Managed to get out for a couple of late season hunts this month. The weather warmed up for a couple of good duck hunts here in New Mexico.
The decoys are hand-me-downs from my grandfather and started out as a Herter's black duck set for hunting on the Connecticut River in Massachusetts back in the '50s.
This is her 12th season hunting. Still going strong. Found a pic from her very first season, taken in the same spot.
Five greenheads and a pair of widgeon between my buddy and me.
Last weekend we made a quick trip to SW Kansas. Hunting was tough, some of the roads were still greasy muck from the last storm, and bird numbers on the WIHA were very thin. One rancher we stopped to talk to told us he had three hailstorms come through his property last summer. My lab was having a blast regardless and took us on a few long rooster chases that ended with the birds going onto private or eluding us. On the very last hunt before heading back home, we put up a pair and my buddy shot one and I shot the other. After all her hard work, I would have felt pretty crummy if we missed. Couldn't have asked for a better way to close out the season.
Late season ducks and pheasants
- RapscallionVermilion
- Posts: 484
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- Location: New Mexico
Re: Late season ducks and pheasants
Well done, sir!!
Re: Late season ducks and pheasants
Looks like fun. Love the dog photos. Pheasants are my favorite kind of greenhead.
- soiltester
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Re: Late season ducks and pheasants
Nuthing but SWEET in that last Pic.
ever wonder where the white goes when the snow melts??
Re: Late season ducks and pheasants
That's livin' right!
- Hoobilly
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Re: Late season ducks and pheasants
That is awesome! I sold a Pete Hillard or Hilliard
Cork blackduck feeding decoy for $500
Old black duck dekes seem to go high
Beautiful pictures and your lab is aging well. Glad she got some pheasants
Cork blackduck feeding decoy for $500
Old black duck dekes seem to go high
Beautiful pictures and your lab is aging well. Glad she got some pheasants
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- Gobbler Nation
- Posts: 2008
- Joined: August 28th, 2011, 7:13 pm
Re: Late season ducks and pheasants
That is awesome ! Love those bird dogs. I have a buddy that's down in Texas right now chasing quail. He takes his dogs down (english pointers) with him to get some work while its closed season here. When I was deer hunting in Kansas last fall I saw several coveys of quail and pheasants more than I have seen in 5 years of going there so maybe they are rebounding.
Re: Late season ducks and pheasants
Hey Rap, dont be spot burning the CT river. Did he hunt above or below the Holyoke dam !
The most experienced novice Turkey hunter the good Lord ever created !
- RapscallionVermilion
- Posts: 484
- Joined: February 17th, 2013, 4:24 pm
- Location: New Mexico
Re: Late season ducks and pheasants
LOL, above I believe. He lived in Smith’s Ferry. He did most of his hunting before I was born, but I remember his lab Pepper very well. I used to hunt the CT too, before moving out here, but I won’t say where.