Where are the teal?

[DelDuck]

I spent about 2 1/2 hours yesterday scouting Primehook NWR. For those of you who are notr familiar with Primehook, this time of year this place is loaded down with teal. We had some good wind yesterday so all the ducks should have been blown out of the delaware bay and into Primehooks marshes. I saw maybe a total of 50 -75 ducks:confused: and no teal. saw maybe a couple hundred geese scattered about. and one group of 300 or so snows. I know the birds could have been tucked up in areas i could not see, but I don't think i have ever been by some of the areas and not seen large numbers of teal, at this time of the year.
I hope this is not a sign of the times , and a indicator of how the season will go.:(

[skeet]

I hope you are right about the harbinger of a bads season...but most of the teal are long gone. 50 degree nights chase most of em out...and all the woods pomnds are dried up so there aren't any woodies around to speak of..dang it

[kt]

it seems they have already headed south of us northeast folk. every year that the weather is dry, our early duck season sux. just a handful of woodies around. last year, hurricane ivan had everything soaked and the teal were every where. now we got the water just need the cold to send some greenheads.
kt

[tjwatty]

Two friends were hunting in South Dakota last week, different places, and both saw and shot mostly teal. (Greenwings) We were at the blind doing some finish work and saw big bunch of Bluewings. Our season starts in 10 days and in my 20 plus years this is the latest I've seen big bunch of BW this late. Maybe something to that global warming thing afterall. The boys did see a lot of mallards and gadwall so I'm not giving up yet. Just gotta get those gas prices down so I can afford to go. I've got a 40 mile drive to the river.

[fabsroman]

I wish my drives were 40 miles. If I want to head over to the Chesapeake Bay, we are talking about 2 hours in the car. Before I moved into this place, my drives to hunt were about 50 miles each way to my post often hunting spot and about 25 miles to the next often hunting spot, both of which happen to be the closest to me. Now, they are a little closer because I moved a little further west, but the bay area is a little further.

If there is one thing about hunting, it usually involves a bunch of driving or other travel.

[rubicon]

Fabs- its about 100 yards to the boat launch. You'll have to come over.

[tjwatty]

My son is looking into renting a cabin for a month, my wife thinks that's a good idea. I think she just wants some peace and quiet. I have to drive 100 miles to my deer hunting place but it is in the #2 county in the state and we have 1500 acres of private farm to hunt. (my Uncles) My partner pays for the motel for the privilage to hunt and I use a friends 4 wheeler to get my crippled butt to my spot. Now if those trees just quit jumping in front of my shots I'm set.

[fabsroman]

Rubicon,

I rarely ever turn down an invitation and the car knows the way to Kent Island rather well.

[DelDuck]

Rubicon,

How is the hunting around Kent Island? Everytime i go to dark side of the bridge I have always thought it would be an absolutly wounderfull place to go guning.

[rubicon]

This will be my first year hunting on Kentland but have found several friendly people who have offered to let me use their blinds when they are not in them and have also offered to show me some of what they consider the best spots on public. So well see but it sounds promising. I cross the bridge daily to go to what I consider the DARK SIDE to work and it sure is cool getting to check out the birds and fishing boats daily. On the other hand I was in the Cambridge area yesterday sika hunting and have never seen so many teal and wood ducks in one area at one time.

[DelDuck]

guess thats where the teal are:D

[skeet]

Surprisingly I saw approx 35 teal fly past the pond here yesterday. They would have come in if I hadn't been out there working around it(cutting down some willow trees). They were, however, green wings. Didn't see any Blues. You know..it really is funny...but when you are in a marsh without the ability to see very far they really do come smoking...when they are in the open...they really don't seem to fly that fast. They do twist and dodge a bit though:D

[fabsroman]

At least the two of you are seeing ducks and geese. I spent most of the morning driving from Germantown to Upper Marlboro today and didn't see a single goose or duck. One would think that they would be moving in this kind of weather. Oh well, a couple more weeks until the season comes back in, so hopefully things will get cooking before then.

[rubicon]

Fabs, the geese are flying over the house here on the island like crazy. Just saw about 300 coming down Dominion road

[skeet]

Hey Rubicon...

There are so many people down on the Island anymore that I can't figure out where the geese go to eat:eek: :D . Seriously I used to hunt on the old Turkey Point farm on the Island. It was owned by a doctor in our skeet club up here. He bought it expressly for hunting. After he died his daughter sold the place(after buying out the hunt club that had lifetime hunting rights). Now it is nothing but houses for those people from the dark side. We used to wade the grass beds for soft crabs there too. Ah..it was a great place to live at one time. Still better than the dark side I guess!:confused:

Hey BTW we ought to get Fabs, Delduck, you and me and go shoot sporting or whatever sometime real soon I live up in the Church Hill area.

[rubicon]

Sounds good- and yea its definitely better than the dark side. Out here where I am its mostly older people who have been here for years-they seldom use the boat ramp and just bust at the chance to tell a pilgram like me about the old days and are constantly telling me what they consider the best spots to fish and crab. Also we dont have any street lights!

[fabsroman]

I'll shoot with you guys any weekend and try to change any weekday plans to make it. Doesn't have to be sporting clays. I'd do almost any type of shooting (trap, skeet, 5 stand, sporting clays, rifles). Pretty much anything that burns powder is fine with me. Plus, it would be cool to finally meet Rubicon and DelDuck. I met Skeet a couple of years ago and that was a great time.

If all of us cannot make it on the same day, I'll still shoot with one or two of you. Let me know what is good for you guys before it gets too dang cold and the birds really start flying.

[DelDuck]

Sounds good to me, just let me know when it suits you folks. I'll make arrangements for the kids, if the wife is workin.

[fabsroman]

Somebody throw out some dates here. Then we can arrange some schedules. How does this Saturday, October 29th, sound?

How about the following weekend?

[DelDuck]

Not this Sat. But Sun. I'll be free or the following weekend will be ok with me. Our duck season starts today, and i should be in the blind by now , but a little thing called work is getting in the way.:mad: ;) I am going to try to take off Wed. and go to PrimeHook the winds are suppose to be up, so should the ducks.

[fabsroman]

This Sunday isn't good for me because I have to meet a client. However, next weekend is still completely open.

Skeet and Rubicon, can you guys make it out to Pintail Point next weekend?

[skeet]

As I'm sure you know Fabs...I'm pretty much good to go anytime..especially after my regular shootin' season. The deers is runnin around acting all crazy. They are everywhere. Got a nice little 140 class buck hanging behind the pond and I see him most every day. Think I'll muzzleload a nice fat doe this weekend. Gotta break in the Savage smokeless gun. That sucker surely does shoot. Bout as good as I can hold a rifle is an inch or so and it'll do that easily. Gonna get a friend with nerves of steel to shoot it on Wednesday to see how good it'll do. I have nerves of jello so I can't do too well. Uhhh. Just remembered i have to do an auction the 5th of November. Some shooting stuff in it. About 10,000 rounds of unfired brass etc...maybe some shotgun wads and a few (250) boxes of ammo. Haveta make a little money somehow ya know!!:D But it'll probably be done by 12 or so.

[fabsroman]

Why don't we shoot, no pun intended, for November 6 then. If everybody can make it, it should be a great time.

Now, just to let everybody know, I shoot waterfowl in the rain but I do not shoot clays in the rain.

Let me know what you guys think about the 6th.

[skeet]

Wimp Wimp Wimp Wimp!!! afraid of the rain!! Personally I'd rather drink a 5th than a 6th...more whiskey in it.....Ohhhh you mean shoot on the 6th!! OK by me...Now lessee...what gun am I gonna shoot?? I know...my ol black lemon-87!! yeah!!:eek: :D

[fabsroman]

You bring your black lemon 1187 and I'll bring my shiny 391 Teknys. So, will the 6th work for everybody? I'll send Rubicon and DelDuck a PM.

[DelDuck]

the 6th sounds fine by me, I'll bring the xtrema and my 1100 20 if we decide to shoot a round of subs. Just let me know where and when. It will be great to meet you guys!!

[fabsroman]

Okay, are we settled on the 6th Skeet and Rubicon? I sent Rubicon a PM but haven't received a response yet.

How about Pintail point?

[fabsroman]

Okay, I heard back from Rubicon via PM and he probably is not going to be able to make it because he has to be on call for work.

Are you guys still in for next Sunday, the 6th? I'm still in.

[skeet]

I'm good to go...as looonnggg as it's not raiiinnninnng....oh...scuse me. That's not my line is it?? Seriously..I'm on for it:D :D

[fabsroman]

Aren't you hilarious tonight. Unless there is money involved in shooting clays, I just don't find it enjoyable to shoot them in the rain, especially in November.

[skeet]

Hmmm. We may have to place a little wager on this if it'll make ya be there rain or shine. Say a buck a bird difference... But since Del and I don't really ever shoot sporting clays.... You'll have to spot us a few measly little birds...say about 8 or so? If I break 30 I'll be happy.:confused: :D

[DelDuck]

I'm still in, and I do hope it is going to be pretty nextweekend.

[fabsroman]

Skeet,

Now you are utterly hilarious. Not only are you a good shot, but you are a shark too. I saw you shoot what Petey and Ol'Spark were throwing and those didn't always look like skeet targets. I might have been born at night, but it wasn't last night. Sure I'll spot you 8 targets, as soon as we have 8 feet of snow in Maryland in July.

Okay, we are settled on November 6th. Now, how about a time? Does 11:00 a.m. sound okay. I have a two hour drive and I need my beauty sleep. Plus, it might be a little warmer at 11:00 versus 9:00. I did not see the range's hours on its website, but sent them an e-mail asking. Let me know what you guys think about the time.

[DelDuck]

11 works better for me.

[fabsroman]

11 works better for me too. So, 11 it is this Sunday. I am really looking forward to this.

I'll be the guy with the big grin in the clubhouse. All kidding aside, I'll probably be driving my tan 1998 Taurus with a Xport bike/travel rack on top. Kind of like a Yakima or Thule rack. Needed extra space for the decoys when I got the dog, for those occassions when I didn't want to drive the truck.

[DelDuck]

I don't know about who will have the grin there Fabs, I've been going to owens station everyday this week:D .

I'll be in a 04 F150 super crew with a cap on it all grey with a delaware beach tag and a roxana vol. fire co. tag on the front. I'll be the one walkin around the parkin lot like a lost puppy;)

[fabsroman]

Yeah, I've been working every day this week, so this will be a great break for me, and any bad day of shooting, fishing, or hunting is better than a good day in the office.

[DelDuck]

It has been rough this week , we have had no work.
so I just got 1 day in this week.

[skeet]

Fabs Delduck and I got together this Sunday. Fabs also brought his father. The man is a saint. I really don't know how he survived raising Fabs...hehehe!. seriously though we had a good time. It was a beautiful day and we shot a hundred birds on the sporting clays course at Pintail Point on the Eastern shore. Fabs shot good as did his dad. del and I did ok too. The Beretta Extrema Jay(Delduck) has really shoots good....but you ought to see the piece of JUNK Fabs brought. I almost thought he brought a Browning at first..but it was the other B gun...at least it wasn't Broken with a B. The highlight of MY day was the Pheasant(a real one) that Fabs missed. Really close too.25 yds. But I think he was thinking of the water that the pheasant was flying over. He really didn't want to get THAT wet! If he had his retriever with him I'm sure that bird woulda been toast. Fabs really is a good shot...especially for an attorney..and newly married. And don't listen to him when he says his father can't shoot. He really did quite well. I was thinking of getting fabs to go on a duck hunt with me down at Deal Island this year...but after seeing the way he shied away from going in the water for a bird....well I guess it'll just have to be Delduck and me. I really need a WELL TRAINED retriever:D Oh I'll bet I'm in for it now.:rolleyes:

[DelDuck]

I'll retrieve birds for you anyday buddy. Yesterday was a real hoot, I had alot fun and it was great meeting Fabs and Skeeet. Don't let Skeet fool you guys I shoot poorly compared to these 2 sharks. They are both awsome shots on the sporting clays range. I think maybe with several years of practice I will become colse to them;) And I agree Fabs father is a saint to have raised that fellow.

I'll sneek away very quietly now.......

[fabsroman]

I was over my parents until late last night for the family dinner and then I watched the Redskins game with my dad. Otherwise, I would have posted first about yesterday.

I really had a great time too, as did my dad. I was really impressed with his shooting yesterday, and am wondering if it is just easier for him to pick up the targets in the wide open sky versus in the woods at the PG Trap & Skeet course. Then again, maybe it was because he didn't get much sleep the night before and he was working on auto pilot. He was out playing cards the night before and slept the entire ride home.

For those interested in scores, Skeet was the big wiener. Oh, I meant winner. He beat the second place guy by 2 birds.

Regarding the pheasant, I was about a mile behind that thing when I pulled the trigger. The waders and dog were about 70 miles away at home and since I just got over one heck of a cold (i.e., just finished up my antibiotics in the middle of last week), I decided to pass on having to retrieve the pheasant. It was pretty neat to see a pen raised pheasant flush that hard and that straight away with its head down. Most of the pen raised birds I have shot have flushed straight up.

My father raising me probably qualifies him for sainthood. However, if it doesn't, raising my two brothers and two sisters certainly does. He and I have had our moments over my 34 years, but he is still my best friend and always will be, and God help the person that talks bad about him in front of me.

When my sister and her boyfriend found out that we went to Pintail Pointe and didn't invite them, they were kind of pissed. However, my excuse was that I was shooting with some professionals and then I had to let them know that Greg, my sister's boyfriend, might have shot Skeet for flirting with my sister, or maybe my dad might have. LOL I really don't want to participate in a murder trial anytime soon.

All kidding aside, Skeet is really a people guy (i.e., he gets to know everybody). Or is it that he is a lady's man? Let me think, he talked to about 20 women yesterday and 2 or 3 guys. I'll let you guys make up your mind on that one, and don't believe him when he tells you it was me talking to all the women. LOL

It was also nice to see that many women out shooting yesterday. To keep our sport going, whether it be shooting or hunting, I think we need to introduce as many people as possible to it. It was also nice to see some kids out there shooting.

Del & Skeet, we should try to get together again. I've got two pretty good fields for resident geese, but sometimes they are hit or miss. I'll let you know if the geese start using them. One farm, about 200 acres, still has its corn up. My motto is, "Have guns, will travel." If you guys want to shoot clays again or go on a hunt together, just let me know. It is always a good time to hang out with light hearted, happy people, that know how to have a great time.

Rubicon, I'll invite you too. Hopefully, you won't be on call next time.

[rubicon]

Hey guys- Rub it in!!!!!- I spent Sunday on the dark side of the bridge at a nursing home with water pouring out of the bricks in the front of the building- maybe next time, sounds like you all had a great day though. Ill be heading to Deale Island this weekend. Fabs, you could a come down the road and got rusty to get that pheasant for you. Would a only taken about 10 mins each way.

[fabsroman]

I never assume that I can borrow anybody's dog, but I'll keep it in mind the next time I have a shot at a pheasant over water at Pintail Point. Seriously, when I started my swing I had the entire intention of killing that bird, but right as I was catching up to it I thought about the water and stopped the gun when I pulled the trigger. No sense killing game for nothing.

By the way, why is my side of the bridge termed the "Dark Side"? Skeet had been using that term on Sunday and now you are. We probably have more lights on this side of the bridge than you guys have over there. LOL

If I could make a living on the Eastern Shore and also convince the wife to move out there, I probably would. Heck, I have been looking at houses and property up in Washington County. I could sell this townhouse and buy a really nice house up there for just a little more than the sales price of this townhouse. Plus, I would be a lot closer to a couple farms I hunt up there. Then again, I would be a lot further from the Eastern Shore. Maybe Montgomery County is where I am going to have to stay (i.e., between all the good hunting spots).

[rubicon]

Fabs- Dark side has nothing to do with street lights- closest thing to a street light in my neighborhood is the beacon at Bloody Point lighthouse. When I started looking to buy a house I first thought about Calvert County ( have a son in Solomons) but didnt like the thought of route 4 which just keeps getting worse. Made a trip from the dark side to the right side of the bridge and put a deposit on this house one week later and closed three weeks later and I havent regretted it. Commute is 15 mins quicker than it was from Deale and no traffic lights. We have lawyers over here too. Greta Suskrin lives over here -but she commutes .

Skeet, I cant begin to imagine what it must have been like down at Deale Island. They say you could hunt anywhere around here until it started building up. Neighbor said his goose blind was his back porch for years. I lost the last place I had to hunt on the dark side this year. Farmer let a guy hunt and he fell out of a climber and is now suing the farmer so now not even the farmers family can hunt it.

[fabsroman]

Rubicon,

You have got to be kidding me about the hunter suing the farm owner. I cannot believe that one. First off, I cannot believe that the hunter even has a case against the landowner, especially if he didn't pay the landowner anything to hunt on the property. Even if the landowner were paid by the hunter, the landowner would not have a duty to the hunter other than letting him know about know dangers. I am praying that this is a lie by the landowner, because this really makes attorneys look bad. Plus, I have no idea why the farmer's family cannot hunt the land.

It sucks, but farmers and landowners should include a disclaimer in all permission forms. It really sucks nowadays where a person cannot get oral permission from a landowner because the law says so, and a landowner cannot give oral permission without worrying about being sued later (i.e., the farmer needs a permission form with a disclaimer/release in it. I have had a landowner ask me to put a Hold Harmless clause in my permission form, and I was more than glad to do it. The Maryland DNR should come up with a simple Hold Harmless permission form for the landowners and hunters to use. That will make everybody feel more comfortable about these things.

As far as the Dark Side reference is concerned, I understand the meaning. Kind of like the Dark Side of the Force in Star Wars. I hunted Deale Island once in my life about 9 years ago and it was pretty good back then. There were 4 of us and we split into two groups. The other two guys limited out and me and my hunting buddy got 2 ducks a piece. That was my first time hunting ducks with the intent of hunting them (i.e., I shot ducks before, but just because I got lucky while hunting other animals). That was the experience that really got me hooked.

As far as development is concerned, when I was younger my dad would always point out places that he hunted quail in PG County. I thought he was out of his mind because he was showing me parking lots at shopping centers or housing developments. I was too young to understand "progress".

As far as moving to the Eastern Shore, it would be tough for me because all of my clients are from around here. I would be driving a lot to see them and the drive from the Eastern Shore towards DC in the morning is pretty tough, not to mention the drive back in the afternoon. Right now, I am pretty close to the middle of the state and I have been in Court in Washington County, Frederick County, Montgomery County, Prince George's County, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Howard County, Calvert County and Charles County. Most of the small businesses that I am working with are located in Montgomery, Baltimore, and Prince George's County. At the end of the day, it would be easier for my wife to work as a pharmacist on the Eastern Shore than it would be for me to continue my practice. Heck, we were debating whether or not to move to North Carolina because they were offering $300,000 for pharmacists down there and a 5,000 sf house with a pool, 6 bedrooms, 5 baths, 6 acres, and a 2,500 sf separate garage (i.e., my dream garage) was only $600,000. I told the wife that I would be a stay at home daddy and take the kids hunting and fishing when they were old enough. The big problem is leaving my family and friends from this area.

[skeet]

Fabs...Dark side has a basis of reference to the movie Star Wars. The Dark Side of the Force. Most people who used to live over there and moved here seem to have had their eyes opened and they can see the light...again. Therefore you live on the dark side of the bay. Rubicon is right too. There are attorneys over here . And you could sell that townhouse and buy a mansion over here. Just think...I saw about 50 cars go past my lane today..maybe 60....maybe less. I really don't count. Used to. There were days 20 yrs ago when I saw as many as 3 or 4. Of course there are always tradeoffs to everything. With all the dark side folks living over here you can surely make a good living here.

Now I have to make another statement. . In regards to Fabs and Delduckas well as Aldo(Fab's father).. we really did have a great time yesterday..and I am always up for doing the same thing again. I am always a little hard on Fabs...just because he needs it. BUT he is a good guy and a good shot. None of us wanted to go swim for that pheasant for certain. I had him dead to rights at 20 ft...and didn't shoot. Always enjoy shooting or hunting with gentlemen. I always figgered some of that gentleman stuff would rub off on me. Sometimes it does. I'm just a down home country boy. Oh and I talked to more than 3 or 4 men too. It had to be at least 6 or 7...not counting the trap kid. But I must admit...I do like the wimmin folks better than them ol hairy men for certain.

Rubicon..I can remember going down to Deal Island when I was a kid. It was unbelieveable. Miles of marsh before ya got there. And Elliott Island. One lane road with turnouts to let people pass... In the middle of a marsh Don't run off there or you are gone. Even Kent Island. I remember when the prison camp was down there. The prisoners used to get out on some little docks they had ther and catch crabs to eat. And I literally knew 90 or more percent of the people who lived there. Watermen and farmers...and hunting the Turkey point farm. Ducks and geese galore and a dirt road down to it. Got to end this discourse. Anyway.. You have to make it out with us for something soon. Weather is ok for another month for fun stuff Let's do it again before all the nasty weather hits. Next time I'll even try to shoot better!!

[fabsroman]

Skeet,

You aren't supposed to be confessing. That takes all the fun out of it. By the way, most of my friends and family are hard on me too. However, I give as good as I get. Even though my friends and family are tough on me, I know they care about me and I do likewise. However, if a supposed friend shows me that he is not a loyal friend and/or he does not care about me, they are no longer my friend. I don't ask that my friends not make fun of me, I just ask that they don't make fun of me when they know I am hurt.

As far as getting together again, I am always up for it, even if the weather is crappy. I know I said I don't usually shoot in the rain, but Skeet should remember me shooting in PA in a down pour. The rain doesn't bother me when I am having a great time.

Skeet, you might say that you are a country boy, but it seems to me that most of the country boys are the gentlemen out there. If there is one thing I notice when I am in the "country", it is that people in the country are more courteous than people in the city. In the country, people say please, thank you, and your welcome. People hold doors open in the country, they stop at stop signs, and they allow people to merge in traffic. That isn't how it is in the city. People are always in a hurry around here, that they don't usually help other people. Almost everybody thinks about themselves only. I saw my neighbor struggling trying to change his car battery today when I went out to check my oil. I looked at his tools and knew he was going to be in for a long night, so I offered to help him. It took us 15 minutes to get it changed and he was pretty happy about the help. He even offered to watch my dog for me if I need it. As far as I am concerned, you are a gentleman Skeet.

Elliott Island isn't too bad. Granted, it isn't like it used to be, but it isn't too bad.

As far as shooting goes, I'll try better to keep pace with you next time and I'll pay attention to the score sheet a little better. LOL Usually, I keep track of the targets I miss, but I was having so much fun that I never really kept track. Then again, I'm not too good with math.

[rubicon]

One of my hunting buddies lived on Deale Island summers as a kid. His dad bought a piece of swamp land and started clearing it by hand, built a little cabin in his back yard in Bowie and carted it over there piece by piece and assembled it, drove a pipe in the ground for a well and they had indoor water even though it was not drinkable. I think Crash was about 6 . then his dad bought a used aluminum boat with a small outboard and said when you can pull the cord and start it you can run it. Once he got it started he ran the devil out of it and a little mini bike. We went by the old house on our last trip down there. Have another buddy at work that grew up down there also. His parents have now passed away and he has two houses and a bunch of land on the island. I hear about how these areas were and know wha t life was in the mountains and it makes me even more certain I was born 100 years too late!

[fabsroman]

Yeah, we say that we were born 100 years too late, but I think things are just fine as they are. There is always something to complain about. 100 yeas ago, the standard of living was much worse than it is today and there weren't many, if any, cars around. Travel was pretty much unheard of and you died a lot younger.

If hunting were as good today as it was 100 years ago and we had the technology of today, then I would be in heaven. However, this is called real life. Heaven comes later.