I can only laugh....

I got up a little late this morning and wasn't going to go out but decided to anyway. I was just going on my own property so it's just a short ATV ride back to the marsh. Throw out a few decoys and see what happens. I've been out 2 other times since the regular season opened. Got a hen woodie the first time (only bird I saw) and a hen redhead the second time (again the only bird I saw).

So this morning I'm not really expecting much. I thought the weather was going to be a little more "ducky". It was pretty warm, no rain but windy. After I get set up I start giving a few single quacks on the call, just for something to do and thinking maybe if there is something in the area they might be curious. Well low and behold doesn't a small flock of mallards pop up from the neighbouring property a few hundred yards away. They start working their way towards me. Practicing what I've read I stay quiet and let them come. They turn off to the east and I start on them with the call. They circle back north, more on the call and then swing around heading south coming right into me. This is too good to be true. I stay off the call, stay still and let them come in. They are working right into my spread, 8 mallards on their final approach, in range, wings locked drifting slightly from straight in front of me to my left. It's time. I get up, bang, bang, bang........Nothing, zero, zilch. Missed them all.

And that's why I can only laugh because if I didn't then things wouldn't be fun anymore.

I'll get them next time. :thumbup:

Ive shot quite a bit of air since season opened aswell! . Just starting to get the hang of it now! Opening day had a mallard swim in...second day another hen mallard...third day two mallards and a goose...fourth day skunked...fifth day skunked....sixth day best yet chaanged up my spread and got 2 bluebills and 2 mallards!

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Originally Posted by LondonDave

I got up a little late this morning and wasn't going to go out but decided to anyway. I was just going on my own property so it's just a short ATV ride back to the marsh. Throw out a few decoys and see what happens. I've been out 2 other times since the regular season opened. Got a hen woodie the first time (only bird I saw) and a hen redhead the second time (again the only bird I saw).

So this morning I'm not really expecting much. I thought the weather was going to be a little more "ducky". It was pretty warm, no rain but windy. After I get set up I start giving a few single quacks on the call, just for something to do and thinking maybe if there is something in the area they might be curious. Well low and behold doesn't a small flock of mallards pop up from the neighbouring property a few hundred yards away. They start working their way towards me. Practicing what I've read I stay quiet and let them come. They turn off to the east and I start on them with the call. They circle back north, more on the call and then swing around heading south coming right into me. This is too good to be true. I stay off the call, stay still and let them come in. They are working right into my spread, 8 mallards on their final approach, in range, wings locked drifting slightly from straight in front of me to my left. It's time. I get up, bang, bang, bang........Nothing, zero, zilch. Missed them all.

And that's why I can only laugh because if I didn't then things wouldn't be fun anymore.

I'll get them next time. :thumbup:

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It "stings" when we miss good chances but I agree, you have to laugh about it. I respect the fact that you admitted it - I have had my fair share of misses but that keeps me pumped for the next time and when all goes well, it feels phenomenal. Happy hunting!!

Same on this end, our group has faired pretty well on the calling, decoying, and hiding aspects, however shooting hasn't quite been consistent yet. Probably has to do with the early season excitement, along with the different flight dynamic of live birds as opposed to clays which have been the fowl substitute for the past 8 months. Nothing to do but laugh it off and wait for the next opportunity.

I started my duck season the same way. My brother and I had a flock of 5 Wood Ducks buzz our decoys and missed with 5 shots. All you can do is forget about it and move on.

I've made some great shots, but more spectacular misses.

S.

Years ago I was hunting Valens. It was a slow day so one of the co's came to the blind to shoot the . Soon after a flock of a dozen mallards almost landed in the decoys. I took 3 shots when the birds were 10yds to 15yds out and whiffed on all three. The co then looked at me, told me I sucked, and left.

I've repeated those same three shots over the years many times.

Happens to the best of us lol !!

I called in a small group of geese from what seemed to be a mile away. They came in on a string and when the landing gear was down and they were just about to settle into the decoys I stood up and gave them three. Not a feather hit the ground! I think there are times when everything looks so easy that you just forget the mechanics of shooting, like a football player dropping an easy pass because he is already thinking about scoring a touchdown. It happens that for sure.

Mike

Soo funny...happens to us all... and yah can only laugh about it... nice story....

Sometimes it seems as if there's no shot in the shell! LOL.

you bet I fired 12 shots this morning after getting blown out of my tree stand at 730 .the geese came I shot 12 times and all I got was a feather .wow got to laugh what ells can you do Dutch

Did you by any chance buy your shells at Walmart? buddy of mine swears that Walmart shells don't have any shot in them!!

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Originally Posted by jlmorgan

Did you by any chance buy your shells at Walmart? buddy of mine swears that Walmart shells don't have any shot in them!!

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That must be it
LOL

Had a full coloured Drake Surf Scoter bomb into the layout spread one day last season, and whiffed on all three shots... We all do it!

-Nick

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Originally Posted by Sprite

Had a full coloured Drake Surf Scoter bomb into the layout spread one day last season, and whiffed on all three shots... We all do it!

-Nick

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Ouch that one would hurt.

My big miss is a fully done up Canvasback. Can't hit'em all!

Rob

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Originally Posted by Sprite

Had a full coloured Drake Surf Scoter bomb into the layout spread one day last season, and whiffed on all three shots... We all do it!

-Nick

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Ohhh that would hurt.....

I've missed a bunch over the years, luckily none that have broke my heart. I will have to wrap my own gun around my neck if I blow the full plumage drake pintail I've been waiting decades to get. Only ever saw one and he was 80-100yds out.

Lol funny , I am sure you will not missed them next time, Better than a day at work .

Dave , welcome to the Miss-ter club. Watch the mail, for your membership card. Regular meetings, are held the second Wednesday of the fifth week, of the next month. Be sure not to miss it.

Thanks for all fessing up guys. Makes me feel better. I would love to be able to say there won't be a next time but I know there will. :)

Dean I'll pick up my membership card the next time I see you. When are we going out?

Happens to everyone. its good to be humbled once in a while LOL

X23 We've all done it but don't often post it....good on ya! Get em next time (or the time after that)

Mike

You managed to call them in and get them to commit, success right there! next time gadget!

When it happens to myself I just figure it makes my gun more valuable getting all the misses out of it should make it worth more ??

Had a similar hunt myself tonite. Just laugh it off, still a good time in the marsh.

It's worse when two people unload and nothing falls.
Happens to the best if us. Those damn hunting shows need to show more misses to make us feel better.

Sounds like you had too much time to think about. If you are like me if think too much I miss. React like I've learned to do over the years often puts more birds on the ground for me. When I go to shoot skeet, if I should the gun, get the proper stance and form, call pull, I will miss and shoot 5/25. Stand at two handed ready and call ill go 15+/25.

had a couple of epic misses on easy shots in early goose. I agree that it not worth getting upset about. Way more fun to have a chuckle.

The main part about shotgun shooting that people forget is to stare hard at the target, and avoid looking at the bead of the gun. If you can stare so hard at that bird that you're trying to focus on its eye, you'll crush it every time. As soon as you look at the bead and the target goes out of focus, you stop swinging the gun and your brain tells you to pull the trigger. You'll miss behind. That's why I don't believe in all these stupid high-viz sights. The shotgun should already shoot where you look; if it doesn't, the gun doesn't fit properly or it's being mounted improperly.

Think of it as learning to ride a bike, or pulling into a parking spot. If you look at the front tire, or the hood of the car, you're no longer focusing on where you're going.

-Nick

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Originally Posted by Sprite

The main part about shotgun shooting that people forget is to stare hard at the target, and avoid looking at the bead of the gun. If you can stare so hard at that bird that you're trying to focus on its eye, you'll crush it every time. As soon as you look at the bead and the target goes out of focus, you stop swinging the gun and your brain tells you to pull the trigger. You'll miss behind. That's why I don't believe in all these stupid high-viz sights. The shotgun should already shoot where you look; if it doesn't, the gun doesn't fit properly or it's being mounted improperly.

-Nick

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Yep, this ^

Shoulder the gun, look at target, focus, boom.....

It would be no fun at all if we didn't miss a few easy ones though.....need something to laugh about!

S.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sprite

The main part about shotgun shooting that people forget is to stare hard at the target, and avoid looking at the bead of the gun. If you can stare so hard at that bird that you're trying to focus on its eye, you'll crush it every time. As soon as you look at the bead and the target goes out of focus, you stop swinging the gun and your brain tells you to pull the trigger. You'll miss behind. That's why I don't believe in all these stupid high-viz sights. The shotgun should already shoot where you look; if it doesn't, the gun doesn't fit properly or it's being mounted improperly.



Think of it as learning to ride a bike, or pulling into a parking spot. If you look at the front tire, or the hood of the car, you're no longer focusing on where you're going.

-Nick

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Good advice. Thanks Nick.