Needed: Duck Hunting Buddy(s)

[makeithappen]

Due to the buck I shot on public land, and the reactions I've received from my "best friend" and his father, I'm looking for someone/a group of people to duck hunt with around the Norman area. I don't mind duck hunting alone, but it sure takes a lot of the fun out of it and there's the safety aspect that I somewhat worry about.

I have my own boat (14ft jon boat with 9.9hp outboard), two dozen mallard decoys, a mojo, and the other basic gear. I've been duck hunting for 4 or 5 years now. My calling isn't the best, but, I've been able to pull ducks in. I do have an 8 month old pup that loves the water and has performed some water retrievals on dummies, but I haven't taken him on a duck hunt yet as I'm still deer hunting through the rut. I don't currently count on him being an amazing duck dog, but he may come through, or he may be left at home.

 

[Bulls eye]

Sucks when something like a deer ruins a friendship. All I can say is that's a character issue and it would have surfaced in another way later. I don't know jack about duck hunting but if I did I would go with you and be happy you shot a great buck. Good luck.

 

[Okie4570]

Not to hijack your thread, but what did they want...........you to find them a nice buck, tie it up and have it waiting for them to shoot?

 

[makeithappen]

Thanks Bulls Eye, I agree.

Okie, I believe that's very close to true. I've hunted with them for 5 years, scouted alongside of them, cleared stands with and without them, and have become a better hunter. I thanked them both when I shot my first deer with a bow, and at the end of duck hunting / rifle hunting trips. I've always stated I was grateful during our times hunting. They wanted implicit thank yous after I shot the buck as if they had guided me to him. Yesterday, I was hunting in a spot we all scouted out 3 years ago and got walked in on by one of them. I then got a slew of texts from the father stating I need to go find my own spots and that I haven't shown them any of "my" spots (when I always had one of them with me while scouting), and it's one-sided. He said I wasn't ethical because I was hunting "his" spots. I could continue, but to sum it up: like father, like son.

 

[Okie4570]

That's too bad. Good luck in your search!

 

[makeithappen]

I've seen them take some nice bucks and it's always been a celebratory environment when they did. Little did I know I was still an outsider. Thanks Okie!

 

[swampratt]

That sucks!
I always let my buddies pick a spot i could care less where i hunt..plenty of spots and it is all a crap shoot.
Silly boys! They need to grow up.

I used to hunt ducks..when i was in my teens , then steel shot became the law.. I quit then but for a few years continued to buy the stamps.
I did not collect them just wanted to support the sport.
I never had decoys.. buddy did and had a swell dog we trained.

I goose hunted Eufaula on core land last year...Just a hide and wait thing..
That is the first time i have been bird shooting in over 20 years..
That steel shot sucks!
I was using #4 steel 3" magnums.. won't penetrate!
I have better stuff now.

Shot the HARDEST kickin' gun i ever shot last week an old single shot 12
With a 3.5" max turkey load over 2oz of shot!
That one will make you think twice before pulling the trigger again.
Yes i thought 2 times and shot it again..as it made me take a few steps back the first time..Thought i was not ready or something..
Nope..back steppin again..need more lead in my shorts.

 

[makeithappen]

Lol I never got the pleasure of shooting lead at ducks. Heard steel is extremely weak comparatively. My gun is chambered for 3.5 but I shoot 2 3/4 by choice. The Winchester xpert shells pattern very well from my gun.

 

[swampratt]

I got some winchester Xpert 2 3/4 #2 the other day in steel 12 gauge
have not shot it yet.
I got some extended turkey chokes for my 1920's browning with invector barrel.
the chokes were invector+
Had to cut 1/4" off the barrel to get the stuck choke out...That reminds me i need to get a jelly head choke if i can find one.

That #4 lead would punch holes in ducks like no one's business. they could be 55 yards out and drop them like flies.
I let a quail get over 50 yards out before i shot it with the other browning i had (it liked long range shots) ..turned that bird into dust..
I think my newest shotgun is 1947, got them cheap you know.

When do you usually go duck hunting?

 

[makeithappen]

That's the exact shot I use. I'm currently off work Wednesdays and Sundays, but have some vacation time to burn for those perfect days.