2024 Prep work and training

[Duck Engr]

Pretty cool concept. Could see a lot of Dave’s concerns coming to my mind every time he said “simple” and “simply”

[Deltaman]

Pretty damn creative, and the motion is very realistic. Like y'all, I would have concerns of leakage as well, but what a cool concept!

[DComeaux]

This was a local outdoors program that ran during the late 80's early 90's. The commercials are neat to see.

[Rick]

Gettin' pissed off just thinking about Provost.

[DComeaux]

Gettin' pissed off just thinking about Provost.

I had dealings with him as well.

[5 stand]

Gettin' pissed off just thinking about Provost.

The good old days, weren't they special...

Not sure what can of worms I'm getting involved in, so I'll try to divert, don't get mad at me, DC brought it up...

[Rick]

The good old days, weren't they special...

Surprising, and disturbing, that someone who's been dead for years could still stir such vitriol in me. Fellow was that kind of special, and the day I ran him off was, indeed, a good one.

[DComeaux]

Curious which rail?

KPLC had this on the rail.

https://www.kplctv.com/2024/05/29/groups-join-forces-protect-eastern-black-rail-cameron-parish/

[DComeaux]

It’s confirmed. Ducks are getting into new rows. More specifically, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Ducks Unlimited scientists found that over the last 60 years, the autumn and winter ranges of three species of dabbling ducks have shifted.
Before you ask, no, the scientists don’t yet know why. But they are already looking into it.
Importantly, the autumn and winter ranges of the mallard, northern pintail, and blue-winged teal are different, but scientists did not find evidence of wholesale abandonment of large wintering regions or switching between flyways. This research used 60 years of bird band data contributed by waterfowl hunters in one of the longest-term community science efforts in North America.


“This research was in direct response to public concern that duck winter ranges had shifted northward,” said Lisa Webb, Southern Regional Supervisor for the USGS Cooperative Research Units Program and study co-author. “It was made possible by over half a century of work and investment by numerous waterfowl banders and supporting agencies in the United States and Canada.”

https://www.usgs.gov/news/national-news-release/60-years-data-show-shifts-winter-ranges-three-duck-species-midwest

Study
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ece3.11331

[SpinnerMan]

It's interesting how the BWT October distribution shifted a lot south. There were few teal far south in the '60's but now a large chunk of them are. It also looks like the area has expanded a lot.

I just wish they would use this to move our duck season into January. It's really aggravating not having a split season and watching large numbers of ducks in January when we had relatively few when the season was open in November.

[DComeaux]

Oh my!!

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[Rick]

And, yet, one might still pull a Marcel Ledbetter, shoot up amongst 'em and not cut a feather.

[Deltaman]

Would be hard not to shoot amongst'em for sure

[Darren]

And, yet, one might still pull a Marcel Ledbetter, shoot up amongst 'em and not cut a feather.

Been on both ends of that spectrum; once had my lone gun take five from a little cluster of GWs landing, but way more often than not have seen 2-4 guns get 1-2 birds total from a similar wad.

Surely Rick's seen it all !

[DComeaux]

The lone drake in the front must be a youngin. He hasn't learned how to approach decoys yet.