I can only laugh....

[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.

[duckmassacre]

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!

[teals]

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.

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!!

[excal-rookie]

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.

[JMatthews]

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.

[Sinker]

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

S.

[mtaz]

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.

[crayfish]

Happens to the best of us lol !!

[Mikeman]

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

[fratri]

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