turkey scout

I have been turkey hunting once in my life about eight years ago and I did not shoot a turkey. I live about 20 mins from the green swamp and decided that it's about time I got in on the action. Johnny and I went out to get the lay of the land yesterday. It was more to just get our bearings than to actually scout. We found the check station and walked several miles out into the swamp. We didn't find any turkeys or what you would consider good turkey areas but it helped take away some of the intimidating factor of a 50k acre area. We have a much better idea of what we are up against. I don't expect a lot but it will be nice to add another hunting season to the year.

bonk!

Johnny shot this video on one of our last hunts.

final hunt

The end is here. Tomorrow is the last day of duck season and I have to work all day. This morning Jed and I went out for our last hunt. I have to work tonight so we kept it local and quick. We had three mallard hybrids come right into our spread. We splashed down a drake and a hen. We saw a few teal and black bellies but nothing in range. I ended the day by shooting a coot for birdie. It has been a great season. No complaints here. Can't wait till September.

the end is near

It was perfect duck hunting conditions this morning. Temps in the mid 40s, 10-15 mph winds, and super overcast. The birds decoyed better than they have all season long. I was able to shoot my limit a little after 9 am. Johnny has a scratched cornea and was having a lot of trouble focusing on the ducks but he still managed a couple of birds. Birdie retrieved seven of the eight ducks perfectly. If this is my last hunt it will be a great way to end the 2012/2013 season. However, I am still holding out hope for one more hunt on Saturday before work.

lady killer

I've been shooting too many drakes this season so I did a little balancing this morning and shot all hens. Well, that's not all together true, I just shot the birds that I could. All four birds decoyed beautifully, cupped up and feet down. The first two came in as a pair and I shot a nice double. Birdie went four for four on her retrieves and was rewarded with a traditional post hunt cheeseburger. This may be my second to last hunt of the season. Johnny and I have plans to hunt on Tuesday and expect that will be my last hunt.

good times, good retrieves, bad gator

We went out yesterday and shot a few ducks. Johnny and I had a piss poor day of shooting but when we connected Birdie did a great job retrieving the birds. She had a time with a cripple but she is a persistent pup and after several dives and a few mouthfuls of hydrilla she came up with the ringer. I finally got a couple of good pictures of her retrieving. Late in the day I noticed a very large gator near our blind so I kept Birdie in the boat from that point on. The temps have been in the mid 80s here in sunny Florida. I wish we could get another cold front before the end of the season to push down some new birds and keep the lizards at bay. Please note Johnny's sweet Pfunk George Clinton sunglasses. I am pretty sure they are responsible for 90% of our duck flares today.