The new season has arrived and not a moment too soon. My wife and I drove up to Central Il and stayed with our freinds for the opening weekend. Saturday, got out to the spot WAY to early. We had way to many decoys. Anticipation was high as the spirits were too. The winds were out of the SW and it was about 45 degrees. Shooting time arrives and with a bang. The woodies were everywhere. Well, all 4 of us got our 3 woodducks and 2 shovelers. We had a little incident, two of us, me included, needed 1 woodie a peice to fill our limit of those rascals. As me and my buddy are waiting to fill our limit of woodies here comes 3 and they are low and about ready to light on us. One young man who had killed his woodducks ends up killing all three of the ducks and the one that was closest and about 3 feet of the deck, first one he killed, was double banded with a $100 dollar reward band. Needless to say some feathers got ruffled.

Sun, about 47 degrees wind blowing like it was nobodies business. Me and my buddy ended up with 6 woodies and a spoonie and left by 9. There were lots and lots of big ducks flying but very high. It looked like maybe there was a push of birds in the area.

Mon, what a GREAT hunt! It was just above freezing when we got up. Winds were blowing pretty good for 5 in the am. Wind had shifted to the NW. We were hunting a timber hole. We got the decoys set and as we were having our coffee and cigs just before shooting time we had birds lighting in the decoys. Oh was the blood pumping! Only group of mallards we had work lit in the decoys just before shooting time. 7:56 and it was on like Donkey-Kong! 2 of us had a limit of ducks by 8am and ended up with 16 between 3 of us. Mostly gadwalls but killed some woodies and one widgeon.

It was just what the doctor ordered before our season down south starts. I just might have to make it up that way one more time before Thanksgiving! I hope you enjoy the picture of Cathy cleaning the bird. She does it so well.