Recipe for duck hunting

Wednesday conditions: temperatures falling throughout the day, 80% chance of precipitation and major push of ducks into the area = Jeff's recipe for duck hunting. Pothole hunting looks good in the morning because ducks are looking for places to loaf during the day. For sure hunting flooded corn in the afternoon. Maybe we will see you? If we shoot enough ducks, Jill will make Happy Duck!

Murph and Jeff -- AGAIN

Looks like the duo has done it again - a limit of mallards this evening. They saw more flight birds coming in as well. Paul Shelton was in the field too and also harvested 4 birds, but got away before I could document it with my trusty sony. We are 100% for the day. Looks like the hunting is picking up nicely.

Haldy and Murph strike green!

Two duck hunters today - the infamous Murph and Haldy - and they landed 4 mallards. The word from them is "THE DUCKS ARE HERE." Jeff agrees and Ron is hoping they are right. Guess we will know more in the morning.

Jeff Says, "Lightning Strikes Twice"

I was looking for a picture of a wild turkey to post and send along with our Thanksgiving greetings when Jeff and Mitch showed up with a slew (or is it a gaggle?) of ducks - 8 gadwall, 1 ringneck and 1 blue wing teal (which should be in Mexico, Jeff says.) Word is that the ducks worked real well this morning. Jeff is in charge of Thanksgiving dinner at his house - better get going!

Again, Happy Thanksgiving to all!

LIKE A LUCKY RABBITS FOOT

Hunting with Jeff is like carrying a lucky charm. . . Mitch hunted and Jeff guided (well, come on, Jeff WAS hunting backup) this afternoon at the new levy pit and bagged 4 mallards and 2 ringnecks!! Go guys! Unfortunately, Doug James brought 2 guests down yesterday afternoon with no success in the mallard arena either then or this morning. Well....then there IS that lucky charm... Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.

Three's The Charm

We LOVE Gary Fitzgerald for his photos! Without his expertise and conscientiousness, all our photos for the last 14 years would be in a shoebox. Show your appreciation by being my friend! Many congratulations to Pat, Rick (oops, he is double dipping in the photos & kudos!) and Troy. Nice, nice trophy deer.

Good times in the Lodge following a productive first day.

If these photos make you feel like you are missing all the fun, YOU ARE!

Rick scores big this morning. Raging debate going on right now about whether this deer qualifies for the 8 point pool. Stay tuned.

SCENES FROM PRE OPENING DAY EVENING - I think Matt was trying to duck out of the picture. And David is practicing rattling the big one in! What a happy night.

It may be the opening day of the 2009 deer season, but Will James and his Dad hit the duck pit instead. This was Will's first duck hunt ever and what a great one it was! For the record, it is a beautiful, sunny day -- not exactly the kind of day you would expect to shoot ducks. And, no Will is not playing hookey - no school today! Way to go Will!

It is the day before opening deer season and here is what we are up to! Dave and Joe came early and couldn't wait to shoot a duck, which they did! They are back at it this afternoon.

YOU KNOW, when Gary arrives, the fun is about to begin. Nothing has changed with Gary...he is walking around here mumbling to himself. Something about let's get a big one on the ground....

In case you were wondering what Jill was up to -- we are whipping up the italian dinner for Thursday night. Baked a couple of turkeys for sandwiches. The lodge is absolutely oooozing with anticipation and excitement for tomorrow.

OPENING WEEKEND DUCK SEASON 2009 Jeff models his finest duck hunting makeup! The weather was 60 degrees, sunny and balmy. Jeff said that although no limits were taken, they were quite encouraged by the number and variety of ducks who came into the flooded corn as they were picking up decoys. He feels quite certain we are in for a good season with a little help from the weatherman. Now today would be a good day - isn't that the way it always goes? Stay tuned.

How about these glorious sunsets? When we start seeing scenes like this we know the deer hunters will be arriving soon - oh, and also the duck hunters!! I have been seeing some deer from my second story perch in the lodge.