Hunting Pictures
[Dove]
[Waterfowl]
[Grouse]
[Woodcock]
[Other]
Mallards
[Overview]
[1999-2000]
[2000-2001]
[2001-2002]
[2002-2003]
[2003-2004]
[2004-2005]
[2005-2006]
[2006-2007]
[2007-2008]
[2008-2009]
[2009-2010]
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The weather, the weather,
it's always the damn weather. Again in late 2004 and early 2005
- when mallards should have been the most plentiful - the weather would not cooperate and remained frustratingly above
freezing. With all the small water open, the
mallards had all of WV to hang out in. This made trying to
figure out where they were going to be difficult. That is, until the last day of the
season. The temperature got bitter cold, the snow fell, and
mallards were flying. The season ended with only 4 (3
drakes) mallards, but each had a story to tell.
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10.07.04 |
![](../../pictures/hunt_pics/waterfowl/wood_duck/roos_pc04.JPG)
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The
Rooster with two mallards and a wood
duck taken early in the first season. We saw more loafing
mallards than flying ones and with good tactics were able to put a couple in
the game bag. |
12.03.04 |
![](../../pictures/hunt_pics/waterfowl/mallard/kng_vb04-05.jpg)
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The King geared up and camouflaged,
keeping an eye on the sky.
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12.28.04 |
![](../../pictures/hunt_pics/waterfowl/mallard/k&r_ic04-05.jpg)
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The
K&R with a nice drake mallard. We got this one on a
stalk and shoot off a mid-size creek. The high water kept
the mallards spread out and we saw none over the spread. As
usual we went looking and found a loafing mallard. With one
pushing, and one shooting, we got the job done. |
1.22.05 |
![](../../pictures/hunt_pics/waterfowl/mallard/mall&shov_04-05.jpg)
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A drake
mallard and a Shoveler taken from a new honey-hole. The
weather finally turned cold and the birds were flying - and we
were shooting. Notice the size difference between the
shoveler and mallard. |
1.22.05 |
![](../../pictures/hunt_pics/waterfowl/mallard/mall_meat04-05.jpg)
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What
happens after the birds are in the bag? The meat heads to
the freezer.
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The weather, the weather,
it's always the damn weather. Sound familiar? Well,
again the weather did not cooperate with WV duck hunters.
Freezing December temperatures froze the mountain marshes in the
early highland second season locking the mallards in bigger
water. By the time the lowland second season opened the
weather had warmed to produce a top-ten temperature January.
With the spring-like weather, the mallards stayed on open water up
north. That reality, however, did not stop us from getting
in the field. With some work and some luck, we managed to
take 2 mallards (both hens, but beggars...) that made their way
south.
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11.26.06 |
![](../../pictures/hunt_pics/waterfowl/mallard/kng_pc05.jpg)
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The King with
a mallard shot after flushed out of tall grass on the edge of a
marsh. Due to icy conditions, it was the only duck seen in a
long day of hunting. |
1.20.06 |
![](../../pictures/hunt_pics/waterfowl/mallard/pc05.jpg)
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An
incredible 65 degree January day ends in a spring-like sunset.
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1.20.06 |
![](../../pictures/hunt_pics/waterfowl/mallard/k&r_mc06.jpg)
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The
K&R with a hen mallard on the warm winter day pictured
above. We used our experience to set up our dekes perfectly
and were able to grab a mallard from a pair that flew over at
dusk. A large group of geese also came over just as darkness
descended on the swamp.
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Same old story.
Plenty of water available up north, not many mallards down
south. We saw very few mallards all year. Combine that
with a lost bird and a couple of missed opportunities and we were shut
out of mallards for the first time in a long time.
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11.22.06 |
![](../../pictures/hunt_pics/waterfowl/mallard/k&r_pc06.jpg)
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The King
and Rooster facing another warm sunny
day and few mallards.
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The Lost Year
Some
philosophers define pleasure as the absence of pain, others pain
as the absence of pleasure. I define a long year as the
absence of nature, the absence of camaraderie, the absence of the
dance of birds at twilight. Such was the year of September
2007 to August 2008. Through the exigencies of maturity, the
K&R did not hit the field but three - yes only three - times
in that year. The Rooster's
experience during this year can be read about on his blog.
This is not unforgivable; you do what you have to do. The
question now becomes: Is it possible to balance the
responsibilities of modernity and family with a life of adventure
in the field? Or has The Lost Year irrevocably broken The
Will to fight for the bubbles of primal freedom that are
represented by hunting and fishing? Is it too hard? Is
it easier to mow the yard, or watch the game, or any other
domestic activity? Do we still want to tramp around a swamp
looking for that group of wood ducks? Is it still worth
reconning all day to have a chance at one grouse? Do we
still want it bad enough? We will see.
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10.01.07 |
![](../../pictures/hunt_pics/waterfowl/wood_duck/pc_07.jpg)
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Staring
at a long winter.
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It will never be 1999 again, and
that is OK. Times change, priorities change, opportunities
contract. So it is time to embrace every one of those
opportunities and savor each moment afield. And in those
terms 2008-2009 waterfowl hunting was a success. We ended up
getting out 3 times but again getting shutout of mallards.
|
10.10.08 |
![](../../pictures/hunt_pics/waterfowl/mallard/pc_08(mal).jpg)
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The King
says it all with his look. Where are the birds? |
12.12.08 |
![](../../pictures/hunt_pics/waterfowl/mallard/gb_08.jpg)
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Looking
out over the swamp during a heavy snowstorm. Nice.
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12.12.08 |
![](../../pictures/hunt_pics/waterfowl/mallard/roos_gb08.jpg)
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Perfect
duck hunting weather but only a few geese were seen on this trip.
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1.17.09 |
![](../../pictures/hunt_pics/waterfowl/mallard/k&r_IC_08.jpg)
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Coldest
temps ever experienced afield: -4 degrees. We had a blast
but only saw a few mallards far away.
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10.09.10
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![](../../pictures/hunt_pics/waterfowl/mallard/ic10.jpg)
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The
K&R heading out on a perfect duck day. |
10.09.10 |
![](../../pictures/hunt_pics/waterfowl/mallard/kng_IC10.jpg)
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The King
putting out the dekes.
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10.09.10 |
![](../../pictures/hunt_pics/waterfowl/mallard/roos_IC10.jpg)
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The
Rooster with a beautiful drake.
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10.09.10 |
![](../../pictures/hunt_pics/waterfowl/mallard/mallard_IC10.jpg)
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Nice shot
of the drake and the Berretta that brought him down. |
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