Jeramie Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 So my family has owned the same ranch for about 32 years. We have several ponds (13 total) and a lot of ducks. Ponds are very simple, literally just open field ponds. Regardless, I slaughter mallards every year. We also get tons of Gaddys, divers, etc. Its also a breeding ground for Hooded Merganzer so we have a ton of those.... Beyond that, nothing.... I have been wanting to kill a Pintail or Woodie for years but literally, none to be found on our place. Yesterday I was scouting (Bow in hand) for deer. I happend on a large pond that had about 30-35 ducks on it. It tried to sneak up to get a look but I was in the open before I noticed them. They busted on me, never got a look at what they were. I walked over to a small, heavily wooded pond that typically holds tons of Teal. Its seriously tiny but the teal cover it every year. I didnt see a single teal but there were 3 Wood Duck drakes and one hen! This is honestly a first. I have never, ever seen a wood duck out there in the 25+ years ive been hunting the ranch! Our duck season starts 11/01. Im so ready! I dont think I can decoy them in but if they are pushed out I may actually get to kill my first Wood Duck this year! Im hopeing the larger pond was also wood ducks given the number! They were too large for teal and it is also right up against a hard oak timber line... Ill update this if I get to squeeze off on the wood ducks! Im stoked... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 Guess the things I take for granted here. lol. We have wood ducks here pretty well year round in this old river channel. Keep saying one of these days I am gonna give waterfowling a try, course then I would not see any. Enjoy watching them from one of my stands on the river. Geese seem to be very heavy this year here already, maybe a little early to be hearing and seeing so many of them too, bad winter on its way what I keep hearing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 (edited) Havnt seen much for woodies here ,cant say Ive seen much for ducks , a few geese were here, mostly locals, but they moved off.. after I shot a few Edited October 13, 2014 by Mathews XT Man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted October 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 We typically dont have heavy numbers until late November/ early December. We have a split (December 2nd-13th) where we cant hunt. Immediately after that the ducks really flood in. We still have plenty to shoot at but dont see them in groups of 8+ all morning long until December. This is the earliest I have seen anything but teal in decent numbers. I have seen a lot of Canada geese too. A neighbor just planted 40 acres of winter wheat and he has about 25-30 on him every evening. It is still covered in dove too. He runs the geese off and will happily let me hunt so im sure I will be throwing steel at geese in November. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted October 14, 2014 Report Share Posted October 14, 2014 Hey that is awesome! They really are something to see. I used to have a place to hunt that always held woodies. Unfortunately it has new owners now and it was lost. Good luck, hope you (cough cough laughing under my breath) get your first woody :clown: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted October 14, 2014 Report Share Posted October 14, 2014 Cool. They hang around the big rivers in these parts. Not too many beat the drake woody for looks, that's for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoosierhunter Posted October 15, 2014 Report Share Posted October 15, 2014 We are fortunate to have good numbers in my area. The main problem i have is I'm mallard, woodie and teal heavy. I'm dying to see some other species while hunting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RTF Posted October 26, 2014 Report Share Posted October 26, 2014 Good deal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted October 27, 2014 Report Share Posted October 27, 2014 funny guy Ranger..lol saw a flock here two weeks ago, we don't see the ducks like we used to, unless you find a beaver pond, for some reason they like the beavers work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted October 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2014 We are fortunate to have good numbers in my area. The main problem i have is I'm mallard' date=' woodie and teal heavy. I'm dying to see some other species while hunting.[/quote'] I have the same problem. Im loaded with Green Heads, Gadwall, Divers, Ringneck, and Hooded Merganzer. Ive never seen a pintail or woodie on our place until this year. I wish we had more Canadas around too. There are plenty in the area but few ever hit our ponds. I have killed one off the ponds in no less than 20 years of hunting. Most I have killed have been in fields closer to the house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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