Jim Thompson, Jr.
12-29-2004, 08:50 AM
2004/2005 Hunting Journal Entries
Wigeon Hunt
DATE: October 12, 2004
LOCATION: Eastern South Dakota
SUNRISE/SUNSET: 7:38 a.m./6:48 p.m.
WEATHER: Overcast a.m./breaking in p.m.
TEMPERATURE: 47 degrees; a.m./ 56 degrees p.m. high
WIND: North, northwest 15-20 mph
EQUIPMENT USED: GHG® Life-Size Mallards, Wigeon, and Gadwall Decoys. Avery® Floating Decoy Bag, Avery® Fleece Pullover, Avery® Floating Gun Case, Avery® Duck Strap, Avery® Floating Pit Bag, Avery® Hunting Strap Vest, Avery® Camera Bag, Avery® Neoprene Dog Vest, RNT Short Barrel Duck Call, Zink SR-1 and PC-1 Goose Calls, and Zink Power Hen Duck Call.
HUNTERS: Joe Olson, Avery Pro-Staffer Jim Thompson, Jr., and Avery Pro-Staffer Eric Larsgaard
JOURNAL NOTES: The predicted winds influenced my decision to hunt a small two-acre pond surrounded by standing corn so we gained drive-in access to an adjacent harvested bean field. This put us within 100 yards of the pond. A drainage area in the field that leads to the slough gave us a grass path to walk. I had placed a shoreline blind at this location last year but after extensive searching it was nowhere to be found. My first thought was that it had been stolen. I stumbled upon a melted five-gallon bucket and after further investigation burnt timbers were also present. The farmer had burned off the rushes along with my blind to gain additional farmland. Although I was disgusted I could only chuckle about the incident. We had to settle for standing in the rushes. Small bunches of wigeon worked to the pond and decoyed readily to our set up. They really ate up the wigeon whistle. First real mature birds I’ve seen this year. Saw a few mallards and all seemed very cautious. Twelve wigeon, one gadwall, one spooner, and one blue-winged teal made up our bag. Packed up at 10 a.m. Everyone had to be to work by noon.
http://img150.exs.cx/img150/9496/a60351575r1027129ad.jpg http://img150.exs.cx/img150/5917/b60351575r1031141lq.jpg http://img150.exs.cx/img150/8425/c60351575r1049232gj.jpg
Wigeon Hunt
DATE: October 12, 2004
LOCATION: Eastern South Dakota
SUNRISE/SUNSET: 7:38 a.m./6:48 p.m.
WEATHER: Overcast a.m./breaking in p.m.
TEMPERATURE: 47 degrees; a.m./ 56 degrees p.m. high
WIND: North, northwest 15-20 mph
EQUIPMENT USED: GHG® Life-Size Mallards, Wigeon, and Gadwall Decoys. Avery® Floating Decoy Bag, Avery® Fleece Pullover, Avery® Floating Gun Case, Avery® Duck Strap, Avery® Floating Pit Bag, Avery® Hunting Strap Vest, Avery® Camera Bag, Avery® Neoprene Dog Vest, RNT Short Barrel Duck Call, Zink SR-1 and PC-1 Goose Calls, and Zink Power Hen Duck Call.
HUNTERS: Joe Olson, Avery Pro-Staffer Jim Thompson, Jr., and Avery Pro-Staffer Eric Larsgaard
JOURNAL NOTES: The predicted winds influenced my decision to hunt a small two-acre pond surrounded by standing corn so we gained drive-in access to an adjacent harvested bean field. This put us within 100 yards of the pond. A drainage area in the field that leads to the slough gave us a grass path to walk. I had placed a shoreline blind at this location last year but after extensive searching it was nowhere to be found. My first thought was that it had been stolen. I stumbled upon a melted five-gallon bucket and after further investigation burnt timbers were also present. The farmer had burned off the rushes along with my blind to gain additional farmland. Although I was disgusted I could only chuckle about the incident. We had to settle for standing in the rushes. Small bunches of wigeon worked to the pond and decoyed readily to our set up. They really ate up the wigeon whistle. First real mature birds I’ve seen this year. Saw a few mallards and all seemed very cautious. Twelve wigeon, one gadwall, one spooner, and one blue-winged teal made up our bag. Packed up at 10 a.m. Everyone had to be to work by noon.
http://img150.exs.cx/img150/9496/a60351575r1027129ad.jpg http://img150.exs.cx/img150/5917/b60351575r1031141lq.jpg http://img150.exs.cx/img150/8425/c60351575r1049232gj.jpg