The North and Middle Zones opened for the waterfowl season this past weekend.  The 2 brown dawgs decided to try their luck down by the river since the upland hunting has been slow. 

They found a nice outlet where the river current flows in one side to a  dead end and then back out the other side which makes it look like a little pond.  Maybe a wood duck or two would happen by… 

Hunting Spot

 This was a walk in hunt.  No boat and just the gear the hunter could carry…a few decoys, a gun, a bucket to sit on and the pocket camera.   (The hunter was requested to take his own pictures for this hunt because after last weekend there is no way I was going to spend my Saturday morning on a bucket by the river in the rain.  😀 )    

Thunder drew the morning hunt.  It was a rainy breezy morning.  

Rainy morning.
Decoys are out.

  Thunder waited and waited.  He needed a little reminding that duck hunting requires patience and you have to stay still and be inconspicuous.   

Thunder tried to blend in.
Thunder is waiting patiently.

 Finally an immature wood duck headed towards the decoys and Thunder had his first retrieve for the year.  Unfortunately that was the only duck that happened by all morning.   On the way out Thunder decided that  he needed a bit more action and flushed 2 woodcocks.  🙂 

I sat out there all morning and all I got was this little duck?

 Next was Storm’s turn for the late afternoon hunt.  Unfortunately the weather turned nice and the wind completely died.

Early Evening

 Storm has not been duck hunting nearly as much as Thunder.  Since there was not much action, it was a good time to work on her sitting, waiting, and not moving around.   But a Chesapeake Bay Retriever is no good just sitting around waiting for ducks.  Given the chance, Storm would go find those ducks  and make them buzz the decoys.  However, that isn’t duck hunting. 😆 

Why do I have to just sit here and wait for the ducks? Can't I go find them?
OK I will try to blend in.

 The day ended with no retrieves for Storm.  Hopefully as the season wears on she will get a chance to actually see what duck hunting is all about. 

The waterfowl season for the South Zone opens this weekend so Thunder will get another chance at an opening day.   However, the weather for the weekend is supposed to be sunny and warm, (not ideal for duck hunting!).  Here’s hoping for a few more retrieves for Thunder boy!  

Thanks to Jim for the pictures.