Figured it is about time for the season pictures. I always enjoy seeing what everyone else around the country does. I primarily hunt the grasslands of central California. My typical bag is made up of greenwing teal, sprig, widgeon, and a fair number of canvasbacks. Mallards are not a common bird, and somewhat of a prized bird for me... There are also a lot of spoonies, and at times gadwall, ringnecks, and buffleheads around. Ringers are actually alright on the table, but I would rather shoot teal, and spoons, buffs, and gagwall are not as good eating in my area, so they frequently get a pass.
Got the wife and daughter out on opening weekend (daughter's first duck hunting trip):
Got the daughter out for a couple more shoots:
I killed 4 banded birds this season.
Banded mallard during an untypically good day on mallards:
Two different shoots with banded sprig from the same blind:
And a banded canvasback (which was a first for me):
Finished the season with two nice shoots with good friends...
(3sprig, 2 cans, 2 widgeon, 7 gw teal):
(3 sprig, 2 cans, 3 widgeon, 1 ringneck, 5 teal):
This was an unusually good season for us in the central valley... Pretty much killed limits for half of December and all of January... This will go down as one of the best and most consistent seasons, whereas the previous season was one of the worst (if not the worst) season I have experienced.
