Pre-season Prep and Planning

by **Duck Engr** » Tue Jul 23, 2024 10:55 pm

Been an awfully busy summer for me at work, so though ducks have been on my mind, i've yet to do much duck related. Hope to change that in the next month or so, as work is allegedly supposed to go back to a slower pace. Didn't plant duck ponds but if it dries out for a few days plan to go in and disk to try to get some barnyard grass to respond. Had a big tree fall into my little pond from one of 3 strong storms we had this Spring, so will likely have to spend a day cutting and dragging on that thing.

Something a little different this year will be a trip to South Dakota. 3 of my friends and I were drawn for a non-resident duck license, so we plan to go give it a shot along with some pheasant hunting. Looks like we're going the last full week in October. We were supposed to have another guy sign up with us that has knowledge of hunting up there, but he forgot to submit his application in time, so it'll be 4 newbies just winging it. I pheasant hunted up there with my dad 25 years ago but haven't ever chased ducks. I'm looking forward to the adventure.

by **Rick** » Wed Jul 24, 2024 5:11 am

Duck Engr wrote:Didn't plant duck ponds but if it dries out for a few days plan to go in and disk to try to get some barnyard grass to respond.

Given how wet it's been (though maybe not there?), it's a little surprising you didn't have a good stand of volunteer rice.

Never duck hunted SD, but a Chamberlain pheasant outfitter once told me it was mostly jump-shooting, because the birds had so many options they couldn't be counted on to return to where you'd scouted them and set up. Dunno... But wish your crew luck however you go about it.

by **5 stand** » Thu Jul 25, 2024 9:36 pm

Your Pheasant/Duck hunt sure sounds exciting, Congrats Buddy hope you have a good time...

Not going to be much help with advice on hunting 4 in a group (on public)...
Take two trucks put at least 200 miles a day on them ?
Hunt the opportunities that you are given, whether it be Pheasants or Ducks ?

That time of year in Duck Country (I'm going to call it) there may not be a lot of crops out?
So plan on hunting water...?
Hiding can be a pain in the butt up there with minimal equipment (two trucks may help) ?

If all else fails find a point somewhere on big water and shoot some divers ?

I'll add some more advice if I think of something profound... :lol:

We'll be headed that way about the time you're leaving?

I'll say it again, hope y'all have a good time that's what matters...

by **Duck Engr** » Thu Jul 25, 2024 11:12 pm

Rick wrote:
Duck Engr wrote:Didn't plant duck ponds but if it dries out for a few days plan to go in and disk to try to get some barnyard grass to respond.

Given how wet it's been (though maybe not there?), it's a little surprising you didn't have a good stand of volunteer rice.

Never duck hunted SD, but a Chamberlain pheasant outfitter once told me it was mostly jump-shooting, because the birds had so many options they couldn't be counted on to return to where you'd scouted them and set up. Dunno... But wish your crew luck however you go about it.

We were very hot and dry in June and early July. Fried anything that might have volunteered. We were in a drought up until the last week or so, where we’ve picked up 3” or so.

We certainly plan on a lot of scouting. I’ve been told to “go pheasant hunting and bring duck gear in case your pheasant pursuits lead to ducks.” Suspect we’ll take a more duck-centric approach, as i’m going with a couple duck chasing fools.

by **Duck Engr** » Thu Jul 25, 2024 11:22 pm

5 stand wrote:Your Pheasant/Duck hunt sure sounds exciting, Congrats Buddy hope you have a good time...

Not going to be much help with advice on hunting 4 in a group (on public)...
Take two trucks put at least 200 miles a day on them ?
Hunt the opportunities that you are given, whether it be Pheasants or Ducks ?

That time of year in Duck Country (I'm going to call it) there may not be a lot of crops out?
So plan on hunting water...?
Hiding can be a pain in the butt up there with minimal equipment (two trucks may help) ?

If all else fails find a point somewhere on big water and shoot some divers ?

I'll add some more advice if I think of something profound...

We'll be headed that way about the time you're leaving?

I'll say it again, hope y'all have a good time that's what matters...

I’ll take all the tips and tricks I can find! Certainly taking two trucks. Whether it’s drive two all the way or two of us fly and rent a truck when we get there and the other two drive all the duck gear.

I certainly plan to take what we are presented with, be that ducks or pheasants.

Not much of a diver guy so we’ll likely shy from that. Also don’t want to fool with dragging a boat all the way up there to hunt big water.

Probably not a lot of crops out like you said, so we’ll likely focus on small water. Taking layout blinds juuuuust in case. I’ve always wanted to hunt ducks on a dry field feed.

Definitely going with the mindset that it’ll take a couple years to start to figure the game out. Would like to try to have some of the trials and tribulations out of the way before I start taking my kids up there, if they’re so inclined to go. I think in future years we’ll go in early November when more crops are out, but schedules didn’t line up that way this year.

by **Duck Engr** » Thu Jul 25, 2024 11:53 pm

Hopefully we’ll be able to provide a scouting report for you!

by **Rick** » Fri Jul 26, 2024 3:45 am

Duck Engr wrote:We were very hot and dry in June and early July. Fried anything that might have volunteered. We were in a drought up until the last week or so, where we’ve picked up 3” or so.

And I'd been thinking the whole east end of the country's been taking much the same soaking this year. Shows how hard I focus much beyond my own nose.

by **PorkChop** » Fri Jul 26, 2024 8:15 am

Congrats on being drawn! I intended to put in for this coming fall, but forgot all about it. I’ve never hunted South Dakota but it’s pretty similar to here. If you have any questions, feel free to send me a message. I’ll find some time and send you a message with just some general information that may be helpful for this part of the country.

by **Duck Engr** » Fri Jul 26, 2024 1:58 pm

PorkChop wrote:Congrats on being drawn! I intended to put in for this coming fall, but forgot all about it. I’ve never hunted South Dakota but it’s pretty similar to here. If you have any questions, feel free to send me a message. I’ll find some time and send you a message with just some general information that may be helpful for this part of the country.

Thanks PorkChop! I’ll certainly be taking you up on that when I start trying to nail down our strategy.

That deadline is an easy one to sneak up on you. Deadline was at 8 am on a Monday and my buddy called me scrambling at 753 am while I was dragging kids out the door. Through the chaos we got him registered, but barely.

by **5 stand** » Fri Jul 26, 2024 7:17 pm

I didn't bring it up, just assumed, but flying has been mentioned, if you're the one flying hopefully June gets thrown in with the decoys and makes her way to South Dakota...
Those Roosters aren't as forgiving as Bob's but they sure are fun to try your hand at, even though they won't be still (well, some will)...

# Giddy up, June...

by **Duck Engr** » Fri Jul 26, 2024 8:44 pm

5 stand wrote:I didn't bring it up, just assumed, but flying has been mentioned, if you're the one flying hopefully June gets thrown in with the decoys and makes her way to South Dakota...
Those Roosters aren't as forgiving as Bob's but they sure are fun to try your hand at, even though they won't be still (well, some will)...

# Giddy up, June...

Yep, Junebug will be in the truck regardless if I am flying or riding in the truck with her. I don’t trust an airline with a checked bag, much less my dog, despite how annoying of a housemate she’s proven to be. Hopefully she displays that she plans to earn her keep this fall. I have high hopes. She’s shown some flashes of figuring it out recently in training sessions. I’m sure she’ll forget it all once we’re afield but at least I know she has it in her.

by **5 stand** » Sat Jul 27, 2024 7:38 am

Sounds like it's going to be a good trip...

by **Duck Engr** » Thu Aug 22, 2024 1:28 pm

Each August or September, ive made a habit of meeting the sunrise at the farm as Rick would say the first morning that it's forecast to get below 65 degrees. Wednesday was 63 when i stepped out of the truck and I felt like my soul was rejuvenated a little bit. Been a long summer and long hours stuck in an office. Special treat to get a cool front this early in August. Checked the dove field and let June stretch her legs some. Have a few doves hanging around but nothing to write home about.

Noticed my neighbor has planted sesame as a row crop in his fields or is more likely subletting his ground to a farmer. What caught my eye is that the deer and hogs haven't so much as sniffed it. They ate his cotton last year and everything else i've seen planted there the last 10 years. Has me pondering trying some in a duck pond next year. Saw it has a 120 day maturity plus need to factor in another 30 for it to dry down and shatter out. Puts it out of the question for doves but has my attention for ducks. Anybody have any experience with planting it?

Sunrise pic from the fish pond dam.

by **PorkChop** » Thu Aug 22, 2024 4:10 pm

Beautiful picture!!!

by **Rick** » Thu Aug 22, 2024 5:30 pm

Thought sesame grew on burger buns. One way of saying I know only that many of we humans like it. Also like your fish pond.

by **Duck Engr** » Fri Aug 23, 2024 10:42 pm

Thanks guys!

Rick that is about the extent of my knowledge too, save the McDonald’s jingle and the bit about them from the late comedian Mitch Hedberg.

by **Rick** » Sat Aug 24, 2024 3:43 am

I'd forgotten Hedberg and his manic delivery, so you knew more about sesame than me. Google set me straight, and it was a cute bit.

by **SpinnerMan** » Sat Aug 24, 2024 9:22 am

My favorite street.

by **Rick** » Sat Aug 24, 2024 12:35 pm

SpinnerMan wrote:My favorite street.

Not mine. First piece I ever sold to a national was a short to Field & Stream titled "How to Raise Hell" detailing how I corresponded with the sponsors of a Sesame Street show depicting hunters as idiots shooting up tractors and got Burger King (Chart House) to threaten to pull their sponsorship.

by **5 stand** » Fri Aug 30, 2024 6:40 pm

PorkChop mentioned in his thread that he had a buddy in Sioux falls and it was looking great...
I do also, he told me there was plenty of water in the area this year for ducks and he expected it to be pretty good... Y'all may have picked a very good year to start the learning process of hunting South Dakota... More fuel for your excitement...
Scratch June behind the ear for me...

by **Duck Engr** » Fri Aug 30, 2024 11:55 pm

5 stand wrote:PorkChop mentioned in his thread that he had a buddy in Sioux falls and it was looking great...
I do also, he told me there was plenty of water in the area this year for ducks and he expected it to be pretty good... Y'all may have picked a very good year to start the learning process of hunting South Dakota... More fuel for your excitement...
Scratch June behind the ear for me...

Great to hear! That seems to be the general consensus from most we talk to. We’re pretty excited. Been getting June tuned up as much as I can in this heat. Plenty of ear scratching time in the AC!