Duck Clubs

Most duck hunters were prepared for another slow season and most of us weren't disappointed. It was a case of seeing what each day brings.... some good and some bad. In the opening days those that were flooded-up saw great results. For the most part, rice field hunters didn't get started until November and we also had good results. We were ready for what appeared to be a great season.

When the big freeze hit and the temps dropped things changed. Clear skies and frozen ponds sent the ducks into the closed to hunting areas and that's where they stayed. Feeding in the rice fields at night, under a full moon and then back to the refuge just before shooting time. This would prove to be the pattern for the remainder of the dismal season. On the few days of wind and rain combined with one or two days of fog, rice field hunters had great results with limits of ducks, but those days were far and few between. The weather pattern favored the ducks and there was no sign of a change in the weather for the remainder of the season. Things went from bad to worse.

It wasn't all bad. When the freeze hit and the rice fields were frozen, things really improved for the hunters that stayed into the afternoon. Once the fields thawed, ducks were on the move and feeding in the rice filelds. Hunters that went to the blind in the afternnon saw limits on windy days and good shooting most afternnoons. Some of the smarter duck hunters didn't even hunt the morning, they just slept in and went to the blind after lunch.

This was a banner year for the refuge rats and if you were willing to wait hours in the sweat line or lucky enough to get a draw for a good blind you shot ducks. I can't remember the last time I saw refuge kill numbers like this season. Personally, I would rather sit in my blind and shoot one pintail than deal with the states refuge system and all the crowds.

What it all boils down to is that we had an dismal season, the worst I've seen in 25 years, and if we have another wet spring in the breeding grounds, the outlook for next season will deliver another banner year of ducks in the migration. Good conditions in the breeding areas up north equal a good hatch and more young ducks in the winter migration. Let's face it, when we see a lot of young ducks in the fall, we see more shooting in the fields. That being said, we all know it takes weather to kill ducks in the rice fields and we can hope and pray we don't see another fall with no weather. Clear skies and a full moon equals a slow season for the rice fields.

I am playing the odds and the chances of a season like this one are very slim. I am not ready to stand in line and play the refuge system just to shoot some ducks. The refuge rats can celebrate for now and don't worry, you won't see me out fighting for a spot on the public areas. I am going stay in my blind in a rice field, enjoy a peaceful morning and if the weather cooperates, I will shoot some ducks.