It was a wet day but a good day. Left my place at 2AM and headed for by buddies house and it was coming down in sheets! Arrived at 330am and off we went to the lake. My friend was expecting a cancellation text from me due to the down pour but him and I decided to skip Denny's and give the duck hunt a shot. We arrived on time and the lady at the gate said she thought we were crazy but let us in. After sitting at the dock and sharing some stories with her for about an hour another hunter showed up an hour late but they were allowed to pick a blind and off they went just before gray light. We got in our boat and headed out shortly after they did. We got to our "blind area" and set up. It was pouring down on us until about 8am. We saw a ton of ducks on the other side of the lake but none in our area. The other hunters left I guess they could not take the rain any longer. But we toughed it out and at around 9am we headed out to shot from the boat. Which is allowed as long as the engine is off and you are not moving. We kicked up the ducks and the shooting started. We got 8 ruddy ducks and I have to admit we shot a few coots too. We did not see any other ducks but a few buffleheads. We could have gotten our limits if we could shot worth a damn but then again it was raining and we were shooting from a boat and it hailed on us twice. Ya I am making excuses!! My buddy said if you breast out the coots right away they taste like any other duck. Well I will see about that! As far as the ruddy ducks from what I have read they should be o.k. Here is one article that I found.
http://honest-food.net/2010/12/02/ruddy-ducks-the-original-butterball/
The original butter ball? I don't know but I am going to make some poppers this afternoon and will see how it turns out. Anything wrapped in bacon will be fine with me. We also saw 19 deer the first shot has three nice bucks wish it was a better picture. I also wish I could deer hunt that place!! It was a great day with the girls and being cold and wet will help them to appreciate the warm sunny SoCal days!
http://honest-food.net/2010/12/02/ruddy-ducks-the-original-butterball/
The original butter ball? I don't know but I am going to make some poppers this afternoon and will see how it turns out. Anything wrapped in bacon will be fine with me. We also saw 19 deer the first shot has three nice bucks wish it was a better picture. I also wish I could deer hunt that place!! It was a great day with the girls and being cold and wet will help them to appreciate the warm sunny SoCal days!
