2020-2021 Preseason...

[Rick]

Still not seeing pecans for geese on our morning runs (OK, the bug's the only one running), but did see a few jacks and poule d'eau in our two easternmost marsh ponds today. Though still nothing else between there and the back blind where a dozen or so pairs of apparent mottleds and a couple scrawny blue-wings got up - and two poule d'eau tried to hide behind the blind, which was kind of cute.

[DComeaux]

They might be riding this wave.

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[Rick]

Would think something would be, but so far...

Well, at least in the places I've been. Heard, from a reliable source, there are a few hundred specks and even some blues with them on the Henning place west of Thornwell and may have to drive over there to gawk, if things don't change on this end.

[Darren]

Hoping my plans to spend the morning on the bunkie farm include listening to post-front specks (and maybe blues too?).

But for now, mind running on this storm......Cut some new goose decoy extension poles from PVC conduit yesterday in hopes of distracting myself but only with limited effect.

[Duck Engr]

Tough to get your mind off of something like that.

Saw it just made landfall at the tip top of cat 2 scale. Fingers crossed for y’all.

[Rick]

We didn't even get the projected rains this far west, but hate it for folks, and especially friends, its path.

[Duck Engr]

Reports I got from my old stomping grounds was that this one was worse than expected.

[Rick]

Had it in my head that this one was headed at you until I saw the "fingers crossed for y'all."

Glad to gather that wasn't the case.

[Duck Engr]

I made a move north and east a few years back, breezy here but my neighborhood has had a tornado and 100 mph straight line winds in back to back springs, so all the trees ripe for falling have done so recently.

I’m betting things got a little bumpy for Deltaman.

[Rick]

I’m betting things got a little bumpy for Deltaman.

No doubt, unless he's made a substantial move, as well.

[Rick]

Finally making real headway on the boat house cleanup:

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Scattering of ducks at the east blinds and Clyde's, upwards of 100 jacks in their and the teal's favorite spot south of Clydes and a mess of big, mostly mottleds, at the back blind. Fourchettes are starting to pop up at mine. Grrr...

[Darren]

Any plans to rebuild the boathouse at all or just salvaging the parts out the way of boat traffic?

[Rick]

Any plans to rebuild the boathouse at all or just salvaging the parts out the way of boat traffic?

Supposed to get rebuilt, but I've been here way too long to believe it before I see it. But we should still be able to get to the blinds when (if?) the water goes back down.

[Deltaman]

I’m betting things got a little bumpy for Deltaman.

No doubt, unless he's made a substantial move, as well.

It got pretty bumpy for a couple of hours around 9 pm Wednesday, but we came thru it ok. Zeta hit Mobile harder than Sally, surprising most. The piers on Mobile Bay took a hit with the tidal surge, unlike Sally, that blew a North wind and water out of the bay before it hit, but house damage was minimal. Damn sure ain't complaining after seeing what LA got this season

[Rick]

Good to know you weathered it well.

[Rick]

Got all the tin off the wood and both stacked for B&B, but threw a track off the hoe on uneven ground and will be learning how that goes back on this morning. Marsh run appeared much the same as yesterday: a little show of birds but in the wrong places for my purposes - though the apparent renewed interest in the marsh I had opened at the back blind may benefit me, as well, by drawing birds to our end...

[Darren]

though the apparent renewed interest in the marsh I had opened at the back blind may benefit me, as well, by drawing birds to our end...

Will be interesting indeed to see how that plays out; how much area you open back up and how long since it was last open as such?

Best of luck with the hoe track, at least it won't be sweltering out.

[Duck Engr]

Good to know you weathered it well.

X2

[Deltaman]

Good to know you weathered it well.

X2

Thank You Sir!

[Rick]

though the apparent renewed interest in the marsh I had opened at the back blind may benefit me, as well, by drawing birds to our end...

Will be interesting indeed to see how that plays out; how much area you open back up and how long since it was last open as such?

15 acres, Have only seen it similarly open when we've high water in late season.

Supposed to take a fellow who was a young teen the last time I saw him and his son Saturday, so I spent the day on my own stuff. Decoys are out and the blind partly brushed. About to go weave the boat hide door's cover.

[Darren]

though the apparent renewed interest in the marsh I had opened at the back blind may benefit me, as well, by drawing birds to our end...

Will be interesting indeed to see how that plays out; how much area you open back up and how long since it was last open as such?

15 acres, Have only seen it similarly open when we've high water in late season.

Supposed to take a fellow who was a young teen the last time I saw him and his son Saturday, so I spent the day on my own stuff. Decoys are out and the blind partly brushed. About to go weave the boat hide door's cover.

Sounds like it's getting real over there!

After seeing what was around today, would have liked to take a young hunter this weekend myself but I'm fresh out of them. My own kids still way too young as well

[Rick]

I was pretty envious of your birds. What I'm seeing in the marsh are mostly jacks, and they don't often pass the mudhole.

Cut what should be the last of the cover I'll need late yesterday afternoon and got to see someone or thing raise three bodies of geese from the Klondike school section and an adjoining piece. Sure surprised me, given how little I've seen on our morning rounds just a couple miles distant.

Going to meet the sun in the marsh to finish the blind this morning and hope to be encouraged.

[Rick]

Launched at LST but saw nothing but a few jacks on the way to my blind or while brushing it. But did run the spinners long enough for a quick tease before opting not to chance educating more.:


Ready for youth day:

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But, at last word, my youth's dad hadn't called to confirm.

[Duck Engr]

Do you have a backup yute in your back pocket?

[Rick]

Do you have a backup yute in your back pocket?

Definitely maybe. Probably the boss' great-grandson, but my grandson buddy of his is headed to deer camp, and I've yet to see and ask another who's stayed with us since his family's house went with Laura. Know he wanted to go bur knows I was supposed to have pay hunters and may well have made other plans, too. If all else fails, I may call a buddy or two for vet's day Sunday...

[Rick]

So I called the grandson staying with us, told him my pay party was a no-go and asked if he wanted to make a hunt. And, I swear, the little shit asked if he'd be able to shoot a limit. Since I couldn't smack him through the phone, had to settle for what I tell sports who ask that sorry question, only much less politely.

But I'm about to wake he and his buddy to find out.

[Darren]

Kids these days........

Look forward to hearing how it goes, hope those boys can shoot.

[Rick]

The bug and I had a couple cover chores remaining before the opener, so we met LST at the blind to put them behind us and see what we might see - which was one little wad of green-wings flying the broken marsh out front of the blind but lots of jacks on the east end of the marsh. Gonna be an uneasy week...

[MARSH BEAR]

Rick - are y'all expecting a full house for opening weekend
We have idiots bringing guest for opening weekend and they don't have a bed for them to sleep in

[Darren]

Rick - are y'all expecting a full house for opening weekend
We have idiots bringing guest for opening weekend and they don't have a bed for them to sleep in

Its a different kind of BYOB...(bed) kind of weekend it sounds like.


Bummer that the fronts aren't likely to blow through on us, BUT the upper end of the flyway is looking right so there's hope based on that. Looks like southerly winds for my end so we'll be glad to take back what's passed us up for Venice, as beat up as it is down there.