Ducks or bucks, no matter

[MCgunner]

So, this morning I went out to check my game camera and dribble some corn along a power line sendero upon which my blind sits. They've been on that sendero, are not coming to the feeder lately. It's late hunting season, been thinkin' maybe the rut's finally on, but then, I don't know, it's awful late for a rut even in the north part of south Texas.

So, I get the camera card changed out and decide to walk back and check the tank in back for ducks. I've jumped a few off it, took a shot at a teal the other day that was circling when I was back there. I had a steel shot 20 guage 3" in the I/C barrel, a 3 buck was still in the Modified barrel in case I jumped a deer or hog. So I sneak up on the tank, no ducks, raise up, and there's a friggin' buck staring at me about 35 yards away in the brush. I quickly tossed the little 20 up to my shoulder, fired at its head.

More meat on this thing, anyway, than a duck, even a mallard. He's got 5 points on one side, 3 on the other. I've been watching him on the game camera earlier in the year and thought he was a 7 point. His neck is a bit swollen. Perhaps we're in late rut? Hell, I don't know. He field dressed out at 120, not a bad weight for a deer around here. He's my second this season. I was going to hunt this afternoon, but I guess I'll wait to fill my last tag. Got this one on ice.

 

[chas08]

Congratulations MC! The coach gun came through for you!

 

[Patocazador]

Congrats! That buck is a giant compared to any of the ones I've killed this year. Mine have ranged from 86-107 live weight.

 

[MCgunner]

Congrats! That buck is a giant compared to any of the ones I've killed this year. Mine have ranged from 86-107 live weight.

That first spike I shot was in that range, not near as big. I actually hauled him out on the rack of my KLR650. I couldn't pick this one up to get him on the rack, drug him out on a sheet of plastic I bought some years ago for the purpose from Cabelas, called a "deer sleigher". But, that young buck sure has some good meat on him. D

Today, I was back there again tending my camera and baiting the sendero. I'm getting pix again on the sendero, had been tracks, moved the camera over there. They just ain't comin' to the feeder. I really don't want another deer, anyway, right now, maybe later. I still have to butcher today. Deer's been on ice in the cooler as I've had to work, but I'm off today.

Anyway, after doing chores, Molly and I (my young black lab stray I got for free) walked back to the tank. I was loaded, this time, with steel 3" in the mod barrel, dove load in the I/C. Got back to the tank and jumped a passel of ducks, flew up, fired the I/C barrel and didn't raise a feather, ducks got out about 40 yards and I dropped one, was winged running around on the ground. Molly's in her first year, made some dove retrieves in dove season, but I haven't even been duck hunting as this job I took right before season has gotten in the way. I yelled "DEAD BIRD" and she took off after it. It ran to the tank, she jumped in after it, I shot to finish it which I guess scared her as she came to me. I tried to get her to go after the bird in the tank. Finally, I yelled dead bird again and threw a stick out to the island just over where the bird was and she jumped in, swam out and got the bird, and brought him back and laid him in front of me. GOOD DOG! Wow, I was proud. And, I didn't have to go back to the house for my kayak or get my butt wet.

I thought it was a mallard when they flew, but it turned out to be a danged spoonie. Oh, well, I'll eat it and, really, I was more excited with Molly's performance than the duck. I worked with here a bit after I got the spoony breasted.

Man, I had fun with that little activity! I'd never done THIS in Corpus. Moving here last year was a great idea!

I need to try to find time for a duck hunt or two before season ends. Have to be on a Saturday I guess, when the marsh is crowded, unless I go local on a day lease, which is available.

 

[Patocazador]

Spoonies can be good when they first show up here. After they get here, they eat a lot of snails, etc. and aren't worth shooting .. same with bluebills.

I've killed a total of one wood duck this year. 4 years ago all I did was duck hunt but the ducks haven't been here in any numbers the last 3 years. By necessity, I went back to deer hunting and have killed 10 in the last 3 years.

I really like to duck hunt and so does my dog but it seems futile now.

 

[MCgunner]

Spoonies can be good when they first show up here. After they get here, they eat a lot of snails, etc. and aren't worth shooting .. same with bluebills.

I've killed a total of one wood duck this year. 4 years ago all I did was duck hunt but the ducks haven't been here in any numbers the last 3 years. By necessity, I went back to deer hunting and have killed 10 in the last 3 years.

I really like to duck hunt and so does my dog but it seems futile now.

Oh, we've got birds, I just haven't done any hunting. Year before last I shot one limit, went one morning. We were living in Corpus, a ways from my fave duck hunting spots. Then, last year, we were in an 18 ft travel trailer for 4 months trying to close on this place. It is a HUD foreclosure and the red tape was beyond believe. Great deal, though, and I'm glad I did it, but it was a miserable time waiting. All my deeks, hunting clothes were in storage. I had ammo for my SKS and my .357 carbine, shot a 9 point on my other place near where we were staying in Port O'Connor. That was my hunting season, deer hunting down there.

I was going to hunt ducks this year, then I came across this part time job which throws a monkey wrench into trips to the marsh. It's a retirement job, they cut my hours to 2 days a week, now, so I might get out there, yet. But, I've been having a good time on the place here and it's so much easier. I was once a maniacal duck hunter, crazy about it, but I'm getting lazy in my old age. The dog will get work during dove seasons, though. She got her initiation this season.

 

[chas08]

I was once a maniacal duck hunter, crazy about it, but I'm getting lazy in my old age.

You and me both MC...lol. I haven't loaded a shotgun all Duck season! I did get a deer and a nice sow though. I may try to get in a few hunts after deer season ends.

 

[336A]

Way to go, very nice deer. I belive this is the first deer that I've seen taken with 20 gauge buckshot. Just another reason why I've gone back to shotguns, ducks or bucks no matter Also good to see other people getting after it with the 20 gauge.

 

[MCgunner]

Also good to see other people getting after it with the 20 gauge.

Well, I've got 12s, even a 10, but this little 20 is just so light and easy to carry around the place and it's my favorite dove gun. The ONLY thing I hunt that I prefer my 12s for is waterfowl and that's primarily because i haven't found any steel shot loads I really like in the 20. They work, but my 12s work consistently better using number 3 flasteel and my 10 is a goose gun with steel T shot.

Yeah, older I get, the less I wanna take along a rifle with iron sights. My eyes suck. But, with optics, I still like the rifles. But, I'm more and more a shotgunner as I age.

 

[Patocazador]

I shoot doves, ducks and hogs with my 20 ga. 11-87 with a 3" chamber. I use the Kent 3" #4 shot for ducks with a modified choke. It works well and kicks less.