creeks and rivers to quench the thirst of cattle and other livestock. Others, sell opportunities at wild game. They are called guides. Ducks have been marketed for their meat, and now for their sporting qualities. Back then, the feathers were valuable, too. Today, they're just as beautiful, but not in a hat!
Still, you're crazy and a liar if you don't think that it would have been very cool to slip up on a raft of ducks, in the dark, with a battery of guns loaded and lined up on the bow of a wooden skiff...with a blinding lantern shining on the ducks while they have nary a clue of what in the heck is going on!
You're also nuts if you don't think it would be neat to hunt over a literal mound of corn protruding from the surface of the water. We don't know why, but we can imagine the possibilities. Unfortunately, most of us are never happy with a full limit of teal. We'd always like at least one pintail or one canvasback...wouldn't we?
Lots of things that hunters did back then are now illegal, which meant they worked. You'll have to believe me when I say I'm not a killer. It doesn't matter to me how many ducks I kill. I measure the success of my hunts by how many ducks I have over the decoys. Decoying several flocks of wild divers that are 30 birds strong would be a good day for me. Actually, a great one. This was the norm back then, though. Of course, the work to bring these ducks to bag was much more intense. Today, there are very few waterfowlers that would carve 200 decoys from wood, cast their own weights, build their own boats, row said boat, sit in said boat with less than modern apparel, bear the brunt of a battery or punt gun, load their own shells nightly, then pick up 100-200 ducks. Oh - and row them all back. But back then, it was much better than farming with a mule.
But back to the banned practices. It would be an honor for me, if it were legal, just to shoot until 30 minutes after sunset. It would be a pleasure to hunt from a genuine sinkbox with a pair of 8 gauge shotguns shooting lead shot. It would be a romantic evening, if I could spend it firelighting with my ladyfriend. And pouring out corn to entice birds, well, I suppose I'd giggle until the livestock came home. But these things were legal, or at least allowable in those times. It's so easy for fellows to go duck hunting now, that officials must stack the odds in favor of the ducks. Pouring out corn is not fair. Firelighting is dangerous and very unfair. A sinkbox is dangerous, unfair, and uncomfortable. these practices, though, were so effective that the Gun Clubs felt that it devalued their hunting leases. And rightfully so. At this time, any blind permit holder from anywhere can build and hunt a blind in Currituck County. Blind permits aren't easy to get, but they are apparently not difficult either. However, the 19th Century saw a ban on all out-of-state hunters. How would that be today?
Humans have always been crafty when it came to turning a dollar utilizing our natural resources. Some mine coal or natural grass. Some grow grass. Some use the creeks and rivers to quench the thirst of cattle and other livestock. Others, sell opportunities at wild game. They are called guides. Ducks have been marketed for their meat, and now for their sporting qualities. Back then, the feathers were valuable, too. Today, they're just as beautiful, but not in a hat!
Still, you're crazy and a liar if you don't think that it would have been very cool to slip up on a raft of ducks, in the dark, with a battery of guns loaded and lined up on the bow of a wooden skiff...with a blinding lantern shining on the ducks while they have nary a clue of what in the heck is going on!
You're also nuts if you don't think it would be neat to hunt over a literal mound of corn protruding from the surface of the water. We don't know why, but we can imagine the possibilities. Unfortunately, most of us are never happy with a full limit of teal. We'd always like at least one pintail or one canvasback...wouldn't we?
Monday, February 20, 2012
In Defence of Thy Ye Olde Sunday Hunting (not really)
If there were ever a more outdated, archaic law on those books in Raleigh....well, except for not being able to spit on sidewalks, the inability to hunt on Sundays is downright silly. When church and State mix, church wins when it comes to recreation. Or does the State win? Either way, the hunters are the losers. So are the guides who outfit the hunters who travel to North Carolina. Just imagine the boon that would be a 3 Day weekend hunt for our lovely tourists from the mountains. And what about all of us hard-working North Carolina Duck Hunters? Well, we too could enjoy the spoils of being able to hunt all the days we paid for when we purchased our license! But where did this all start?
Currently, there are 11 states that don't want to see the value of a hunter's license virtually doubled. Since most hunters inl go afield on the weekends, allowing Sunday hunting would truly double the value of a license. Should the price go up? Absolutely not. If it's not illegal to catch a fish on Sunday, then it shouldn't be against the law to catch a few ducks. It's already legal to bow hunt on private land on Sundays in North Carolina. I guess, the church crowd doesn't mind seeing the dead deer on Sundays...they only mind the gunshots during service. Still, can you hunt duck on private land with a bow on Sundays? According to our game laws you can't. And that, too, is unfortunate.
Anyway, there's several different versions of why hunting on Sundays is looked down on. Originally, the Founding Fathers came here to found a country where there religion would be tolerated - and that all religions would be tolerated. However, nobody ever believed that some would want to actually hunt on Sundays. Hunting on Sunday wouldn't keep me from entering the church on Sunday. Phil Robertson, AKA The Duck Commander is devoutly religious...and hunts and PREACHES on Sunday. So it can physically be done. If I had to promise to go to church if I was allowed to hunt on Sunday, I would. I made that same promise to my parents the first 18 years of my life. Nevertheless, the olden times would have never imagined a Monday through Friday workweek, either. Sunday was just the Sabbath and Saturday was just another work day if the weather was good. Others suggest that the law persisted into early modern times - like the early 1900's, because wealthy sportsmen wanted to "rest" the game. In fact, Currituckers came to detest the Northern sportsmen because of their strategies used to "rest" game throughout the season. Alright - it's fixing to get deep here. So here's how it worked. Locals, or "natives" as the Northerners called them, hunted ducks for market and to earn a living. Sure, they took a lot of ducks, geese, swans, and shorebirds. In fact, it now seems that they have done irreparable damage to the Atlantic Flyway. But blame that on game biologists and such. Wealthy Northerners were late to the game when deciding that saving game was important. And since they've always claimed to be the smart ones in our society, then they should take the blame for this. Either way, Northerners couldn't compete witht eh downright lethal means employed by the natives when it came to harvesting ducks. Either way, Northerners were also totally happy with shooting about 10 ducks and then heading in for the day. The natives would be content with a hundred. Northereners, after establishing their duck clubs and gaining total ownership for several consecutive miles of marsh, began resting duck in the many ponds. To compete with the native baiting practices, these resting ponds were also baited with food. Nevertheless, the Civil War wasn't the end of what many call Northern Aggression. Tensions mounted and Northerners reportedly shot at and shot to kill many natives when they passes through their "territory". All over a duck. Nevertheless, Sunday was set aside as a de-facto means of resting game species. It's interesting how southern states can always and still continue to find ways to blame our northern neighbors.
So after writing all of that, I still can only conclude that there is no relevant reason why Sunday Hunting isn't allowed in North Carolina. After decades of huntless Sundays in Virginia, the Virginia Senate and House had the opportunity to give it's constituents what they wanted...the ability to hunt on Sundays. After what looked like to be a sure-thing, the bill failed due to a lack of Republican support. And conservatives are supposed to be the ones who are ignorant and slow and willing to tote a gun to shoot animals, right? Well, that's how the Dems put it. Still, it's a total failure on all parties to continue to discriminate against hunters. It's worse than discrimination based on race, creed, or ethnicity. Why? Because all races and ethnicities hunt. So keep discriminating State. I'll pray for you in Church.
Currently, there are 11 states that don't want to see the value of a hunter's license virtually doubled. Since most hunters inl go afield on the weekends, allowing Sunday hunting would truly double the value of a license. Should the price go up? Absolutely not. If it's not illegal to catch a fish on Sunday, then it shouldn't be against the law to catch a few ducks. It's already legal to bow hunt on private land on Sundays in North Carolina. I guess, the church crowd doesn't mind seeing the dead deer on Sundays...they only mind the gunshots during service. Still, can you hunt duck on private land with a bow on Sundays? According to our game laws you can't. And that, too, is unfortunate.
Anyway, there's several different versions of why hunting on Sundays is looked down on. Originally, the Founding Fathers came here to found a country where there religion would be tolerated - and that all religions would be tolerated. However, nobody ever believed that some would want to actually hunt on Sundays. Hunting on Sunday wouldn't keep me from entering the church on Sunday. Phil Robertson, AKA The Duck Commander is devoutly religious...and hunts and PREACHES on Sunday. So it can physically be done. If I had to promise to go to church if I was allowed to hunt on Sunday, I would. I made that same promise to my parents the first 18 years of my life. Nevertheless, the olden times would have never imagined a Monday through Friday workweek, either. Sunday was just the Sabbath and Saturday was just another work day if the weather was good. Others suggest that the law persisted into early modern times - like the early 1900's, because wealthy sportsmen wanted to "rest" the game. In fact, Currituckers came to detest the Northern sportsmen because of their strategies used to "rest" game throughout the season. Alright - it's fixing to get deep here. So here's how it worked. Locals, or "natives" as the Northerners called them, hunted ducks for market and to earn a living. Sure, they took a lot of ducks, geese, swans, and shorebirds. In fact, it now seems that they have done irreparable damage to the Atlantic Flyway. But blame that on game biologists and such. Wealthy Northerners were late to the game when deciding that saving game was important. And since they've always claimed to be the smart ones in our society, then they should take the blame for this. Either way, Northerners couldn't compete witht eh downright lethal means employed by the natives when it came to harvesting ducks. Either way, Northerners were also totally happy with shooting about 10 ducks and then heading in for the day. The natives would be content with a hundred. Northereners, after establishing their duck clubs and gaining total ownership for several consecutive miles of marsh, began resting duck in the many ponds. To compete with the native baiting practices, these resting ponds were also baited with food. Nevertheless, the Civil War wasn't the end of what many call Northern Aggression. Tensions mounted and Northerners reportedly shot at and shot to kill many natives when they passes through their "territory". All over a duck. Nevertheless, Sunday was set aside as a de-facto means of resting game species. It's interesting how southern states can always and still continue to find ways to blame our northern neighbors.
So after writing all of that, I still can only conclude that there is no relevant reason why Sunday Hunting isn't allowed in North Carolina. After decades of huntless Sundays in Virginia, the Virginia Senate and House had the opportunity to give it's constituents what they wanted...the ability to hunt on Sundays. After what looked like to be a sure-thing, the bill failed due to a lack of Republican support. And conservatives are supposed to be the ones who are ignorant and slow and willing to tote a gun to shoot animals, right? Well, that's how the Dems put it. Still, it's a total failure on all parties to continue to discriminate against hunters. It's worse than discrimination based on race, creed, or ethnicity. Why? Because all races and ethnicities hunt. So keep discriminating State. I'll pray for you in Church.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
All southern readers of outdoor fiction and nonfiction have had the good fortune of reading some very good work by some very good writers. People Like Archibald Rutledge and Nash Buckingham are easy favorites when considering the best of all southern outdoor writers. Midwesterner's would argue that it's Gordon Macquarrie. I would argue for both of them.
If you're a duck hunter and you've never picked up a book by any of these gentlemen, then shame on you. Sure, you look forward to getting your Ducks Unlimited mags in the mail...and for what? Are you really that interested in the over-advertising that is literally on each page? The DU magazine serves a couple of important roles, and sometimes it can manage to entertain you. The older ones from the 80's were good...one even had an article with Uncle Ted Nugent...which always fun to read. Still, today's mags are so diluted with thanking sponsors and pushing products, that is painful for me to read. TheDelta mag isn't much better, but there's ore reading in it. Wildfowl magazine is very good. However, the best reading is found in those books and stories penned between the World Wars. Prior to 1900, most outdoor writing was very poor, and it was generally all fiction based on a wild adventure that ye olde hunters and huntresses had embarked on. Some are so incredibly boring, the reader could fall asleep on the toilet. Then came Nash and Gordon.
I'll be honest. Nash Buckingham is alright. It's more entertaining than engaging. His reads are quick and intelligent, but to me, they're a bit racist. But I'm left of center on the political spectrum, so we may disagree. The De Shootinest Gent'man is and will always be a classic. I enjoyed it, but the entertaining part is the dialogue and not the plot. Still, it can be tiring for a new reader, and I don't recommend that story as your first Buckingham. But Buckingham pursued all types of game. There are a variety of stories on a variety of critters, too. However, his love for ducks shines though his work. And like all famous writers, a legacy was left behind. The mysterious case of Buckingham's shotgun, "Bo Whoop" as the gun is called, has become legendary. It was recently discovered after decades of secrecy....it recently went for big numbers at an auction and is now on display at Ducks Unlimited's headquarters in Memphis (I think). My only considerable problem with Buckingham was that he chased puddle ducks. Still, he was a vibrant supporter of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which is the most important piece of legislation in waterfowl history.
I'll continue to be honest and say that Gordon Macquarrie is, in my opinion, the best writer. Ever. Gordon ensnares the mind and imagination and paints mental pictures and weaves stories as well as anyone. His stories cover a variety of topics. "To Set A Thief" is one of my favorites...but there's also "The Bluebills Died at Dawn", and the "Kitchen Sink Fish". The only thing I like about fishing, are Gordon Macquarries stories about flyfishing the Brule River. I really hate fishing, though. Unfortunately, Gordon died suddenly in 1956. And like Buckingham, Macquarrie also has his legend. The cabin that was oft-written about in his stories has been mystery for many avid outdoorsmen. Tracking down the remote cabin on the correct lake has been a life goal of many. It is now somewhat easily identifiable because of the internet and those who have blogged about their trek to the cabin. Macquarrie, like me, hated puddle ducks, especially the summer ducks that are so weary. He preferred the bluebill days, with redheads and canvasbacks mixed in. We would have gotten along well. And like Buckingham, his link to the conservation effort was his relationship and support of Aldo Leopold and Leopolds "Land Ethic."
To write means to love. Writing thoughts and publishing them is a tough chore...and these two were the very best. Most of their work can be found at bargain basement prices on Amazon and Ebay...it is definitely worth your time, money, and effort to read these guys' stuff.
If you're a duck hunter and you've never picked up a book by any of these gentlemen, then shame on you. Sure, you look forward to getting your Ducks Unlimited mags in the mail...and for what? Are you really that interested in the over-advertising that is literally on each page? The DU magazine serves a couple of important roles, and sometimes it can manage to entertain you. The older ones from the 80's were good...one even had an article with Uncle Ted Nugent...which always fun to read. Still, today's mags are so diluted with thanking sponsors and pushing products, that is painful for me to read. TheDelta mag isn't much better, but there's ore reading in it. Wildfowl magazine is very good. However, the best reading is found in those books and stories penned between the World Wars. Prior to 1900, most outdoor writing was very poor, and it was generally all fiction based on a wild adventure that ye olde hunters and huntresses had embarked on. Some are so incredibly boring, the reader could fall asleep on the toilet. Then came Nash and Gordon.
I'll be honest. Nash Buckingham is alright. It's more entertaining than engaging. His reads are quick and intelligent, but to me, they're a bit racist. But I'm left of center on the political spectrum, so we may disagree. The De Shootinest Gent'man is and will always be a classic. I enjoyed it, but the entertaining part is the dialogue and not the plot. Still, it can be tiring for a new reader, and I don't recommend that story as your first Buckingham. But Buckingham pursued all types of game. There are a variety of stories on a variety of critters, too. However, his love for ducks shines though his work. And like all famous writers, a legacy was left behind. The mysterious case of Buckingham's shotgun, "Bo Whoop" as the gun is called, has become legendary. It was recently discovered after decades of secrecy....it recently went for big numbers at an auction and is now on display at Ducks Unlimited's headquarters in Memphis (I think). My only considerable problem with Buckingham was that he chased puddle ducks. Still, he was a vibrant supporter of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which is the most important piece of legislation in waterfowl history.
I'll continue to be honest and say that Gordon Macquarrie is, in my opinion, the best writer. Ever. Gordon ensnares the mind and imagination and paints mental pictures and weaves stories as well as anyone. His stories cover a variety of topics. "To Set A Thief" is one of my favorites...but there's also "The Bluebills Died at Dawn", and the "Kitchen Sink Fish". The only thing I like about fishing, are Gordon Macquarries stories about flyfishing the Brule River. I really hate fishing, though. Unfortunately, Gordon died suddenly in 1956. And like Buckingham, Macquarrie also has his legend. The cabin that was oft-written about in his stories has been mystery for many avid outdoorsmen. Tracking down the remote cabin on the correct lake has been a life goal of many. It is now somewhat easily identifiable because of the internet and those who have blogged about their trek to the cabin. Macquarrie, like me, hated puddle ducks, especially the summer ducks that are so weary. He preferred the bluebill days, with redheads and canvasbacks mixed in. We would have gotten along well. And like Buckingham, his link to the conservation effort was his relationship and support of Aldo Leopold and Leopolds "Land Ethic."
To write means to love. Writing thoughts and publishing them is a tough chore...and these two were the very best. Most of their work can be found at bargain basement prices on Amazon and Ebay...it is definitely worth your time, money, and effort to read these guys' stuff.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Valentine's Day Ideas
If you have a ladyfriend, she undoubtedly knows that you love her, but not nearly as much as you love duck hunting. If she's a good Ladyfriend, she'll do whatever she can to improve her stature with you. Here's what you should be looking for from your Ladyfriend on Valentine's Day...
If you're the duck hunter that has it all, your woman should be supplying you with a new spotlight for boat navigation. You can never have enough of these things! If she gives you one with less than 1,000,000 candlepower, simply say "is this all?" You'll be clobbere over the head immediately, but you got your point across that you are a demanding waterfowler and partner.
If you are the Do-It-Yourself duck hunter, then you should expect your Ladyfriend to gift to you ten pound ingots of lead. That way, you can melt lead and her heart! She'll appreciate the heart shaped mold you could have created. Either way, some duck hunters love to be entrepreneurial, and there is nothing more satisfying than than making your own lead weights...and she should know that! She should receive bonus points if she gives you a mushroom mold, too!
Some waterfowlers are much more discerning than others. For those of you that fall into the Gentlemen's Category, hopefully you were wise enough to drop a hint or two that you're anticipating a Ned Burgess pintail, complete with Art Deco-style painted plumage. Nothing says classy like green and white dots and bars on a classy lavender-gray tinted body. For chocolate, you'll take that chocolate-colored Burgess head on that pintail drake. If you mention it to her in passing and she say's how much, just tell her "Honey, it's an investment."
If you're significant other pretends to be as vested in your interest as you are, you can expect some distinctive flat art. Of course, you should hope for the original. Any Mike Helsabeck piece would illustrate her appreciation for North Carolina duck hunting and art. If you're from Hyde County, please suggest that she procure a Mattamuskeet Lake piece. But for St. Valentine's sake, she should know that since you're a diver hunter, you'll have nothing to do with a print full of mallards.
Many duck hunters have to share their hunting clothes with their significant other. The attire of our sport is always warm - and she, too, knows such. If she'll be wearing your woolens, make sure to drop hints such as "I really like that Filson Guide Sweater in size medium." She'll get the hint, and hopefully the sweater. You can abuse it for two months while she can swaddle in it for ten months.
Duck hunting and relationships are both give and take. Like relationships, duck hunters must give a lot of effort to reach the desired results. If you want a bag limit, you'll have to give more than others. Or get lucky. I'm lucky to have a woman who makes me feel lucky and pretends to also enjoy my hobby. Of course, who knows what she's doing while I'm out at 0300. Hopefully, sleeping. But as much as I think about duck hunting, I also think about her. So today, if you can avoid it, don't mention duck hunting at all to your significant other. It's probably all she really wants...
If you're the duck hunter that has it all, your woman should be supplying you with a new spotlight for boat navigation. You can never have enough of these things! If she gives you one with less than 1,000,000 candlepower, simply say "is this all?" You'll be clobbere over the head immediately, but you got your point across that you are a demanding waterfowler and partner.
If you are the Do-It-Yourself duck hunter, then you should expect your Ladyfriend to gift to you ten pound ingots of lead. That way, you can melt lead and her heart! She'll appreciate the heart shaped mold you could have created. Either way, some duck hunters love to be entrepreneurial, and there is nothing more satisfying than than making your own lead weights...and she should know that! She should receive bonus points if she gives you a mushroom mold, too!
Some waterfowlers are much more discerning than others. For those of you that fall into the Gentlemen's Category, hopefully you were wise enough to drop a hint or two that you're anticipating a Ned Burgess pintail, complete with Art Deco-style painted plumage. Nothing says classy like green and white dots and bars on a classy lavender-gray tinted body. For chocolate, you'll take that chocolate-colored Burgess head on that pintail drake. If you mention it to her in passing and she say's how much, just tell her "Honey, it's an investment."
If you're significant other pretends to be as vested in your interest as you are, you can expect some distinctive flat art. Of course, you should hope for the original. Any Mike Helsabeck piece would illustrate her appreciation for North Carolina duck hunting and art. If you're from Hyde County, please suggest that she procure a Mattamuskeet Lake piece. But for St. Valentine's sake, she should know that since you're a diver hunter, you'll have nothing to do with a print full of mallards.
Many duck hunters have to share their hunting clothes with their significant other. The attire of our sport is always warm - and she, too, knows such. If she'll be wearing your woolens, make sure to drop hints such as "I really like that Filson Guide Sweater in size medium." She'll get the hint, and hopefully the sweater. You can abuse it for two months while she can swaddle in it for ten months.
Duck hunting and relationships are both give and take. Like relationships, duck hunters must give a lot of effort to reach the desired results. If you want a bag limit, you'll have to give more than others. Or get lucky. I'm lucky to have a woman who makes me feel lucky and pretends to also enjoy my hobby. Of course, who knows what she's doing while I'm out at 0300. Hopefully, sleeping. But as much as I think about duck hunting, I also think about her. So today, if you can avoid it, don't mention duck hunting at all to your significant other. It's probably all she really wants...
Monday, February 13, 2012
Almost Tricked
I spent some time/money at the East Carolina Wildfowl Guild Festival in Washington, North Carolina this weekend. This show is special to me because it's there that I learned to appreciate the art and history of North Carolina Duck Hunting. There's decoys, flat art, and some casual vendors. The decoys range from the contemporary classics, to IWCA contest birds - 15 of which were carved by acquaintances, to the old battery and market gunning birds from Currituck, Outer Banks, Carteret County, and Core Banks. The latter are my favorite. I really appreciate the fine lines and simple, but hardy construction of those old birds. Most were made from juniper logs, but some are made from old fence posts, canvas sails, and, like the James Best geese, some are made from old ships' masts. Still, while I'll more than likely ever be in a financial position to pick up a bird for two to ten grand, it's still fun to see them. Even some of the old Mason Factory decoys were at the show. It was pretty cool to see some of the little teals that go for big bucks. I even saw a bufflehead Mason. Still, the mallards, redheads, and bluebills were available for around a couple hundred bucks. Those species were oft-produced and many still exist. It's the hard to find ducks like ruddy ducks and shovelers which are extra-valuable. Should a ruddy duck Mason ever show up, it's likely to break decoy sale records...maybe garnering up to a million bucks!
Either way, I've lately become a student of decoys. I want to be able to keep up with the heavy weights in the decoy world. I can pick out certain styles from varying regions, and I can pick out a Boyd, Mitchell, Burgess, and a Dudley. I can pick apart an Animal Trap from a Pratt, too. Still, there are tricks in the decoy world. Of course, everyone wants an old bird in original paint. Good Luck. Some want decoys with the original parts. Good luck. The old working birds I like so much are fairly plentiful, but usually with several coats of paint and a replaced head or keel. The keel is no big deal. Usually it was an old iron piece or a railroad spike held in place by several nails. Heads, however, could be as old as 50 years or 50 days. Some people are true masters of counterfeiting. I encountered, and purchased such a bird. After a good inspection of the body, it was easy to determine that body with some splitting was definitely old. The splitting was caused by a rusting iron nail and water. Those two factors, when combined with wood, can result in decoy splitting. However, the original head would have been split, too. The head on the decoy I found was beautiful. Too nice, in fact, to be a original. After pouring over the head with a true expert and decoy nerd, I found fresh, white wood in the corner of the bill. this gap would be best measured in 1/32 increments, but it was there.
All in all, each old decoy has a story. Trying to read that story can help one find good decoys at good rates. Still, I don't collect for money. While the decoy market will never crash, you'll go nuts finding someone who values "your" birds more than you do. So I collect what I like. And I really like old decoys of mysterious and sometimes dubious distinction!
Either way, I've lately become a student of decoys. I want to be able to keep up with the heavy weights in the decoy world. I can pick out certain styles from varying regions, and I can pick out a Boyd, Mitchell, Burgess, and a Dudley. I can pick apart an Animal Trap from a Pratt, too. Still, there are tricks in the decoy world. Of course, everyone wants an old bird in original paint. Good Luck. Some want decoys with the original parts. Good luck. The old working birds I like so much are fairly plentiful, but usually with several coats of paint and a replaced head or keel. The keel is no big deal. Usually it was an old iron piece or a railroad spike held in place by several nails. Heads, however, could be as old as 50 years or 50 days. Some people are true masters of counterfeiting. I encountered, and purchased such a bird. After a good inspection of the body, it was easy to determine that body with some splitting was definitely old. The splitting was caused by a rusting iron nail and water. Those two factors, when combined with wood, can result in decoy splitting. However, the original head would have been split, too. The head on the decoy I found was beautiful. Too nice, in fact, to be a original. After pouring over the head with a true expert and decoy nerd, I found fresh, white wood in the corner of the bill. this gap would be best measured in 1/32 increments, but it was there.
All in all, each old decoy has a story. Trying to read that story can help one find good decoys at good rates. Still, I don't collect for money. While the decoy market will never crash, you'll go nuts finding someone who values "your" birds more than you do. So I collect what I like. And I really like old decoys of mysterious and sometimes dubious distinction!
Friday, February 10, 2012
Bucket List: America's Public Refuges I'd Hunt
I'm a dreamer, but so are the rest of North Carolina's Duck Hunters. When we have fair to middlin' seasons, our mind wanders to the far off places that we could hunt. Anywhere has to have smaller crowds and more birds, right? Not neccessarily, but not all of North Carolina's duck hunting waters are filled with teeny-boppers, skyblasters, and common fools. Still, I've hunted over a good portion of the southeast, including premiere private property in Mississippi, South Carolina, and Arkansas, as well as public waters in Virginia, Maryland, and my home state of Alabama. All offer different opportunities in different styles of hunting. In Alabama, I floated creeks for wood ducks. Albeit, central Alabama has a few birds, but the storied Tennessee River near Decatur, Alabama is where the birds are...but not like they were prior to TVA dam construction. Still, Alabama has good duck hunting in the north (mostyl dabblers) and south around Mobile Bay (mostly divers). While hunting Mississippi and Arkansas, I hunted in flooded pea fields, backwater sloughs, and yes, even the timber. There's nothing like being set-up around an opening in a cypress brake with ten minutes prior to shooting light...generally speaking, I'm the best caller in the bunch, so the others defer to my quacks. Reeling in ducks before daylight, then dodging them - yes literally dodging ducks - is the thrill of a lifetime. Maryland and Virginia hunting is just like coastal North Carolina duck hunting. Spartina marsh and buffleheads, plus any surprise. South Carolina is home to more "park mallards" than anywhere else, as the many private impoundment owners raise and release mallards. But, South Carolina has great duck hunting for wood ducks and ringnecks around the Santee Lakes region. The ACE river Basin and Winyah Bay areas are home to good-to-great duck hunting. However, rumors abound of tire-slashers and trailer tongue cutters in Winyah Bay. Still, after all of these, I have some PUBLIC places I want to hunt one day...if I ever had a month away from the office, I would spend it like so:
The USFWS is home to millions of acres of public duck hunting. Sure, there are some crippling regulations that must be weeded and waded through. A lot of times, contacting a refuge enforcement officer can help to solve a lot of mysteries. Keep in mind, these places all have different regs and locations that can and can't be hunted. Scout online by searching for the refuge, then use Google Earth or other GPS programs to finalize some scouting areas. You'll need coordinates for your arrival so that you can scout once you show up to the refuge of your public dreams...
Wilapa Bay in northwest Washington state has always held a special place in my mind. I'm a big fan of Worth Mathewson, a former North Carolinia and current writer. Anyway, he moved to the Pacific Northwest, and has written many stories about the place. One of those was Wilapa Bay. He wrote about the wigeons. There were thousands. He filled a limit after and before walking through marshy much and tule grasses and tule fog. The tule fog is what defines the landscape. When it burns off, there's the Pacific Ocean thrashing a rocky coastline in the distance. Hunting areas at Wilapa Bay are accessible by boat and/or foot. It's worth checking out. And nearby Seattle has good food. Filson is also headquartered up there. Also, when hunting, keep in mind that tidal swings up there are tremendous, and an outgoing tide can leave you high and muddy. There's also a Presidential Proclamation Boundary, so read and check all the regs.
On my western swing, I'd be a fool to pass up on hunting in the Klamath Basin's renowned refuges. The two to make my mind are Tule Lake and Klamath Marsh on the Oregon and California border. The Pacific Flyway has recently enjoyed seasons of more than 100 days! Still, it's THE place for a pintail. Killing a Pacific pintail is like killing an Arkansas mallard. There's also plenty of teal and shovelers, and a chance at a cinnamon teal isn't out of the question. Goose hunting is decent, too, with lots of specks and snows killed by California waterfowlers. The Klamath needs "good" water conditions....good meaning soaked. The marsh hunting is considered good for these areas on wet years. The place can get crowded, but that's generally on the opener and the weekends. Based on their statistics, there were multiple days where NOT A SINGLE hunter ventured into the marshes. Tule Lake is the larger of the two refuges and would require more scouting, but Tule Lake, itself, is about 3 miles across and always has water. Check the regs about hunting an accessing open water. Pockets of private property exist within the boundaries.
No duck hunter has truly lived and hunted until he or she has hunted the Prairie Pothole Region of North Dakota. North Dakota's population is about the size of Wake County, North Carolina. Still, thousands of out-of-state hunters venture there in search of the hordes of ducks that nest and congregate there prior to their southerly migration. On drier years, ducks will concentrate in open water, making for fun shooting. Still, the one gripe about many hunters is that it's not the best place to find a bird in prime plumage, since most hunting is done in October. Still, it's "meat hunt" and the birds are fattened on the grain fields that make up this part of the world. If you want divers, hunt permanent wetlands. If you want dabblers, scout grain fields. If you want geese, look anywhere. I've never been, but they say it's easy hunting. The birds are everywhere. It's the cradle of North America's waterfowl migration, and that alone is worth the trip for serious waterfowlers. The coolest thing about North Dakota is that you can hunt ANYWHERE unless it's posted. The PLOTS program in North Dakota is worth googling, too. Still there are a host of refuges, management areas, and duck production areas worth looking at, too. Some are off limits, but they're the rarity. Still, I'd want to check out the Devils Lake Wetland Management District's refuges. Kellys Slough is the list-topper for me. You're probably going to encounter thousands of birds, all of which will decoy to just a small stool. Mallards are king, but be careful, since many of the drakes are just slipping on their green hoods. I'm looking for someone to go with me to North Dakota, so if you're interested, and not a creep, get in touch! Kellys Slough is near the Grand Forks Air Force Base in northeast North Dakota. This would be the easiest of hunts to scout out and succeed in...
For the big timer who isn't threatened by tall timber, stumps, out of control flood water, and local hunters, the White River NWR near St. Charles, Arkansas is the premiere public refuge for mallards. I've seen this beast. It is truly magnificent to see timber taken over by flowing water. There's a long list of regs and hazards, but getting on the X at the right time can be the most exhilarating 10 minutes of your life when you and five of your closest friends wipe out a limit of mallards. I've seen it, but never hunted it. I wouldn't even attempt it, to be honest, unless I was with a local or a guide for the first time. It's would be easy to get lost, so a GPS, mud motors, and lots of mallard decoys would be needed for survival and success! Still, it's worth it for the entrepreneurial waterfowler.
If you thought the White River was big, confusing, and full of ducks, check out the Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge near Krotz Springs in Louisiana. I've been to cajun country for football games and Mardi Gras, but the Atchafalaya Delta is bigger than both. In fact, it's huge. It's full of brakes and bayous. And those things are full of ducks. Louisiana is the southern terminus of the flyway, so eventually nearly all ducks in the Mississippi Flyway end up here. The Atchafalaya Delta is a maze of canals, creeks, and sloughs, all of which are filled with snags, logs, grass mats, and other flotsam and jetsam. Still, that's not the worst. There are gators. Big ones that love retrievers and will take on a hunter, should he fall over or venture too far out. Generally, hunting season brings cooler water and the gators bury up or stay low in the water where the water temps are warmer, though. Still, many duck hunters have become disoriented in this maze of marsh. But the hunting is phenomenal apparently. Louisiana hunters kill many more ducks than other hunters in other states. You'd need an experienced guide the first go 'round, unless you're brave. A mud motor is needed, too.
I've named only a few of literally hundreds of refuges that offer great public hunting. These are just my favorites. I left off famed places along the Mississippi River, and I long to hunt the famous Pool 9 of the Mississippi in the upper midwest. Gray Wolf Lodge in California is another worthy of note. I'm a diver hunter at heart, but that maybe based on location. All of the places I listed, with the exception of Pool 9, are havens for puddlers, which are fun to call and even better to hunt and eat. I'm just always looking for something different...
The USFWS is home to millions of acres of public duck hunting. Sure, there are some crippling regulations that must be weeded and waded through. A lot of times, contacting a refuge enforcement officer can help to solve a lot of mysteries. Keep in mind, these places all have different regs and locations that can and can't be hunted. Scout online by searching for the refuge, then use Google Earth or other GPS programs to finalize some scouting areas. You'll need coordinates for your arrival so that you can scout once you show up to the refuge of your public dreams...
Wilapa Bay in northwest Washington state has always held a special place in my mind. I'm a big fan of Worth Mathewson, a former North Carolinia and current writer. Anyway, he moved to the Pacific Northwest, and has written many stories about the place. One of those was Wilapa Bay. He wrote about the wigeons. There were thousands. He filled a limit after and before walking through marshy much and tule grasses and tule fog. The tule fog is what defines the landscape. When it burns off, there's the Pacific Ocean thrashing a rocky coastline in the distance. Hunting areas at Wilapa Bay are accessible by boat and/or foot. It's worth checking out. And nearby Seattle has good food. Filson is also headquartered up there. Also, when hunting, keep in mind that tidal swings up there are tremendous, and an outgoing tide can leave you high and muddy. There's also a Presidential Proclamation Boundary, so read and check all the regs.
On my western swing, I'd be a fool to pass up on hunting in the Klamath Basin's renowned refuges. The two to make my mind are Tule Lake and Klamath Marsh on the Oregon and California border. The Pacific Flyway has recently enjoyed seasons of more than 100 days! Still, it's THE place for a pintail. Killing a Pacific pintail is like killing an Arkansas mallard. There's also plenty of teal and shovelers, and a chance at a cinnamon teal isn't out of the question. Goose hunting is decent, too, with lots of specks and snows killed by California waterfowlers. The Klamath needs "good" water conditions....good meaning soaked. The marsh hunting is considered good for these areas on wet years. The place can get crowded, but that's generally on the opener and the weekends. Based on their statistics, there were multiple days where NOT A SINGLE hunter ventured into the marshes. Tule Lake is the larger of the two refuges and would require more scouting, but Tule Lake, itself, is about 3 miles across and always has water. Check the regs about hunting an accessing open water. Pockets of private property exist within the boundaries.
No duck hunter has truly lived and hunted until he or she has hunted the Prairie Pothole Region of North Dakota. North Dakota's population is about the size of Wake County, North Carolina. Still, thousands of out-of-state hunters venture there in search of the hordes of ducks that nest and congregate there prior to their southerly migration. On drier years, ducks will concentrate in open water, making for fun shooting. Still, the one gripe about many hunters is that it's not the best place to find a bird in prime plumage, since most hunting is done in October. Still, it's "meat hunt" and the birds are fattened on the grain fields that make up this part of the world. If you want divers, hunt permanent wetlands. If you want dabblers, scout grain fields. If you want geese, look anywhere. I've never been, but they say it's easy hunting. The birds are everywhere. It's the cradle of North America's waterfowl migration, and that alone is worth the trip for serious waterfowlers. The coolest thing about North Dakota is that you can hunt ANYWHERE unless it's posted. The PLOTS program in North Dakota is worth googling, too. Still there are a host of refuges, management areas, and duck production areas worth looking at, too. Some are off limits, but they're the rarity. Still, I'd want to check out the Devils Lake Wetland Management District's refuges. Kellys Slough is the list-topper for me. You're probably going to encounter thousands of birds, all of which will decoy to just a small stool. Mallards are king, but be careful, since many of the drakes are just slipping on their green hoods. I'm looking for someone to go with me to North Dakota, so if you're interested, and not a creep, get in touch! Kellys Slough is near the Grand Forks Air Force Base in northeast North Dakota. This would be the easiest of hunts to scout out and succeed in...
For the big timer who isn't threatened by tall timber, stumps, out of control flood water, and local hunters, the White River NWR near St. Charles, Arkansas is the premiere public refuge for mallards. I've seen this beast. It is truly magnificent to see timber taken over by flowing water. There's a long list of regs and hazards, but getting on the X at the right time can be the most exhilarating 10 minutes of your life when you and five of your closest friends wipe out a limit of mallards. I've seen it, but never hunted it. I wouldn't even attempt it, to be honest, unless I was with a local or a guide for the first time. It's would be easy to get lost, so a GPS, mud motors, and lots of mallard decoys would be needed for survival and success! Still, it's worth it for the entrepreneurial waterfowler.
If you thought the White River was big, confusing, and full of ducks, check out the Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge near Krotz Springs in Louisiana. I've been to cajun country for football games and Mardi Gras, but the Atchafalaya Delta is bigger than both. In fact, it's huge. It's full of brakes and bayous. And those things are full of ducks. Louisiana is the southern terminus of the flyway, so eventually nearly all ducks in the Mississippi Flyway end up here. The Atchafalaya Delta is a maze of canals, creeks, and sloughs, all of which are filled with snags, logs, grass mats, and other flotsam and jetsam. Still, that's not the worst. There are gators. Big ones that love retrievers and will take on a hunter, should he fall over or venture too far out. Generally, hunting season brings cooler water and the gators bury up or stay low in the water where the water temps are warmer, though. Still, many duck hunters have become disoriented in this maze of marsh. But the hunting is phenomenal apparently. Louisiana hunters kill many more ducks than other hunters in other states. You'd need an experienced guide the first go 'round, unless you're brave. A mud motor is needed, too.
I've named only a few of literally hundreds of refuges that offer great public hunting. These are just my favorites. I left off famed places along the Mississippi River, and I long to hunt the famous Pool 9 of the Mississippi in the upper midwest. Gray Wolf Lodge in California is another worthy of note. I'm a diver hunter at heart, but that maybe based on location. All of the places I listed, with the exception of Pool 9, are havens for puddlers, which are fun to call and even better to hunt and eat. I'm just always looking for something different...
Thursday, February 9, 2012
More Places to Spend Your Money
North Carolina Duck Hunters seem to have an endless supply of cash. Well, not really, but they spend money on duck hunting much quicker than they would any other thing it seems. Childcare payments? If duck hunters could, they put they're child in a pillowed room. Well, probably not. Still, duck hunters, as quick as they are to spend their funds are always looking for an edge when spending there hard-earned money. There's almost always a cheaper way to do things. Still, things have to be done right to prevent additional costs and loss. Most chump change is pushed towards decoys and decoy rigging. I know that's where most of my money goes, not including the boat and it's fuel and maintenance. I have some places I like to frequent, granted their all in cyberspace. Sure, the shipping charges can get you good, but it beats having to ship yourself 60 miles round trip (or more) to a large sporting goods store. Making one trip to the internet for all of your needs beats the heck out of three trips to the Bass Pro Shops...but I do understand that many like to see and touch before they buy. Still, Bass Pro Shops has sticker-swapped and hoodwinked me for the last time. Other than the time the BPS tore down my friends outboard, and then asked him to come get it when they decided they couldn't put it back together and the time when I purchased an 8 pack of grass mats for $60 and then opened the package to reveal one, ONE grass mat stuffed with bubble wrap, my other experiences there haven't been hateful. Just bad. At their rate, shipping from the internet is a much better bargain. Cabelas, though, is still a wonderful store, as is Gander Mountain. Gander Mountain ships for free, but us North Carolina Duck Hunters have to pay sales taxes on the shipments, since Gander Mountain maintains warehouses here. Cabelas regularly has deals that allow for free or reduced shipping when purchasing in large quantities. Gander Mountain gives bulk discounts on decoys, if you're in to buying plastic birds... Here are some of my favorite websites to look at for all hunting supplies. Some just make me wish, but they also give me great ideas. Some are operated by the average hunter, and those websites can be creative and helpful...
Knutsonsdecoys.com is a fantastic midwestern business that sells new, closeout, and reject decoys as well as everything else under the sun. For Christ's Sake you can even get sea gull, cormorant, and snipe decoys from them. Their shipping rates are astronomical, but the prices more than equalize the shipping. I'd call the company when making orders, though, as you can get a better quote on shipping than their website's shipping calculator.
Lockstockbarrell.com is one place that I will probably never make a purchase from unless I hit the lottery. They specialize in the uber-expensive and high quality E. Allen decoys. EA's a re high density two part urethane foam decoys that are tough as nails. You can order unpainted birds, but unless you're a great painter, you want do the foam molds any justice. The molds are highly detailed, with raised feathers from the mandibles to the curls, so unless you've got the skills to paint, order the painted birds when in stock. He also keeps a wad of paint in stock, too. You can also order replacement heads for your old Herter's on occasion.
Doctarilonglines.com is one website where I like to kidnap ideas for my diver hunting. These folks specialize in open water rigging, so you can find all the tarred nylon, decoy flags, mainlines, clips, crimps, and assorted stainless steel giblets available. They're economically priced, but you can still source out the parts from other websites and build the rigs you need based on the kits they sell. I learned virtually everything I know about longlining and gangrigging from these folks. If you don't have the time or patience for sorting out your own rigs, give them a shot.
Mackspw.com is the ultimate big box, online, and storefront for duck hunters. I've been to Stuttgart and entered the store. It is the dream that each of us imagines. They really do have everything. I'm a little disappointed that they cater to deer hunters, since deer hunters are essentially known as January 1 Duck Hunters among North Carolina Duck Hunting circles. They also keep some fishing stuff, as well as turkey hunting supplies. Still, it's catered more towards the Generation X waterfowler and they carry limited supplies of diver decoys. Still, you can get mallard decoys from every maker. They've got decoys that vibrate, gyrate, and emulate mallards. And for those of you who don't know better, you can also pick up a Mojo, should you feel the need. I like their high end Le Chameau rubber boots.
Llbean.com is also a great place for good deals. No, I'm not joking. I take a conservative approach to waterfowl clothing. I dress to be cold or cool, so I don't require all the technical, spandex-y material that's suggested by the best duck hunters on TV. I wear wool. And Maine's top outfitter of outdoor gear carries plenty of it. Wool will even keep you warm when it becomes wet. You don't have to wash it - OK, you can't wash wool - so there's no need to worry with womanly work. LL Bean created the quintessential duck boot, too. Nowadays, Bean boots aren't equipped to handle most waterfowling situations, but they do carry top pf the line waders. They have some cork decoys, which are classic, legendary, and glamorously overpriced. Still, they're collectible AND usable. But you can carve your own much cheaper. Filson.com is a great place to LOOK at nice clothes that will last a lifetime. I have one Guide Sweater from there and I wear it straight from the boat to the office. McAlister makes fine clothes, too, and they're cheaper than Filson. I have several McAlister sweaters and coats. However, they've been purchased by a mallard shooting company, so I will not post that address here.
Fws.gov is the last website I'll list. Still, it may be the most important. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is the gateway to public duck hunting for all free lancers. I've built my lifelist of places to hunt based on this website. Information on all refuges is available, as well as Duck Production Areas. Most refuges allow some type of waterfowl hunting. Reading and understanding any and all permits, user fees, and regulations is paramount to capitalizing on the wealth of available land that's open to hunters. Unless you own a private impoundment or a large body of water, it's beneficial to learn your way around this site. It's full of ideas - but you can spend a lot of money on a freelancer's trip to anywhere in the world. I'm looking for the perfect duck hunting companion to go with me on my trans-country tour, wear I'll hit up the Horicon Marsh, Devils Lake, and Wilapa Bay refuges. On the southern swing of my journey, I hope to hunt the Klamath, Suisun, and Bayou Meto refuges. It's an ambitious undertaking! The North East tour, as I have called it, will visit Brigantine Bay, Bombay Hook, and Back Bay. Well, not Back Bay - it's a zoo!
Knutsonsdecoys.com is a fantastic midwestern business that sells new, closeout, and reject decoys as well as everything else under the sun. For Christ's Sake you can even get sea gull, cormorant, and snipe decoys from them. Their shipping rates are astronomical, but the prices more than equalize the shipping. I'd call the company when making orders, though, as you can get a better quote on shipping than their website's shipping calculator.
Lockstockbarrell.com is one place that I will probably never make a purchase from unless I hit the lottery. They specialize in the uber-expensive and high quality E. Allen decoys. EA's a re high density two part urethane foam decoys that are tough as nails. You can order unpainted birds, but unless you're a great painter, you want do the foam molds any justice. The molds are highly detailed, with raised feathers from the mandibles to the curls, so unless you've got the skills to paint, order the painted birds when in stock. He also keeps a wad of paint in stock, too. You can also order replacement heads for your old Herter's on occasion.
Doctarilonglines.com is one website where I like to kidnap ideas for my diver hunting. These folks specialize in open water rigging, so you can find all the tarred nylon, decoy flags, mainlines, clips, crimps, and assorted stainless steel giblets available. They're economically priced, but you can still source out the parts from other websites and build the rigs you need based on the kits they sell. I learned virtually everything I know about longlining and gangrigging from these folks. If you don't have the time or patience for sorting out your own rigs, give them a shot.
Mackspw.com is the ultimate big box, online, and storefront for duck hunters. I've been to Stuttgart and entered the store. It is the dream that each of us imagines. They really do have everything. I'm a little disappointed that they cater to deer hunters, since deer hunters are essentially known as January 1 Duck Hunters among North Carolina Duck Hunting circles. They also keep some fishing stuff, as well as turkey hunting supplies. Still, it's catered more towards the Generation X waterfowler and they carry limited supplies of diver decoys. Still, you can get mallard decoys from every maker. They've got decoys that vibrate, gyrate, and emulate mallards. And for those of you who don't know better, you can also pick up a Mojo, should you feel the need. I like their high end Le Chameau rubber boots.
Llbean.com is also a great place for good deals. No, I'm not joking. I take a conservative approach to waterfowl clothing. I dress to be cold or cool, so I don't require all the technical, spandex-y material that's suggested by the best duck hunters on TV. I wear wool. And Maine's top outfitter of outdoor gear carries plenty of it. Wool will even keep you warm when it becomes wet. You don't have to wash it - OK, you can't wash wool - so there's no need to worry with womanly work. LL Bean created the quintessential duck boot, too. Nowadays, Bean boots aren't equipped to handle most waterfowling situations, but they do carry top pf the line waders. They have some cork decoys, which are classic, legendary, and glamorously overpriced. Still, they're collectible AND usable. But you can carve your own much cheaper. Filson.com is a great place to LOOK at nice clothes that will last a lifetime. I have one Guide Sweater from there and I wear it straight from the boat to the office. McAlister makes fine clothes, too, and they're cheaper than Filson. I have several McAlister sweaters and coats. However, they've been purchased by a mallard shooting company, so I will not post that address here.
Fws.gov is the last website I'll list. Still, it may be the most important. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is the gateway to public duck hunting for all free lancers. I've built my lifelist of places to hunt based on this website. Information on all refuges is available, as well as Duck Production Areas. Most refuges allow some type of waterfowl hunting. Reading and understanding any and all permits, user fees, and regulations is paramount to capitalizing on the wealth of available land that's open to hunters. Unless you own a private impoundment or a large body of water, it's beneficial to learn your way around this site. It's full of ideas - but you can spend a lot of money on a freelancer's trip to anywhere in the world. I'm looking for the perfect duck hunting companion to go with me on my trans-country tour, wear I'll hit up the Horicon Marsh, Devils Lake, and Wilapa Bay refuges. On the southern swing of my journey, I hope to hunt the Klamath, Suisun, and Bayou Meto refuges. It's an ambitious undertaking! The North East tour, as I have called it, will visit Brigantine Bay, Bombay Hook, and Back Bay. Well, not Back Bay - it's a zoo!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Arguments over Guns
Other than duck blind laws, duck hunters have little to argue over. Some argue over decoy spread set-up, others argue over the best outboards. Some argue over the best ducks. In all honesty, most decoy spread don't matter as long as you're not using mallards in my presence. The best duck is a dead one in the bag. The best outboard is one that leaves and returns to the ramp, under it's own power. But one argument, especially lately, has been brought to my attention and living room recently. It's over guns. Not gun control or chokes or loads. It's the brand names. What I'm about to share is clearly my own personal opinion. If I offend you, I half-heartedly apologize, fellow North Carolina Duck Hunters.
Recently, I've had several hunting partners decide to invest in their very own full-time gun. When hunters first become duck hunters, they start out with a loaner gun. Generally it's a relic from papa's closet. Rarely is it an A-5 Humpback, but an old 870 by Remington. I have friends in my party that swear by their own gun's brand name. One believes Mossberg's are the best. Others say Remington. One says Browning is the best. To me, the argument is easily settled. I've always shot a Remington 1100 or 11-87. I've killed more birds than anyone and every bird they kill is a result of my hard work and intelligence, so I absolutely must be right. I'm not going to try to rank the guns, but instead try to describe the people that use certain brands and what brands are generally shot by certain types of people.
Remington - Remington is the standard in America's duck blinds. Whether it's the 870 pump, the 1100 semi-auto, or the 11-87 semi-auto, Americans shoot Remington. It's a lot like the Ford or Chevy. If I were to wager a bet, it would be that the 870 has killed more ducks than any other gun around. It's also the gun that probably has received the most abuse from it's owners. In fact, other manufacturer's like to insist that their guns, too, can be used as a boat paddle, but it's the 870 that has been used as a paddle, battering ram, wading stick, and an effective weapon in the war against waterfowl. It's tough and ugly, a lot like you're first love. Remington's are shot by people who want reliable performance and could careless about stylish lines. These are the people that wear wool socks and hardware store-brand camouflage hats. They drive American trucks. They also use their Remington for more than ducks. These people are utilitarians.
Winchester - Winchester is the more sophisticated big brother of the Remington. People appreciate it's nostalgia and it's ease of use. In the first part of the 20th century, Winchester occupied as many duck blinds as the Remington. The Model 12 pump gun is as reliable as any out there. If Remington is the Chevrolet, Winchester is the GMC of the firearm world. The people that shoot Winchesters are generally proud of their gun, but not enough to brag. They will announce the brand name each time they remove it from the gun sleeve, though. Winchester-ers are shot by people who like to eat while they duck hunt. They pack sandwiches and chips for their duck hunts...not prepackaged stuff like Deviled Ham or Jerky. Sometimes standoff-ish, these people are proud of their gun, but not enough to brag. They'll talk about how long they have had it and not what all they have put it through.
Brownings - These guns are purchased by those, in my opinion, who want a strong brand name. Brownings perform well, but Brownings are also built a little differently. Classic Belgium Brownings are beautiful and functional. Today, Brownings, in my opinion, are almost gimmicky. Ejecting shells from the bottom, hammer positioned safeties, and blah, blah, blah. The people that buy these are also the people who might be caught driving a Prius and buying their decoy spreads from Ducks Unlimited Banquets. Browning's are those who do things against the grain - but not for practicality. They buy a Browning for the sole purpose of not wanting to buy anything else. A Browning, to me, isn't a good alternative to anything. I'd love to have one - don't get me wrong! It just wouldn't replace my Remington 11-87. Maybe people buy it for the complimentary "Buckmark" sticker...but those are sold at any sporting goods store on the impulse aisle. Nevertheless, Brownings are good guns but the people that buy them are usually passive-aggressive and likely to not leave a tip at restaurants.
Beretta's - The alternative to a Benelli, a Beretta is a fine gun that is carried by those who either got one as a gift or by those who don't have a duck boat. It seems to me that people who can afford these guns do so at the expense of something else. The money they saved by not buying a boat was shifted to the Beretta. I know one gentleman with a Beretta AND a boat. And the boat is bad-to-the-bone. He's an exception. Beretta's generally appeal to those older gentlemen who have a good paying job or are self-employed. Older folks do tote these guns. Whether it's a classic twin bore or a smooth shooting semi, these guns are made for people who want to rely on the gun to do it's job. Not the other way around. I'd have one, but I have a duck boat.
Benelli - Benelli's are most likely to be found by those who can't shoot worth a flip. Used by virtually every famous professional duck hunter, these guns are advertised as the ultimate tool in the duck hunter's arsenal. They can even cycle 3.5 inch shells. Everytime. But I shoot a twenty gauge 2.75" shell, so I need not to own such a manly-man's gun. Today's Generation X goose hunters and duck hunters have been led to believe that the gun is the most important part of the hunt. Sorry kids, it's the aim. Filling the sky with twice the amount of steel than produced by a twenty gauge load doesn't make you a good shot, it makes you an inefficient killer. Generally, Benelli's are shot by braggarts or twenty-somethings. I'm both, but I don't shoot a Benelli. Benelli's are most often bought by people who actually don't hunt that often, yet want to ensure that they have a big gun with a reliable action when they do go afield. These guys also think that the Benelli is an automatic upgrade on the man card.
Mossberg's - Mossberg's are traditionally bought by people who want a bargain gun at a bargain price. Yep, the Marine's use them. They're tough. They're uglier than your first love. They rarely malfunction, but never function comfortably. They kick horrendously. They don't shoulder well. Did I mention they were ugly? They are the ultimate utilitarian gun. People who buy Mossberg's like to brag on how hard and tough there guns are, but people who shoot Mossbergs always, ALWAYS, wear white brief underwear - and usually generic. It's practical, right? They also don't use a brush - they use combs. There cars and trucks have cloth seats - or vinyl. And they are never heated. Personally, I never liked them. I'm not discerning, but I am appreicative of a nice looking gun that is soft on my shoulder.
I'm sure I left some out. If you shoot a Charles Daly, it's because you have nothing else. If you shoot a Parker, it's because you can. Same for a Merkel. Bertuzzi's and the like are shot by those who prefer to shoot their ducks from the comfort of a heated blind surrounded by escargot and Argentinian Bird Boys. you can tell a lot about people based on their guns. Some people say that lazy people shoot an 870. You don't HAVE to clean them...you can just shuck the rust right off. Either way, guns are a personal item. Often times, they are the only thing that will constantly occupy you on a duck hunt. Get one you like and disregard what I mentioned above...it's just how I see things.
Recently, I've had several hunting partners decide to invest in their very own full-time gun. When hunters first become duck hunters, they start out with a loaner gun. Generally it's a relic from papa's closet. Rarely is it an A-5 Humpback, but an old 870 by Remington. I have friends in my party that swear by their own gun's brand name. One believes Mossberg's are the best. Others say Remington. One says Browning is the best. To me, the argument is easily settled. I've always shot a Remington 1100 or 11-87. I've killed more birds than anyone and every bird they kill is a result of my hard work and intelligence, so I absolutely must be right. I'm not going to try to rank the guns, but instead try to describe the people that use certain brands and what brands are generally shot by certain types of people.
Remington - Remington is the standard in America's duck blinds. Whether it's the 870 pump, the 1100 semi-auto, or the 11-87 semi-auto, Americans shoot Remington. It's a lot like the Ford or Chevy. If I were to wager a bet, it would be that the 870 has killed more ducks than any other gun around. It's also the gun that probably has received the most abuse from it's owners. In fact, other manufacturer's like to insist that their guns, too, can be used as a boat paddle, but it's the 870 that has been used as a paddle, battering ram, wading stick, and an effective weapon in the war against waterfowl. It's tough and ugly, a lot like you're first love. Remington's are shot by people who want reliable performance and could careless about stylish lines. These are the people that wear wool socks and hardware store-brand camouflage hats. They drive American trucks. They also use their Remington for more than ducks. These people are utilitarians.
Winchester - Winchester is the more sophisticated big brother of the Remington. People appreciate it's nostalgia and it's ease of use. In the first part of the 20th century, Winchester occupied as many duck blinds as the Remington. The Model 12 pump gun is as reliable as any out there. If Remington is the Chevrolet, Winchester is the GMC of the firearm world. The people that shoot Winchesters are generally proud of their gun, but not enough to brag. They will announce the brand name each time they remove it from the gun sleeve, though. Winchester-ers are shot by people who like to eat while they duck hunt. They pack sandwiches and chips for their duck hunts...not prepackaged stuff like Deviled Ham or Jerky. Sometimes standoff-ish, these people are proud of their gun, but not enough to brag. They'll talk about how long they have had it and not what all they have put it through.
Brownings - These guns are purchased by those, in my opinion, who want a strong brand name. Brownings perform well, but Brownings are also built a little differently. Classic Belgium Brownings are beautiful and functional. Today, Brownings, in my opinion, are almost gimmicky. Ejecting shells from the bottom, hammer positioned safeties, and blah, blah, blah. The people that buy these are also the people who might be caught driving a Prius and buying their decoy spreads from Ducks Unlimited Banquets. Browning's are those who do things against the grain - but not for practicality. They buy a Browning for the sole purpose of not wanting to buy anything else. A Browning, to me, isn't a good alternative to anything. I'd love to have one - don't get me wrong! It just wouldn't replace my Remington 11-87. Maybe people buy it for the complimentary "Buckmark" sticker...but those are sold at any sporting goods store on the impulse aisle. Nevertheless, Brownings are good guns but the people that buy them are usually passive-aggressive and likely to not leave a tip at restaurants.
Beretta's - The alternative to a Benelli, a Beretta is a fine gun that is carried by those who either got one as a gift or by those who don't have a duck boat. It seems to me that people who can afford these guns do so at the expense of something else. The money they saved by not buying a boat was shifted to the Beretta. I know one gentleman with a Beretta AND a boat. And the boat is bad-to-the-bone. He's an exception. Beretta's generally appeal to those older gentlemen who have a good paying job or are self-employed. Older folks do tote these guns. Whether it's a classic twin bore or a smooth shooting semi, these guns are made for people who want to rely on the gun to do it's job. Not the other way around. I'd have one, but I have a duck boat.
Benelli - Benelli's are most likely to be found by those who can't shoot worth a flip. Used by virtually every famous professional duck hunter, these guns are advertised as the ultimate tool in the duck hunter's arsenal. They can even cycle 3.5 inch shells. Everytime. But I shoot a twenty gauge 2.75" shell, so I need not to own such a manly-man's gun. Today's Generation X goose hunters and duck hunters have been led to believe that the gun is the most important part of the hunt. Sorry kids, it's the aim. Filling the sky with twice the amount of steel than produced by a twenty gauge load doesn't make you a good shot, it makes you an inefficient killer. Generally, Benelli's are shot by braggarts or twenty-somethings. I'm both, but I don't shoot a Benelli. Benelli's are most often bought by people who actually don't hunt that often, yet want to ensure that they have a big gun with a reliable action when they do go afield. These guys also think that the Benelli is an automatic upgrade on the man card.
Mossberg's - Mossberg's are traditionally bought by people who want a bargain gun at a bargain price. Yep, the Marine's use them. They're tough. They're uglier than your first love. They rarely malfunction, but never function comfortably. They kick horrendously. They don't shoulder well. Did I mention they were ugly? They are the ultimate utilitarian gun. People who buy Mossberg's like to brag on how hard and tough there guns are, but people who shoot Mossbergs always, ALWAYS, wear white brief underwear - and usually generic. It's practical, right? They also don't use a brush - they use combs. There cars and trucks have cloth seats - or vinyl. And they are never heated. Personally, I never liked them. I'm not discerning, but I am appreicative of a nice looking gun that is soft on my shoulder.
I'm sure I left some out. If you shoot a Charles Daly, it's because you have nothing else. If you shoot a Parker, it's because you can. Same for a Merkel. Bertuzzi's and the like are shot by those who prefer to shoot their ducks from the comfort of a heated blind surrounded by escargot and Argentinian Bird Boys. you can tell a lot about people based on their guns. Some people say that lazy people shoot an 870. You don't HAVE to clean them...you can just shuck the rust right off. Either way, guns are a personal item. Often times, they are the only thing that will constantly occupy you on a duck hunt. Get one you like and disregard what I mentioned above...it's just how I see things.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Species Profile: Ruddy Duck
Ruddy Ducks are my favorite of the "little" divers. Buffleheads are really the only other option I suppose, so the favoritism boils down to table fare. Ruddy Ducks, often called "boobies" are often overlooked when it comes to sporting quality and table fare. Ruddy ducks are rarely seen on the wing. Generally, they just appear from the depths into any stool of decoys. I wonder how they avoid those decoy lines? Either way, I never bagged a ruddy duck this year...but last year they were plentiful. Of course, that can be blamed on Mother Nature's warm spirit this season.
Ruddy Ducks are small-ish ducks. They generally weigh in at around 1.5 pounds. I have never seen one in flight, but I would imagine it is similar to that of a bufflehead, since they are both relatively the same size. Small and bubble-shaped, Ruddy Ducks are said to be good table fare...and I agree. I've only bagged around 10 of them...generally, my friends take home the birds and eat them, but I always like to try the first of a species. Ruddy Ducks primarily eat vegetation (about 70%) and small insects and crustaceans (15% and 15% respectively). It's the animal life that they ingest that makes them less desirable. However, it's common that most of our North Carolina Ruddy Ducks feed on plant life. They are most often found on open water stretches, where animal life has a hard time staying in a certain location...winds and waves tote those things right away. Most of the ruddies I've bagged came from areas loaded with shoal grass. Most aquatic vegetation is high in protein, which allows for duck, even Ruddy Ducks, to pack on the muscle. Most of our birds are on the lean side, but in concentrations of shoal grasses, ruddy ducks will stay put and not venture too far away. This allows them to also add a nice fat layer. Ruddy Ducks were once only bested by Canvasbacks and Redheads when it came to market prices.
A look at some of North Carolina's most famous decoys...especially those by Lee Dudley (who is said to have carved the best heads ever to be placed on a duck decoy) show that Ruddy Ducks became popular early in the 20th century. There are lots of old Ruddy Duck decoys in circulation from that era - and most are from Currituck County, North Carolina. One of the primary reasons that so many exist is that there were so many carved. In the olden times, sink box hunters would deploy several hundred decoys. Most times, the stool consisted of several dozen cans, several dozen redheads, 20 geese, 2 swans (or a few, anyway), and then 200 ruddy ducks. Coots were also used by some, but I'm talking about ruddy ducks, so I'm using Ruddy Ducks in this equation. The swan and goose decoys were both confidence decoys and "hiders" of the sink box. The Ruddy Ducks were also confidence decoys. Ruddy Ducks usually existed only in large rafts...so a large raft of fakes was needed...it also helped to bring in the big ducks, too. Yet, with the punt and battery guns, a pile of decoying ruddy ducks could be harvested...
When market gunners realized how many they could kill, they had to create a market for them. One famous gunner and outfitter took a box load of Ruddy Ducks and served them to a New York-owned Duck Club. The Club was also being recruited as clients to Currituck, so the visit was two pronged. Nevertheless, all of the diners believed the ducks were as good as the much-heralded canvasback. Ruddy Ducks brought as much as $4 per pair...and while the canvasbacks went for up to $8 per pair, it was the Ruddy Ducks diminutive size that kept it from higher prices.
There's nothing glamrous about the Ruddy Duck. North Carolina hunters rarely see them in "full" plumage, since Ruddy Ducks truly wait until the spring for spring plumage. Both sexes are fairly similar, even in January. A stiff, upright set of tail feathers is the first identifying marker. Both species are chocolate brown with gray highlights. The cheeks are a much lighter gray. Spring plumage on the males is brilliant and unique - with a powder blue bill and a rusty red body!
Ruddy Ducks are fun to pursue and cook. Generally, when present, the swim into decoys. Also, to avoid danger, Ruddy Ducks will dive instead of fly. I watched one dodge a bald eagle for 30 minutes, simply by diving. When I have flushed them from my decoy spread, they dove...never flying. Still, both the eagle and I won in our pursuit.
Ruddy Ducks are small-ish ducks. They generally weigh in at around 1.5 pounds. I have never seen one in flight, but I would imagine it is similar to that of a bufflehead, since they are both relatively the same size. Small and bubble-shaped, Ruddy Ducks are said to be good table fare...and I agree. I've only bagged around 10 of them...generally, my friends take home the birds and eat them, but I always like to try the first of a species. Ruddy Ducks primarily eat vegetation (about 70%) and small insects and crustaceans (15% and 15% respectively). It's the animal life that they ingest that makes them less desirable. However, it's common that most of our North Carolina Ruddy Ducks feed on plant life. They are most often found on open water stretches, where animal life has a hard time staying in a certain location...winds and waves tote those things right away. Most of the ruddies I've bagged came from areas loaded with shoal grass. Most aquatic vegetation is high in protein, which allows for duck, even Ruddy Ducks, to pack on the muscle. Most of our birds are on the lean side, but in concentrations of shoal grasses, ruddy ducks will stay put and not venture too far away. This allows them to also add a nice fat layer. Ruddy Ducks were once only bested by Canvasbacks and Redheads when it came to market prices.
A look at some of North Carolina's most famous decoys...especially those by Lee Dudley (who is said to have carved the best heads ever to be placed on a duck decoy) show that Ruddy Ducks became popular early in the 20th century. There are lots of old Ruddy Duck decoys in circulation from that era - and most are from Currituck County, North Carolina. One of the primary reasons that so many exist is that there were so many carved. In the olden times, sink box hunters would deploy several hundred decoys. Most times, the stool consisted of several dozen cans, several dozen redheads, 20 geese, 2 swans (or a few, anyway), and then 200 ruddy ducks. Coots were also used by some, but I'm talking about ruddy ducks, so I'm using Ruddy Ducks in this equation. The swan and goose decoys were both confidence decoys and "hiders" of the sink box. The Ruddy Ducks were also confidence decoys. Ruddy Ducks usually existed only in large rafts...so a large raft of fakes was needed...it also helped to bring in the big ducks, too. Yet, with the punt and battery guns, a pile of decoying ruddy ducks could be harvested...
When market gunners realized how many they could kill, they had to create a market for them. One famous gunner and outfitter took a box load of Ruddy Ducks and served them to a New York-owned Duck Club. The Club was also being recruited as clients to Currituck, so the visit was two pronged. Nevertheless, all of the diners believed the ducks were as good as the much-heralded canvasback. Ruddy Ducks brought as much as $4 per pair...and while the canvasbacks went for up to $8 per pair, it was the Ruddy Ducks diminutive size that kept it from higher prices.
There's nothing glamrous about the Ruddy Duck. North Carolina hunters rarely see them in "full" plumage, since Ruddy Ducks truly wait until the spring for spring plumage. Both sexes are fairly similar, even in January. A stiff, upright set of tail feathers is the first identifying marker. Both species are chocolate brown with gray highlights. The cheeks are a much lighter gray. Spring plumage on the males is brilliant and unique - with a powder blue bill and a rusty red body!
Ruddy Ducks are fun to pursue and cook. Generally, when present, the swim into decoys. Also, to avoid danger, Ruddy Ducks will dive instead of fly. I watched one dodge a bald eagle for 30 minutes, simply by diving. When I have flushed them from my decoy spread, they dove...never flying. Still, both the eagle and I won in our pursuit.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Youth Waterfowl Day
Youth Waterfowl Day in North Carolina is a special day! It's the one sure way that we, the promoters of the sport, can ensure it's legacy. We have some incumbent duties, as elders, to take our kid, or some other kid. We absolutely must show them the proper ways of waterfowl hunting. We must let them carry the decoys and fall in the knee deep water. We must ensure that they have the correct shells and that we don't encourage skybusting. Too many teenager these days are getting into trouble by not getting in the woods. Still, some have raised eyebrows across the state by hunting - several have been caught hunting over bait and trespassing. In a greedy sport, it's on us to say "Hey, it's just a duck...no big deal." But that's tough to do.
Youth Day, though, is also a day when many tickets are written to adults for also being "greedy." Many adults have been caught hunting without a child on this weekend. The best way to have something eliminated is to ensure that it causes problems. Also, many adults will be ticketed for shooting cripples. First of all, adults cannot possess the gun. Ever. Second of all, let the child endure this responsibility. It teaches perseverance and sportsmanship. If the cripple isn't recovered, make certain that it is counted towards the bag limit. Odds are, you really don't need 15 coots, anyway. Or 6 buffleheads or 6 ruddy ducks.Third of all, it's just a duck...no big deal.
There are also tales of hunters who have shot "flying" cripples. I have heard this excuse from a horse's mouth. It's hunting out of season, setting a bad example, and showing your child that you will take care of all of their mistakes, whether legal, moral, or neither. It's just a freaking duck...it really is not that big of a deal. Personally, I enjoy seeing children shoot, then troubleshoot their shooting problems. It's the only way they will learn. And if you can't do that for them, well, then you don't deserve to teach them at all.
There are lot's of opportunities on Youth Waterfowl Day to locate a good place. Many impoundment owners in Hyde County offer youth hunting for free...all in conjunction with a Hunter's Helping Kids program. Locate the local chapter chair of this organization for details. Also, most state game lands are open for youth hunting on the Youth Waterfowl Day. However, these places are crowded and are often a great place to see bad sportsmanship. Currituck and Dare County duck clubs also offer youth hunting. You'd want to contact respective county for information...they may or may not know who to put you in touch with, but that's a good start. Pamlico County duck clubs also offer such hunting opportunities, so if you know someone from down there, it might be a good idea to call them. Also, calling the local NCWRC wildlife officer might lead to some good information.
Whatever you decide to do, please, PLEASE, make sure that first and foremost that the hunting opportunity is safe and ethically carried out. Limits can come any day, but they never come every day. Make sure that kids understand these things. Teach them to take responsible shots, too. Often, these shots are more responsible than the ones you have taken at birds. Take plenty of snacks and a change of clothes, just in case the inevitable happens. If the hunting gets slow, pick up and go...don't let boredom bring down a hunt. And after picking up...start a tradition - go for a biscuit at the local Heat-And-Eat. Upon returning home, encourage a little help cleaning up, then let naps rule the rest of the morning. Hunting is supposed to be easy and fun. Us adults take it far to serious sometimes - I can prove this by showing my credit card statement - it shows what I buy (gear) and when I buy it (coffee at 3:00am). Getting up early is part of the sport. But camping out at the boat ramp is ridiculous. After all, it's just a duck and it's no big deal. Unless it's a double-banded canvasback drake.
Youth Day, though, is also a day when many tickets are written to adults for also being "greedy." Many adults have been caught hunting without a child on this weekend. The best way to have something eliminated is to ensure that it causes problems. Also, many adults will be ticketed for shooting cripples. First of all, adults cannot possess the gun. Ever. Second of all, let the child endure this responsibility. It teaches perseverance and sportsmanship. If the cripple isn't recovered, make certain that it is counted towards the bag limit. Odds are, you really don't need 15 coots, anyway. Or 6 buffleheads or 6 ruddy ducks.Third of all, it's just a duck...no big deal.
There are also tales of hunters who have shot "flying" cripples. I have heard this excuse from a horse's mouth. It's hunting out of season, setting a bad example, and showing your child that you will take care of all of their mistakes, whether legal, moral, or neither. It's just a freaking duck...it really is not that big of a deal. Personally, I enjoy seeing children shoot, then troubleshoot their shooting problems. It's the only way they will learn. And if you can't do that for them, well, then you don't deserve to teach them at all.
There are lot's of opportunities on Youth Waterfowl Day to locate a good place. Many impoundment owners in Hyde County offer youth hunting for free...all in conjunction with a Hunter's Helping Kids program. Locate the local chapter chair of this organization for details. Also, most state game lands are open for youth hunting on the Youth Waterfowl Day. However, these places are crowded and are often a great place to see bad sportsmanship. Currituck and Dare County duck clubs also offer youth hunting. You'd want to contact respective county for information...they may or may not know who to put you in touch with, but that's a good start. Pamlico County duck clubs also offer such hunting opportunities, so if you know someone from down there, it might be a good idea to call them. Also, calling the local NCWRC wildlife officer might lead to some good information.
Whatever you decide to do, please, PLEASE, make sure that first and foremost that the hunting opportunity is safe and ethically carried out. Limits can come any day, but they never come every day. Make sure that kids understand these things. Teach them to take responsible shots, too. Often, these shots are more responsible than the ones you have taken at birds. Take plenty of snacks and a change of clothes, just in case the inevitable happens. If the hunting gets slow, pick up and go...don't let boredom bring down a hunt. And after picking up...start a tradition - go for a biscuit at the local Heat-And-Eat. Upon returning home, encourage a little help cleaning up, then let naps rule the rest of the morning. Hunting is supposed to be easy and fun. Us adults take it far to serious sometimes - I can prove this by showing my credit card statement - it shows what I buy (gear) and when I buy it (coffee at 3:00am). Getting up early is part of the sport. But camping out at the boat ramp is ridiculous. After all, it's just a duck and it's no big deal. Unless it's a double-banded canvasback drake.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Decoy Weights
Decoys are easily my favorite part of duck hunting. I love buying new ones, restoring old ones, carving cork ones, and looking at fine ones. After actual possession of the decoy, most of the fun, though, is gone. Now I do enjoy deploying them. But, as far as rigging them with line and weights - I hate that mess. There are a couple of rules when it comes to rigging decoys. To retain your possession, you absolutely must have (a) line that is long enough to touch the bottom at a 45 degree angle from the decoy and (b) have a heavy enough anchor to hold it in place. Once these two standards are met, the rest is up to the personal preference of the decoy owner.
Personally, I hate plastic decoys because they are a poor investment. Purchasing something that is guaranteed to sink after an errant pellet strike just doesn't make sense. Still, I but plastic for a few scenarios...when I need hundreds or when carving or foamers just aren't effective. However, when it comes to rigging them, they are the most convenient when it comes to line and weight storage. Most plastic decoys are designed so that the decoy line can be wrapped around the keel - which keeps it nice and knot-free. Depending on the weight's style, there are a number of ways it can be stored. I use J shaped anchors with a rubber stretchee cord to hold it in place - it just locks on to one end of the keel. Some people like the strap or bar style weights - and they'll wrap them around the head. That's semi-effective, but it will rub the paint off the neck. The anchors might also drag on the surface in a hard blow, sine they are flat. The J-shaped offer some resistance to wind and currents. The J-shaped anchors are about twice the price. But, it's cheaper in the long run. I bought every anchor under the sun for a plastic decoy. But the j-shaped anchors with stretchee cords virtually guarantee not to knot while on the decoy. The j-shaped anchors, though, can snag on lots of things, including other decoy lines while you retrieve decoys from the water. Overall, though, they are good on the paint, not bound to knot, and easy to store. If you buy these first (I believe under the Ace Anchor brand name), you'll never know the joys of watching decoys float away and untangling knots while the fakes are still in the bag.
I don't want to spend to much time on Texas Rigging decoys. You can buy the kits from major catalogue brands. Rig 'em Right makes the best, if you want my opinion. However, you can also visit a coastal tackle shop and pick up 2.0 mm clear monofilament, 4 ounce egg sinkers, 2.2 mm double barreled crimps, a crimping tool, and scissor. Most egg sinkers will have to be drilled to accomodate the mono. Either way, you crimp a two inch loop in one end, slide the egg sinker on the loose end, then slide the loose end through the hole on the decoy. At that point, crimp another 2 inch loop on the other end to keep it sliding back through the hole in the keel. It's pretty simple, despite how confusing I made it sound. Egg sinkers will drag a little, but I use them within impoundments and shallow freshwater ponds. The overall length of each line can be from1 foot to almost 5 foot - it just depends on how deep the water is where you would intend to use them. When I do use them in tidal areas, I can stomp the egg weight into the sand so that it will hold a little better.
Some decoys, especially if you maintain a stand of Herter's, Restle's, or any self carved, the decoys more than likely either don't have a keel, or have a keel that can't store line. In that case, most hunters would just wrap the line around the widest part of the body - usually the belly - and then save the last foot or so to wrap around the neck. Depending on the anchor you have, you'll have some options. Some of us are lucky enough to have found some old Herter's neck collar weights. After wrapping the decoy line around the decoy, the weight goes over the head and rests on the neck. Not tangle-proof, but good enough. Some people melt their own led to replicate this style. Others will melt it in muffin tins and place and aluminum wire or cable into a loop and then into the tin. The loop also makes a neck collar! Window weights are great because they are heavy. Window weights primary downfall is that they are heavy. When I say heavy, I mean like 4 pounds and up. Not ideal for walking in. Still, I like the window weights because the slim weight will fit down the side of the body once a decoy is in a slotted bag. But twelve 4 pound weights makes for a tough haul. Still, they're great if you have them. What I do, though, is take 12 inch segments of mono, place two 3 ounce egg sinkers on it, then crimp the loose ends together, making a futuristic looking neck collar. It's part function, part cheap - but quality - fix. It goes right over the head but the monofilament won't scratch or dent the decoy head or paint like an iron neck collar would. The crimp, though, could cause some scratching.
Nevertheless, there's hundreds of ways to anchor your decoys. Just make sure the line is long enough, and the anchor is heavy enough. There's cannonballs, bank sinkers, egg sinkers, coin sinkers, and pyramid sinkers - all available from 1 ounce to 64 ounces. I generally like to keep my anchors at about 6 ounces, though. I do have one alternative for single decoy lines, though. I pour concrete into 12 ounce cups...the result is a 3 pound anchor with a sharp lip to drag. I rarely use these, but they are cheap and easy to make. Eighty pounds of concrete mix is about $7. For a tie off point in the anchor, I stick a swivel or 5 inch fishing clip into the wet mix. Once cured, it's in there for good. Concrete, though, will crumble and suffer if left in salt water over a long period of time. Generally, my decoys are in the water a maximum of 5 hours. If I were setting a permanent spread, I would definitely use sailboat - or storm - anchors. They never, ever move. Come spring time, you'll have to dive down and dig them up, though. But permanent decoys spreads are lazy and effective only on migrating birds. Eventually, the local birds will view that spread as it would any other fixed item...items such as channel markers and buoys.
Anyway, there's a lot of heavy stuff out there. When picking an anchor, I determine how easy will it store, will it CAUSE knotting, and will it drag...those are my basic three factors...
Personally, I hate plastic decoys because they are a poor investment. Purchasing something that is guaranteed to sink after an errant pellet strike just doesn't make sense. Still, I but plastic for a few scenarios...when I need hundreds or when carving or foamers just aren't effective. However, when it comes to rigging them, they are the most convenient when it comes to line and weight storage. Most plastic decoys are designed so that the decoy line can be wrapped around the keel - which keeps it nice and knot-free. Depending on the weight's style, there are a number of ways it can be stored. I use J shaped anchors with a rubber stretchee cord to hold it in place - it just locks on to one end of the keel. Some people like the strap or bar style weights - and they'll wrap them around the head. That's semi-effective, but it will rub the paint off the neck. The anchors might also drag on the surface in a hard blow, sine they are flat. The J-shaped offer some resistance to wind and currents. The J-shaped anchors are about twice the price. But, it's cheaper in the long run. I bought every anchor under the sun for a plastic decoy. But the j-shaped anchors with stretchee cords virtually guarantee not to knot while on the decoy. The j-shaped anchors, though, can snag on lots of things, including other decoy lines while you retrieve decoys from the water. Overall, though, they are good on the paint, not bound to knot, and easy to store. If you buy these first (I believe under the Ace Anchor brand name), you'll never know the joys of watching decoys float away and untangling knots while the fakes are still in the bag.
I don't want to spend to much time on Texas Rigging decoys. You can buy the kits from major catalogue brands. Rig 'em Right makes the best, if you want my opinion. However, you can also visit a coastal tackle shop and pick up 2.0 mm clear monofilament, 4 ounce egg sinkers, 2.2 mm double barreled crimps, a crimping tool, and scissor. Most egg sinkers will have to be drilled to accomodate the mono. Either way, you crimp a two inch loop in one end, slide the egg sinker on the loose end, then slide the loose end through the hole on the decoy. At that point, crimp another 2 inch loop on the other end to keep it sliding back through the hole in the keel. It's pretty simple, despite how confusing I made it sound. Egg sinkers will drag a little, but I use them within impoundments and shallow freshwater ponds. The overall length of each line can be from1 foot to almost 5 foot - it just depends on how deep the water is where you would intend to use them. When I do use them in tidal areas, I can stomp the egg weight into the sand so that it will hold a little better.
Some decoys, especially if you maintain a stand of Herter's, Restle's, or any self carved, the decoys more than likely either don't have a keel, or have a keel that can't store line. In that case, most hunters would just wrap the line around the widest part of the body - usually the belly - and then save the last foot or so to wrap around the neck. Depending on the anchor you have, you'll have some options. Some of us are lucky enough to have found some old Herter's neck collar weights. After wrapping the decoy line around the decoy, the weight goes over the head and rests on the neck. Not tangle-proof, but good enough. Some people melt their own led to replicate this style. Others will melt it in muffin tins and place and aluminum wire or cable into a loop and then into the tin. The loop also makes a neck collar! Window weights are great because they are heavy. Window weights primary downfall is that they are heavy. When I say heavy, I mean like 4 pounds and up. Not ideal for walking in. Still, I like the window weights because the slim weight will fit down the side of the body once a decoy is in a slotted bag. But twelve 4 pound weights makes for a tough haul. Still, they're great if you have them. What I do, though, is take 12 inch segments of mono, place two 3 ounce egg sinkers on it, then crimp the loose ends together, making a futuristic looking neck collar. It's part function, part cheap - but quality - fix. It goes right over the head but the monofilament won't scratch or dent the decoy head or paint like an iron neck collar would. The crimp, though, could cause some scratching.
Nevertheless, there's hundreds of ways to anchor your decoys. Just make sure the line is long enough, and the anchor is heavy enough. There's cannonballs, bank sinkers, egg sinkers, coin sinkers, and pyramid sinkers - all available from 1 ounce to 64 ounces. I generally like to keep my anchors at about 6 ounces, though. I do have one alternative for single decoy lines, though. I pour concrete into 12 ounce cups...the result is a 3 pound anchor with a sharp lip to drag. I rarely use these, but they are cheap and easy to make. Eighty pounds of concrete mix is about $7. For a tie off point in the anchor, I stick a swivel or 5 inch fishing clip into the wet mix. Once cured, it's in there for good. Concrete, though, will crumble and suffer if left in salt water over a long period of time. Generally, my decoys are in the water a maximum of 5 hours. If I were setting a permanent spread, I would definitely use sailboat - or storm - anchors. They never, ever move. Come spring time, you'll have to dive down and dig them up, though. But permanent decoys spreads are lazy and effective only on migrating birds. Eventually, the local birds will view that spread as it would any other fixed item...items such as channel markers and buoys.
Anyway, there's a lot of heavy stuff out there. When picking an anchor, I determine how easy will it store, will it CAUSE knotting, and will it drag...those are my basic three factors...
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Off Season Do's
Believe it or not, there are some North Carolina Duck Hunters that only hunt ducks and don't even hunt fish. I hate fishing. In fact, out of the last 4 fish I've caught, 3 were false-hooked and another was blue cat that was apparently lost around Oregon Inlet. Maybe I'm just lucky. Maybe God's telling me to not fish. I think He is right. Many North Carolina duck hunter's would go crazy with little to do between fall flights. It's because they're killers. They like to kill ducks and not learn about them! I'm a meticulous note-taker and schemer. Every day, even at work, a thought crosses my mind that generally relates to another way to tip the odds in my favor when it comes to me versus waterfowl. So for me, between February and September, there are plenty of things to occupy my mind. And time. Whether it's trade shows and expos, or blind brushing and decoy repaints, I've got plenty to do...
Starting on January 29, 2012, I unrigged my decoys, save for 50 or so. I've got some that are large and leaky, and their always destined for the motherline. The others, though, get different weights to adapt to a new hunting situation or location I've come to enjoy. These days, I spend more on rigging and paint, than I do on decoys. According to my budget, I've only allotted myself about 3 dozen new pintails. I might, though, carve a couple dozen more bluebills, but who knows. Carving gets rough on my hands and patience.
Once the decoys were unrigged, I broke out the paint. Most of my plastic decoys get the basic Down East Block-style paint job. I just touch up and layer on...
But my prized Herter's which I have and will continue to remark on get a whole new level of treatment. Herter's offer that beautiful, bullish Upper Mid-west styling found in many factory decoys and Michigan or Minnesota styled decoys. I like those lines...and I like the big Model 72's. The only gripe about those Herter's are the pitiful heads. One shot to the decoy face, and you can literally see it circle the drain. I've learned to fix that with a little cotton patch and tile mastic, though. The burlap on the decoys has to be dried, too. Once that's done, I touch it up with more burlap or tile mastic. Sometimes, Tite-Bond and cork dust are applied all over, instead. Anyway, once that's all done, the birds are ready for painting. Generally, I like a block style paint job, but with special, regional details sprinkled throughout. Harry Jobes turns a lot of decoys in Maryland...his painting crew turns out some nice-ish looking work. Honestly, I don't like his feather detailing, even if the great Madison Mitchell is where he learned it. What I do like, is his exaggeration of the face parts. For example, I copied his paint style on the bluebill hens' faces. That white patch around the bill - yep, it looks more like I dipped half the head, up to the eyes, in white paint. It's classic, creative, and eye-catching. The drake redheads all get yellow eyes and the tipped bill, which is also a little more detail than one would normally see on a North Carolina block style decoy. The drake cans' heads are black from the front of the bill to the middle of the eye, too. The rest of the head, though, is fire engine red. Thus far, it has served to fool ducks. I leave speculums off the bodies, but I'll be practicing them soon enough, as I've got wigeons in the works!
Also, as soon as the season is over, I pass the time by looking forward to expos. Here are a few that I highly recommend in the spring:
The East Carolina Wildfowl Guild is a great place to pick up a vintage decoy, see some nice contemporary carvings, buy some hunting gear, participate (or watch) in some duck, swan and goose calling contests, and to see and wish for beautiful flat art. It's usually the second weekend in February...
The South East Wildlife Expo is Charleston is the place to go to stare at artful relics. Women even enjoy this show. It's in Charleston, which is also a plus. I've never been to SEWE, but it's on my list for this year...
The Dixie Deer Classic is the end-all, be-all for hunting expos in the world. A patron-friendly event, the North Carolina State Fairgrounds becomes a camo required who's who of hunting related stuff. Whether you're looking for a taxidermist, treestand, summer camp for your kids, food plot mix, duck and turkey call, wild game jerky, or anything else, you shouldn't be disappointed. It's usually in early March. The Wake County Wildlife Club puts this event on, and they have a wonderful track record of supporting Hunter Education, too.
The Cape Fear Wildlife Expo in Wilmington is quickly becoming a major attraction. It's heavy on boats and fishing, but I use boats for ducking. Still, art, taxidermists, pro-shops, and workshops abound on the Cape Fear River. It's a great show.
Loon Day, held on Harker's Island is the very best place to get a local decoy! Loon hunting was once a tradition down there, and the Core Sound Decoy Carver's capitalizes on it;s history. All money raised at the auction goes directly into supporting carving traditions! Personally, this could be the one I'm looking forward to the most. It's in early May...
There's lots to do...even reading. I always pick up good waterfowling books to pass the lazy summer nights away. Anything by Albert Hochbaum is heady, but important. Canvasback on a Prairie Marsh taught me more than any "Hunting Dabblers" book published by a major brand.
Practicing a call is also a wise investment of time. I got good in the summers with my call. Usually, I'll buy a couple of new calls so I can broaden my repertoire. Calls will also be the next collectible in our sport. However, for every premium call I buy, I gift an old, "lesser" call to a new duck hunter or youth duck hunter.
Scouting new blind locations is also great in the summer time...even though there's no ducks to determine it's worthiness. But some places just look ducky, don't they?
As one could tell, I have plenty to do. All duck hunter's owe it to their sport to be students...so study up in the spring and summer!
Starting on January 29, 2012, I unrigged my decoys, save for 50 or so. I've got some that are large and leaky, and their always destined for the motherline. The others, though, get different weights to adapt to a new hunting situation or location I've come to enjoy. These days, I spend more on rigging and paint, than I do on decoys. According to my budget, I've only allotted myself about 3 dozen new pintails. I might, though, carve a couple dozen more bluebills, but who knows. Carving gets rough on my hands and patience.
Once the decoys were unrigged, I broke out the paint. Most of my plastic decoys get the basic Down East Block-style paint job. I just touch up and layer on...
But my prized Herter's which I have and will continue to remark on get a whole new level of treatment. Herter's offer that beautiful, bullish Upper Mid-west styling found in many factory decoys and Michigan or Minnesota styled decoys. I like those lines...and I like the big Model 72's. The only gripe about those Herter's are the pitiful heads. One shot to the decoy face, and you can literally see it circle the drain. I've learned to fix that with a little cotton patch and tile mastic, though. The burlap on the decoys has to be dried, too. Once that's done, I touch it up with more burlap or tile mastic. Sometimes, Tite-Bond and cork dust are applied all over, instead. Anyway, once that's all done, the birds are ready for painting. Generally, I like a block style paint job, but with special, regional details sprinkled throughout. Harry Jobes turns a lot of decoys in Maryland...his painting crew turns out some nice-ish looking work. Honestly, I don't like his feather detailing, even if the great Madison Mitchell is where he learned it. What I do like, is his exaggeration of the face parts. For example, I copied his paint style on the bluebill hens' faces. That white patch around the bill - yep, it looks more like I dipped half the head, up to the eyes, in white paint. It's classic, creative, and eye-catching. The drake redheads all get yellow eyes and the tipped bill, which is also a little more detail than one would normally see on a North Carolina block style decoy. The drake cans' heads are black from the front of the bill to the middle of the eye, too. The rest of the head, though, is fire engine red. Thus far, it has served to fool ducks. I leave speculums off the bodies, but I'll be practicing them soon enough, as I've got wigeons in the works!
Also, as soon as the season is over, I pass the time by looking forward to expos. Here are a few that I highly recommend in the spring:
The East Carolina Wildfowl Guild is a great place to pick up a vintage decoy, see some nice contemporary carvings, buy some hunting gear, participate (or watch) in some duck, swan and goose calling contests, and to see and wish for beautiful flat art. It's usually the second weekend in February...
The South East Wildlife Expo is Charleston is the place to go to stare at artful relics. Women even enjoy this show. It's in Charleston, which is also a plus. I've never been to SEWE, but it's on my list for this year...
The Dixie Deer Classic is the end-all, be-all for hunting expos in the world. A patron-friendly event, the North Carolina State Fairgrounds becomes a camo required who's who of hunting related stuff. Whether you're looking for a taxidermist, treestand, summer camp for your kids, food plot mix, duck and turkey call, wild game jerky, or anything else, you shouldn't be disappointed. It's usually in early March. The Wake County Wildlife Club puts this event on, and they have a wonderful track record of supporting Hunter Education, too.
The Cape Fear Wildlife Expo in Wilmington is quickly becoming a major attraction. It's heavy on boats and fishing, but I use boats for ducking. Still, art, taxidermists, pro-shops, and workshops abound on the Cape Fear River. It's a great show.
Loon Day, held on Harker's Island is the very best place to get a local decoy! Loon hunting was once a tradition down there, and the Core Sound Decoy Carver's capitalizes on it;s history. All money raised at the auction goes directly into supporting carving traditions! Personally, this could be the one I'm looking forward to the most. It's in early May...
There's lots to do...even reading. I always pick up good waterfowling books to pass the lazy summer nights away. Anything by Albert Hochbaum is heady, but important. Canvasback on a Prairie Marsh taught me more than any "Hunting Dabblers" book published by a major brand.
Practicing a call is also a wise investment of time. I got good in the summers with my call. Usually, I'll buy a couple of new calls so I can broaden my repertoire. Calls will also be the next collectible in our sport. However, for every premium call I buy, I gift an old, "lesser" call to a new duck hunter or youth duck hunter.
Scouting new blind locations is also great in the summer time...even though there's no ducks to determine it's worthiness. But some places just look ducky, don't they?
As one could tell, I have plenty to do. All duck hunter's owe it to their sport to be students...so study up in the spring and summer!
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