Sculled today...

[Redbeard]

...had a great time. Within 10 minutes of launching my boat I came across this redhead hanging with a buncha coots. Got within 15 yards and picked him off. The prize for the day. We don't shoot many here

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Got word there were a buncha mallards hanging out in this area, but I suspected another sculler had put in before me. Later found out by a warden this was true. So they mighta kicked then out already. Didn't matter there were plenty of birds around.

At one point I was sculling up on a group of resting gadwall. Six of em. It was going great. They were clueless. Then about 40 yards out a damned sea lion popped up about five feet from em and spooked em all. I was pissed, but it cracked it me up.

Finally found a group of five mallards in the grass on shore. Needed two to finish my limit. Got inside of 25 yards and dumped a hen and drake. As I paddled up to the drake, it came back to life and flew off! Found some teal to finish my limit.

Beautiful day to scull

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[jarbo03]

That's badass, great day Aaron.

[capt1972]

nice job

[Mornin Beef]

Youre a man amongst mice red, sweet rundown.

[The Duck Hammer]

Very cool, looks like that would be a blast.

[LaFlamaBlanca]

Does that boat have a little engine on the back?

[Redbeard]

The spoonie was resting with about 15 teal. He was fully plumed and too pretty to pass up. My Spoonie brethren would have disappointed. So I picked him out of the bunch. The teal were tight too. Without a doubt I could sluiced em and dumped quite a few but it was early still and I didn't want just a limit of teal

[Redbeard]

Does that boat have a little engine on the back?

nope just a sculling oar

[Mornin Beef]

Does that boat have a little engine on the back?

whats your arm red, like a 1/4 hp?

[Redbeard]

Does that boat have a little engine on the back?

whats your arm red, like a 1/4 hp?

2.5 horse

[Mornin Beef]

Does that boat have a little engine on the back?

whats your arm red, like a 1/4 hp?

2.5 horse

[Olly]

Red you've been talking about sculling for over a year. Give me the run down of how you get so close.

[Mornin Beef]

Red you've been talking about sculling for over a year. Give me the run down of how you get so close.

Productive educational maneuver, but still just a troll move.

[Olly]

Red you've been talking about sculling for over a year. Give me the run down of how you get so close.

Productive educational maneuver, but still just a troll move.

I don't troll. I'm seriously interested.

[Mornin Beef]

Red you've been talking about sculling for over a year. Give me the run down of how you get so close.

Productive educational maneuver, but still just a troll move.

I don't troll. I'm seriously interested.

a tip of the hat to you sir, I stand corrected yet again tonight.

[Redbeard]

Red you've been talking about sculling for over a year. Give me the run down of how you get so close.

quite a bit that goes into your approach, but here it is. Basically you lay flat in the boat and with either hand, you work the sculling oar, which sticks out the back through the transom. You move the oar in a figure 8 motion and it slowly propels you forward.

Your boat has to be weighted properly in the bow so it doesn't sit too high or too low. Most use lead weights. Too low and it causes a wake. Too high and it can slap the water.

You pick your approach. If you can put trees, mountains, etc behind you it breaks up your outline on the water. If your in big open water, like our bay, you may not have this luxury. The sun at your back helps a ton. I had the sun at my back all morning. Worked perfectly.

You can't get greedy and scull at big rafts of birds. Too many eyes. Some guys can or claim to be able too though. But you try and find small groups, or pairs or singles off to the side. Resting birds are ideal.

Once your approach is set, you just keep you boat pointed right at em. You can scull fairly fast while you're a ways out. As long as you can keep your boat under control and pointed at the birds. Once you get close you slow down almost to a coast until you're within range.

I'm still a rookie and will be for awhile, but one of our members here Chessyman, a buddy of mine has been sculling his while life and very good at it. His teenage boys both scull and are getting good at it

[tucker]

We do that sometimes, but we use an outboard and call it "jump shooting". The key is to have a fast but quiet boat and be ready at all times.

[Olly]

I might have to find me one of these boats. Love trying new ways to hunt ducks.

[Redbeard]

We do that sometimes, but we use an outboard and call it "jump shooting". The key is to have a fast but quiet boat and be ready at all times.

Ha! Been there, done that

[Redbeard]

I might have to find me one of these boats. Love trying new ways to hunt ducks.

it can be trying. Takes a lot of patience

[Redbeard]

But for guys who like to hunt alone, it's a ton of fun.

I typically scull on blue bird days when no birds are resting. And this season we're having a record number of bluebird days

[Redbeard]

Sculling is a very traditional way of hunting here in Humboldt county. In fact the style of boat I use and many others use was designed and perfected here.

[Olly]

I know of some back water marshes that one of these would be fun on.

[Redbeard]

But birds can get educated to scull boats just like they can decoys

[Redbeard]

I know of some back water marshes that one of these would be fun on.

small water like that is fun to scull

[Mornin Beef]

this is seriously the coolest ive ever seen a global and admin get along

[Redbeard]

this is seriously the coolest ive ever seen a global and admin get along

i still think he's a crazy asshole constitutionalist

[waterfowlman]

this is seriously the coolest ive ever seen a global and admin get along

Nice write up Red.

[QH's Paw]

I think sculling would be a great new aspect for me to try. I almost bought a scull boat last season. My problem is I hate leaving the house without one of my dogs.
The scull I was looking at may have been a two man. I think it was like 13' and was on a trailer.
Still haven't given up on the possibility though. Maybe you could take us out and give a show of it, when we are there for the WFF WCH.

[AKPirate]

Great read Red, as always!