For the early season opener I had the opportunity to hunt some property in Wise County. I had scouted the place last year (thanks Turkenator!) and found a fair number of wood ducks using the beaver sloughs and ponds. I set up this am where I thought they would show up. They did show up but they were in high gear a couple hundred feet up heading somewhere else. I did not sit too long as it was obvious all of them were going to the same place. I picked up and headed in the direction they were going. After a bit of hiking, I heard the unmistakeable screech. I had to plow through some of the nastiest brush and briars to get to the slough. It took me even longer to get into position. I played cat and mouse with the raft until finally I was in a good position to jump them up. A pair came into range, I flushed them and was fortunate enough to connect on the drake. This is my very first wood duck. It has been a duck I have wanted for a very long time. When I usually get into duck mode, these guys have long since headed South. All in all, it was a memorable hunt and a good start to the season.

Congrads on the wood duck. I think they are the most beutiful duck out there.

I'm so very happy for you BB. You earned your wood duck, that's for sure and a very nice one it is.

Congrats on the Woody. Sounds like it was a well deserved duck.

Congrats... great hunt! Way to adapt!

I was fortunate to have Dale drive down and join me for some wood duck hunting while in Wise County. We were like a couple of 12 year olds having a great time slopping around in the muck and inhaling unhealthy amounts of methane. We saw a bunch of birds and had some good success jump shooting. It was a great time! Congrats and thanks Dale!!

Here's a couple of Dale's birds:





Here's some Ginseng we found. Location classified

This was my first and hopefully not last wood duck hunt. I had a blast. Thanks BB for inviting me and showing me the ropes yet again. I have to say, we pulled a nice pair of shots on those flushing birds.

Great pics! Those woodies are a beautiful bird, I think one of the prettiest.

Nice hunt and pics, you planted those sang seed I hope

Congrats guys.....

you think those are the first "legal" ducks ever taken in Wise Co? :>)

Might very well have been just that GN...We got some pretty strange looks in our waders, no doubt. Big Bird has an incredible knack for finding game in places others don't or won't go find!