We tried for ducks and geese again on Sunday with me and my two sons. Joining us also was a friend of mine Todd from my hometown. And of course Sarge my lab.

Beautiful morning with temperatures around 40 degrees and light to moderate winds from the SSE.

We arrived at 530 and drove to our parking spot. Then of course the work begins. My trustee sled with full body mallard decoys, decoys for in the water, shotguns, blind bags, motion decoys, ammo, go-pro…

A long walk to the blind pulling a sled with all that gear.

The blind was in decent shape considering all the high winds we have had.

But a bunch of our decoys were missing and the water was down about a foot.

We proceeded in setting up all our gear and putting out the decoys and we in the blind before shooting hours. That’s a miracle in itself in that we are usually still putting our gear out when the ducks come falling in right at the time when it’s legal to shoot.

Shooting hours started at 6:52.

We had a mallard hen out on the water that was calling and fussing. I called back to her and she answered with a frenzy. It was fun just to hear a live duck making the sounds that I try to mimic with my duck calls.

Eventually she flew and came over close and landed to the right of our decoys at about 50 yards.

My son Caleb took a shot as she got up to leave but it was too far. Missed our chance at that one.

Around 7:45 across the river came alive with thousands of snow geese. Mixed in were big flocks of mallards and some canada geese too. Thousands of waterfowl flew right over us but had no interest in coming down.

I’d be interested in various opinions but I think since they were coming off the “roost” they weren’t really looking to land in our area – no food supply by where we hunt.

The action lasted for about an hour and we had fun blowing our calls and trying to make the ducks and geese come say hello.

But none did.

We had one single that came in for a look but quickly turned and flew away.

Too much movement? Not hidden well enough in the blind?

Around 10:30 we got out of the blind to stretch our legs and recover some decoys that had floated off in the wind earlier this week.

Around 11:00 we were back in the blind and a lone mallard hen came in and gave us a look. She flew around about 4 times and finally supper her wings to land.

Caleb and Titus both shot but the victory went to Caleb this time.

Sarge did great on his retrieve – he waited patiently for me to send him.

We gave it another half hour, and packed up our gear for the long walk with the sled full of gear back to the car.

I need a four wheeler…and a truck…and a trailer.

A wise friend of mine told me – “Never add up it costs per duck…”

I hope you enjoy this blog. I’m just getting started and love to chat with fellow hunters, shooters, and outdoorsmen (and women).

JT Jackson

Jackson Marketing and Outfitters LLC