2019 Waterfowl thread

My missus and I took a drive East of Ottawa today, and I didn't see a single field where the corn was cut. Will have to wait a bit, I guess.
 
Out on a kayak scout yesterday morning. Haliburton area nothing flying apart from the "tame" black ducks that the neighbor feeds.
North Durham region where I live geese highway over the house twice daily from urban ponds to feeding fields and back.
 
My missus and I took a drive East of Ottawa today, and I didn't see a single field where the corn was cut. Will have to wait a bit, I guess.

If your area is like mine, corn will be late this year. Late spring, late harvest. Unless it's getting chopped for silage.

Most of the wheat, barley is done here, geese are hitting them pretty good. Still 50 geese or so hitting my wheat field. They will be gone in two days I'm sure of it lol
 
Going to miss the entire early season due to guiding moose hunters... will give 'em heck later in October/November. The walleye fishing and shore lunches will have to suffice.
 
It was a slow start to the season for me. Only called in a small group but was able to knock down two of them on the three shots I took. I think I can get used to this 10g. I have determined the roosting location so I’ll be waiting for them at sundown. Until then, I’ll keep hammering the walleye so that I can have a nice dinner by the campfire

F7501BB6-1C1B-45C2-B1A8-C7B27F546363_zpscqwkavrh.jpg
 
It was a slow start to the season for me. Only called in a small group but was able to knock down two of them on the three shots I took. I think I can get used to this 10g. I have determined the roosting location so I’ll be waiting for them at sundown. Until then, I’ll keep hammering the walleye so that I can have a nice dinner by the campfire

F7501BB6-1C1B-45C2-B1A8-C7B27F546363_zpscqwkavrh.jpg

Or you could just eat the geese.
 
It was a slow start to the season for me. Only called in a small group but was able to knock down two of them on the three shots I took. I think I can get used to this 10g. I have determined the roosting location so I’ll be waiting for them at sundown. Until then, I’ll keep hammering the walleye so that I can have a nice dinner by the campfire

Good job! I may be wrong but those calls look like Knight & Hale? I started out on short reeds with a magnum clucker that had the camo worn off as much as the one in your pic by the time I moved into acrylic. Ahh, memories!! Lol
 
Good job! I may be wrong but those calls look like Knight & Hale? I started out on short reeds with a magnum clucker that had the camo worn off as much as the one in your pic by the time I moved into acrylic. Ahh, memories!! Lol

The one with the camo worn off is indeed a Knight & Hale magnum clucker. As you can tell by the photo, I’ve been using it for a long time. The other two calls are Mick Lacy game calls, which also work well
 
Got out this morning but the action was pretty slow. Called in a pair that were being trailed by a small flock of 8. The pair dropped into the spread but the 8 looked hard, thought about it, flared and kept going. Not sure why they didn’t join the party but no biggie, my buddy and I took the pair. Down was thicker than I’d expect for local birds. Anyhow, cool bonus was every 20 minutes or so we could hear a tom gobbling in the woods...never saw him but nice to know he’s out there still trying to get some ;)
 
Opening day on Tuesday was good.. lots of ducks around, but I shot badly.. nevertheless I limited out by 7:15. Today seemed like it should have been better; weather-wise. But there were hardly any ducks around at all compared to the first morning. So slow that I packed it in at 8 with only 3 in the bag. Not sure where they all went, since the weather has been mild.

As for geese, I've hardly seen any. relatively few of the fields have been cut due to recent wet weather.. but it's finally getting done. I did see one small-ish flock of geese in a cut pea field on the way home. They're on their way, I'm sure!
 
Just got this E-Mail, and it seems that the changes they are proposing will be beneficial. Surprises the heck out of me that any government today would do things to make life simpler, but hey, I'll take it. Here are the proposed changes:

Environment and Climate Change Canada is proposing important changes to the Migratory Bird Hunting regulations, which will effect waterfowl hunters across Canada. A few of these changes include:

Removing the requirement to keep an intact wing of a harvested bird attached to the meat;
Allowing the use of a crossbow to harvest migratory birds;
The provision that birds harvested under the authority of a Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit may be gifted for human consumption (including for charitable purposes);
Extending the expiration date of the Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit.
The proposal also includes the elimination of Waterfowler Heritage Days, and replacing it with the exemption of all minors from purchasing the Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit and Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp.
 
Four of us went on our first hunt Sunday morning in the rain. We stopped to do a proper bird count, and lost out on a few flocks, that came right in as we counted, but it's a good thing, because we were at 28 birds, and the next flock would likely have had us over the ,limit.

70392928_10156755532712297_9201323959679713280_o.jpg
 
Anyone in Eastern Ontario willing to take on a couple of young guns, my hunting partner and I would be happy to take you out for a coffee, get to know you, and convince you that we aren't a bunch of good for nothing city thuds.

We come self sufficient with guns, camo ammo and transportation, positive attitudes, good work ethics and strong backs. Only thing we don't have is our own lay down blinds, but we would seriously buy them tomorrow if anyone was willing to take us out.

We've been hunting land animals for a few years together, never had much of a go at waterfowl in a proper set up with someone who knows what they are doing. We have great access to a good plot of land for Turkey hunting if anyone wants to trade. Not really interested in paying for a guided tour. Far more interest in earning our keep by helping with hard work and sharing some enthusiasm and hopefully not too much comedic relief.

If willing to take the chance and offer a hand to the next generation, please feel free to send me a PM. Thank you kindly.

Best of luck to all.
 
Just got this E-Mail, and it seems that the changes they are proposing will be beneficial. Surprises the heck out of me that any government today would do things to make life simpler, but hey, I'll take it. Here are the proposed changes:

Environment and Climate Change Canada is proposing important changes to the Migratory Bird Hunting regulations, which will effect waterfowl hunters across Canada. A few of these changes include:

Removing the requirement to keep an intact wing of a harvested bird attached to the meat;
Allowing the use of a crossbow to harvest migratory birds;
The provision that birds harvested under the authority of a Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit may be gifted for human consumption (including for charitable purposes);
Extending the expiration date of the Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit.
The proposal also includes the elimination of Waterfowler Heritage Days, and replacing it with the exemption of all minors from purchasing the Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit and Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp.

Well, I'll be damned...I didn't know that was an illegal act...I don't suppose the many elderly local folks that benefitted from I and a few buddies showing up at their homes with as many birds as we could carry for them to supplement their meager "pension" funded food availability knew that as well...or we would have been a lot more careful when doing a drop-off in broad daylight.
 
To clarify, currently it is not illegal to "gift" birds. Here is the proposal in regards to "gifting".


The proposed MBRs clarify the purposes for when birds hunted under the authority of an MGBH permit, or in accordance with a section 35 right, may be gifted, which are for human consumption (including charitable purposes), taxidermy or in order to train dogs as retrievers. It is proposed to clarify that a migratory game bird that is not preserved and that is given is counted towards the owner’s possession limit until the gift is accepted by the new owner. This would make it prohibited for hunters to dump (e.g. leave on a doorstep) their harvested birds claiming that they are gifting the birds, when the recipient may not want to or cannot use them.

Darryl
 
Anyone in Eastern Ontario willing to take on a couple of young guns, my hunting partner and I would be happy to take you out for a coffee, get to know you, and convince you that we aren't a bunch of good for nothing city thuds.

We come self sufficient with guns, camo ammo and transportation, positive attitudes, good work ethics and strong backs. Only thing we don't have is our own lay down blinds, but we would seriously buy them tomorrow if anyone was willing to take us out.

We've been hunting land animals for a few years together, never had much of a go at waterfowl in a proper set up with someone who knows what they are doing. We have great access to a good plot of land for Turkey hunting if anyone wants to trade. Not really interested in paying for a guided tour. Far more interest in earning our keep by helping with hard work and sharing some enthusiasm and hopefully not too much comedic relief.

If willing to take the chance and offer a hand to the next generation, please feel free to send me a PM. Thank you kindly.

Best of luck to all.

Where abouts in Eastern Ontario are you?
 
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