The Well is dry!

[Batsto]

Where are all the birds? Not a single duck flying this morning. Anyone get out and have some luck? Hopefully the storm that is predicted on Sunday will move some birds down on Saturday.

[Bucksnbows]

Not hunting, but was out in Hunterdon for work and some Canada geese were flying south.  Usually that's my sign for a migration day.  I miss duck hunting and need to do something about that next fall.  

[Tbryant]

Quite a few ducks sitting in the north. Woodies and teal are pretty thick with the resident mallards here and there. Don't know if anything will really change for you southern zone guys before the split ends

[Haskell_Hunter]

I think once the weather starts cooperating and getting colder, those migrations will happen very quickly.

[A-5 Pemberton]

Maybe....maybe not. I am debating going on Saturday. I have plenty of ducks in my spot. They are mostly sitting around getting a tan. One woodie and two teal is all I have managed. Opening day we saw 200+. Apparently they all had good time pieces as they quit flying at 6:46am. Went on Wednesday and just two teal worked into the blocks. I may just sit it out and finish up some projects. South wind, no more than 10 mph and sunny ain't gonna make them fly, front or no front. Disappointing opener for sure.

[Batsto]

Maybe....maybe not. I am debating going on Saturday. I have plenty of ducks in my spot. They are mostly sitting around getting a tan. One woodie and two teal is all I have managed. Opening day we saw 200+. Apparently they all had good time pieces as they quit flying at 6:46am. Went on Wednesday and just two teal worked into the blocks. I may just sit it out and finish up some projects. South wind, no more than 10 mph and sunny ain't gonna make them fly, front or no front. Disappointing opener for sure.

You are probably correct on the weather and ducky watches! I will go on Sat. As you know, it's like heaven as the woods and water awakens.

[Wallew]

“Patience is about preparing ourselves first and then wait for the right opportunity to arise.”

 

Opening week is about tradition not about limiting out. Limits and cool birds come when the boat is cutting ice and fingers are numb. Ironically that is when only a few are hunting. That is the difference between duck hunting and being a waterfowler.

 

Taken during and evening flight the other night.

Edited October 26, 2017 by Wallew

[A-5 Pemberton]

Spot on Wallew, but eating fresh duck has been on my mind since a finished the final bird from last season. I love the majesty of the marsh in the morning. Seeing the eagles, kingfishers and ospreys. Having a deer walk right by the blind. Watching a swans fly right over our heads as we are out in our boats...hidden in the marsh. Seeing the stars, meteors and the other wonders of nature. I love the challenge's of duck hunting. And you are right, come January. the waterfowlers are out. But being one....I still love a dead duck on the bow of my boat!! 

[SPEARFISH]

I saw lots of ducks at daybreak while driving to work today.  

[Codaboy]

Where are all the birds? Not a single duck flying this morning. Anyone get out and have some luck? Hopefully the storm that is predicted on Sunday will move some birds down on Saturday.

I hunted in manchester this morning got my 3 wood ducks seen 50-60 woodies

 

Sent from my SM-T550 using Tapatalk

[chenrossi]

Got out 3 times for the split. Opener stunk....handful of teal and gadwall...shot a couple wood ducks Wednesday before work...ended it on a good note though, 2 man limit of teal...all drakes but 1.  Now to twiddle my thumbs for a couple weeks.....

[Wallew]

Spot on Wallew, but eating fresh duck has been on my mind since a finished the final bird from last season. I love the majesty of the marsh in the morning. Seeing the eagles, kingfishers and ospreys. Having a deer walk right by the blind. Watching a swans fly right over our heads as we are out in our boats...hidden in the marsh. Seeing the stars, meteors and the other wonders of nature. I love the challenge's of duck hunting. And you are right, come January. the waterfowlers are out. But being one....I still love a dead duck on the bow of my boat!!

 

I think the biggest issue with the opening week besides the fact that everybody and their brother is out, is the fact that like this year the weather isn’t cold enough. The birds aren’t pressured to eat yet and most are still in a loafing pattern.

 

I completely agree with you on the taste of fresh duck. I usually eat them the day after because I learned long ago what a difference it makes brining them overnight the day you shoot them.

[chenrossi]

I think the biggest issue with the opening week besides the fact that everybody and their brother is out, is the fact that like this year the weather isn’t cold enough. The birds aren’t pressured to eat yet and most are still in a loafing pattern.

 

I completely agree with you on the taste of fresh duck. I usually eat them the day after because I learned long ago what a difference it makes brining them overnight the day you shoot them.

 

Let's be real...when has the opening split ever been "cold"? And to further expand, birds are still pressured to eat. They can't just sit around and not feed all day. Eventually they have to. Just like we do. Every day. You just have to scout and understand what the birds are telling you when you do find them..are you hunting them where they're loafing, are they feeding, that goes for anything, and you hunt them accordingly..Spot I hunted today birds were not whatsoever feeding in, but just a nice area they felt "safe", they could mingle, what have you. Having a good shoot doesn't always mean hunting an X or where they're feeding, they still need to get from A to B regardless of what A or B is..