Awesome pics guys. Chessies and boykins are not for me, I am a lab guy. I don't like playing mind games with a dog to get it to act right


I agree! There's nothing better, in my opinion, than a fat whole plucked pintail or mallard. We shot a few in Florida and cooked a couple over the fire with some wild pig sausage. That was a great camp lunch





The prices of steel shot forced me to get into loading my own shells. I load a tss/steel duplex for not much more that you can buy a box of steel shot. What is crazy is how much less I shoot now. There are no cripples that require another shot, and no birds that I chase down shooting at them 4 or 5 times. I can shoot 3 limits of ducks with one box of tss duplex shells and that still gives me 7 shots to miss. I shoot a 28 gauge now because the high pellet count of the tss allows me to not be at a disadvantage. It has really changed the game for me

Well I swore I wasn't going to get in waterfowl hunting, just too many other hobbies. However my son and SIL drug me out and now I'm hooked. They are a few more years ahead
of me as this is my first year. We still have a ways to go but learning. A great way to spend time with my boys. So far I've purchased a goose call, duck call, layout blind and snow cover,
nice waders, dozen mallard decoys, goose flag, blind bag, lanyard......and its only begun which is why I didn't need another hobby.

330 GW Teal
323 Mallards
104 BW Teal
47 Gadwall
25 Pintail
27 Wood Duck
26 Shovelers
23 Widgeon
4 Redhead
4 Ringneck
3 Scaup

We write down everyday what we kill.
Our season essentially ended a week before it was over with a huge cold front that moved all the birds out.

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The camp in central Saskatchewan had an incredible season. Snows, greaters and all duck species. After two years of nearly empty skies it’s good it’s gotten back to what it usually is.
We were starting to think the fly way had shifted for good but thankfully it hasn’t.

Osky

Osky, a friend of mine has been asked to guide for a waterfowl outfitter in Saskatchewan this upcoming September and October. If he takes the job I am going to go up there and hunt with him. I have never waterfowl hunted outside of the US. Dream trip for sure

Coondagger what wads and powder are you using to reload your duck shells? I reload light loads for dove and clay pigeon but have never messed with high brass shells. What hulls ? That camp lunch looks good! We had pair mallards for supper last night

How are you guys getting these nicely plucked birds? Wax or any other tricks?

Old fashioned way Donner, just pluck by hand. Pull off everything you can , kind of rolling your thumb across the skin. Helps to dip your hand in water some to keep your grip on the feathers. Pull off everything you can. Then take a small propane torch and “singe” (burn) the remaining fuzz off. I cut the wings and legs off at the joint, just twist then cut. Cut the neck off and cut the butt off just above the vent. Pull out the entrals and toss. Rinse the carcass well and then soak in salt water for a day or two. Or longer. Then pat dry to freeze or eat fresh.

It’s a process but well worth it. Doesn’t take long once you get the hang of it.

John

Great stuff! My best friend and I were duck hunting fools in high school. We would hunt before and after classes and get home in time to do chores.

Thanks.

I felt like I was being a good steward by taking the breast and legs/thighs but you guys are doing it right with the whole plucked bird, its beautiful.

Your going to love it. If after snows which most are be sure you bring the full allowable case of shells. (10 boxes). Go online and download the firearms form from Canada and get all your shotguns and serials filled out ahead of time. I think you can purchase the license needs in advance now online? I usually stop at the Cabelas in Regina for it on the way up. No rifles or that ammo of any sort and of course no handguns or ammo.

Find the unmolested flocks in the evening fields, field hunting is a norm, get permission and be set up there befor next days first light. Set up on the side of the previous nights feeding area towards the water they are overnighting on. You can set up actually anywhere between water and that feed field, but close is better. We sometimes set up a second field about a mile off our main set up. Often the birds flair after being shot at and swing right over to the second for a look before they move on. Boom.
Lastly, shoot the bejesus out of them, take no prisoners.
Sask allows you to clean and leave a wing on then donate your birds to the food shelves. If the flocks are in your gonna want to do this.
Last unsolicited tip… picked pea fields are killer.

Osky

Try not putting the birds in salt water, and you will see the difference. The salt is pickling and drawing the water out and the end result is a dry meat when baked.

Ever try putting the birds in a brown bag and baking like in your method JoMiBru

Awesome tips, thank you sir!

In 28GA I use Hodgdon Lil Gun Powder and ballistic products TPS wads. New, primed, cheddite hulls. In 12 ga I use alliant steel powder and the precision reloading TUPRW123 wad in new cheddite hulls

Here is a 40yd pattern pic of the 28ga duck load I shoot

Awesome pattern! And thanks for the reloading tips.

North50, no I haven’t tried the brown bag cooking method. Could you elaborate?
My baked birds don’t dry out that much. I stuff with chopped onion and celery, lay them on a bed of Manning’s Hominy , with a splash of water, cover and bake 375 for 2.5 hours. The breast is sometimes dry, but gravy quickly recovers the moisture

However, I’m always looking to try new recipes. Hank Shaw has a good book on waterfowl recipes, called Duck Duck Goose. But, I always tend to fall back on the way grandma cooks hers.

John

Brown grocery bag folded with opening down with the stuffed birds inside
325*F for 3 hours (slow and easy) @ 2 hours put peeled potatoes inside the roaster.( now the duck fat will shine)
green tops off of leeks inside for moisture
no more dry breast

@ 375*F the fat burns and carmelizes so that is why cooler-longer is better

You’re talking about a brown paper grocery bag to do this with?! And put the stuffed birds inside the bag, and the bag inside the roasting pot? I’m assuming cover the roaster with a lid? Does this get the skin browned?

Sorry for all the questions, but I’m asking because I’m going to try this recipe very soon. I have a few more ducks in the fridge that need cleaned, so I’ll pick them Sunday and try this with a pair. Sounds kind of bizarre but I’m going to trust you lol!

John

The plight of a waterfowl hunter is gear, gear, and more gear. Soon enough you decide the garage isn't enough storage so you buy a enclosed trailer, and then a bigger one. New shotgun before long, new camo, new shells, new calls etc.....