Late Season Waterfowl

[MK2750]

Anyone still pestering the migrants? Couple late season pics.

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This one is not amused and is giving me the "You got to be insane look" after a short swim in the fridget water.

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The yellow fellow does most of the cold water stuff but she carries her wieght as well and does the lion's share of the early season work.

[Rackmastr]

Great pics.....plannin on getting out myself a few times in December for sure.....

[Hair trigger]

That is really what it is all about. Those are great photos.. My Lab would fit right in.

[OutwardBound]

Great pics! We'll be heading out this weekend and then resume the chase full force in Dec. Thx for sharing.

Danni

[Battery]

sorry i dont really know much about dogs for waterfowl hunting, but what are those vests they're wearing? do they keep them warm in the water?
nice pics and great looking dogs

[catnthehat]

Trying to get a late season hunt together, but things keep falling through!
Cat

[madatter]

Tons of birds down by the Hat!!
Out at Rattlesnake yesterday morning and could not believe the amount of mallards zipping around,as well as tons of canadas.
Managed 4 canadas and 4 mallards....those green heads are very plump!!
Would have had more but I seem to be having trouble hitting things with the new/used Beretta semi auto.
A week ago there was no where near this amount of ducks,lakes are pretty much wide open down here still.

[MK2750]

Originally Posted by Battery

sorry i dont really know much about dogs for waterfowl hunting, but what are those vests they're wearing? do they keep them warm in the water?
nice pics and great looking dogs

The vests are neoprene and make a big difference. Doesn't seem like it would but I believe it keeps massive heat loss from the core area (heart and lungs) from happening. They warm up faster as well when back in the blind. They still shiver for a couple minutes but it stops quickly until they hear more ducks.

My dogs sleep in the house so I feel they are a must for cold water. When I kennelled dogs in the past I never bothered with them.

MK

[sjemac]

Originally Posted by Battery

sorry i dont really know much about dogs for waterfowl hunting, but what are those vests they're wearing? do they keep them warm in the water?
nice pics and great looking dogs

Neoprene and yes they keep them warmer in the water and out of it. Mine even gives the dog a little extra floatation to help on the long retrieves.



Pretty essential when hunting days like this:

[Battery]

ahhh neoprene, yea i use a neoprene life jacket for water sports. Definatley helps keep the upper body heat in, thats a good idea for a dog. I wouldn't think they would need it though. Mind you labs dont have overly long fur either.

[MK2750]

Originally Posted by Battery

ahhh neoprene, yea i use a neoprene life jacket for water sports. Definatley helps keep the upper body heat in, thats a good idea for a dog. I wouldn't think they would need it though. Mind you labs dont have overly long fur either.

Water is much different than air temp. A person would be dead in a couple minutes in 0 degree water. It sucks the heat right out of you. A drop in core temp of a couple degrees is fatal in humans. Not a big deal if your in and out quickly but as mentioned above on long retrieves a vest makes it more enjoyable for the dogs and adds saftey.

[Battery]

yea it makes sense for sure. I eventually want to start hunting with a dog once i have more experience hunting. but i'll only use it for upland birds as i am not so into the duck hunting. This vest probably wouldn't be necessary, would it? or would it be a good idea on the cold days?

[MK2750]

Originally Posted by Battery

yea it makes sense for sure. I eventually want to start hunting with a dog once i have more experience hunting. but i'll only use it for upland birds as i am not so into the duck hunting. This vest probably wouldn't be necessary, would it? or would it be a good idea on the cold days?

Depending on the type of bush you are hunting. Vests for upland hunting are light wieght and are designed to protect the dog from cuts and scratches in the nasty stuff. The waterfowl type vests should NOT be used for upland as there is a real danger in the dog over heating.

[DuckBrat]

Are those teal, widgeon, or divers, in the boat next to to the dog? Are those pics recent?

Thanks

[MK2750]

Originally Posted by madatter

Would have had more but I seem to be having trouble hitting things with the new/used Beretta semi auto..

Changing shotguns can drive a man to drink. I finally took my old one (XL 900 SKB) and the new one (Browning 500 G) and had D Henry make them the same right down to the beads. What a difference an inch here and a tweek there makes.

The gun shoulders right and I was looking right down the line automatically but was still not killing birds like the days of lead. Then I found a choke shell combo that is absolutely perfect.

I tried Black Cloud #2 and after a couple choke changes was impressed with the results, however the wound channels were causing too much damage. I switched up and bought a case of #4 and WOW. Nice dense pattern out to 45 yards and like the box says "drops ducks like rain"

Be patient and find what works. I know most folks are going 2s and bigger but I'm dropping those big northern Mallards as dead as lead with #4.

Good luck,
MK

[Albertabowhunter]

very nice... I'm hoping to head out for a shoot next sunday.... should be fun!!!

[zewks]

very nice pictures, id like to head out again, i seen tons of canadas honking around lethbridge!

[simmered]

First year waterfowl hunter, so sorry about the silly question but is it normal to still be seeing birds this time of year down south or is it just cause of the warm weather we still have for november?

[simmered]

[/QUOTE]

Wondering what kind of boat that is. Will it hold 2 people and a dog plus some decoys? looking to get something other than my canoe for next year.

[sjemac]

Originally Posted by simmered

Wondering what kind of boat that is. Will it hold 2 people and a dog plus some decoys? looking to get something other than my canoe for next year.[/QUOTE]

It's an Intruder Jon Boat from Pelican. Very stable and does hold two guys a couple dozen dekes, about 80lbs of motor and a 95 lb Lab quite well. It is about $900 at Wholesale. You can grab the sides and haul yourself or your dog in without fear of tipping and can shoot from it standing up while it is floating. Light enough to drag a few dozen yards to get it in and out of the water. Not the best out there but not bad for the money.

[Okotokian]

Sweet pics.... but my Britt refuses to break ice so that hunting is done. Gonna have to try some pass field shooting this weekend. Think I know a place.... But wait, last weekend for deer!!!! decisions decisions

[simmered]

yeah I saw that boat in wholesale last time I was in, didn't know how good it would be or how much it would hold. Thanks

[madatter]

Originally Posted by simmered

First year waterfowl hunter, so sorry about the silly question but is it normal to still be seeing birds this time of year down south or is it just cause of the warm weather we still have for november?

We pretty much have birds year round here.
Even on winters where there is long stretches of cold the birds will pit in on the river at the power plant cooling outlet and be OK.
I've shot birds right up to X Mas.
Right now the lakes are still open so there are large amounts of ducks around,but as soon as they freeze up they move on.
Usually after that the Canada's and a smattering of green heads hang by the river.
Best shooting late in the year when some snow is around,throw some decoys out,put on the white camo suit and have at er!!!

[madatter]

BTW I'm looking for some new ways to cook up these plump mallards.
Anybody got some of there favorite recipes for duck and or goose they want to share??

[simmered]

Thats wicked! I stopped at the end of october this year due to all the lakes being froze up north here. Next year I plan on making a trip down south to do some more shooting after deer season!! Wish I would have started when I was younger, Lost so many good years of duck hunting!!!1

I'm sure you've tried it but I love just bbq and then the day after slice it up and eat it on cheese and crackers cold. Very good

[sjemac]

Originally Posted by madatter

BTW I'm looking for some new ways to cook up these plump mallards.
Anybody got some of there favorite recipes for duck and or goose they want to share??

Deep fried stuffed duck breast.

Posted this on another forum but figured it would fit here again. It's a way of cooking ducks and geese that will appeal even to people who say they don't like waterfowl but still has enough of the duck flavor to appeal to those of us who do like it. Try this out, you won't be disappointed with the results.

Step one: Pluck the breast of a medium to large duck and singe of the pin feathers.


Step 2: Cut the breast off the bone in one piece so that you have the 2 halves still connected by the skin.





Step 3: Cut a crosshatch pattern on the meat side of the breast but be carefull not to cut all the way through. Season meat side well with salt and pepper, cajun seasoning, or my favorite --OLD BAY.



Step 4: Put your favorite stuffing in the breast and tie the breast up with butcher string as shown (skewers or good sharp tooth picks can be used to hold it together too ). The stuffing shown is just ritz crackers, salt, pepper and parsley. But I've used fruit, herb, and sausage stuffings too.




Step 5. Roll in a light dusting of flour and deep fry at about 345-350 until the skin's really nice and brown(or roast at 425 for 20 minutes -- baste with oil or butter as she's going). Take out of oil, drain, dust with your favorite seasoning salt or spice and let sit about 5 minutes before taking off the string and slicing. Should be medium rare when done. I serve this with a drizzle of sauce made from lemon juice, mayonaise, capers, green onion, salt/pepper, hot sauce and worchesteshire.

[MK2750]

That recipe looks awesome sjemac-thanks for sharing it.

[jgraham]

My method of dealing with duck breast is pretty much the same other than the fact that I leave the breast on the bone. I cut through the rib cage on both sides up to the wing joint with shears and peel back the breast plate and remove with skin on. The heart and liver are then also easily removed. Season and roast @ same temp and time.

Your idea of cutting the boned out breast in a cross-hatch pattern also allows for a better search for shot.

Thanks for the post. Mouth watering and great method of preparation...can't wait to try it soon (Old Bay, pressed garlic, lemon and honey- blend with fork and spread inside before stuffing...okay, that's it, I'm heading down to the freezer).

[bigbadjoe108]

Hi there!

I looked up this thread because I remembered it by thinking of "that thread which had the awesome looking duck recipe." Did it, and used prosciutto ham, mozza and spinach to stuff it.

EVERYONE in the house loved it!! totally worth the try!!

[walking buffalo]

Originally Posted by bigbadjoe108

Hi there!

I looked up this thread because I remembered it by thinking of "that thread which had the awesome looking duck recipe." Did it, and used prosciutto ham, mozza and spinach to stuff it.

EVERYONE in the house loved it!! totally worth the try!!

Glad you brought the thread back.

I'm just sitting down for a coffee break before cleaning some birds.

I will be trying this out, looks great!