Duck Curling

[Duck]

Quickly headed out after work last night to see if my spot was iced over. As I get down the gravel road approaching the marsh the Mallards are popping up everywhere. They are very spooked now and even driving in they always flare. SOLID ICE but they are still here!! No snow and above zero during the days so they will stick around!! The ice is thick enough to support my weight in many areas. The area I put my dekes is only about a foot deep or less so believe the ground was still warm so ice very thin there and a couple pockets open. Break ice and put out dekes!! Did a little Duck curling, wish I had video. We only managed 3 in the short time we had but when they fell and hit the ice they slid for a long ways!!! Got some real fat birds and beautiful Mallards. Bright orange fat on them. Hoping Saturday we can really hit them. Finding best time on the marsh is mid afternoon? As we cant take the crawdad due to ice will be a bit of a tough walk with layout blinds and gear. Very little cover on the small island we lay on so layout blinds work well. Still geese around and sandhill cranes as well. Can hear them like crazy out in areas of the marsh. Out on the big lake just behind us there were lines of divers flying along the edge of the ice. We do not venture out there as I prefer the Puddlers and not doing big water with my little crawdad this time of year!! We seen big numbers of birds and I have never heard ducks quacking like that yesterday, they were all over the place quacking up a storm.

The very last picture was taken about a week ago with no ice, jsut to give you and idea of what the area I hunt looks like,

Will try to get some good pics the weekend!! I think this will be the last weekend, as it will cool down and with the time change cant get out afer work!!

Deer hunting in November out in Belmont MB on the property.