Operation Fox Drop

Didn't think I was going to get another chance to do a few sets for the red fox, but the wind dropped out and an approaching storm front made this afternoon a must hunt.  Here's the product of my efforts, a 15.5 pound red fox taken at 3:00 p.m.

There will be a full blown write up on this experience as I utilized the Firestorm by FOXPRO won over at the Outdoor Blogger Network.  I look forward to sharing the story and the fox is already prepped to be finished.

Enjoy the remainder of 2011...

DEDH

A week of firsts...

Our new house was the target of some efforts this week as the upstairs baseboard heat was hooked up and the floor was prepped for the hardwood flooring due to be installed next week.  The anticipated move still holds true to late spring/early summer and it's nice to see the efforts of finishing a home out of pocket come to fruition.  Now to the firsts...

I went out fox hunting several days ago with the Firestorm by FoxPro and was surprised by a fox.  This excerpt is from the email I sent several friends...


So I decided today since the family was off getting the hair done, that I'd take a walk.  Found some fox tracks and figured I'd go back and gear up.  Walked just beyond the deer stands and set up on the edge of a swamp.  I was about 20 yards from the call with a left to right breeze quartering at me.  Hit the field mouse distress called and left it on.  In about 3 minutes, a red blur arrived from where I had entered (from the right of my set up).  I had my glasses on and should have picked it up sooner.  Once I saw it about 10 feet from the call, I pulled on it and fired.  Unfortunately it had picked up on me and had turned back from where it came in.  I fired twice but it took off, I figure at best it got an ass full of Federal Black Cloud #2 in 3.5 magnum.  Excited and bummed at the same time.

I have to be honest that I'm quite determined to get better at predator hunting, and although I did not succeed on my first opportunity there certainly will be more chances.  Unfortunately (or fortunately for the fox) the wind has been at gale force for the past several days, so I may not get out anytime soon.

Today, my dad and I went to visit our area gun dealer and get a haircut.  On our ride home we detoured by the golf course and managed to see a flock of eastern turkeys.  We were watching and then I realized that one hen had a band on her leg.  Interestingly enough, I attempted to take a photo with my cell phone and it's difficult to see the band on the turkey next to the leftmost bird.  It's doubtful that this bird will be taken as 1) almost all turkeys taken are toms and 2) the golf course is well below the southern line for turkey hunting.  Nevertheless, for a guy who gets his bands from ducks it was cool to see one on a turkey.  With a quick Google search, I find an informative website that discusses the turkey reintroduction and methods of placing turkeys in certain areas including the banding process.  Click HERE

My next post will come on the new year, so I hope that 2011 was good for you.  For me it was one to stick a fork in with the loss of my mom and the advent of Celiac disease, but I suppose it could have been worse.  Here's to an improved 2012 and let's prove the Mayan calendar wrong!

Puddle Duck End Game...

The 2011 regular duck season came to an end today and my efforts were focused on coyote hunting with a new friend.  Even if I had elected to chase a duck, the sub-zero wind chills would have made for an icy endeavor.  The pursuit of the wild dog ended without a success story, but I learned much from the experience.  But this post is about yesterday...

A surprise snow storm and messy roads promised a white Christmas whilst leaving my plans for a bufflehead attack in despair.  After contacting my dad just after daylight, I convinced him that we needed to finish out our season chasing a black duck or two.  With the very large tides, it became pertinent that we mobilize to a different locale within the general area.  We chose to set up in the middle of the flooded cove concentrating on any late season black ducks that dare enter.  Due to the storm, our efforts were hindered and resulted in a delayed start.  Nevertheless, we set up, waited, and saw little sign of any life...

My father with a nice black duck.

My father opted to desert our set up and venture further upstream utilizing the unique structure for concealment along with the steady but relenting snowstorm.  Eventually I heard a somewhat distant shot and then from both sides of my location, two separate groups of black ducks.  The ones below me left the bay while the upstream birds exited behind me.  I did manage to convince a pair to circle my set twice, but I'm pretty sure they picked up on my dad who was returning with his limit for the day...







As Christmas Day approaches and I finish this post, I would like to wish all those to visit my blog the very best no matter what angle your holiday throws at you.  Santa is coming here, and I look forward to seeing two eager little girls who are currently setting up the cookies for Old Saint Nick...

God Bless,

The Downeast Duck Hunter

Time's running out...

It's hard to believe, but the regular duck season in Maine finds itself approaching the last week. With the warmer than average fall, the ducks haven't arrived from the open inland lakes thus limiting the number of bufflehead and goldeneye in the coastal sector.  Today, I chose once again to chase the black duck and brought my cousin Scott to the adventure.  Typically I head out to the blind, throw out the decoys, blast one black duck, and then bolt for home.  With two blacks potentially arriving, today we had a hunt on our hands.

So we slid out in a small snow spitting system with about three hours left for flood tide.  The wind was running northerly which certainly encouraged a nice headwind for the ducks to utilize and the temperature had frozen all surrounding water pots.  Conditions were optimal and within minutes, we sat in the blind for the first black duck who dare try us.

Honestly, there weren't an abundance of birds as three separate singles made way into the creek.  Then in a surprising fashion, a pair dropped before us just outside the three decoy spread and my trusted MoJo.  One veered away while the committed sucker found Scott's excitement and precision all coupled into a single shot strike which left the duck motionless.  After several failed attempts to retrieve the dispatched duck, I simply gave in and got the rowboat for a pick up.  Scott had quickly found his limit.

Scott's sniped black duck taken at 1:30 p.m. on 12/17/2011

 Several more ducks made their way into the tidal estuary and conveniently grouped up into one stubborn flock.  They floated downstream feeding as they went, but did not respond to my call nor show any interest in joining up with my decoys.  It became highly important that I put one in my game bag, so I ventured through the woods upstream in an attempt to locate the floaters who dare ignore my efforts of allurement.

I pushed between the pond and the line of trees towards the embankment where I flushed the black duck.  The shot came from just below where it shows the location of the downed black duck.  A worthwhile stalk with worthwhile rewards...

The sneak paid off in time as I cornered a smaller single against the tree line leaving myself upwind.  As soon the the black duck gained the slightest amount of air, it fell victim to the Firesteel.  The duck however could not drift across the brook, but opted to remain on the opposite shore.  I walked back downstream within hollering distance and asked Scott to row over.  He quickly obliged and within minutes we had the duck, decoys, and gear all ready for the truck.

My black duck taken at 3:20 p.m. on 12/17/2011

 With one week left, it is in my hopes to score at least one more black duck which will leave me at an all-time high.   Then, I turn my attention to the sea ducks that have certainly enjoyed their reprieve.  Have a great day.

The Downeast Duck Hunter

Scott, MoJo, and the pair of blacks taken 12/17/2011

One for the players and one for the haters...

Still struggling with this cold/sinus infection and the side effects of the 12 different medications in my system, I decide that sea ducking out of a boat was not on my list of things to do this past weekend.  Rather I opted to take a quick black duck on the flood tide which ended up being a little more time consuming than preferred.  I did convince a smaller single to part ways from another pair of feeders and pile drive it with my dwindling supply of Federal Black Cloud shotgun shells.  With no friends in attendance, this was the best photo I could muster of the nice black duck.

One for the players...

 So then I decide, why not take advantage of the flood tide and visit my buddy on the other side of the peninsula?  A quick phone call later, I was heading home for the bufflehead decoys and then setting up in a spot that had been proven nearly a year before.  The buffleheads were quite a distance out and clearly weren't going to push my way, but we still rested against the shoreline accompanied by none other than Sailor.  I will be honest that I only included this prize yellow lab in an ill attempt to impress Penbayman over at Maine-Matters.

 

If you notice this picture proudly displays a dedicated retriever who certainly holds a legacy of pursuits, then you are wrong.  Sailor does not like the water, cringes at the blast of a shotgun, and would rather sit in my lap than ever retrieve fair game.  However, the dog can pose for a vain attempt at mimicry of greatness and I'm sure Craig will be impressed with the imagery faux pas.

One for the haters...

I did take advantage of a unique opportunity upon quitting time.  Craig yelled down from his house that a bunch of ducks were crossing the narrow bay and were veering in our direction.  A seagull was pressuring these mergansers and they were making a straight path my way!  I hid in a crack in a rock ledge and witnessed 20 of these prize birds swimming no more than 40 feet away.  Within the scope of this opportunity I quickly assessed my possibilities...

a) leave these useless ducks alone and call it a day
b) shot one useless duck and proudly display it to the interested little girls that belong to Craig
c) cut loose and fill my limit of mergansers, ugh the shame

As you notice from the above picture, I simply chose to get one for the books.  Man didn't it taste great!!! For this duck hunter, the merganser is at the bottom of my list...

Have a great day,

The Downeast Duck Hunter

A few photos from this fall...

I've been too busy with the craziness of life and one nasty cold/sinus infection to get out into the field these past few weeks, but look forward to a few hours alone pursuing another black duck and maybe a kicker mallard.   Let's hope for both and even a Maine win over Georgia Southern.  Have a great weekend...

Last Wednesday my neck of the woods was the warmest in the continental U.S.

Sunrise for one of our sea duck hunts

Sunset from my community

Rapids rainbow during my September bear hunt

View from Russell Mountain (Delorme Map 48, A-5) during the bear hunt

Hello!!!

Drop that Eagle...

What do I and the University of Maine have in common? We are both Chuck Norris approved and on a roll.  A little rift in the social networking domain has resulted in some major stakes at hand.  So let me shake it down...

The University of Maine football team pounded Appalachian State 34-12; and next on our thrashing list is none other than Georgia Southern, the former academic home of Trey Luckie the author of Brave Eagles Hunt with Antique Brownings.  The 13th ranked Black Bears will play the 3rd ranked Eagles at 2:00 p.m. Saturday and at this moment on ESPN3...

So Trey Luckie, you may want to start a prayer chain down in the state of Georgia because you are going to need all the help you can get.  I look forward to our invasion...

Have a great day,

One Proud Black Bear (1998 and 2007)