'25 waterfowl opened today. As Parker noted about his deer hunting, this was more of an armed nature walk. Went to John's River. In contrast to past years there were a few dozen ducks around, but not close. Only one flock of Cacklers, also not close. I did actually see one duck and one goose fall. Also, in contrast to the past two years I did take the safety off a couple times in anticipation but they went another way.

In reading an article about the declines of Peregrine Falcons in WA it was noted that they may be getting avian flu from eating waterfowl, which is their target prey. Wonder if the paucity of waterfowl I have seen the last few years is tied to that.

Thoughts?

Well, maybe you need to hunt ducks on the east side of the state . Lots more ducks on offer, more grain on the ground, higher quality food, and maybe you’ll get some big northern Mallards that need harvesting.

Rumor has it the big northerns are looking for cheap oh zen pic to make the southern migration flight less weight strained.

Glass half full here, so I’m doing the fat Grouse hunting gig and hoping the rising stripe-ed owl populations aren’t as hungry as the spotted....

As I noted I the other thread, I would at like to have a dog, if not a boat, for the Eastside. When I did have dogs we did reasonably well over there. I think one opener I got about a half-dozen Sprig and Greenheads that were all cripples left behind by others.

On one occasion out in the sage both dogs came to fine points (Brit and Lab). when I kicked the sage there was a riot of color and a "quack". Drake Mallard. Next day, while chasing some pheasant in willows around the North Potholes I, and the Lab, spotted another Greenhead running around. Collected him. Dogs sure make it fun.