Something other than Blacks and buffleheads

[waterman482]

http://www.myfishpix.com/gallery/data/500/xmas_hunt.JPG

[ub1243]

looks like a shovler and a few gadwalls?
that a little variety.

[DuckNutz]

Very nice on the mixed bag!!!

[Gr8ful Deer]

Nice to see someone shooting REAL ducks instead of brant, buffies and mergansers! :bow::bow::bow:

I've always loved the way gaddies come in to the blocks! ;)

Congrats, looks like it was fun hunt! :thup:

- Gr8ful

[tool box]

Nice.............

[bassassassin8]

Nice to see someone shooting REAL ducks instead of brant, buffies and mergansers! :bow::bow::bow:



:confused:

[cc19..aka A-5 Pemberton]

Nice work Adam. And bassassin, those are real ducks! But we had this debate on another site:D.

[waterman482]

Nice work Adam. And bassassin, those are real ducks! But we had this debate on another site:D.

When are ya going to come down and hunt with me? i've had a real busy fall but started getting into the birds as of late(never even went the first split)

[bassassassin8]

Nice work Adam. And bassassin, those are real ducks! But we had this debate on another site:D.


Well the way I'm looking at it is, maybe where guys are shootin buffies, mergs, and brant, there are no shovlers, gads, etc & vice versa? So how can ya say some guys are shooting "real ducks" while others supposedly aren't? I'm not lookin to start any debates or arguments but I don't have shovelers or gads around me.. It's wood ducks, mallards, and teal..and then geese.. So am I wasting my time because they aren't "real ducks"? :confused::please:

[waterman482]

Well the way I'm looking at it is, maybe where guys are shootin buffies, mergs, and brant, there are no shovlers, gads, etc & vice versa? So how can ya say some guys are shooting "real ducks" while others supposedly aren't? I'm not lookin to start any debates or arguments but I don't have shovelers or gads around me.. It's wood ducks, mallards, and teal..and then geese.. So am I wasting my time because they aren't "real ducks"? :confused::please:

Mallards,teal,and woodies are real ducks in my book! i don't know who thinks otherwise.

[edemi1]

Well the way I'm looking at it is, maybe where guys are shootin buffies, mergs, and brant, there are no shovlers, gads, etc & vice versa? So how can ya say some guys are shooting "real ducks" while others supposedly aren't? I'm not lookin to start any debates or arguments but I don't have shovelers or gads around me.. It's wood ducks, mallards, and teal..and then geese.. So am I wasting my time because they aren't "real ducks"? :confused::please:


they are real in my neighborhood too....

[Steve-O]

Nice to see someone shooting REAL ducks instead of brant, buffies and mergansers! :bow::bow::bow:

I've always loved the way gaddies come in to the blocks! ;)

Congrats, looks like it was fun hunt! :thup:

- Gr8ful

I'm sorry if we all don't meet up to your expectations but most of us take what we are given...:huh: :bow:

Also, if a drake buff is flying over your spread, don't waste your steel, its not a real duck...

[Gr8ful Deer]

I'm sorry if we all don't meet up to your expectations but most of us take what we are given...

Also, if a drake buff is flying over your spread, don't waste your steel, its not a real duck...

Who is "most of us" Steve-O? Is that you and the guys in your blind next to you? :huh:

Cause I know a hell of a lot of long time duck hunters in PA, NJ and MD; none of them shoot crap like buffies or mergansers anymore. :naughty: (Except for an occasional drake hooded merg for their flank feathers to be used as fly tying material.)

However, I can assure you that I won't be wasting steel on any drake buffies as I quit shooting them when I was about 14 years old. :rolleyes: Back then, we would shoot one just to give the dog some exercise on a slow day, but I soon recognized that the dog is just as happy retrieving bumpers, so there is no need to wastefully kill them for no other reason than to hear the gun go bang! :thdown:

Next you are proabbaly going to try to claim that they are also really cagey and tough to decoy! :rolleyes: You do know that they will decoy to bleach bottles don't you? :confused:

FYI: Mallards, blacks, wigeon(baldpate), woodies, gadwalls(grey ducks), pintails, teal, and shovelers(spoonbills) are the REAL ducks when it comes to puddlers. Bluebills(scaup), goldeneye(whistlers), redheads, ring-necks and cans are the REAL ducks when it comes to divers.

Perhaps the only reason you can't kill any REAL ducks is because you're too busy banging away at all the garbage birds you plan to waste when you get home. :razz:

Yeah, those buffleheads are awesome all right. In fact, I think they're almost as good on the table as ruddy ducks, coots and brant! :rolleyes:

Best of luck in the remainder of the season!

- Gr8ful

[boatliftman]

if i see any BLACKS while hunting i will deff. shoot them:D

[boatliftman]

adam give me a shout if you wanna go kill some fake ducks and maybe a few real ones :)


Mallards,teal,and woodies are real ducks in my book! i don't know who thinks otherwise.

[cc19..aka A-5 Pemberton]

Hey bassassin, we are just busting stones. It's a matter of opinion. Buffies and brant are easy to decoy is all. As to the fact that those are the only ducks you are seeing, well go out and scout. I bet waterman wasn't that far from home.
Thanks for the invite Adam, I really didn't get out much the first half either. I've been killing some geese but if it works out I would love to get down before coastal goes out.

[bluecollar$]

Who is "most of us" Steve-O? Is that you and the guys in your blind next to you? :huh:

Cause I know a hell of a lot of long time duck hunters in PA, NJ and MD; none of them shoot crap like buffies or mergansers anymore. :naughty: (Except for an occasional drake hooded merg for their flank feathers to be used as fly tying material.)

However, I can assure you that I won't be wasting steel on any drake buffies as I quit shooting them when I was about 14 years old. :rolleyes: Back then, we would shoot one just to give the dog some exercise on a slow day, but I soon recognized that the dog is just as happy retrieving bumpers, so there is no need to wastefully kill them for no other reason than to hear the gun go bang! :thdown:

Next you are proabbaly going to try to claim that they are also really cagey and tough to decoy! :rolleyes: You do know that they will decoy to bleach bottles don't you? :confused:

FYI: Mallards, blacks, wigeon(baldpate), woodies, gadwalls(grey ducks), pintails, teal, and shovelers(spoonbills) are the REAL ducks when it comes to puddlers. Bluebills(scaup), goldeneye(whistlers), redheads, ring-necks and cans are the REAL ducks when it comes to divers.

Perhaps the only reason you can't kill any REAL ducks is because you're too busy banging away at all the garbage birds you plan to waste when you get home. :razz:

Yeah, those buffleheads are awesome all right. In fact, I think they're almost as good on the table as ruddy ducks, coots and brant! :rolleyes:

Best of luck in the remainder of the season!

- Gr8ful
My question is why does it bother you so much??? If he's out on the water enjoying himself who are you to break his balls about it?

[waterman482]

Can't someone put up a report without it turning into a pissing match? Yes they are real ducks and no i really don't shoot mergansers and for those that do how many of you could tell me with a straight face that you love to eat them? Also i've been duck hunting long enough to know bufflebobs aren't the best of tablefare either! But the fact is that i scout more days than i hunt for a reason and i don't just show up to a spot before hunting it hoping some good birds will magically appear!

[Darrin Greene]

My question is why does it bother you so much??? If he's out on the water enjoying himself who are you to break his balls about it?

mainly because if it can't and won't be eaten, most believe it shouldn't be shot.

I'm keepin my opinion on real vs. not so real ducks out of it.

Buffies and brant are legal to shoot within limits so have at em.

I have shot a few of both but with them not being very edible wouldn't shoot any more. I had the experience...

I shot a ring neck drak yesterday puddle duck hunting... Why, because I've never even seen one, much less shot one...

And that's the last one I'll shoot.

[bluecollar$]

mainly because if it can't and won't be eaten, most believe it shouldn't be shot.

I'm keepin my opinion on real vs. not so real ducks out of it.

Buffies and brant are legal to shoot within limits so have at em.

I have shot a few of both but with them not being very edible wouldn't shoot any more. I had the experience...

I shot a ring neck drak yesterday puddle duck hunting... Why, because I've never even seen one, much less shot one...

And that's the last one I'll shoot.
My question is why does it bother GR8 so much, who gives a sh!t what the kid shoots. At least he is out not sitting on couch or doing drugs . If you guys are so worried about what he shoots , then offer to take him out and show him how to kill "REAL DUCKS"..

It's kinda like busting someones balls because his wife is fat, you don't have to F' her what do you care??

[waterman482]

My question is why does it bother GR8 so much, who gives a sh!t what the kid shoots. At least he is out not sitting on couch or doing drugs . If you guys are so worried about what he shoots , then offer to take him out and show him how to kill "REAL DUCKS

I would take anyone willing to learn out especially a kid without young hunters coming up and wanting to hunt we are screwed plus i want to have someone carry my decoys when i'm old and crippled. I could care less what anyone else out there wants to shoot but me personally if i'm going hunting i scout where there are different birds watch how they are moving and then hunt them! i would rather kill gadwalls,widgeon,pintails,teal and mallards and it might take alot of work to do so but thats the fun and challenging part of a hunt.

[Steve-O]

Who is "most of us" Steve-O? Is that you and the guys in your blind next to you? :huh:

Cause I know a hell of a lot of long time duck hunters in PA, NJ and MD; none of them shoot crap like buffies or mergansers anymore. :naughty: (Except for an occasional drake hooded merg for their flank feathers to be used as fly tying material.)

However, I can assure you that I won't be wasting steel on any drake buffies as I quit shooting them when I was about 14 years old. Back then, we would shoot one just to give the dog some exercise on a slow day, but I soon recognized that the dog is just as happy retrieving bumpers, so there is no need to wastefully kill them for no other reason than to hear the gun go bang!

Next you are proabbaly going to try to claim that they are also really cagey and tough to decoy! :rolleyes: You do know that they will decoy to bleach bottles don't you?

FYI: Mallards, blacks, wigeon(baldpate), woodies, gadwalls(grey ducks), pintails, teal, and shovelers(spoonbills) are the REAL ducks when it comes to puddlers. Bluebills(scaup), goldeneye(whistlers), redheads, ring-necks and cans are the REAL ducks when it comes to divers.

Perhaps the only reason you can't kill any REAL ducks is because you're too busy banging away at all the garbage birds you plan to waste when you get home.

Yeah, those buffleheads are awesome all right. In fact, I think they're almost as good on the table as ruddy ducks, coots and brant! :rolleyes:

Best of luck in the remainder of the season!

- Gr8ful

First off, whats wrong with cheap decoys?? :D Bleach bottles work, although we do use "real" decoys while hunting.

Thank you for the inconceivable information about the puddlers/diving ducks as well.

We kill the occasional "real" duck, whats wrong with setting up for both? Buffies off the points and blacks/mallards in the creek mouths? When the boat is right out back, tied up next to the dock, its tough to argue with driving anywhere other than a 1/4 mile and having a fun hunt. :cool:

BTW, those crabs taste mighty good come spring!!! :D

Best of luck to you are yours! Post up some pix of those real ducks that you try so hard to decoy...:bow:

[waterman482]

Like i said it wasn't meant to start a pissing match here! who cares what someone else shoots as long as they are having fun! I suppose its my fault i should have labeled it good day on the puddlers,my mistake i won't do that again.

[Steve-O]

Like i said it wasn't meant to start a pissing match here! who cares what someone else shoots as long as they are having fun! I suppose its my fault i should have labeled it good day on the puddlers,my mistake i won't do that again.

Its all good waterman, to each his own! :cool:

[waterman482]

Its all good waterman, to each his own! :cool:

I know ya'll have some good puddle duck hunting down your way too! i've had some good shoots on pintails and widgeon with a few teal thrown in down that way especially around the back side of avalon and stone harbor

[bassassassin8]

Hey bassassin, we are just busting stones. It's a matter of opinion.


Yep, I gotcha :cool:

[lbdc34]

I know ya'll have some good puddle duck hunting down your way too! i've had some good shoots on pintails and widgeon with a few teal thrown in down that way especially around the back side of avalon and stone harbor


When in the season do you see pintails and widgeon behind Avalon and Stone Harbor. I hunt out there all season and have never seen them. I get some teal and mallards, but mainly blacks, buffs, hoods, brant, and some geese sometimes.

[waterman482]

When in the season do you see pintails and widgeon behind Avalon and Stone Harbor. I hunt out there all season and have never seen them. I get some teal and mallards, but mainly blacks, buffs, hoods, brant, and some geese sometimes.

It all depends on the migration! they could be there one day and gone the next! you just have to pay close attention to what the birds are doing! if you get a good push of birds down from cold weather up north then it could be game on for a day or two then nothing for a week or two.

[cc19..aka A-5 Pemberton]

Weather down here will do it too. I've shot many puddle ducks when there is a good freeze and the fresh water goes solid. That is not the only factor though. Like Adam said, it is where the birds are on the flyway as well. Go down to the Forsythe Refuge and there are thousands of pintails there right now.

[Darrin Greene]

Behind Avalon could be anywhere, not necessarily between the parkway and the beach, right?

Even then ya never know where a certain species of ducks will show up. Areas have their regular fair, such as blacks and teal on the bayfront areas of Del Bay but bring in some weather and you never know what will show up. There were some wood ducks killed in the middle of Mad Horse WMA this early season. They were MILES out in the salt marsh where they clearly didn't belong, but they were there.

You can't always explain it but if you scout or just learn areas well enough, you know when and where to be to get certain species.

Adam is very good at coming up with the odd ducks it seems. Must be years of scouting...

[Steve-O]

Behind Avalon could be anywhere, not necessarily between the parkway and the beach, right?

Even then ya never know where a certain species of ducks will show up. Areas have their regular fair, such as blacks and teal on the bayfront areas of Del Bay but bring in some weather and you never know what will show up. There were some wood ducks killed in the middle of Mad Horse WMA this early season. They were MILES out in the salt marsh where they clearly didn't belong, but they were there.

You can't always explain it but if you scout or just learn areas well enough, you know when and where to be to get certain species.

Adam is very good at coming up with the odd ducks it seems. Must be years of scouting...

Yo0 wingmaster, check your email.

[waterman482]

I will start scouting in late summer and learn a pattern of how the ducks move thru an area even if they are going to be gone a few days later because pretty much all ducks will move an area the same! and then when hunting season comes i know the area good enough that all i have to do is make sure the birds are there and make sure i don't mess with em or disturb them. I've also found that NJ waterfowl hunters tend to be the laziest,most are content with setting up on a point and just waiting it out. Here are some recent scouting pics.
http://www.myfishpix.com/gallery/data/500/scout4.JPG
http://www.myfishpix.com/gallery/data/500/scout3.JPG
http://www.myfishpix.com/gallery/data/500/scout6.JPG
http://www.myfishpix.com/gallery/data/500/scout5.JPG
http://www.myfishpix.com/gallery/data/500/scout2.JPG
http://www.myfishpix.com/gallery/data/500/scout1.JPG

[Steve-O]

I will start scouting in late summer and learn a pattern of how the ducks move thru an area even if they are going to be gone a few days later because pretty much all ducks will move an area the same! and then when hunting season comes i know the area good enough that all i have to do is make sure the birds are there and make sure i don't mess with em or disturb them. I've also found that NJ waterfowl hunters tend to be the laziest,most are content with setting up on a point and just waiting it out. Here are some recent scouting pics.


Nice shots waterman! Do you only hunt waterfowl?

[waterman482]

Nice shots waterman! Do you only hunt waterfowl?

I do alot of archery hunting too. But mostly waterfowl! i have guided in the past but mostly do it for a good time with close friends now.

[Steve-O]

I do alot of archery hunting too. But mostly waterfowl! i have guided in the past but mostly do it for a good time with close friends now.

Nice, we have a tough time finding the freakin time for all of it, we do too much!! If we're not hunting, we're fishin!! :eek::eek: Instead of concentrating on one species/season, we cover most of them partially.

[waterman482]

Nice, we have a tough time finding the freakin time for all of it, we do too much!! If we're not hunting, we're fishin!! :eek::eek: Instead of concentrating on one species/season, we cover most of them partially.

Well i don't really enjoy fishing for fun in the fall so i dedicate more time to golf and hunting! and i golf alot more than i hunt.

[Steve-O]

Well i don't really enjoy fishing for fun in the fall so i dedicate more time to golf and hunting! and i golf alot more than i hunt.

But, do you have the Medicus?? :D:D

[waterman482]

But, do you have the Medicus?? :D:D

No way screw that thing! I'm a firm believer in practicing and not taking the easy way out! if i'm going to do something i would rather work hard at it and do it the right way whether its hunting or golf. I put more hrs into preparation than most would want but it makes the rewards that much better

[Darrin Greene]

Whoa whoa... now you have to take me after those big boy....

I need a Shoveler and a gray duck to add to my firsts for the year...

[waterman482]

Whoa whoa... now you have to take me after those Widgeon big boy....

Yeah the widgeon aren't really here in the numbers like they were last year! we've shot a dozen or so this year but nothing like years past! Here's a pic from last year
http://www.myfishpix.com/gallery/data/500/baldy2.JPG

[Darrin Greene]

I confused myself for a minute with your scouting pics because I rememebr the Widg from last year. Those are Gadwall hens, aren't they? I thought they were Widg but went back to correct.

You can tell I rarely see them, can't ya? LOL...

Mallards and blacks, mallards and blacks...

[waterman482]

I confused myself for a minute with your scouting pics because I rememebr the Widg from last year. Those are Gadwall hens, aren't they? I thought they were Widg but went back to correct.

You can tell I rarely see them, can't ya? LOL...

Mallards and blacks, mallards and blacks...

Those are all widgeon in that pic w a shoveler and a mallard but the majority of the gadwalls in the pics are drakes

[lbdc34]

It all depends on the migration! they could be there one day and gone the next! you just have to pay close attention to what the birds are doing! if you get a good push of birds down from cold weather up north then it could be game on for a day or two then nothing for a week or two.


Thanks. I just got back into waterfowling 4-5 years ago. Still got a lot to learn. I spent a lot more time scouting and trying new places this year then the last few, and I've been having a pretty good year. It's taken a few years but I'm finally starting to figure out patterns and trends for the areas I hunt most.

[philjam]

Me and some friends were humiliated trying to shoot sea ducks on a guided trip. The guide and his Chessie watched and snickered.

[Gr8ful Deer]

Post up some pix of those real ducks that you try so hard to decoy...

Steve-O:

As Yoda would say "there is no TRY" :naughty: ... I'd rather just do! ;)

I only have the following digicam shots of dead ducks, but I'll see if I can scan some of the 3x5 glossies I have later today.

http://www.myfishpix.com/gallery/data/524/Duck_Goose_Hunting_12-31-05_cropped.jpg
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb93/Gr8ful_Fish/WoodieDrakeOct07.jpg

In the interim, you'll just have to trust me when I tell you that I have killed a few REAL ducks in my lifetime.

Here's a shot of a portion of my jewelry collection for now.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb93/Gr8ful_Fish/Halloween2008.jpg

I have a few decoys, a couple of calls, a lab that actually hunts, and a duck boat or 3. ;);):D

- Gr8ful

[cc19..aka A-5 Pemberton]

Hey Steve-O, I can vouch for Grtful, he can kill ducks, anyway, at least the ones I don't shoot first:D, sorry Jimmy. Look, I am just busting stones. I cut my teeth during the point system years and a broadbill was a 10 pt duck. 4 guys equalled 40 ducks. Anyone who shot a buffie got ribbed. Old habits die hard. And I won't even mention the crab bait debate:fight::fight::D. Part of duck hunting is ball busting. No one means this stuff personally. At least they shouldn't and if they do they should come out from behind their computer. Anything I say on here I most certainly would say to some ones face, it's all in good fun:razz:. Ask anyone who knows me. I just love the sport and love every aspect of it. Just keep hunting, we need the numbers and don't forget to take some kids hunting and show them how to do it. Now go kill some real ducks;)

[waterman482]

I like duck hunting alot too but anymore there is so much drama here in this area that it takes the fun right out of hunting and once Jan 1 rolls around and you are allowed a whopping 2 broadbills then its going to get worse with every yahoo and there brother invading the area,you can have that! i got 2 more days left then i am out of here for greener fairways and palm tree's ya'll can have the ducks this year.

[Steve-O]

Sounds good fellas, if i have time, i may look through my laptop and put up a few real ducks :D :D Thanks for your opinions and best of luck through the rest of the season. :cool: :thup:



I'm only up to 3 bands thus far, hoping for another each hunt.

http://www.myfishpix.com/gallery/data/500/CIMG0937.JPG

http://www.myfishpix.com/gallery/data/500/CIMG0968.JPG

http://www.myfishpix.com/gallery/data/500/CIMG09661.JPG

[waterman482]

I never saw the big deal with bands personally i usually give em to my buddy who really likes em! i do know we've killed 7 or 8 bands in the past few weeks and 2 widgeon with bands which was pretty cool. And i have had really good luck with the 100$ reward bands between my buddy and i we're up to 7 of em over the past 5 or so years!

[Gr8ful Deer]

Hard to see , but there are a limit of greenwings and bluewings on the front of my boat:
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb93/Gr8ful_Fish/scan0009-1.jpg

Mallards, woody, pintail and greenwings:
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb93/Gr8ful_Fish/scan0010-1.jpg

Mallards, woodies, goose, and a prized sawbill(note: merganser shot by Procastinator):
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb93/Gr8ful_Fish/scan0011-1.jpg

Greenwing & black:
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb93/Gr8ful_Fish/scan0012-1.jpg

Pintail & greenwings:
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb93/Gr8ful_Fish/scan0016-1.jpg

Woody drake:
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb93/Gr8ful_Fish/scan0017-1.jpg

Pintail, mallards, black & greenwings:
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb93/Gr8ful_Fish/scan0019-1.jpg

- Gr8ful

[Gr8ful Deer]

More greenwings:
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb93/Gr8ful_Fish/scan0020-1.jpg

Chessie with goose, mallards, shoveler, and teal:
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb93/Gr8ful_Fish/scan0021-1.jpg

Gadwall, mallards & woodies:
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb93/Gr8ful_Fish/scan0022-1.jpg

Woodie Drake:
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb93/Gr8ful_Fish/scan0023-1.jpg

- Gr8ful

[bassassassin8]

Gr8ful, nice array of ducks :thup:

[littlewhitetailhunter]

very nice birds

[surferdude]

Great job :thup:, I got my first Snow-goose a couple days ago, at the age of 12! :D :D :D

[swab1985]

I will start scouting in late summer and learn a pattern of how the ducks move thru an area even if they are going to be gone a few days later because pretty much all ducks will move an area the same! and then when hunting season comes i know the area good enough that all i have to do is make sure the birds are there and make sure i don't mess with em or disturb them. I've also found that NJ waterfowl hunters tend to be the laziest,most are content with setting up on a point and just waiting it out. Here are some recent scouting pics.
http://www.myfishpix.com/gallery/data/500/scout4.JPG
http://www.myfishpix.com/gallery/data/500/scout3.JPG
http://www.myfishpix.com/gallery/data/500/scout6.JPG
http://www.myfishpix.com/gallery/data/500/scout5.JPG
http://www.myfishpix.com/gallery/data/500/scout2.JPG
http://www.myfishpix.com/gallery/data/500/scout1.JPG

I wanna go hunting with you:D