Last of the Pre- Christmas Hunting

Ducks are here and are in full force. Rabbit harvest is looking to be a good one too for this year. To be honest, deer numbers are good too, even in places that have generally had low to no numbers. This is shaping up to be a banner season for Mississippi Outdoorsmen.
This past weekend we were joined by our Alabama friends Rod and Susan Hubbard. They have fallen in love with the Mississippi Delta and pretty much call it their second home during most of the year. Rod has gone as far as even buying some property around Marks, MS to have his own hunting Paradise. It is just now in it’s second real year of management so these next two seasons will be the tell-tale signs of whether it will produce what Rod and Susan are hoping for. As for right now his place hasn’t seen the number of ducks Belzoni and Central MS are having so they joined us on a hunt at our place.
12/14
Josh Self joined Tray, Grunt, and myself on our way to hunt Belzoni early that morning. Josh and I talked as Tray kept close watch on the back of his eyelids on the ride up. We arrived on time for once this year and met Rod and Susan for a hopefully good hunt. We could hear the geese calling and knew we would have several chances as at least pass by shots if it all worked out. We loaded up the gear in Rod’s mule and rode back to set up. Tray, Grunt, and Myself hunted together on the south levee of my southern pond. Josh and Susan split the levees between the north and south ponds while Rod and his dog Maggie hunted the northern point of the North pond. All area was covered. Kinda like a dove shoot, no soft spots for them to land and pile in at…lol
I could go into details about how the birds worked in, landed almost on top of me, I missed, I hit, Grunt did this and Grunt did that……which is all true but like many of my blogs I often feel pictures tell stories better than my simple vocabulary ever could.
This particular picture will be on my mantel when I’m hopefully an old…..old man.

I was able to limit out, bag a goose, and watch Grunt continue to develop into what looks to be a good/surprising duck dog, but what I’ll remember most about this hunt was when I looked over while Tray and I were laid against the pond levee with Grunt sitting between us, I saw Grunt looking up into the sky for the next group of ducks, tongue out, panting with anticipation, and my son’s eyes locked on the same paths as Grunt’s, just as excited as Grunt about the success of this hunt, with Tray’s hand on top of Grunt’s neck……hunting/excited together. If I could bottle that moment in time it would be something I hope to experience again….maybe one day when we get to the big duck hole in the sky. I’m choking up just revisiting that emotion of the moment with Tray and his first real hunting dog.
The hunt was needless to say a great success. I think Josh was one shy of his limit and Rod and Susan added 4 more ducks between them. Someone in the north pond was able to also bag two geese but the shooter was never positively identified even though Josh Self shot 2 boxes of shells. Y’all can be the judge of that debate.

Rod and I rib each other regularly and enjoy it at each other’s expense. Rod’s been on me about duck blinds and all these high class duck hunting amenities. I told Rod he would have to start paying in order to help finance this type experience. He handed me $10 after the hunt and claimed it was worth at least that much. He even wanted a picture to show the world he paid his money. If you look close at the picture you can see his hand on my shoulder. As soon as Susan said, “okay, got it” Rod put me in a head lock and stole my newly earned $10′s! Dangnabit!

12/15
We had a full crew for this hunt. We decided to hunt at the house in the Irby and Sidney Hole. Rod and Susan Hubbard, Chris Watkins, Sam and David Irby, and myself slipped back and set up for hopefully a prosperous morning. I haven’t hunted these holes yet this year and wasn’t sure if any ducks were coming to them regularly just yet. Rod and Susan were in the honey hole, The Irby Hole. Sam, David, Chris, and Myself jumped in the Sidney Hole. Chris dropped the first mallard….actually it was the first mallard of the season for us this year. Chris then dropped a second mallard. Rod bagged a Woodie drake. Finally I was able to bag 2 additional mallards. Sam and David both had the same issue……ducks landing within feet of them. I personally watched a duck land within feet of Sam. Can you believe that duck sat there for about 30 seconds before flying off as Sam fired what I guess was warning shots that the duck was leaving. He actually had ducks on 2 different times land in his lap. I have some work to do with Sam.

I will have to brag on ole Grunt a little. Saturday he found 3 cripples. One while running on top of the levee in front of the mule. He picked his head up, planted his front feet, momentum swung his butt around, and he took off towards the water’s edge. About that time a duck flushed out into the pond to which Grunt proceeded to fetch. Sunday one of the two mallards eluded me. We sat and hunted for about an hour before I walked up yo the house and let Grunt out of his kennel. We proceeded down the area. Grunt sniffed and sniffed….nothing! We started walking towards the levee away from where we were hunting and something caught Grunt’s attention. He went into frantic mode. He started working this one area hard. Finally he stuck his nose under a clump of grass and the retrieve was on! The ducks flushed and dove. It disappeared. I couldn’t find it and I was standing almost on top of it. Grunt went into overdrive, splashing, sniffing, and looking. He looked and looked and couldn’t seem to find it. Then he started making large circles. Sure enough, about 40 yards away he found it again. This time Grunt didn’t allow the elusive duck it’s escape. That particular retrieve impressed me. I think I’ll keep him!
Hope your family has a Merry Christmas and a Great Holiday Season. To my redneck buddies, remember on Christmas Eve to leave the spot lights and rifles in the house. We don’t need any more complaints from the North Pole about night hunters harassing Rudolph and his friends. Be safe, have fun, enjoy the time we have together in the outdoors, and share your passion with friends, new and old!