Opening duck weekend in MI (pics)

[omega58]

Well, like some others on the site, we had pretty good success on ducks and had fun on the pond and seeing the trees change color. We had the woodies coming in both days, I would say 25-30 after our limit, some mallards, and a group of 30-40 teal.

We had our limit of woodies in a very short time on Saturday and I took out the camera and took a few shots of the pond and ducks swimming around. . .I took the old camera, so you have to really look for the duck. (it's in the middle) After we shot our woodies, I would say no less than 30 more kept coming. . . one that I shot had 22 acorns in it.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/500/medium/woodduck11.jpg

Here is Kush and BMAC and Mac going after one of the ducks. . .while standing there Kush made a great shot on a mallard overhead that Mac found about 100 yards into the woods. . . great shot/great retrieve.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/541/medium/bobandkush.jpg

Here is a pic of Saturday's take (woodies, mallards, gwteal)

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/541/medium/Opening_day_2007_northern_zone.jpg

Sunday saw more of the same and we had a fun shoot and another quick limit on woodies and adding a couple mallards that I doubled on and my weimaraner made a great find on one I thought I stoned and had her looking in the wrong area. . .it's always funny to have her lock up on a duck that I thought should have been in a totally different place and she chases it down after being released.

We picked up early Sunday to grouse hunt earlier and of course see mallards diving in as we are changing(both days that happened):lol:

Finally scored the first grouse for my new 28 gauge.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/541/medium/grouse3_e1.jpg

[Richard Hale]

Looks like you had a good weekend. It's hard to beat good dog work and a day in the woods.

[Clint]

Great pics, Randy! Nice mess of ducks there too. Nice pic of Sky w/ the grouse.

[Maverick_Brittany]

Looks like a great weekend out!! Congrats!

Mav.....

[tashaz33]

Great pictures! Congrats!

[res]

LOVE those beaver ponds. Some can be great, others not so great but many times if you find them many others haven't. Great pics. Rick

[omega58]

LOVE those beaver ponds. Some can be great, others not so great but many times if you find them many others haven't. Great pics. Rick

The nicest thing about this one is that it is on our 40 acres near Evart. . .I planted some millet this summer that should bring in some more birds once it heads out. (at least that is the hope) Until then, I'll take the woodies and occasional mallard/teal that comes flying in.

I am throwing around the idea of draining the pond next spring a little more and planting more millet and other things and then damming it back up. . .and of course, BMAC brought up the idea that it would be nice to put in a platform blind in the middle of the pond on the one end. (sounds like a great spring project)

It's also nice to park in the same place for duck hunting as you do for grouse/woodcock hunting and not have to worry about dealing with other people.

[res]

The nicest thing about this one is that it is on our 40 acres near Evart. . .I planted some millet this summer that should bring in some more birds once it heads out. (at least that is the hope) Until then, I'll take the woodies and occasional mallard/teal that comes flying in.

I am throwing around the idea of draining the pond next spring a little more and planting more millet and other things and then damming it back up. . .and of course, BMAC brought up the idea that it would be nice to put in a platform blind in the middle of the pond on the one end. (sounds like a great spring project)

It's also nice to park in the same place for duck hunting as you do for grouse/woodcock hunting and not have to worry about dealing with other people.
You were in EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEVART!?!?!?!? That is the way it was pronounce a while back by a new announcer on the local tv station. That is only about 10 miles from me. Let me know and if you are up maybe we could get together and train a bit. By the way, I have been in the Manistee forest a bit. Have been noticing decent grouse numbers. Rick

[omega58]

You were in EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEVART!?!?!?!? That is the way it was pronounce a while back by a new announcer on the local tv station. That is only about 10 miles from me. Let me know and if you are up maybe we could get together and train a bit. By the way, I have been in the Manistee forest a bit. Have been noticing decent grouse numbers. Rick

I'm still debating on this weekend. . .I am not sure I want to hunt in 80 degrees. . .but might give it a try. . . ;) Or, I may hunt geese down here as well.

I grew up in Evart until 6th grade when the millage went down and no sports, then moved to Clare. . .and now after college, have been down here since.

[Bmac]

I am throwing around the idea of draining the pond next spring a little more and planting more millet and other things and then damming it back up. . .and of course, BMAC brought up the idea that it would be nice to put in a platform blind in the middle of the pond on the one end. (sounds like a great spring project)

It's also nice to park in the same place for duck hunting as you do for grouse/woodcock hunting and not have to worry about dealing with other people.

Make sure you call me when you get ready to put in the platform blind. I'll gladly help out. Depending on how solid it freezes, winter might be better for setting posts. Though getting them there once the snow starts would certainly be an issue.

I've got a couple extra wood duck boxes in the garage. Do you have any up there? I don't remember seeing any and would save a couple to put up this winter.

[omega58]

We have two wood duck boxes ready to put up from the seed day, I just figured that I would wait until winter to put them out there.

[JIM1960]

You got to love hunting in Michigan. Good hunting, good dogs what more could you want. Great pics. :D