Wood ducks for the taking...

[proturkeyhntr]

Chad Hodge and I got together and bagged our limit of woody's down in sunny florida last weekend...

scott

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e56/proturkeyhntr/IMAG0127.jpg

[FlHunter23]

Nice woodys! Ill be grinding for some woodys for the first time this weekend or the next.

[TrophyTracker]

Good luck, I'm pretty busy getting ready for my trip up North now, but after I get back, we might hook up down there and give it a go, if you'd like.

[FlHunter23]

Sure that sounds good, Would be nice to pick up some tips from a pro.

[TrophyTracker]

Keep your eyes peeled for birds in the meantime,and most importantly your ears, for that "Tweeeeeep,Tweeeeeeeeep" sound they make in the swamps, and the whistling wings overhead when they fly by in the early a.m.

[FlHunter23]

Ive heard that sound where im at down there, but i didnt know what it was. Im real excited to get that call and to give it a try. I will definately keep my eyes and ears open now that i know whats making that racket.

[TrophyTracker]

Early/Mid Jan. we will definately go down there and make some feathers fly! Don't worry, I won't Bogart your secret spot. lol

[FlHunter23]

Its not to much of a secret spot. I've seen a couple people down there. mostly air boaters I think. I've got two spots in mind though that I think will produce something. you gotta go through some thick stuff to get to them. most of it is real mucky, with some high and dry patches around. thers game trails cut in it every where. I should be hunting it but would be hard getting something big out. one of the spots is on the actual water line of the river! I sat there for a few about two weeks ago and heard turkeys calling to eachother. I dunno if they were in the trees or what cause if you stand on the waterline and look towards the river theres still about 80 yrds give or take of trees till you hit the clearing. I dunno where they would be standing at except for the trees. How gullable are those wood ducks? will them come in to a good call? I don't mind sharing my spots. I have gps coordinates. Id hate to give them out on a bump spot though. Im not a pro. If I harvest or see anything ill definitely let you know.

[TrophyTracker]

Early in the morning when the ducks are flying to the feed area from the roost (when you hear the whistling wings) is the best time to get them to fly into the call. They will hear it and come dropping into the swamp holes thinking other birds have found food.In the late morning/early afternoon, the birds will be loafing around on logs,on the ground and in some cases in bushes in the swamp. Sometimes I sneek up on them sleeping, with their heads tucked into their wings.

[FlHunter23]

Chad, have you ever been to emeralda marsh? Its not far from here and you can hunt wood ducks sept 20-24. its real nice down there and some good fishing too.

Legal to Take – Wood duck and teal during special September
duck season; duck, geese, coot and snipe during duck,
light goose and coot season and the Youth Hunt

[TrophyTracker]

Right now the only thing in there are Ringnecks, and they are getting pounded on a daily basis by some kats I know who live on the marsh. If you got a boat and some dekes, you can limit out pretty easily on Ringers. The woodies are pretty scarce in there, but can also be hunted now,during the general Waterfowl season. Another place to check out is Lake Okahumpka in Wildwood.They were blazing away in there on opening day, but I haven't heard many shots there lately. The Swamp and river hold the key to shooting Mulletheads(Woodies) at this time, but flights are arriving daily.

[FlHunter23]

I think ill just stick to jumper creek for now. Its gonna be tuff choosing what i want to hunt. When does the waterfowl season end? I dont think ill be able to hunt deer and duck at the same time. I was thinking id just bring a couple bird shot shells with me and hit the woody call while i was walking around for deer or pigs, but i gotta be plugged for only three shots max while hunting ducks. Im not sure what to do... I think i might have to choose one or the other. you got any ideas?

[TrophyTracker]

Get some no-tox buckshot just a deer pops up. When hunting waterfowl, you aren't allowed to have any other type of shot on you other than , steel, Hevi-shot,etc.

It shouldn't take more than three shots to kill a deer or hog anyway, but ducks are in till the 20somthing of January.

[FlHunter23]

Alright, thanx for the info. That just might work. So far ive only ever needed one shot, and they both fell where they stood. I hope i can keep it that way, these animals deserve a clean kill. Im a pretty good shot, id like to see how i do on these waterfowl. Hopefully ill be finding out soon enough, should be getting my call here in a couple days. Woohoo! cant wait.

[TrophyTracker]

Just remember when you get it, that the pitch and tone can be adjusted by pinching the rubber tube at the end of the call and manipulating it to make the sound you want while blowing it..

[FlHunter23]

just got my call like 5 minutes ago, gonna mess with it later. I just worked 4 doubles in a row. Hope im not to tired to go hunting this weekend. ha ha, yeah right ill be out there.

[TrophyTracker]

Tired is not in The Hunter Dictionary!:D

Good deal, where do you work?

[FlHunter23]

I work for a small commercial pressure washing company. We do a lot of work in the villages, but we have been going to osceola polk county line to do some washing at a power plant. Have you been to the new square in the villages? We wash all those buildings too.

[TrophyTracker]

Word. The new Square is a sight to behold. I'd like to duck hunt the lake behind it, I see Ringnecks in there sometimes!:D

[FlHunter23]

Ha Ha yeah. i dont think that would go over to well, lol. Its full of bass too! I pulled a 9 pounder out of there. Security keeps pretty good tabs on it though been yelled at a couple times.

[TrophyTracker]

They are pretty tough in The Villages, I got kicked out of the archery range for not being a "Resident" even though there were no signs stating that as a requirement. I think that I just intimidated a guy that was there shooting with my sweet rig, and he called in on me..:cool: Oh well