Well, like most new hobbies I enjoy, I dive in full speed ahead like an addict. I really enjoy any type of wing shooting due to the nature of the hunt (hanging out with buddies, you can talk, etc.) and the opportunity to shoot a lot. Duck hunting is just that.

Well, I finally found an opportunity to hunt a beaver pond up here with a guy that said wood ducks were the primary duck there. He does occasionally see a mallard, teal or pintail, but they are rare. Woke up around 3 that morning to head over and man was it cold. It was 8 degrees that morning, but the windchill was even colder. Most of the water was frozen.



We waded out to the middle of the pond and he told me where they usually fly in from. He asked me if I had ever shot them and I told him no, I've never killed a duck or even shot at a duck. He looked worried and proceeded to tell me how hard they are to actually hit in that pond because once you see them, you blink and they're gone. Right about legal shooting light, we had a small silhouette buzz us at warp speed. Didn't even have time to get my gun up, and frankly I think it was frozen in the down position anyways. Well, as luck would have it, the bird turned and came back over and I folded it on the first shot. We assumed it was a wood duck, but couldn't tell from where it fell.

Went to get it and discovered it was a drake green winged teal! Not my target duck, but a pleasant surprise for my first duck. I wish I could have had it mounted, but I basically shot its bottom half off.



For the next 20 minutes or so, we would get buzzed periodically by small groups of wood ducks. I shot at more than I hit. On my 2nd shot at one group I saw another duck fall. I hoped it was a drake wood duck, but was happy I shot another duck, regardless. After retrieving the bird, it was what I came for!



That one has been delivered to the taxidermist. I went with a local guy that is known for his stellar bird work, so I can't wait to get it on the wall.

Here's a view of the pond, pretty much facing where they flew in from.


The total for 3 shooters was 2 wood ducks and one green winged teal.





That morning was probably a tenth of what most duck hunters consider a good day, but I was on cloud 9, and still am.