Post by osprey on Jan 28, 2007 9:56:30 GMT -5
Well, after a generally poor season the last few days were good enough to have me waiting and wanting to go out next season! 
Bluebills finally started coming in the Little Choptank last week, and we've gotten some shooting on them this week, but the final Fri/Sat were like the old days. Friday chased geese and worked on frozen boat stuff in the morning, but for the windy afternoon I sat in the point blind with my dog, never put out a decoy, and had a fun pass shooting time. Bills were everywhere, with plenty passing low overhead (the river turns a bit on my point, and it can be great pass shooting on birds that try to cut it close or go over the marsh). Been awhile since I've had much of that shooting and took me a few passes to get tuned back in, but my 'bill limit was soon on the blind and I was in early.
Saturday morning had a full crew, over 100 decoys out, but no wind, and the guys only shot a hairhead and a buffle. We packed up early it was so poor. By lunchtime I couldn't stand it and went back out, just me and the dog again. Put out just 2 bufflehead dekes. Deja vu, it was a repeat of Friday. Pass shooting all afternoon long, not hectic, but enough birds to keep it interesting. Had a full limit of 4 buffs and 2 'bills by 4:30, in to the dock in time to start putting away gear while I still had daylight.
I like ducks cupped up and in the blocks, but love a good pass shoot. Just something about seeing those birds ripping past, 40 yards overhead, swinging through them, pushing the barrel ahead, at the blast watching one cartwheel out of the air like a boomerang that's hit a wire. Dog was actually retreiving one when I splashed another not 5 feet from her - she looked at me like I was God. ;D
Bluebills finally started coming in the Little Choptank last week, and we've gotten some shooting on them this week, but the final Fri/Sat were like the old days. Friday chased geese and worked on frozen boat stuff in the morning, but for the windy afternoon I sat in the point blind with my dog, never put out a decoy, and had a fun pass shooting time. Bills were everywhere, with plenty passing low overhead (the river turns a bit on my point, and it can be great pass shooting on birds that try to cut it close or go over the marsh). Been awhile since I've had much of that shooting and took me a few passes to get tuned back in, but my 'bill limit was soon on the blind and I was in early.
Saturday morning had a full crew, over 100 decoys out, but no wind, and the guys only shot a hairhead and a buffle. We packed up early it was so poor. By lunchtime I couldn't stand it and went back out, just me and the dog again. Put out just 2 bufflehead dekes. Deja vu, it was a repeat of Friday. Pass shooting all afternoon long, not hectic, but enough birds to keep it interesting. Had a full limit of 4 buffs and 2 'bills by 4:30, in to the dock in time to start putting away gear while I still had daylight.
I like ducks cupped up and in the blocks, but love a good pass shoot. Just something about seeing those birds ripping past, 40 yards overhead, swinging through them, pushing the barrel ahead, at the blast watching one cartwheel out of the air like a boomerang that's hit a wire. Dog was actually retreiving one when I splashed another not 5 feet from her - she looked at me like I was God. ;D
