Got up early Saturday morning. Went to my favorite public duck spot. When I parked, flying insects swarmed my truck lights. As soon as I opened the door, they covered the cab light. If I turned on a flashlight, they were there in seconds; the head lamp stayed in the bag.

So I made my 1/2 mile hike through the woods; dragging my sled, dodging spider webs and slapping mosquitoes. Finally made it to the edge of the trees and where I expected to find a 200 yd field of mud and rocks, I see a solid wall of grass, weeds and small willows. I attempted to make my way through the sea of foliage, hoping that it would peter out and return to the normal field of mud I have come to know and love for the past 3 years.

After 45 minutes and making it less that half way without any signs relief, I gave it up. I rested, drank some Gator-aid and turned around. It took twice as long and required the copious use of a machete to get out. Wind(?) had made most of the vegetation lean towards the lake, so on the way out, it was easier to push over. Now that I was going against the grain, the challenge was increased.

I never saw the lake. I know most of you might say things like "you should have scouted". Well, with the cost of fuel and an hour drive to the lake, this is how I scout. I hunt the morning in a place I know and trust and spend the rest of the day looking of the next spot. Except, on my return to the truck, I realized I didn't have my maps.

Others may say "why are you taking a sled and waders out for teal? Well I use teal season as the test for my equipment. If my waders leak, I want to know now, not when it is 35 degrees out. If my sled doesn't float right or my blind doesn't work right, I don't want it to fail when the big birds are out.

Have to say, worst day in the field. Had less fun than the turkey hunt where Motezuma had his revenge against me.

Ok. I feel better now. Thanks for listening.

Free Gas

AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH..............big hug!!

That is why I scout... So I don't waste my time lugging everything and getting up at 3 or 4 in the morning only to be disappointed. Just sayin...

Like I said, that spot hasn't changed in over three years. Had no reason to think it would change, especially that drastically, in one year.

Teal season 2011 - nothing between the trees and water over a foot tall.
Teal season 2012 - nothing between the trees and water over a foot tall.
Teal season 2013 - nothing between the trees and water over a foot tall.
Teal season 2014 - Impenetrable wall of vegetation over 7 feet tall and more than 100 yards deep.

Sounds like someplace no one else wants to go! Perfect spot.

^^^ This

Agreed. And if I had a partner, I might have made it though.

You must be a Sooner.

Still sorry you had a crappy day in the field though. Go Pokes.

In Oklahoma, the grass is more polite.

LOL! Agreed. (Right up there around Stillwater!)

2011- drought year
2012- drought year
2013- little bit better but still a drought year
2014- lots of rain

I wonder what it looked like before that nasty 2011 drought hit. Sucks that you put in all that effort. I feel even more sorry for you that you like the sooners.

Guys, guys, guys.

What would Texas be like without all the Yankees and Okies that have blessed us with their presence? Would we REALLY like to still be duck hunting two miles from downtown Katy? Would dove hunting be half as enjoyable as it used to be at Plano Parkway and Preston Road instead of having to drive halfway to Abilene like we do now? We need these fine folks. Remember, the BIGGEST OU Alumni group in the country is in Dallas not in Oklahoma. Would YOU want to live in Detroit, or Pennsylvania? I would not!

};o)

In my prayers!

This will definitly put the new hunters to the test. Less water and weeds as far as the eye can see. Its defintly going to make public hunting challenging this year!!!

On a related note. Who's ever gotten lost in the fog?

Even with GPS on the Lowrance it is pretty easy to do! Was with my brother on a big lake right between TX an OK and fog was THICK. We're half way doing circles gimping to our spot when we hear a boat screaming towards us wide open. Shining our lights but couldn't see him til he was 25 feet away and only missed us by 15 feet. He never let off the throttle. Jackwagon...

All the other times were kinda funny.

I have personally never been lost in the fog, but I have been with people that have

Yup! Sitting in the middle of the lake waitin' for the fog to lift. Puckers the butt!
Now, I always have a compass w/me.

OP, sorry about the troubles.

My son and I were on a lake last January. We put in around 4am and there was barely a trace of fog. As we headed to our spot, BAM!. I have never seen fog roll in so fast in my life. That was a put bucker experience for sure.

I'm not sure if it was the fog, the Tom Tom gps, or the beverages from the night...