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Couldn't think of a better way to kick off my preseason than with a trip to the mudhole. Or, at least, I couldn't until I got to the boathouse. Can't say I was too tickled to find the front of my boat stall matching the side that blew off a few seasons back:


But that wasn't as disconcerting as how the roof sagged over it at a splice in its too-long support beam:


Was better news in the marsh, itself: still precious little salvinia and none of the more dreaded giant version at all - POUND TIMBER.

Was still plenty of black dirt showing and even a couple duck potatoe islands over the now chest deep sludge that will become my pond:


But the blind wasn't popped by last spring's high water, which is always a plus:


Won't be too long now before I'll start opening the pond and thinning the canes on the blind's floating island and feeling like September teal season is really coming. But the boathouse roof might not have waited, so I went back and put a brace under the the failing roof support splice and resided the front of my stall while I was at it:


It's a start.

She looks tired....

With no real relief in sight.

DComeaux wrote:She looks tired....

She may be a lil droopy......but what about the sentimental value of the 'ol gal. New fancy sheds with no leaks or leans wouldn't be as much fun

Rick I'm awfully glad that when I show up to my pond, it looks like a pond; your posts like this over the years have made it clear that I plainly take that for granted. Supposed to put eyes on a teal hole or two tomorrow if rain allows

Update: Checked log because I remember you commenting on the lost wall on a morning I hunted east of, and ahead of the front line, while you and your crew endured it. December 22, 2011

Didn't realize it had been that long ago.

(And it's the "sweat equity" that makes the mudhole so dear to me. Would otherwise have long since abandoned it for something to its east. Well, that, and I've a hard time imagining any of our other guys doing what it takes to make it work.)

Rick wrote:Didn't realize it had been that long ago.

(And it's the "sweat equity" that makes the mudhole so dear to me. Would otherwise have long since abandoned it for something to its east. Well, that, and I've a hard time imagining any of our other guys doing what it takes to make it work.)

Yea I'm sure you might have wondered where Isaac, Clyde, Ed, et al were when it was time to save the shed.....in the heat

Rick, Is big Dave back with you guys?

Darren wrote:

Rick wrote:Didn't realize it had been that long ago.

(And it's the "sweat equity" that makes the mudhole so dear to me. Would otherwise have long since abandoned it for something to its east. Well, that, and I've a hard time imagining any of our other guys doing what it takes to make it work.)

Yea I'm sure you might have wondered where Isaac, Clyde, Ed, et al were when it was time to save the shed.....in the heat

In fairness to the guys, I didn't ask for help, just put that project behind us before it got bigger..

DComeaux wrote:Rick, Is big Dave back with you guys?

Not that I'm aware of - but I try to be aware of just as little as possible just as long as possible.

Visited one of our usual early teal spots today and found this guy or gal and its mate, but no ducks of any sort:


and with a cattle egret for size comparison:

it's good to see those birds. The program is is being trimmed due to budget cuts. I copied this from the LA DWF facebook page.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries - Whooping Cranes

Yes, the Louisiana Whooping Crane project will continue despite the closure of the Patuxent crane program. It's possible we will see a reduction in the number of cranes produced in captivity the first year or two as pairs are moved to new breeding facilities, but with other facilities already set up to rear chicks, we should still receive captive raised cranes for release.
2 · August 2 at 8:25am

At that size comparison it would seem one could saddle up on a whooper

Was bumping down a narrow marsh levee road in the rain this morning when I caught what sure looked to be a wad of teal dropping below line of sight over the marsh out of the corner of my eye. Never came back up and I assume an illusion of some sort - but still enjoyed the rush.

johnc wrote:Next big moon and North wind ought to get things rolling

Just had big moon Tuesday, next one Sept 6; hope the fronts keep coming. If nothing else keep us cool(er) doing prep work

How's all this rain affecting rice harvest?


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Ericdc wrote:How's all this rain affecting rice harvest?

Think the mostly isolated showers have been more nuisance than problem for most in our area - so far.

johnc wrote:Next big moon and North wind ought to get things rolling

I'm going with past history and duck festival week.

You need to get this guy in your blind.

He could stay home and just send his sack of corn.

Oh yeah. He was so drunk or something like that. Put Southern Comfort on everything.
Those were the days.

I guarantee.

Somewhere out there is a story of two brothers who dressed up like a buck deer trying to lure in a buck to choot.
Lucky they dint get shooted. I guarantee.

Marsh Bear wrote:Rick have you seen Justin Wilson's duck hunting story

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8F4Ws_2XwdU

That's a classic. His daughter, Sara Sue, used to hunt at our camp with an orthopod from N.O. and (in addition to being a statuesque blond) was a hoot when she'd get lit and start on her three ex-husbands: "A," "B" and "C".

Jarren wrote:He use to live down the road from me...

Ut-oh. The only time I ever spoke with him, he was calling for Sarah Sue to see if someone had a key to her place, so he could move some stuff from his new house - which was flooding.

Reportedly owned a big (currently vacant) house/compound very near one of our favorite put-in spots in St. Tammany Parish. Never saw him, but thats what was always told to me. Grew up watching him since my mom was always tuned in.

Had coffee this morning with the most well connected duck hunter I know, who also happens to hunt one of the first places teal usually take in our area, and he'd only "heard about some near Roanoke," which may well have been the posted Welsh area video.

Haven't been out and about in teal country for a few days, though, so I didn't let that keep the dogs and I from taking the tour this morning. Lots of freshly flooded rice stubble and summer ducks using it, but didn't see so much as a single "might be" teal.

Did see a mess of wood storks:


Which are birds I'm inclined to think have moved on before teal show. Maybe just poor memory...