first day Duck hunting..... I'm addicted!

[etwinam]

Hit my first day duck hunting and man what a blast!

I love me some Clays but there is something awesome about tracking and actual living duck and then shouldering and executing a great shot!

I certainly had a learning curve on all the different calls and I got eaten alive at sunrise by all the mosquitoes and gnats.... but I'm already planning my next trip!

I bagged a Mallard Drake, a Widgeon Hen and 4 Coots... I guess Coots aren't good eating so I won't be shooting those next trip.

Anyone wanna plan a trip in Socal let me know! I want to catch my limit next time and maybe get some Teal and Geese!

[Full Clip]

Yeah, spare the coots next time.
But congrats!
You'll have better shooting on windy, rainy days.
With ducks, the more miserable you are, the better the hunting.

[edgerly779]

Who shot the web-footed pheasants? (COOTS) Coots are ok cook them with garlic and oil on a cedar shingle and toss the coot and eat the shingle.

[etwinam]

Who shot the web-footed pheasants? (COOTS) Coots are ok cook them with garlic and oil on a cedar shingle and toss the coot and eat the shingle.

Ha, ya first day and all we shot anything that was legal... only after a little research did I learn they're basically Carp. 2 of us in the blind, we each bagged two Coots.

[etwinam]

Yeah, spare the coots next time.
But congrats!
You'll have better shooting on windy, rainy days.
With ducks, the more miserable you are, the better the hunting.

Good lookin out, it was supposed to me cloudy and overcast but it ended up being crystal clear, next time the weather is horrible on a weekend I know where I'll be

[edgerly779]

I shot coots when I started 54 years ago I had a problem at first identifying ducks. Learned to shoot the ones with long necks. Welcome to the sport it will only get more expensive and fun from here on out.

[357manny]

Wow cool, congrats! Hopefully gonna do the same (going first day duck hunting ) this season!

[etwinam]

Wow cool, congrats! Hopefully gonna do the same (going first day duck hunting ) this season!

I can't say enough good things about the experience.

The things I wish I had focused more on are practicing Duck calls, mainly feeding chuckle, hail mary and greeting... but there are others that may be more beneficial.

I also wish I brought bug spray; 100% DEET would have been best, we got eaten alive. as soon as the sun rose I was sitting in a million gnats and mosquitos.

hope that helps and have fun!

[mike.h]

Breast out the coots, if they not too muddy, you may find you like them.

[edgerly779]

I have done that and most were good then you get a MUDDY/GAMEY ONE AND THE REST GO TO MOTHER IN LAW AND HOPE SHE DOES NOT INVITE YOU TO DINNER.

[NATEWA]

Congrats! I remember shooting at coots on one of my first trips out. Luckily I didn’t hit one. Friend was calling teal and a few coots went by so I started shooting.

That’s not a hen mallard Think it’s a widgeon?

I do more calling with my whistle - widgeon, teal, and pintail. Just get the basic quack down for the mallards.

Primos Original Wench Call https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0013R4AEG..._LGJTDb55A8T48

Haydel's Game Calls Magnum Mallard/Pintail Whistle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000AVXUC..._xHJTDbT4750YR

Glad you had a good time.

[NATEWA]

http://www.ducks.org/hunting/waterfowl-id/#

Good info. Limit of only 1 pintail so make sure you know what they look like. Males are easy to ID.

[H8Mud]

Good job on your 1st waterfowl hunt! That's an American wigeon hen. Good looking mallard too. I would pass on the coots, not the worst eating but pretty skanky compared to that tasty mallard.

[Rhorton1]

Way to go! Always good to bring some ducks home!

I haven’t duck hunted since I moved here from the Pacific Northwest three years ago... the weather in your pictures looks much nicer than what I’m used to. If I ever get out in a duck blind here I’ll need to remember sunscreen!

[etwinam]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0013R4AEG..._LGJTDb55A8T48

Haydel's Game Calls Magnum Mallard/Pintail Whistle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000AVXUC..._xHJTDbT4750YR

Glad you had a good time.

Thanks.. I got a duck commander Jase pro double reed and it seems to be a good all around call for the basics. Perhaps I can get good enough to step up to a single reed but for now I think the whistle is next. I've just got to spend some time perfecting and mimicking the calls.