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Al Brown | Tracking the Seasons
Here ducky, ducky …
The first week of Wisconsin's 2009 Southern Area duck hunting season is now in the book, titled "Where were all the ducks?" The season opened at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3.
Opening day conditions here in the valley of the Rock River in Northeastern Jefferson County where I hunted, were nearly ideal: cool temperatures, heavy overcast and frequent periods of light mist one moment, sprinkles the next and at times topped off with heavy localized downpours.
The only things missing were the winds and, of course, the ducks.
To help me usher in the new season were my longtime hunting partners Alan Jaeckel of Ixonia, Frank Slayton of Oconomowoc and my son Kerry of Chicago.
Once the magic hour arrived, the absence of gunfire left us wondering if there were no ducks to shoot at or if there were just fewer hunters willing to brave the elements.
On a day with no wind, the birds don't move much. On the other hand, the sound of gunfire will carry for miles; and for opening morning, both were conspicuous by their absence.
With the 9 a.m. start of the duck season, goose hunters also had to honor the opening-day shooting time.
And as usual, the season got a three-shot jumpstart five minutes early.
Twenty minutes later, a single shot rolled up from the river bottom a mile to our south, followed 15 minutes later by a stutter of five shots followed by the clamor of honking geese.
Our toll for the first morning was one wood duck, bagged by my son.
The evening hunt was more entertaining.
We fired no shots but watched in awe as flock after flock after flock of ducks passed in the distance, heading east.
Etched against the gray clouds, the spectacle continued into the evening darkness, aided by the light of a full moon.
To cap off the first day's hunt, I proved I'm not as agile in hip boots as I used to be by getting stuck in mud while crossing a ditch and dropping my gun in the water.
The only damage was a water-logged gun and a wet pride.
The second day of the new season broke damp, windless, overcast and cold.
A small flock of wood ducks appeared out of the predawn blackness below the tree line, passing by a few feet above the water; they were gone quicker than you could click off the safety.
In the distance, a staccato of gunfire announced it was shooting time in the duck marsh.
Then, just as quickly as it had begun, the guns went silent, save for a single shot here, a three-shot burst there.
A single wood duck splashed down among the decoys, didn't like what he saw and left without a peep.
Moments later, a handful of woodies came skimming over the water, then flared at the sight of our decoys.
Caught off guard, only Alan's shot found its target. After two days of hunting, the best the four of us could do was two wood ducks.
Thankfully, it's a long season and there will be more opportunities. Hopefully, our aim will be better too.
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- How new concealed carry law affects hunters
- Now's the time to hone weapon of choice
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- Hunting calendar is upon us
- Weary anglers getting their chance
- Passing down knowledge of the hunt
- Appreciating the gifts of Mother Nature
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- Tag, you're it: hunting seasons approaching
- Fundraiser gives bird hunters a taste of what's ahead
- Rock River's banks a hotbed for local fishermen
- Fishing a great Father's Day opportunity
- With the stroke of a pen
- Grape jelly fills the belly
- Getting out on the water pays off
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