Date: 9/11/2021
Time: Morning
Location: Saltwater marsh near High Island
Cloud Cover: Mix of sun and clouds
Wind Direction and Velocity: NE 5-15
Temperature: 65-75
Moon phase:
Special Notes: Teal season opener
Waterfowl Activity: As is typical for an opener in the far south marsh, they were not on us right at first light. Started coming soon thereafter after getting surprised in the rice. Activity slowed by 9:00 and we left at 9:30. Did not see many groups of 10+. Overall numbers of birds were significantly down from last year when more or less the same group easily managed to get its 60 bird limit.
Waterfowl Responsiveness: The two groups of >15 that we came in paid the price. Groups of 1-5 were not as responsive but the ones that came in stayed. Birds didn't really honor the NE wind. Had we not had so many hunters we would have likely set up the spread differently but we were trying to get shots for both ends. That effort was likely wasted and we should have set up optimally and just rotated spots.
Hunters: 10 hunters...an opening day tradition that I want to shake. Having Dad come down for the teal opener as he has for the last 5+ years makes an always great day that much better. Might be Grant's last teal opener without his own shotgun.
Guns:
Malfunctions: N/NE wind for several days had blown most of the water out of the pond. Looked like December/January with <3" water depth across most areas. Without water to clean the tracks, the Marsh Master almost got stuck several times which would have led to quite the entertaining walk out for a group that large many of whom showed up in just boots.
Dog(s): Roux stayed home. The soft marsh and September temps no longer suit his 13 year old muscles. He will get plenty of action next weekend when we likely hunt a harder bottom area.
Special Equipment: Mojo teal
Curses: That many shooters always makes me nervous. One eager beaver guest (not mine) who had to be called out for shooting over the ends while he was situated in the middle.
Kudos: No mosquitos! Safe hunt with that many guns. Except for the one eager beaver, the group was experienced and perfectly happy to let the logical guys shoot the birds that came to their spot.
Birds By Species: 46 BW Teal
Photo Ops:
2022 Teal Opener - Spread.jpg
2022 Teal Opener - Birds.jpg