Duck Opener - What A Day!

Congratulations on the new blinds! Since they probably knew what they were doing was illegal, they won't be back to that spot again with all the "heat".

I'd say its highly likely that the bait pile was stumbled across by another hunter and reported than the COs randomly coming across someone baiting.

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Originally Posted by terrym

Wow. Didn't realize duck hunting was such a competitive sport. Not sure I would have the patience to fight over spots like that. Sounds like you and that new Beretta are bonding nicely though?

Haven't taken it out of the case yet :) didn't have time to pattern as it got here Monday night, and wasn't taken an un proven gun into the field, went with the tried and true 870 + kicks high flyer mod :)

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Originally Posted by Sinker

Yikes!

Probably internet scouters from this site LOL.....(seriously)

At least ya got a couple birds, and I'm sure the story will be told for years to come. That's what its all about.....the memories!

S.

Could be, although no one really on here from my area (unless they lurk) there are a few so you never know. I also don't post locations :)

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Originally Posted by Gordon

Hey TR, enjoyed the read and really like that Scott Canoe Duck boat. What size is the electrical motor and is it underpowered when you are fully loaded?

Thanks Gordon, that's a 38LB Thrust minkota, get 2 hours off a car battery. Not under powered at all, myself (big lad) and two buddies, (average size) 60lb lab, 3 guns, gear, decoys, car battery, trolling motor, and she still makes waves. stable as all hell to.

I wouldn't do that big of load on open water, just the rivers and ponds. I have a 9.9 Johnson that goes on the back for lakes, and I don't load it nearly as much either.

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Originally Posted by tom gobble

did you use the new gun TR

Not yet :)

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Originally Posted by Dead Ringer

Can you imagine the hunt you would have had if they hadn't shown up?! To me, shooting baited ducks just doesn't count. But if you don't know they're baited ;) , it could be a hunt of a lifetime!

I'm kidding of course. It's darn great that the COs showed up, gave you the benefit of the doubt and caught the guilty party. For all you know, if they hadn't shown up, the posse that spent good money on paving that place with gold would have come looking to talk some more or worse.

And while the subject of corn is live, I think that corn baiting has become such a prevalent part of ON hunting (at least SE ON), that it's almost a custom. I have come across numerous piles scouting a few days before openers. And about every 3rd hunter I've spoken to in the area openly admits to baiting, even when you just meet them. I've had near strangers tell me about their baiting setup. All a product of weak enforcement due to an undersized force. When the guy on the next pond gets away with it year after year, it's only a matter of time until someone gets the balls to do it themselves. And after shooting piles of ducks until freeze up, they are convinced it's a good policy for the next season.

PS. TR, I logged in tonight just to read what you had to post about your opener. Thanks for getting it up. That story did not disappoint! :thumbup:

LOL after it all went down I looked at dad and said, "well, now we'll never know... was it my calling and spread? or the corn" dad.. "I'm going with corn"

Always appreciate your comments DR.

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Originally Posted by scarkner

Wow, what a story and really well written. I could see OOD actually printing that story!!!

OOD has some great writers, that get to do and see allot bigger things, but I appreciate the compliment.

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Originally Posted by Turkeyjohn

Just.........WOW,

Just when you think you've seen and heard it all...

Glad things worked out TR, you're the most ethical guy I can think of and to think you were almost caught up in that mess, what a shame. Glad things did work out and despite a blown opener, you can hunt another day.

TurkeyJohn

Appreciate your kind words John, can't wait to get back in the field with you.

Tonight wrapped up our "opening week" Tomorrow is unload and clean gear day, sunday I gotta get on a tin bird and migrate south for work for the week.

Dad really enjoyed himself, this was his first duck hunt, and frik, he got the full experience lol. Coming off the river tonight, the same CO was at the ramp waiting for us. He played coy like he didn't know we were the same guys, even though he had our plates and vehicle descriptions.

Shined the light and said "oh it's you guys!" I think he was waiting to see if we came from upstream where the bait was, or down stream.

I wasn't going near that site for love nor money, headed in the complete opposite direction.

Hopefully have the last 2 days of the hunt posted sometime this week.

well exciting to say the least... great report.. nice to see the Co out doing their jobs up here in the far north! which reminds me, has to be a few duck ponds between timmins and driftwood... hehehehe