Daydreaming of Waterfowling

Mazeofmystery

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I posted this on huntingBC, but I feel this site is more active, so here goes!

While I should be prepping my fishing tackle and my bear & deer kit, I'm still reminiscing about my initial waterfowling season last year.

I made a new, good friend just prior to the season, who was also completely green to waterfowling. We hit up boundary bay on opening day with the bare bones of necessities, and a random burlap sheet to use as a "blind", that was held up by random sticks we found that we whittled into posts.

I also reconnected with an old work buddy that I used to work the bars with, who was kind enough to invite me to my first field hunt. Also got my first and only Canadian goose that day, and also made another new friend that came along for the hunt that as well. Laying in a layout blind, completely clueless with what was going on, and extremely nervous to boot, having these massive birds flying in what felt like arms reach to me is something I will never forget.

I got to also experience my first night flight. I had no idea ducks were so active when the sun started to dip behind the mountains. Hundreds and hundreds of quacking birds zipping by was surreal.

And learning to call. MAN. It has to be one of the most rewarding skills i've learned so far. I'm nowhere near the best, but getting my first birds to actually respond to my calls was absolutely amazing. When it comes to ducks anyways. I still sound like what I would imagine is a goose going through puberty hahaha.

I'm hoping this summer, that knocking on some doors (and maybe sending some mail?) will provide me with an opportunity to pay back all the people who gave me an amazing initial waterfowl season, with a hunt on some land they haven't been able to explore.

Anyone else have some awesome waterfowling memories? Goals? Maybe some not-so-obvious knowledge to share?
 
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Ohhhhhh boy. Your in for it now. You got any savings or other hobbies in the fall?

Well not anymore if you love waterfowl huntin! LOL

I was a big game hunter, It was bear then moose then deer hunt all fall.

That all changed when i got into waterfowl. Fall consists of early goose season, waterfowl season then late season goose. I'll big game hunt only if we don't have a field to bird hunt

It's the most fun for me. Got a small fortune in decoys, blinds now But it's all worth it because I got 4,5 buddies that love it just as much as me and we get a lot of permission for fields.

4LanLLa.jpeg


Double banded bird and coyote I got within about 2minutes of each other.
 
Ohhhhhh boy. Your in for it now. You got any savings or other hobbies in the fall?

Well not anymore if you love waterfowl huntin! LOL

I was a big game hunter, It was bear then moose then deer hunt all fall.

That all changed when i got into waterfowl. Fall consists of early goose season, waterfowl season then late season goose. I'll big game hunt only if we don't have a field to bird hunt

It's the most fun for me. Got a small fortune in decoys, blinds now But it's all worth it because I got 4,5 buddies that love it just as much as me and we get a lot of permission for

Double banded bird and coyote I got within about 2minutes of each other.

Im really thankful that i make my own fishing tackle and can maintain all my hunting stuff myself haha!

I was thinking i would fish the mornings, go to work, waterfowl after my shift, and if i get a weekend off i'd big game hunt. There should be more hours in a day or more days in a week!

I'm already practicing my goose calling!!!! :)

Me too! I can do a moan easily enough, and im getting the basic honk somewhat down. But stringing them together and being able to spam honks out rapidly is not very kind to anyone's ears at the moment haha!
 
Ohhhhhh boy. Your in for it now. You got any savings or other hobbies in the fall?

Well not anymore if you love waterfowl huntin! LOL

I was a big game hunter, It was bear then moose then deer hunt all fall.

That all changed when i got into waterfowl. Fall consists of early goose season, waterfowl season then late season goose. I'll big game hunt only if we don't have a field to bird hunt

It's the most fun for me. Got a small fortune in decoys, blinds now But it's all worth it because I got 4,5 buddies that love it just as much as me and we get a lot of permission for fields.

4LanLLa.jpeg


Double banded bird and coyote I got within about 2minutes of each other.

What an epic start to the Day !!!
Great Pics !!!

I posted this on huntingBC, but I feel this site is more active, so here goes!

While I should be prepping my fishing tackle and my bear & deer kit, I'm still reminiscing about my initial waterfowling season last year.

I made a new, good friend just prior to the season, who was also completely green to waterfowling. We hit up boundary bay on opening day with the bare bones of necessities, and a random burlap sheet to use as a "blind", that was held up by random sticks we found that we whittled into posts.

I also reconnected with an old work buddy that I used to work the bars with, who was kind enough to invite me to my first field hunt. Also got my first and only Canadian goose that day, and also made another new friend that came along for the hunt that as well. Laying in a layout blind, completely clueless with what was going on, and extremely nervous to boot, having these massive birds flying in what felt like arms reach to me is something I will never forget.

I got to also experience my first night flight. I had no idea ducks were so active when the sun started to dip behind the mountains. Hundreds and hundreds of quacking birds zipping by was surreal.

And learning to call. MAN. It has to be one of the most rewarding skills i've learned so far. I'm nowhere near the best, but getting my first birds to actually respond to my calls was absolutely amazing. When it comes to ducks anyways. I still sound like what I would imagine is a goose going through puberty hahaha.

I'm hoping this summer, that knocking on some doors (and maybe sending some mail?) will provide me with an opportunity to pay back all the people who gave me an amazing initial waterfowl season, with a hunt on some land they haven't been able to explore.

Anyone else have some awesome waterfowling memories? Goals? Maybe some not-so-obvious knowledge to share?

I blame Canso, especially when he has been posting up those hatchlings jumping ;)

I'm already practicing my goose calling!!!! :)

I used to practice while driving home from work.
Got some pretty interesting looks from fellow commuters too ;)
Rob
 
Im really thankful that i make my own fishing tackle and can maintain all my hunting stuff myself haha!

I was thinking i would fish the mornings, go to work, waterfowl after my shift, and if i get a weekend off i'd big game hunt. There should be more hours in a day or more days in a week!



Me too! I can do a moan easily enough, and im getting the basic honk somewhat down. But stringing them together and being able to spam honks out rapidly is not very kind to anyone's ears at the moment haha!

If you can cluck and moan half decently you'll kill lots of birds. I just run Cluck-Moan-Cluck sequences or Cluck-Cluck-Cluck-Cluck etc. :)
 
What an epic start to the Day !!!
Great Pics !!!



I blame Canso, especially when he has been posting up those hatchlings jumping ;)



I used to practice while driving home from work.
Got some pretty interesting looks from fellow commuters too ;)
Rob


Bwahaha hey gotta do what you gotta do! :) I like to go out to the countryside and record video of my calling just to hear what it sounds like at various distances than just echoing inside the house.
 
Good to know! I could do it on my old cheapo call, but I just got a "Real Thang" and man is it hard to use. But, once I practice enough on it, I'll get there!

I have a Real Thang as well. Yours might be tuned a little stiffer and might require you to push more air through it to get the sound you want. Practicing on a stiffer tuned call will only help you down the road. A good base to see where you are in your calling if you can make a honk or a cluck without using your hands for back pressure. There are lots of goose calling instructional DVDs out there Scott Threinen (Molt Gear) has one called Bad Grammar, another one is Shawn Stahl’s Honker Talk. There are so many other videos or YouTube videos as well that can help you through. I’m not a professional caller by any means but I’ve turned and burned my fair share of Canada Geese with a cluck & moan sequence.
 
I have a Real Thang as well. Yours might be tuned a little stiffer and might require you to push more air through it to get the sound you want. Practicing on a stiffer tuned call will only help you down the road. A good base to see where you are in your calling if you can make a honk or a cluck without using your hands for back pressure. There are lots of goose calling instructional DVDs out there Scott Threinen (Molt Gear) has one called Bad Grammar, another one is Shawn Stahl’s Honker Talk. There are so many other videos or YouTube videos as well that can help you through. I’m not a professional caller by any means but I’ve turned and burned my fair share of Canada Geese with a cluck & moan sequence.

Well, since my last response, i've been practicing with my Real Thang to and from work on my commute. I can moan well still, but now my cluck is pretty good, as it actually exists now haha! If I'm going slow, I can cluck 7/10 times. If i'm trying to do a cluck moan, or repeated clucks, i'm only successful about 4-5/10 times. But, progress is progress! I spam watched youtube videos until I found one with instructions that clicked for me. Next steps: hammer down my cluck + moan, and learn to honk.
 
Covid has kept my goose hunting invite from happening the last 2 years. Looking forward to hopefully getting a call this fall. Otherwise i am gearing up for ducks with a few friends of mine. One is experienced and does kayak hunting in another area, while the other and myself are brand new to duck hunting and will be trying closer to his place. Either way i am looking forward to anything we can manage lol
 
Well, since my last response, i've been practicing with my Real Thang to and from work on my commute. I can moan well still, but now my cluck is pretty good, as it actually exists now haha! If I'm going slow, I can cluck 7/10 times. If i'm trying to do a cluck moan, or repeated clucks, i'm only successful about 4-5/10 times. But, progress is progress! I spam watched youtube videos until I found one with instructions that clicked for me. Next steps: hammer down my cluck + moan, and learn to honk.

Nice work! 7 out of 10 is fantastic don’t rush just take your time. Remember the more you practice you’ll eventually build speed. Speed. IMO if you can get 7-10 gooey clucks in a row consistently that will still make you a very effective caller. It won’t happen overnight and takes lots of practice.
 
Real true waterfowlers never stop dreaming...next days hunt, next weeks hunt, next season....almost 60 years old now. Been waterfowling since I was 15, my favorite hunting of all! As for calling off season? I get some wierd looks walking through camp with my lanyard in hand headed out to the parking lot to wail away! ;)
 
Lol I too practice while driving in my truck ,pretty funny looks when you "highball" and the person next to you stares mouth agape...
 
I also practice in my truck on the way home from work. Gotta keep windows down as it's so loud. Get some funny looks from people lol



Had 9 dozen decoys out on my lawn giving them a wash......my elderly neighbour comes outside and sees them all....says " why do you have so many lawn ornaments!?!?" LOL

Awkward explaining it's for hunting them lol
 
Real true waterfowlers never stop dreaming...next days hunt, next weeks hunt, next season....almost 60 years old now. Been waterfowling since I was 15, my favorite hunting of all! As for calling off season? I get some wierd looks walking through camp with my lanyard in hand headed out to the parking lot to wail away! ;)

Geezus you’re old!!!!! ;)
 
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