Kentucky duck hunting trip (pics)

[omega58]

Well, we left shortly after the ball dropped and found ourselves in Kentucky just before noon on the 1st. Our first plan of attack fell through, so we opted for plan B for a couple days. Numbers wise it was nothing spectacular, but the variety of birds and rare birds for the area made up for it.

The first afternoon we found ourselves on some TVA property next to a cemetary from the 1800s. . .saw some ducks, but no shots.

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

The next morning we decided to diver hunt on the river and the weather did not help us at all, but a really nice day for a tan. We did have some birds cooperate and did some fairly good shooting for guys on their first diver hunt, it really helps when some of them come on a mission right into the decoys.

Here is the first bird of the day, a Barrows GE

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

The 2nd bird of the day wound up being a Bufflehead/Goldeneye cross

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

We changed out and it was my first time in the MLB rig, we were orienting ourselves with markers and then I said "here they come, 12 o'clock 12:30, right THERE":lol:

It wound up being 4 old squaw and we were able to drop 3 of them in the decoys, with the drake hit, but somehow getting away. I was also able to shoot my first Barrows GE and bluebill on the day, and another guy shot a rare duck for down there, a white-winged scoter.

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


We also had these fly over, I didn't even know they had them in Kentucky.

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

Here is the group from Friday, minus one. . . .and yes, in Kentucky, they eat coot, even the gizzard.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/541/medium/rlb1_e.jpg

Saturday was slower, we managed a few more birds, with some more bills.

The highlight of the trip down there was definitely the people, my brother went down with us bow hunting and I think he has about 100,000 acres now to hunt from people inviting him to hunt their land.:lol:

The rig we used, the hand carved decoys we shot over, and all the hospitalitiy on top of it was unbelievable. And I see why in diver hunting, some guys really like working the tender boat, next time I'll be more daring and take the SLR in the layout boat.

[Clint]

Wow! What an awaesome time... even if it was just to get away from the snow.:D

Thanks for sharing the stories and the pics, Randy.http://www.gundogchat.com/images/icons/icon14.gif

[Lucky Dog]

I'd say you are the Lucky Dog !

Sounds like a really good time. Don't knock those coots till you have tried them. I've eaten them all my life.

[omega58]

I'd say you are the Lucky Dog !

Sounds like a really good time. Don't knock those coots till you have tried them. I've eaten them all my life.

Very lucky indeed! I owe the wife something nice. . .like a new pup from Cam. ;)

I've had coot as well, not gizzard though. . . .and they were fun to shoot.

As the one guy said down there, "skillet lick dem sum b***hes". :D

Like I said, they are awesome and treat you like family.

[MunsterGunny]

Looks like you had a great trip Divers are a blast to shoot. This is a picture from Sunday hunt on the Lower Columbia river in Oregon these are greater Scaup. My son and I had good shoot the one in my left hand was saying Aflack I think.LOL