Forums46
Topics537,029
Posts9,719,585
Members86,989
|
Most Online25,604 Feb 12th, 2024
|
|
|
Re: Where have the ducks gone discussion
[Re: tdogg]
#7710996
01/08/20 12:09 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,154
KWood_TSU
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,154 |
tdogg, take it easy on the dude, he's from Florence, he cant help it I feel bad now. I'll send him a box of crayons to munch on, and a bottle of windex so his momma can clean that window he loves to lick so much. Awww, you're a sweetheart, thanks!
Amat Victoria Curam - Victory Loves Preparation
|
|
|
Re: Where have the ducks gone discussion
[Re: Jobst]
#7711083
01/08/20 01:25 AM
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 459
HVILLE HNTR
Bird Dog
|
Bird Dog
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 459 |
Wow...This is the most action a thread on this forum has gotten in the last 5 years
|
|
|
Re: Where have the ducks gone discussion
[Re: Jobst]
#7711143
01/08/20 02:12 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,645
garrett
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,645 |
Might have to get the catfish special at D-Boone’s Friday
Attention rickym, this is not a troll post, just a good hearted fun type of post
|
|
|
Re: Where have the ducks gone discussion
[Re: HVILLE HNTR]
#7711150
01/08/20 02:19 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 35,409
Guy
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 35,409 |
Wow...This is the most action a thread on this forum has gotten in the last 5 years Actually, here was a thread on Flyway Federation less than a year a go, that went 4 pages, this one will probably go further cuz tdogg is on here. https://texashuntingforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/7430650/1
|
|
|
Re: Where have the ducks gone discussion
[Re: Jobst]
#7711160
01/08/20 02:28 AM
|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,037
Greekangler
Veteran Tracker
|
Veteran Tracker
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,037 |
Bottom line- if you have habitat- shallow water and food source, you have birds. They will find it. Migration, no migration. They will concentrate were food is. Pressure is the largest deterrent IMO. We haven't had a real cold front since first week of season but have consistently shot limits, or worst case, 1/2 limits on stale birds. Have to get creative. Traditional hunting, decoy setup, etc doesn’t work as well. Have to be different.
Great season so far for puddle ducks. Hopefully continues.
Take a kid Huntin
|
|
|
Re: Where have the ducks gone discussion
[Re: Jobst]
#7711429
01/08/20 01:39 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,168
HoldPoint
Veteran Tracker
|
Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,168 |
damn duck season isn't even over yet and y'all already back to clucking - I can't wait to see what the off season looks like
|
|
|
Re: Where have the ducks gone discussion
[Re: Jobst]
#7712079
01/08/20 11:34 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,659
Hopedale
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,659 |
The birds that do make it down here find the tanks no one is hunting and stay there.
I hate that up north they can now flood corn and hunt in it.
And ice eaters are from the devil!
|
|
|
Re: Where have the ducks gone discussion
[Re: Hopedale]
#7712272
01/09/20 02:19 AM
|
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 11,512
rickym
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 11,512 |
And ice eaters are from the devil!
|
|
|
Re: Where have the ducks gone discussion
[Re: KWood_TSU]
#7719209
01/16/20 02:42 AM
|
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,084
2flyfish4
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,084 |
This has been a really good series that I'm currently watching. This was a good series and I enjoyed listening to it. I was able to get through pretty much all of them. The one thing I came away from all of it is you can point your finger and play the blame game on all sorts of factors; spinning wing decoys, flooded food plots, hunting pressure, etc. But all and all we are in this together and I think the only thing we can do as individuals to help the duck population is to limit our hen harvest. I'm proud to say I've only shot 3 mallard hens so far this year, but I feel I've shot to many hens of other species. I'll run my numbers after the season. I'd say 1/4 to 1/3 of my bag has been other hens (ringnecks, teal, spoonies, gadwall, etc.) I feel this is to high and I need to do a better job on not harvesting hens. Just my thoughts and I'd ask each hunter to make a concerted effort to do the same.
Instagram - 2flyfish4
|
|
|
Re: Where have the ducks gone discussion
[Re: Jobst]
#7719672
01/16/20 04:58 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,214
jnd59
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,214 |
So...now that that has seemed to settle down, who's up for some lake naming! I'm sure we can break 10 pages if we try.
No matter how high a duck flies a hammer still breaks a window.
|
|
|
Re: Where have the ducks gone discussion
[Re: Greekangler]
#7719726
01/16/20 05:27 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 297
Teamjefe
Bird Dog
|
Bird Dog
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 297 |
Bottom line- if you have habitat- shallow water and food source, you have birds. They will find it. Migration, no migration. They will concentrate were food is. Pressure is the largest deterrent IMO. We haven't had a real cold front since first week of season but have consistently shot limits, or worst case, 1/2 limits on stale birds. Have to get creative. Traditional hunting, decoy setup, etc doesn’t work as well. Have to be different.
Great season so far for puddle ducks. Hopefully continues. I have 100 acres of prime moist soil habitat. 15 acres of japanese millet. There have been birds on my property for one day this season. Zero pressure in the second split. Zero birds this morning when I scouted. Its mind bottling...
|
|
|
Re: Where have the ducks gone discussion
[Re: Jobst]
#7719731
01/16/20 05:32 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,268
BradyBuck
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,268 |
Buddy of mine guided this hunt last weekend in central-ish Texas I think they all went there.. quick image upload
HRCH Washita's Kimber Locked N Loaded GRHRCH Firefly's Rally The Troops MH
|
|
|
Re: Where have the ducks gone discussion
[Re: jnd59]
#7719734
01/16/20 05:33 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 23,830
beaversnipe
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 23,830 |
So...now that that has seemed to settle down, who's up for some lake naming! I'm sure we can break 10 pages if we try. I have not heard a single shot in December and January out of Lake VineGrape
|
|
|
Re: Where have the ducks gone discussion
[Re: Teamjefe]
#7719735
01/16/20 05:33 PM
|
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,084
2flyfish4
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,084 |
Bottom line- if you have habitat- shallow water and food source, you have birds. They will find it. Migration, no migration. They will concentrate were food is. Pressure is the largest deterrent IMO. We haven't had a real cold front since first week of season but have consistently shot limits, or worst case, 1/2 limits on stale birds. Have to get creative. Traditional hunting, decoy setup, etc doesn’t work as well. Have to be different.
Great season so far for puddle ducks. Hopefully continues. I have 100 acres of prime moist soil habitat. 15 acres of japanese millet. There have been birds on my property for one day this season. Zero pressure in the second split. Zero birds this morning when I scouted. Its mind bottling... Yep, I follow some of the elite ducks clubs on social media in arkansas and they have ducks but are reporting very low nunbers.
Last edited by 2flyfish4; 01/16/20 05:33 PM.
Instagram - 2flyfish4
|
|
|
Re: Where have the ducks gone discussion
[Re: Jobst]
#7719745
01/16/20 05:48 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,154
KWood_TSU
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,154 |
Well, it was 72 degrees yesterday, what do you expect.
Amat Victoria Curam - Victory Loves Preparation
|
|
|
Re: Where have the ducks gone discussion
[Re: jnd59]
#7719754
01/16/20 06:02 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 35,409
Guy
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 35,409 |
So...now that that has seemed to settle down, who's up for some lake naming! I'm sure we can break 10 pages if we try. We need something to liven this place up.
|
|
|
Re: Where have the ducks gone discussion
[Re: Guy]
#7719774
01/16/20 06:18 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,154
KWood_TSU
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,154 |
So...now that that has seemed to settle down, who's up for some lake naming! I'm sure we can break 10 pages if we try. We need something to liven this place up. We still got two weeks though! Y'all can lake name, just not wma name!
Amat Victoria Curam - Victory Loves Preparation
|
|
|
Re: Where have the ducks gone discussion
[Re: KWood_TSU]
#7719914
01/16/20 08:50 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,214
jnd59
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,214 |
So...now that that has seemed to settle down, who's up for some lake naming! I'm sure we can break 10 pages if we try. We need something to liven this place up. We still got two weeks though! Y'all can lake name, just not wma name! Well, I'll stick a finger in the fan: So I hear there are tons of ducks at the following: Cheyenne Bottoms WMA Neosho WMA Anybody hunted there lately? I'm not looking for your general spots. I want the supreme honey holes!
No matter how high a duck flies a hammer still breaks a window.
|
|
|
Re: Where have the ducks gone discussion
[Re: Jobst]
#7722160
01/19/20 01:29 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 837
yakinthebox
Tracker
|
Tracker
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 837 |
From my experience this season, it is weather related. We had a couple good strong fronts early this year and I had a better first split than I ever have before. Then the pattern shifted to stagnant with little bitty mild "Cool Fronts" that did little to get birds moving. I think the birds that arrived on those early fronts, left on some of the others and hardly any new birds have followed them. The weather has been so muggy and not very "Ducky". I'm not saying there aren't any ducks around but the ones that are here get smart about where to stay where they can't get pressured. I've seen more birds during the second split sitting on cooling ponds and retention ponds around chemical plants and cities than I have out in the hunting marsh. They aren't stupid and they learn the safe havens quick. Just my
If you stay ready, you don't have to get ready! -Anonymous
|
|
|
Re: Where have the ducks gone discussion
[Re: 2flyfish4]
#7722304
01/19/20 04:25 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 837
yakinthebox
Tracker
|
Tracker
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 837 |
This has been a really good series that I'm currently watching. This was a good series and I enjoyed listening to it. I was able to get through pretty much all of them. The one thing I came away from all of it is you can point your finger and play the blame game on all sorts of factors; spinning wing decoys, flooded food plots, hunting pressure, etc. But all and all we are in this together and I think the only thing we can do as individuals to help the duck population is to limit our hen harvest. I'm proud to say I've only shot 3 mallard hens so far this year, but I feel I've shot to many hens of other species. I'll run my numbers after the season. I'd say 1/4 to 1/3 of my bag has been other hens (ringnecks, teal, spoonies, gadwall, etc.) I feel this is to high and I need to do a better job on not harvesting hens. Just my thoughts and I'd ask each hunter to make a concerted effort to do the same. I do tend to agree on this generally. I personally think shooting less hens is important. More hens = more broods in theory...
If you stay ready, you don't have to get ready! -Anonymous
|
|
|
Re: Where have the ducks gone discussion
[Re: yakinthebox]
#7722486
01/19/20 07:43 PM
|
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,084
2flyfish4
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,084 |
I'd like to see a cap on the amount of hens you can shoot within your daily bag limit. 2 or 3 hens (of all species) max out of your six bird bag.
Instagram - 2flyfish4
|
|
|
Re: Where have the ducks gone discussion
[Re: Jobst]
#7722611
01/19/20 09:59 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,847
LarryCopper
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,847 |
There have been a couple studies that show hen killers have a lot less impact on duck numbers than you would think. Main reason is that hunting is a relatively low factor in mortality. It’s all about the habitat in the breeding grounds in the spring.
|
|
|
Re: Where have the ducks gone discussion
[Re: Jobst]
#7723739
01/20/20 10:43 PM
|
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,084
2flyfish4
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,084 |
I think I have seen those same studies. I would say I agree with them however there is a limit of 2 mallard hens per bag limit. So there must be something about limiting the harvest of hens.
If you listen the spinning wing decoy discussions of the xo state of waterfowling they indicate studies that show young hens being particularly vulnerable to spinning wing decoys. I dont believe spinning wing decoys are going anywhere, to much money.... so the only thing I think we can do as conservationist hunters is to further limit our harvest of hens. Just my opinion.
Ultimately I am not in favor of the government telling me what I can and cant do, but if hunters aren't going to protect the resource themselves then what option do we have. Just bc you can doesn't mean you should.
If you are familiar with trout fishing along the texas coast then you know how the state wouldnt lower the limit on trout even though all the guides/outfitters knew the trout population wasnt strong enough to continue to support the 10 trout limit the state had. Bc of increased fishing pressure. So most of the guides and outfitters banned together and restricted customers to only keeping 5 trout per day. Now the state has changed its position and made the limit 5 across the TX coast. Buts that's a different topic.
Last edited by 2flyfish4; 01/20/20 10:44 PM.
Instagram - 2flyfish4
|
|
|
Re: Where have the ducks gone discussion
[Re: Jobst]
#7723999
01/21/20 04:42 AM
|
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 513
kman2017
Tracker
|
Tracker
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 513 |
Imo a compromise on spinning wing decoys would only be to use them first split only, second split only, something along those lines. Would it be a popular proposition? Doubtful.
|
|
|
Moderated by bigbob_ftw, CCBIRDDOGMAN, Chickenman, Derek, DeRico, Duck_Hunter, hetman, jeh7mmmag, JustWingem, kmon11, kry226, kwrhuntinglab, Payne, pertnear, rifleman, sig226fan (Rguns.com), Superduty, TreeBass, txcornhusker
|