Sunday in California....Big ducks are in.

[Dunnigun]

My partner and I have been very frustrated with the weather this season. We had rain and wind last week but the ducks weren't in quite yet. Yeah, we got a few gadwall and teal, but the mallard, sprig , and widgeon were nowhere to be found. Hard to be out in really ducky weather and not see the waves of ducks flying around the blind.

To make matters worse, the storm passed and the weatherman says we are dry for the next 10-14 days. Now the rain from the previous week is coming out of the hills and flooding out all around us. Giant duck clubs next to us are turning into massive lakes..... and the birds are starting to show up. Our worst fear.....rafted birds not moving.

Alas, the weatherman shows a strong wind arriving early this morning. A blustery north wind with clear blue skies. 5 am-no wind.
6 am-no wind. We decide to go out anyway and 'bird watch' with our shotguns in hopes of something...............AT SEVEN THIRTY!! The neighbors can't get out on their clubs. We are the only ones shooting within 5 miles. Well, those bastards started flying at 8 am and never stopped. Bill says 'we better count'.....bingo, 14 big ducks. Time to go back to the house.

I shot #5 RST's in the BHE with full chokes and clocked 'em in a 30 MPH wind. Bill shoots an ancient autoloader with #2 steel and was on the birds this morning. We are in our 60's and still enjoy going out like we did in our 20's. Nothing quite like it.

My Chihuahua loves dead ducks.