Didn't get to hunt this weekend due to work and was able to slip out Tuesday morning.

"Supermoon" lit the way and didn't even have to turn a headlamp on walking in or putting out decoys. Heavy fog limited visibility to about 60 yards. I hadn't heard a single bird while walking in or setting up so I though it might be pretty slow. About 10 minutes after legal I heard wings, but didn't see any birds due to the fog.

I gave two soft quacks and got a "gadwall quack" in response. A low pass by a group of 8 and they banked hard as they swung around into the mist. Lead bird was talking the whole time. Materializing just outside of range they banked again. Two single quacks and a pull on the jerk cord and the 3rd pass they were about 10 yards above the decoys and 25 yards out and I dropped a hen gadwall to start off the season.

15 minutes went by with nothing and visibility still under 70 yards. I was caught off guard when a pair of pintails cruised by the decoys and began to bank as I lost sight of them due to fog. I gave a few whistles and dropped the drake about 30 seconds later as he was entering the decoys feet down at 25 yards.

30 minutes went by with no ducks of any kind being seen or heard. I reached in the bag for a little snack and while turned around I hear ducks drop into the decoys. I turn and 3 gw teal had landed to the left of the decoys by about 15 yards and were shielded by some sesbania (senna bean bushes). I gave a quack and light pull on the jerk cord and they jumped up to hop closer to the movement. I dropped the drake, then a hen, and then another hen for a triple. (Insert celebratory shout!)

It was 7:20 and I had 5 ducks. I sat until about 7:50 and the fog began to clear and I hadn't seen another duck. So I hopped out of the blind to walk to a 2nd blind and make sure it was huntable for later in the season. On the walk back to the original blind I saw a pair of ducks working the decoys and cussed myself for not being more patient. I hustled back to the blind and sat down about 8:15. At 8:20 a pair of bluewings came in low and hot over the decoys. A few single quacks later they crossed feet down at 20 yards and I dropped the last bird of the day.

While picking up I had a pair of mallards, a single wood duck hen, and a group of 12-15 gw teal come over the decoys as well. It was a good first hunt and solo hunt to start the season with a mixed bag of 1 gadwall, 1 pintail, 3 gw teal, and 1 bw teal.


There weren't many birds, but the ones there were worked real well. It's nice when they cooperate!

Pictures below:

Well done!

Nice hunt and nice write up.

Thanks fellas!