The duck hunting finally picked up out here as the temperatures dropped. Gabe and I went out on Dec 14th to some public hunting grounds. They are located next to the refineries here in Whatcom County and there are a number of large and small ponds/sloughs. The wind was up and the temp was way down. Gabe and I loaded up the boat this morning thinking that today would be ideal for hunting. Upon arriving at Lake Terrell, our planned hunting location, we were amazed that there was not one other soul out on the lake. Usually the parking lot is loaded with die hards that arrive way to early to get the best blinds. As we turn the corner to view the boat launch we suddenly understand why. The boat launch is in a protected little bay next to some old farm fields that have been revamped into flooded sloughs. The launch however had 6 to 12 inch waves and lots of ice. At this point Gabe told me
that he had an idea of another blind located nearby but would require us to walk. So we drive to the other parking lot and hike down the road to another large pond which I had no idea of its existance. The blind is located on the edge of the pond with trees behind us blocking the strong wind. I wade out into the water breaking a path as I go and start placing decoys in front of the blind in the usual horseshoe shape like James had taught us.
While placing the last of the decoys from the first bag I look up after hearing a familiar whistle. About a dozen and a half mallards are already making a turn on the deeks. The same path that I walked out to place the decoys has already begun to freeze over as I hustle back to the blind double time. I told Gabe to screw the other bag of decoys because this lot would do for now. About 15 minutes later another group of ducks came circling round taking a look at the spread. Six mallards. What luck because they circled once and came in wings locked. Gabe and I readied and popped up after I yelled the familiar, "Take' em!" A scattering of steel shot rained down on the shocked and confused ducks. Bang, Bang, Bang, Plop, Bang, Bang and the parting Bang of Gabes shotgun. Ecstatic, I turn to Gabe who says, "those are both yours." I run out and grab the hen mallard which appear to be local birds. You can tell by the color of their feet. A dull orange is a local while the brilliant orange is a Northerner.
From here the hunting dies down with flock after flock of swans comes in and lands on the other side of the pond. Then a more familiar honk of the great Canadian spurs both Gabe and I into action. I pull out my flute call and give a excellent imitation of the Canadians I'm used to hunting. They fly right over our heads from behind and land amongst the swans. Fowl luck indeed because the water fowl is now numbering and ducks are coming in and landing amongst the other living waterfowl. Gabe and I decide to take a walk over to the other side of the pond to the little alcove of waterfowl that is hiding out of view from us. Upon arriving at the dike on the far side of the pond we crouch as a prey comes into view. The Canadians are directly in front of us along the dikes edge about 100yds out. Gabe and I decide to jump in the swamp opposite the dike and make our way down parrallel to the dike to a location directly in line with the geese. As we crawl over the trees and sticker pushes through a half frozen swamp I question if this is even worth it because breaking your way through the ice is hard work. The swamp water gushing up over the ice is black and stinks horribly.
Of course Gabe makes me do all the back breaking work of breaking the ice. Finally we crawl up onto the dike to find the geese directly in front of us but they have sensed our precense and begun to swim away. I whisper to Gabe that it is now or never and we unload into the pack of geese. Earlier in the week I had got a different Canadian while going out with Gabe and had explained the importance the heavy BB, BBB, or T shot which we had learned from previous experience with the tough feathering. Two geese go down but begin swimming away into deep water. Gabe reloads and unloads again on one of the geese as it is swimming. We watch as one swims to tuff of grass and pulls itself up out of reach without a boat. The other floats off across the lake obviously further damaged by Gabes barrage of gunfire.
In the meantime, ducks have gotten up and begin to circle round heading straight for us. I tell Gabe to reload and we open fire on some fly-bys. Two go down into the swamp behind us. We jump in after them knowing it will be difficult work locating these birds. I follow a trail of blood I spot on the snow to a location under a log where a small little widgeon is huddled trying to hide. I reach for it and it dives down under the ice. I begin to break the ice up around that location which is only 4 or 5 inches of water. I could not find that little bird for the life of me. As I turn around and head back the way I came I find the little bird under the same log. I grab it and head back to the dike. Gabe could not find any signs of the other duck and we unfortunately have to leave it behind. As we approach our blind and deeks again we peek out to see if anything has landed amongst our deeks. Sure enough about a dozen mallards have landed and our enjoying themselves immensely. Two separate groups are there so I tell Gabe to take the one while I take the other. We stand up and open fire. After the commotion I turn to see a grumbling Gabe as I turn back at a run to pick up the dead. Total kill this round 3 drake and a hen for Rob and a drake for Gabe. I get back to the blind and throw the dead on the floor.
Unfortunately the hen was not dead and as she hit the floor she ran out the doggy door taking flight. Gabe laughing hysterically, and I extremely frustrated level my gun and shoot her down. Sploosh! As I begin to walk out to grab her I see her look around and then dive under the water disappearing forever. I have know idea were she went. We sit and wait and watch the wounded Canadian float across the lake. No action what so ever. I see a few ducks circle and go down in a neighboring pond. Finally Gabe suggests we go after the Canadian now on the far side of the lake. As we walk we pass a number of small ponds and see the swans that had taken off after our melee on the dike. We come up on the goose which appears to be frozen into the ice. Gabe is able to grab it and it begins to thrash until he breaks its neck. He brings it over and you can see that Gabes onslaught of fire on the goose while it was swimming away has left the bird blind in both eyes. It had no idea we were coming for it. We walk back and as we come up on another pond find the dozen ducks I had seen land earlier.
We jump shot this group only to get one mallard, shot by yours truly. Getting back to the blind we again find some ducks in our spread and jump shoot these as well. Three mallard drakes go down and again one dives down and disappears forever. While going to retrieve one of the ducks that was the closest I went under. Now very wet, and cold I tell Gabe that we are done for the day. We pack up and I am definitely warm while in the water yet it is a sapping cold. The other duck is floating across the deep water and was picked up on the far side of the pond by me on the way out. Unfortunately, I went under again while retrieving this one.
After a cold hike back to the truck with our 8 ducks and 1 goose I stripped off what I could and we returned to Gabes house for our photo. As you can see I have sweats on but they are completely soaked and I'm freezing. Good times in Washington state.
