The Last Hurrah

[mc15426378]

Waterfowl season closed yesterday here in MS. Been a tough season due to the mild weather up north.

I did manage a hunt Saturday just south of Yazoo City, MS, on the southern edge of the MS delta. Area had 2" of rain last week so the water was considerably deeper than my last hunt. Hunting is holes in flooded timber with some larger sloughs occasionally. Saturday we hunted our favorite hole based on the predicted wind direction, which of course switched and required a change mid hunt but the move was worth the effort.

Ten minutes after entering the hole I realized my waders had a leak and was wet from the waist down but another five minutes and I forgot all about being wet. Ducks were moving and eager to the call. Best hunt I've had in a long time and I got to see my cousin go for a swim.

Three of us brought home 16 gadwalls and one greenhead....and missed several easy shots.

I used my SP-20 ga with Bis-Maxx classic doubles, 1 oz of #6. All our shots were decoyed birds at 20-30 yds and this 20 is deadly...if I do my part.

Sad to see the season end but a great last hurrah.

[fox-admin]

Oh yea!! nicely done, grey ducks are one of my favorites! Good show Mike! If your waders leak up north you can forget about ever fathering kids, I guess in the south it just slows down your escape from gators. SP-20 not many of them around. Congratulations Craig

[DSizemore]

That's pretty cool, as well as unique, to see an SP 20 taking ducks.

[Silvers]

Good show Mike, and especially for the end of the season! Thanks for posting. Hey, based on that heavy shirt I'll bet the water wasn't all that warm.... I'm thinking of that one Seinfeld episode on shrinkage Frank

[MARSHFELLOW]

Mike, GOOD FOR YOU!!!!!!!

tjw

[Jim Cloninger]

Congratulations Mike! I also took my black Lab Mandy duck hunting Saturday. We got our limit of 7 ducks, 2 Pintail, 2 Gadwall, 2 Widgeon and 1 Greenwing, all drakes. I used a 1908 CE with 32" barrels choked full and full with Bismuth 4's and 5's.
I bought this Fox from Silvers a couple of years ago. Thanks Frank.
Jim

[bbman3]

Wonder how many ducks were killed by a 20 ga SPE this season? I bet very few. Mike may have been only person to use one. Bobby

[mc15426378]

Thanks for all the kind compliments. Actually the weather was has been very warm for late January which translates to warmer water in your waders. Have been there and done that in much colder temps. Maybe that's why I only have two kids.

I would love to use my HE for these hunts but without a sling I'd have to hold the 9 lb + gun for 3-4 hours as there's not really a place to rest the gun in the flooded timber. Just don't want to take the chance of the gun going for a swim. We use screw-in steps designed for deer hunting to hang ditty bags, guns, etc so our hands are free but I'm the odd man out with my guns. Any suggestions for a good temporary sling?

For those that haven't used a 20 on decoyed ducks I think you'd be pleased with the performance. I do give up some range if we go for pass shooting but normally we do our best to getem close with their feet down. I also like # 6 shot as it seems to do less damage to the meat and it will drop birds dead in the air.

Jim, sounds like you had a great hunt. We're only allowed a combination of six birds. Wish we had a seven bird limit as you do. Good to hear that Mandy is still in the hunt. Were these decoyed birds? What brand shells did you use?

Craig, if there were any gators in the hole, do believe I could walk on water.

Would be nice if we were all closer to be able to hunt together but since we're not photos are the best we have. How about some of you gents posting photos of your hunts?

Mike

[Jim Cloninger]

Yes, Mike, Mandy and I were dealing with decoying ducks in an open water marsh. Mandy did good and retrieved all the ducks, allowing me to stay in the blind. I still do not have a digital camera so I cannot post photos. I did take a few with my 35mm camera. I guess I am still living in the past, shooting a 1908 Fox for ducks!
Jim