Well, as the season comes to a close, I got to thinking about the fun I had this year, the different duck types I got to add to my list of ducks taken, and the things that didn't happen this year. So, I thought I would see what you guys were hoping for out of next year's hunt. I was going to make this thread about what your "holy grail" of ducks might be, but I thought that might have been a previous thread on the forum before I joined. Of course, if you've got a duck that's been eluding you and to get one is a goal of yours next year, by all means mention it.

I'll start off though, with what I'm hoping for next year.

1. Take a new hunter out on his/her first trip and get them hooked.

2. Get my first pintail.

3. Get my first drake canvasback.

4. Get my first teal of any kind.

5. Get my first banded duck.

6. Convince my wife I need a dog.

7. Get better/warmer socks. My feet are the only thing that every gets cold out there.

8. And of course, to just get to hunt as much or more than I did this year.

I'd like to get my first mallard, canvas, pintail, and woodie.

Drake can..cinny teal....duck hunting some where where I need a passport .

I'm going the opposite direction than most folks. Instead of hunting as often as I can locally I'm going for quality over quantity. Regress a bit and find some spots way away from the rat race. Part of that will be an Arkansas flooded timber hunt.

Drake Canvasback and Cinnamon Teal

Get my first Mallard Drake...

For some reason everytime I see one I muff the shot and it flys away. Just like on Sunday, beautiful green head starts to decoy into the wind and is just floating infront of me... BANG, BANG...F...BANG...Nothing. Then a group of 3 GWT come screaming in 3 min later and I pick out the two drakes and pull a double to end the season. Cursed I guess.

I have killed all of the above, but I am still looking for a mottled duck, and a band.

Make sure your toes have room to wiggle. Wearing boots or waders that are too small will cause you problems.

I've got plenty of room in the boots, I just can't seem to keep them warm. This happens when I deer hunt too. I've tried different kinds of socks, layering socks, and even the foot warmer pads. Maybe I just have poor circulation, I don't know.

smart wool socks work good i hear.

Drake canvasback
Cin Teal
Banded duck
Hunt even more than this year

Drake Canvasback is definately on the list. I also want to top my waterfowl total from this year (107 ducks and 3 geese). I am going to hunt the conservation order season for Snows in Kansas during Feb, this should add 20 to 50 geese to my total!

1. Take my lil bro hunting and get him addicted.
2. Have my future pup with me retrieving decently.
3. Cinny drake.
4. Banded bird.
5. Hunt alot more.
6. Be better prepared.

Shoot a triple ( boom, boom, boom)
Drake Canvasback
Find a honey hole
Have my pup retrieve his first bird
Get my dad hooked

It's cool to see what you guys are looking forward to next year. Seems like a lot of you have the elusive Cinnamon Teal on the top of the list. I haven't even gotten my first GWT yet, so any teal would be fine by me.

1. turn my motor into a 45hp.
2. more decoys
3. find a lease
4. scout lakes I have never been to while ducks are still here
5. get a new super vinchi

If we get the lease we are looking at then one of my first goals will be to help build a blind. Here are my other goals for Hunting in general.

1. Cin drake teal
2. Get another gun and turn what i have into a spare.
3. Get decoys
4. Get into a house and get a silver lab
5. hunt as much as possible
6. possibly bring someone along that has never been. (also bring my wife once)
7. Get more gear(especially warm boots-waders)

There are more but do not want to boar everyone with my goals.

1.Cinny teal
2.Get a band or two, or three
3.Get my lil bro a limit of ducks, he's not the get up at 3 type.

Get a lease
Get ducks to work
Get the kids out more

Mission accomplished if that happens...

Not sure yet to be honest. I do want to finish up my dog to my expectations and wants this off season so next year will be much easier on me and I can kill some more ducks instead of baby sitting and training her. She ended the season head and shoulders above where we started. Nailed two triples the last weekend...she is getting there. I need to stretch her blind work out to useful distances and we will be ready to rock and roll.

As far as killing...not sure where I am going or what I am doing but have just about decided it will be private next year.

Get June (my younger dog) ready before the season.
Cash (my traitor dog) likes to hunt with my husband because he drops more ducks.

Work my dog more in the off season.

1. Banded Duck
2. Browning Maxus
3. Hunt more

Go on a Guided hunt.

I did not hunt birds this past year nor have I ever been. I'm looking for a good guide/mentor to introduce me.