If any of you watched last night’s World Series game, you know what the weather was like in the Philadelphia area. We had several days of below average temperatures, then a warm front and coastal low converged over the area yesterday. With 30 mph winds and some showers, I decided to duck hunt.
I hunted the same place where I shot a doe last week because I saw some puddles and ponds in close proximity to my deer spot. Since the location is directly adjacent to the Delaware River, I figured the spot would be good for ducks looking for shelter from the wind. It was an interesting — and wet — hunt.
Here’s the thing: this location is at least a mile from any road, so I had to load my backpack with decoys and gear and walk in (through mud, river sand, and phragmites). After arriving at the puddles, I quickly realized that they were deeper than I thought. All I had was knee boots, so wading to put decoys out was tough. I managed to get some out, but the strong wind was blowing them back to the edge (since I couldn’t wade out to get them deep enough). The good news is that I did see ducks — a lot of them.
I had 2 separate pairs circling my decoys, but they decided to land with the other live ducks about 200 yards away. Content on just observing and calculating my plans for my next hunt there, I sat through torrential downpours and blowing mist. It was like a summer weather pattern. I saw about 20 ducks pitch in during shooting hours, but I saw about 50 come in after shooting hours. Hmm. Maybe I’ll try a morning hunt there.
When it came time to pack up, I went to retrieve my decoys. Wouldn’t you know it? Within two steps, I stepped right into a hole where the water was much higher than my boots. Since I was already soaked, I didn’t care much. I retrieved the decoys then went and emptied out my boots! (By the way, walking a mile in sloshy rubber boots is not pleasant.)
Oh yea — GO PHILLIES!