Another duck season is in the books. I sit here, a little achy, a little sad, a little relieved.
The 2019-2020 duck season was not a good one, if I am thinking solely in terms of numbers. And while I don’t write down every single bird I shoot, I know that it was not more than about 40 for the year. There have been years where I’ve shot more than 100.
Part of me is glad for this, because on those bonanza years I found myself giving away a great many birds — even choice birds like fat mallards or (gasp!) drake pintail, which, here, are the prince of ducks. Big, fat, sweet, meaty. Not this year.
This year the sprig, as we call pintails here in NorCal, took on the aspect of the One Ring: They are… my precious. Only Holly has the privilege of sharing them with me.
Holly had a rough season, too, so our freezer does not runneth over. And that’s OK. We still have a couple dozen ducks in the freezer between us, enough to eat later in the year when we want to think of this thing that obsesses us for 107 days each year.
Because while my season was relatively lean in birds, it was rich in experience. I sit here feeling smarter as a duck hunter now than when I began the season in October.
It was, let’s just say, a season of adversity, leavened with lots of bad luck, sprinkled with just enough good fortune to keep me going.
I shot a limit of ducks exactly one time… only to see my friend’s dog destroy three of them. This had never happened to me before, so I was dumbfounded. Apparently it’s not unheard of in the duck dog world. (Holly and I don’t hunt with a dog, incidentally.)
I scheduled three goose hunts with a great guide who also happens to be my friend, R.J. Waldron, only to see the geese flummox us twice, enough so that we all agreed to cancel the third hunt.
I found myself in the wrong place at the wrong time more often than not, watching others, even my own hunting party, rack up limits while I sat there with a cold shotgun.
Other than the one limit day, I hunted no fancy duck clubs. If you are unfamiliar with this concept, know that the well-to-do have been creating and maintaining private marshes for waterfowl for close to 150 years, and a lux duck hunt, with breakfast made for you, an ATV or boat ride to the blind, sometimes even a submerged gravel walkway to a heavily brushed up blind already supplied with decoys, is a thing. And a lovely thing at that.
But I am OK with not hunting the fancy clubs. Why? Because it sent me back where I belong: to public land.
This season I had the opportunity to hunt public land in Arizona as well as here in California. (Yes, there are ducks in Arizona.) Mostly what you do there is jump cattle tanks, although there are a few “tanks” that are lake-sized. One of these hunts took place near the Mexican border. Very near the Mexican border, in fact. We jumped a pond that had Mexican ducks in it, and got several, along with some mallards, too. So it seemed obligatory to shoot a photo of the birds literally on the border with Mexico.
That was definitely a season highlight. Oh, and those ducks will play a starring role in an upcoming recipe here on Hunter Angler Gardener Cook. Stay tuned.
Later on that same trip, we hiked almost two miles in to another tank. We did shoot some more ducks there, but on the walk back I got all chafed up. Bad. Serious case of monkey butt. I tell you that because my friend Joe, who was with us, asked me why I didn’t have on merino wool underwear — as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. He’d switched to that years ago and never chafed again. So I bought some, and sure enough, it works.
I tell you this because solving the monkey butt issue opened up a huge world for me: I was able to hike miles into a duck hunting spot now with no issue. And if you can do that, our home refuge system here in NorCal becomes your oyster.
Hi, my name is Hank, and I am a refuge rat.
Yep. Have been, to a greater or lesser degree, for the 16 years I’ve lived in California. Our public refuge system is huge, varied and productive. It’s also byzantine. Getting on in the afternoons is typically easy, but as every duck hunter knows, normally (but not always) you kill more birds in the first hour than the rest of the day.
Mostly you get on in the mornings with a coveted “ressie,” a reservation with a number corresponding to what order you are allowed into the marsh. Some refuges are better than others. A number one ressie at Little Dry Creek, for example, is, essentially, Willy Wonka’s Gold Ticket. An almost guarantee of limits, usually of mallards and wood ducks. A ressie at Gray Lodge, on the other hand, is… well, watch this video and you’ll get the idea.
Our home refuge is the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. It’s near Sacramento, and is very, very popular with area hunters because it’s close, and large. But that makes it super competitive.
If you don’t get a ressie (I only got 3 this yer), all refuges have a lottery you can sign up for the night before a hunt (refuges only hunt weekends and Wednesdays). And, if you get a low number, it’s almost as good as a ressie because it means you’ll get on for first light. Some days it’s easy. Others, not so much. I’ve seen more than 300 people sign up for a Yolo lottery. Consider that the whole 16,600-acre refuge only allows 75 people in free roam, and you can see the odds.
Many times we put in for the lottery, only to get numbers that we knew wouldn’t get us on. Or worse, a number that might get you on, meaning you have to get up at 3 a.m. to be there, only to see first light come and go, with you stuck in your truck in the parking lot, smelling your own farts.
When you do get on the refuge, walking long distances can help a lot, but how do you carry dozens of decoys for miles? Neither of us are young enough to carry them in one of those decoy backpacks. So that leaves the cart. I have grown to hate carts. Holly still believes in them.
And this has led to a personal revelation: You don’t need so many decoys. I’ve taken to carrying only a few, often a swimmer so I have motion on still days. And always El Shovito. He’s a spoonie hand carved by my friend Brian in Michigan:
I can fit whatever I need in a backpack, sling my gun and a tule seat over my shoulder and go anywhere. Travel light, move to where the birds are. I like this. A lot.
And while Holly generally agrees with me, she still thinks that in many cases you do need several dozen decoys. She might be right. But I am simply not willing to endure the torture of pushing a cart two miles down an often muddy path to get to a spot that might have five other groups in it.
Yes, this is a real thing here on our public refuges. Lots of competition. It’s usually civil, but there are legends about fistfights and there’s Star Wars, a zone at Gray Lodge were so many people are waving around high-intensity flashlights it looks like light sabers. That sort of thing can scar a person, and is why many spend the money on a rice blind.
But most rice blinds suck. I have a better chance of killing birds on a refuge most days, tule ninjas notwithstanding.
And then there is the matter of limits. This season was the first in which I was truly at peace with less than my allotted seven birds. Yesterday I ended my season with two wigeon, a teal and the coveted bull sprig.
Would I have liked more? Sure, but I was also not ready to sit for many hours in a windy afternoon trying to will those final birds to fly in range. Holly outwaited me for two more hours, and go no more. We were both exhausted at the end of the day.
Now, the morning after, I sit here sore, but happy. I can walk farther, hunt smarter and be content with fewer birds than I could have back in October. And I can do it all on public land, land anyone has access to. I am thankful for that. All of it.
I read this essay you wrote last year and are glad to see you getting them the, “hard way”, like many of us public land duck hunters! I hunt the Ohio River valley in West Virginia. Yes West Virginia! We are not known for our duck hunting here but opportunities do exist. Our challenges include being on the outer edge of both the eastern and central flyways so we don’t get a lot from either one. Weather can be a huge factor. Colder temperatures up north usually help, but often freeze up marshes and ponds forcing the birds to the big, swift, whitecapped waters of the mighty Ohio. We often watch as large flocks of mallards cruise overhead at 5,000 ft.! Our bag limit of 6 total can only include one or two of many species. This isn’t the duck hunting you see on T.V. with, “Old longbeards”, blasting away as large flocks descend into flooded timber. This is an ornithologist’s duck hunt, (shoot one, identify, etc., etc.). It can be feast or famine. You can get skunked today, and get swarmed tomorrow. Opening day, (and the next), of all 3 split seasons is when most ducks get shot, and usually the first hour or two of shooting light.
We only have 1 WMA with a lottery drawing, the rest are pretty much wide open. January has always been the magic month for me. Many hunters are kept away by the fact that many of them haven’t yet bought their new hunting licenses yet. I have a lifetime license so I’m one of the few guys out in January. As I mentioned the weather can be nasty. I’ve had to make the decision to either continue hunting or continue living! I try to find places where other hunters don’t go, like obscure creeks and tributaries of the Ohio, little known beaver ponds etc., (if not frozen). If using decoys, I only use a few or even a couple, (sometimes none), the logic being that by this time of year they’ve already seen those big pretty spreads. It’s hit and run, seek and destroy, guerilla tactics at this point. I’ve been taught many a hard lesson. My family and I, (but especially I), appreciate and relish every bite of every bird I manage to bring to hand!
thank you, gives me a few ideas for our local reservation-only public areas.. here in CO there are quite a few that go all Star Wars in duck season.
My ideal would be to jump hunt but there isn’t any public land uncrowded enough for that to work. The whole idea of packing in many dozens of decoys and laying them out in careful strategic arrangements is frankly intimidating so I haven’t attempted it. Maybe next year I’ll take half a dozen plus one handcarved good luck decoy and hope..
My good dog never mishandled a bird we shot, but he would get possessive about cripples he’d found and picked up on his own.. “you didn’t shoot this one, it is MY BIRD”..
I really enjoyed your article, Hank! My dad taught me, and I teach my sons, it’s not the limit but the lifestyle. Of course, it sure is nice to get home weighed down with heavy straps once in a while. Here’s hoping for a 20-21 at least as good.
The United States has its oldest sites on public hunting land. You take a gander in the fall for foundations and go back in the spring. Violets and narcissi are the most common remnant plant. A violet plantation is a nice thing. you can look for bee trees.
Great read enjoyed your story. It has been a reflection of my hunts many times in the same places. Changed type of shorts 2 years ago after practically needing medical help at Disney land.
Nicely covers our season at Mendota Wildlife Area. I just had 8 Mendota reservations and one at Merced Wildlife Area for the year.
In my case I have to work on my shooting, which was never a problem until Cataract Surgery. Now I have to relearn how to shoot. Great vision without glasses, but imagine occasionally seeing two of your Shoveler decoys and covering your right eye and the left decoy disappears. My glasses prescription corrects the “prism” problem and merges the images but I am finding my instinctive method of shooting now needs to be relearned with a lot of practice.
Good luck next year….it is only 9 months away.
Great article. I really enjoy your writing.
I’m one of the lucky and privileged club hunters in So. Cal. This year, the season ended on a Friday that had blue skies and 80 degree weather. I rarely limited this year because even in a club hunt, you can often be in the wrong spot watching birds funnel into a different pond. The weather holds us hostage sometimes. Other days, the weather and the moon align and bring a feast of birds. Friday was magical with an early bull sprig in the bag soon after lift-off and then six male Greenwing teal in full body fat over the next 4-5 hours. I never regret sitting in a duck blind contemplating the vagaries of the hunt and life and politics in what is a multi-chaptered season. All of the hunters in our club were happy the season ended. Spring in in the air and the marsh shifted on an unseen axis as the songbirds sing more urgent songs than perhaps even ten days ago. The marsh comes alive to different signs of spring and we revel as stewards who were there to witness the upcoming renewal. Perhaps you would enjoy a club hunting trip next year. I would love to sponsor you.
Love this Hank, total sense of place, even though the last time I hunted a refuge with my dad, I was maybe 10 (so 46 years ago). Lately we’re “rice blind squatters” up in the north valley. My dad loves it so much he bought seats this year, just in case I and my son wanted to go. He buggered his shoulder up evacing the Camp Fire and can’t shoot anymore. His old hunting buddy, and dog, has the seat next to us. So, so year. I hate getting up that early, but once out there its all about the experience. Maybe late goose season will be good, we get a lot of geese action.
Right on, Hank! I finished my season Wednesday at Delevan, a mile and a half from the parking lot with a decent ressie. Three GWT, one gadwall, one bull sprig and a drake spoonie. I much prefer roughing it with the other refuge rats than eating eggs benedict at a clubhouse before a chauffered boat ride to an immaculate blind. It should feel like work, and it’s a privilege I like to earn.
P.S. Made duck jerky with one of your recipes on my Big Green Egg last week. Epic.
Always keep a small jar of Vaseline on you. Works wonders for chafing parts. Good to rub on before it’s needed…lol
El Shovito is now my spirit animal – that is awesome!
Leif and Hank Shaw… that would be 21 birds per licensed hunter in the household… in the freezer, or up to 42 birds in Hank and Holly’s freezer.
I couldn’t wait to share the Grey Lodge video with Family and friends! GREAT end of the season wrap up! We too had a slow season this year… but still satisfying. Where did you hunt in AZ? Public or guided? We spend a lot of time hunting along the Colorado River in AZ. Thanks for sharing your experiences and recipes! Much appreciated!!!
Great read. Thank you.
As always Hank, you made me laugh and cry a little as I think of my own adventures on Public Land here in Minnesota. Great Read, thank you. I’m looking forward to reading what gastronomical odyssey those Mexican Ducks go on.
Loved this!!!
That Grey Lodge video had me laughing my ass off!
The mighty Finn does not like cripples….. poor boy! ?
John: HA! I know, poor boy. He was so good on our other hunts, too!
Great essay, Hank. I also play the California ressie lottery, and relate to all that you wrote. I only got a few birds this year, but because of your books was able to turn them into memorable meals. Thanks for what you do!
Very nice article! The debate between backpack or cart is one I have had with myself. Glad to hear the backpack option worked well for you. This is something new duck hunters need to hear, it’s easy to get intimidated from duck hunting because you feel like you don’t have enough gear or don’t know what gear is essential.
I really enjoyed the read. I got a lot of visuals.
I’ve been pairing down my duck hunting gear load too and have resorted to weighing EVERYTHING like a back packer does.
I think it’s great that you and Holly like to duck hunt together.
I appreciate your works.
Great read. The one time I tried merino underwear, my $50 pair developed holes after two weeks despite hand-washing and air drying. On another note, there must be some generous possession limits in CA. Nebraska only allows one to keep three times the daily bag limit per year. I guess if you eat them fast enough through the season that can be exceeded and you can store 18 for the rest of the year, plus whatever you ate.
Leif: It’s the same everywhere, only our limit is 7 birds, so we can each have 21 in the freezer. And yes, we eat duck several times a week in season.
Great write up thanks! Looking forward to spring snows here.
Well written and poignant. I don’t know what the season was like around where I live…..too many competing family and house construction priorities for me to get out for more than a few hunts. Thanks for the insight and good read.
Good article! I would like to see more writers share the joys and challenges of hunting public land. There is a greater sense of satisfaction when you take on the diy challenge on ground anyone has access to. Also, we tried your braised venison shanks recipe a couple weeks ago and it was fantastic! We love venison but had never tried cooking shanks. My wife said this would be considered gourmet in any restaurant in the world!
I must say you pretty much described my season too, except that I did fill my freezer, shot many limits, got 2 (!) low number rezzie sat Delevan, and was invited on several other great rez’s too, including #2 at Yolo (love blind 15 yeah!). But I was unnaturally lucky. While my own duck season happened to be pretty good, except for the closer on Wed, when we both got completely skunked, not a shot fires on a #2 rez at West Bear, goose on the delta, which is normally really good for us, completely sucked. Flight patterns were totally different, birds would not fly, almost none of our normal spots produced.
But I love the CA refuge system and will hunt it and support it as long as I can. Also I wanted to give a shout out to Holly, as her description of the perfect duck hunt in the last CWA mag was pretty much spot on for me, and I had more than one hunt at Delevan that fit that description. I live in SF and would like to hunt Yolo and Gray Lodge more, but the crowds are crushing sometimes, right? I believe we’re seeing the effects of climate change, birds are coming later, and the crazy warm weather takes a lot of getting used to.
Very nice story was nice to here how you season went, I to duck hunt in a ground blind in a rice field, I will only say this hope they raise the Sprig limit and can’t wait to read your duck recipe . Keep writing
Absolutely great article and really informative. Thanks.
Love your stories.. the video was hilarious! Keep up the good work.
Love duck meat ..but i live in nc in a area ducks are limited ….when i lived in nj duck hunting was a great time for us young people ( i am 59 now ) to get together and have some fun…i miss those days ..thanks for the memories
I appreciate the focus on public lands! They aren’t always as forgiving or devoid of competition as we wish, but they do always have something to teach!
A dog destroying ducks or any birds is unheard of and pretty much an unforgiveable sin in the dog world… I’ve picked up on the fact that you don’t hunt around/with dogs very much but a good, well trained dog is a huge asset in the upland and wetlands (good and trained being key…). Once you’ve seen one root a wounded duck out of the cattails/grass around a pothole, track a broken winged grouse through hazel, raspberry bramble and aspen and bring it back while it still would otherwise be ready to run, etc., it’s hard to imagine hunting without one. Please don’t pass judgement on gun dogs based on that experience, but yeah I absolutely wouldn’t hunt with that dog again.
Jason: Oh, I’m not passing judgment on all gun dogs at all, even this one has been a great dog in the past. Something weird got into him that day, that’s all.
Great post Hank!
Do you not have jump shooting opportunities locally?
I love shooting blacks with the running gear down, but long ago decided there was little point in getting up at 4:30 AM to sit in a coastal blind at -15C for the chance to get a crack at the 1 or 2 flights of blacks that circle at first light. Even our wide-open opening days on Canada’s east coast started to get a little hectic at first light, with Duck Dynasty wannabes starting to clog up some prime shooting grounds.
So I’ve spent the last few years working on my jump shooting game, mostly learning how to follow the birds as they follow the tides. Far more satisfying to me, but I realize not everyone has those opportunities (and not everyone wants to eat coastal ducks, either–the blacks off the beaches here certainly don’t taste as good as inland mallards!). Of course, without a dog, you do have to be very disciplined in what shots you take. I can’t recall ever losing a bird in the water, although one or two has eluded me through the grass over the years.
The bonus is that jump shooting is also a good way to get yourself into prime deer and rabbit territory if you live in the right country …
Sadly, now that I’ve got kids that are in school, I don’t have much time to hunt over decoys OR jump shoot. Guess it’s time to hunker down for a few years and wait for them to get older.
Great read Hank. I am getting ready for my last hunt today. It’s been awful this season. Thank you I’m sure I’ll reread this in the blind today.