Preseason

[NuffDaddy]

I redid my boat blind to be little more lower profile and give more visibility out.

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It still needs to be brushed with some cedar, but I'm waiting on more camo netting to get here off the slow boat.

[NuffDaddy]

Went out and did some scouting this morning. Water was way up as expected and I was able to use the outboard right up to the cattails where it was dry land last year. All the public launches have water now too so I can save the $10 launch fee every morning. Found a couple spots with birds and one little cove that had 30-40 mallards feeding. Saw a few BW teal as well. That got me excited for the first Michigan teal season that opens in 11 days.

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[NuffDaddy]

And there is a good group of honkers that have been hanging out in front if our cabin on the lake. I'll be there for Labor Day and opening day of early goose, so hopefully they cooperate.

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[NuffDaddy]

I also painted quite a few decoys. Some mallards and about 40 divers.
The barn has been a mess for a couple months now with everything scattered all over.

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[quackhead]

Hopefully doing your homework pays off

[NuffDaddy]

Hopefully doing your homework pays off

I hope so. Didn't get as much scouting in as I planned this summer, but it is what it is. Usually all goes out the window anyway when 1000 boats come out at 3am opening morning.

[FlintRiverFowler]

Usually all goes out the window anyway when 1000 boats come out at 3am opening morning.

Last years opener here was the worst I've ever seen. You can plan and plan but there's nothing you can do when some dick head camps out the night before in the spot you were planning on hunting. I hope the unusual cold weather and lack of ducks around here last year will persuade some of the duck commanders to give up this year.

[NuffDaddy]

Usually all goes out the window anyway when 1000 boats come out at 3am opening morning.

Last years opener here was the worst I've ever seen. You can plan and plan but there's nothing you can do when some dick head camps out the night before in the spot you were planning on hunting. I hope the unusual cold weather and lack of ducks around here last year will persuade some of the duck commanders to give up this year.

I spent the night last year. Killed 1 teal and a banded goose on the opener. We got cut off big time. I counted 6 other rigs in sight and knew of 2 more that were on the other side of the point I was on.

[Duckdog]

I sure don't envy you guys that have to deal with that crap. It's the same way here at local public waterfowl areas, and I know guys who go there and camp out to save a spot. I'd rather hunt a marginal spot than have to deal with that many people.

[NuffDaddy]

I sure don't envy you guys that have to deal with that crap. It's the same way here at local public waterfowl areas, and I know guys who go there and camp out to save a spot. I'd rather hunt a marginal spot than have to deal with that many people.

It's that way everywhere. I hunt the less pressured side of the bay and it's still that bad opening day.
Usually 2 lines of rigs. One along the shore with parties every 200-300 yards, then pontoons and layout rigs every half mile out 1/2 mile from shore. Then day 2 it's half the guys then after that I usually never see anyone else.

[Deltaman]

Doesn't matter how much time you spend scouting, or how early you get out there, there is almost always some jerkwad that will set up damn near within gun range if you are in a popular spot. We have a gentleman's agreement here, where you stake a sign and build a blind where you choose to hunt, prior to the opener, and although most folks will honor your chosen spot, they will still set up too damn close. I always pick small, out of the way places to hunt the opener, as far away from the crowd as possible. No duck is worth putting up with that crap!

[Olly]

Doesn't matter how much time you spend scouting, or how early you get out there, there is almost always some jerkwad that will set up damn near within gun range if you are in a popular spot. We have a gentleman's agreement here, where you stake a sign and build a blind where you choose to hunt, prior to the opener, and although most folks will honor your chosen spot, they will still set up too damn close. I always pick small, out of the way places to hunt the opener, as far away from the crowd as possible. No duck is worth putting up with that crap!

I'm not even doing opener out there. I'll wait until it's calmed down a little.

[NuffDaddy]

Doesn't matter how much time you spend scouting, or how early you get out there, there is almost always some jerkwad that will set up damn near within gun range if you are in a popular spot. We have a gentleman's agreement here, where you stake a sign and build a blind where you choose to hunt, prior to the opener, and although most folks will honor your chosen spot, they will still set up too damn close. I always pick small, out of the way places to hunt the opener, as far away from the crowd as possible. No duck is worth putting up with that crap!

I always try and get on a point where I can't get cut off, but sometimes the open water rigs get on the flight path and pass shoot. I never go into the opener expecting much. I enjoy seeing all the crazy people out there trying to find a spot amongst all the lights at 2am.

[NuffDaddy]

Brushed the boat up today and got it ready to go for next week. Getting close!

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[FlintRiverFowler]

Are you still able to fold the blind down with it brushed like that or do you tow it and drive it out to our spot as it is?

[NuffDaddy]

Are you still able to fold the blind down with it brushed like that or do you tow it and drive it out to our spot as it is?

I hope it folds down. I finished at 930 last night and don't try putting it down. It folded down nicely last year though and I have alittle less brush on it this year.

[FlintRiverFowler]

Are you still able to fold the blind down with it brushed like that or do you tow it and drive it out to our spot as it is?

I hope it folds down. I finished at 930 last night and don't try putting it down. It folded down nicely last year though and I have alittle less brush on it this year.

Looks really good. Kinda heavy looking though. Then again after all the weight I saw you put in that boat for bow fishing I doubt you have anything to worry about.

[NuffDaddy]

Are you still able to fold the blind down with it brushed like that or do you tow it and drive it out to our spot as it is?

I hope it folds down. I finished at 930 last night and don't try putting it down. It folded down nicely last year though and I have alittle less brush on it this year.

Looks really good. Kinda heavy looking though. Then again after all the weight I saw you put in that boat for bow fishing I doubt you have anything to worry about.

Haha. The frame and netting I can pick up by myself. Is say maybe 60-70lbs. The brush is probably about 100lbs but should get lighter as it dries out a bit.

[NuffDaddy]

Walked a little bit of the marsh today and came across this spot. Kicked about 30 teal and a couple dozen mallards off it. This is 2 for 2 seeing teal in this area. Looks like I'll have a good starting point for next week.

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[DComeaux]

Walked a little bit of the marsh today and came across this spot. Kicked about 30 teal and a couple dozen mallards off it. This is 2 for 2 seeing teal in this area. Looks like I'll have a good starting point for next week.

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Is that public marsh?

[NuffDaddy]

Walked a little bit of the marsh today and came across this spot. Kicked about 30 teal and a couple dozen mallards off it. This is 2 for 2 seeing teal in this area. Looks like I'll have a good starting point for next week.

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Is that public marsh?

Yes. It's Great Lakes shoreline.

[NuffDaddy]

Blind folds down great.

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[NuffDaddy]

And I got the layout blind brushed up tonight.

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[quackhead]

Definitely appear to be kicking it into gear for the upcoming season nuff. Hope to see some picks of carnage soon

[FlintRiverFowler]

Blind folds down great.

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You put that boat to good use year round don't ya?
Looks like all that brush fold away neatly too.
What do you attach it with? Zip ties?

[NuffDaddy]

Blind folds down great.

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You put that boat to good use year round don't ya?
Looks like all that brush fold away neatly too.
What do you attach it with? Zip ties?

I keep er busy. Walleye in the spring, then bowfishing till fall. Then I use it for perch, ducks, and deer till ice up.

It folds up pretty good. some of it hangs alittle low, but I'll let the road and water take care of that.

Yes I ziptied everything together.

[NuffDaddy]

I have a bit if rigging to do on some decoys yet, but I'm basically ready. Season started today, and I'm hitting the bay tomorrow for some honkers and teal.

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[Bad17]

Good luck. Post pics. Ours starts on the 13th.

[NuffDaddy]

Good luck. Post pics. Ours starts on the 13th.

Will do. Gonna be a bluebird day, but that's not always bad for geese on the water.

[Bad17]

Should be good times.