Teal Opener

[Deltaman]

Had not planned on fighting the crowds for the opener, but got a call from a good friend, and was convinced that it would be worth it. Met him on the causeway at 4:30 a.m. and we made a short run South of the causeway, and set up along the river bank in natural cover. Had a few Mottles and teal in the decoys before daylight, always a good sign. Didn't see a lot of birds, but what we saw mostly came in, trickling in here and there, and in typical teal fashion, low, and on top of us in a flash Tide starting on a neap, but incoming all morning according to the tide charts. The North wind changed that up somewhat, and we had to hunt until 11:30 a.m., so that we had enough water to get out without working too hard. Knocked down 11, but lost 2 to the marsh. Did not bring a dog because of gators, but in hindsight, should've, as we were in 3-5 " of water and the bottom was hard enough for us to walk around in the decoys. Wind was 15 mph out of SW when we arrived, but switched to the NW before daylight, and started honking. With the overcast skies and light rain, almost felt like duck season
A pic of the first 8 we picked up


A smilin' Minto with a double fistful of birds

[Rick]

And you weren't going to go to the trouble.

[Darren]

Very nice! good way to get started

Have often wondered about the duck prospects when crossing the bay on interstate there

[Deltaman]

And you weren't going to go to the trouble.

I know....right?

[WisconsinWaterfowler]

Gators? No thanks.

[Olly]

Gators? No thanks.

I've had them swim up and check out a bird I just shot.

I have a rule that I never let my dog in the water down here if it's above 55* (water temp) or if I see a single gator while setting up that morning.

[WisconsinWaterfowler]

I'll just hunt up here.

[SpinnerMan]

I'll just hunt up here.

With the wolves.

I wonder which kill more hunting dogs.

[WisconsinWaterfowler]

I'll just hunt up here.

With the wolves.

I wonder which kill more hunting dogs.

I have yet to hear of a wolf attack on a hunting dog up here. That being said, the dog has a much better chance with wolves than a gator. I can't help the dog if it gets pulled under the water.

[SpinnerMan]

I'll just hunt up here.

With the wolves.

I wonder which kill more hunting dogs.

I have yet to hear of a wolf attack on a hunting dog up here. That being said, the dog has a much better chance with wolves than a gator. I can't help the dog if it gets pulled under the water.

I think you mean a retriever. Most of the dogs killed are hunting dogs, bear dogs I believe.

Looks like 16 dogs so far this year in WI have been reported.

http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/wildlifehabitat/wolf/dogdeps.html

I was mostly being a smartass, but I really am curious if many dogs are lost to gators while duck hunting. I would think not since it is generally cold enough to keep the gators dormant as I understand it. Now is probably the big risk during teal season.

[WisconsinWaterfowler]

Every single report were for hounds that were running for either bears, coyotes or the like. All I was referring to was grouse hunting and having the dog a stones throw away, not two miles.

[Olly]

I've never actually met anyone that lost a dog to a gator. Once the water goes below 60* the gators will go into bromation. Until then I don't even chance it because it's just not worth the risk IMO. Even a small 3ft gator could drown a dog.

[DukMan]

The gators I could handle... it's the snakes that get me!

[Bad17]

The gators I could handle... it's the snakes that get me!

[quackhead]

Nice shoot!