An Overdue Duck Hunt

[Patocazador]

I haven't been duck hunting in over 2 years. For about half of my hunting life I've hunted ducks and doves rather than deer. I gave up hunting over decoys about 4 years ago when I lost all of my youthful energy but still had a wood duck hunt or three in flooded swamps.

A friend of mine told me that black-bellied tree ducks were coming into his pond every morning and invited me to shoot. I took him up on it this morning and thought I blew it when a flock of about 10 came over high right before legal shooting time. However, some others came in about 10 minutes later and I managed to get 4. My 13 year-old Boykin and I were the only ones there and she had a bit of a time finding all 4 but eventually she brought them back. I was a bit worried because there was a 5 ft. gator in the pond that I had shined with my headlight when we first got there. Luckily, the gator must have taken off when I started shooting.

Now I have to scout for some wood ducks.

 

[MCgunner]

Nice! I had some landing on a spot at the delta one year, but the damned things ignore a mallard call and didn't seem that interested in my deeks. I don't know of a tree duck call, can't squeal like that, So, I've never actually shot one. I see 'em in summer nesting back in the back of my place, have chased 'em off the tank back there. I had a nesting pair on my place near Seadrift and would chase 'em off the nest every time I checked my hog trap. LOL BUT, I've never shot one. For years they weren't legal here. Apparently, numbers have come up because they allow two....I think. I haven't hunted in 4 or 5 years for the same reason you haven't. My problem is diabetic neuropathy, has crippled me up pretty good lately.

Good shootin'! The dog looks happy. Mine has to stay satisfied with dove hunting.

 

[Patocazador]

Apparently, numbers have come up because they allow two.

They allow 6 here. In fact, the limit on them has been 6 since they started coming north to my area. The fulvous tree duck limit is only one. I've never shot (or seen) one of them. They're mostly in south Florida.
We get very few redheads, cans, and widgeon, mostly wood ducks, teal, ringnecks, bluebills, and black-bellies.

 

[MCgunner]

We have "mexican tree ducks" here AKA "Fulvous" aka "squealers". We also have the black bellied, more rare.

 

[MCgunner]

BTW, this week I found out I have another problem other than my diabetic neuropathy, a condition called "myelofibrosis" which is a cancer, treatable with a relatively new drug I understand. It causes lack of erythrocytes...aka anemia. No wonder I need a nap every afternoon and can't walk 50 yards without stopping to catch my breath. I guess I'll know more Tuesday since I'm scheduled for an appointment with my oncologist. He's supposed to prescribe me this new pill.

Getting old sux.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

We have "mexican tree ducks" here AKA "Fulvous" aka "squealers". We also have the black bellied, more rare.

My dad and I were hunting a marsh in Iowa 20+ years ago and saw a Black Bellied Whistling Duck. It circled our boat several times at less than 10 yards. We didn't know what it was, other than being a duck, so we didn't shoot. Looked it up when we got home, it would have been legal to take. It is the only one I ever saw or heard of in the state.

 

[Patocazador]

BTW, this week I found out I have another problem other than my diabetic neuropathy, a condition called "myelofibrosis" which is a cancer, treatable with a relatively new drug I understand. It causes lack of erythrocytes...aka anemia. No wonder I need a nap every afternoon and can't walk 50 yards without stopping to catch my breath. I guess I'll know more Tuesday since I'm scheduled for an appointment with my oncologist. He's supposed to prescribe me this new pill.

Getting old sux.

Sorry to hear it. Hopefully, the drug will arrest the cancer.
My mother-in-law has to get transfusions about twice/year due to low hemoglobin. That may be an option after the cancer is in check.