2023-2024 preseason...

[BGkirk]

Rick did you hear of the land sale of what I think was called the Dixie marsh? Maybe south of you? Not sure if it was southwest or southeast.
Doctor friend got to lease it last year with several other groups and he told me few months back that one of the other groups they shared the lease with purchased the property for supposedly 3 million .


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[Rick]

That marsh is the westernmost piece of the old Dixie and ends at the Mermentau between Hawk and Lake Arthur Reclamation/Streeters. The Stefanskis just bought it from the Colorado land company that now owns Dixie. (We had to wait for their closing to clear before we could get new paperwork to pick its eggs last week.) Was once a very fine little duck marsh.

[BGkirk]

That marsh is the westernmost piece of the old Dixie and ends at the Mermentau between Hawk and Lake Arthur Reclamation/Streeters. The Stefanskis just bought it from the Colorado land company that now owns Dixie. (We had to wait for their closing to clear before we could get new paperwork to pick its eggs last week.) Was once a very fine little duck marsh.

I wish I could’ve hunted it before they lost it. They did really well last year

Also my friend mentioned that piece had one of the last of some type of prairie recognized by the state or feds if I recall


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[Rick]

The high ground on its north end was said to be "native prairie" - but little doubt would have gone completely to mung bush and chicken trees if not maintained for and by cattle.

[Rick]

Area rice harvest is well ahead of anyone's memory, thanks to the lack of rain interruptions, and more than a couple farmers have mentioned having feared the propane burners in their driers weren't working, as the metal bins are staying so hot that they're not dropping to their 100 degree settings. And the freshly harvested countryside sure smells great.

No news at all on our marsh, which at this late date would be bad news if we were sure it will be huntable. Might turn out to be a blessing not to have paid for dry marsh and, especially, since our wealthy neighbors have declared they'll simply not open their camp, rather than pump, as they did for the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 seasons, which fixed us up, as well.

Dave, I made a pass through Gueydan and stopped at Lougon's for a link of boudin and a hot link, both of which were better than I remembered from the years when leases on that end made them a common lunch. Though I might have just been in an extra good mood after having found my favorite 20ga Kent Upland Steel 5s at G&H. Bought a case "for luck" and thought about a second but didn't want to jinx my already shaky chances of getting to use them.

[Darren]

Sounds like a nice day out and about Cajun country. We all love to run those roads, eat at those places, shop that store, just precious too few chances to do it.

Does remind me that at some point I'm going to need to put an order in for some versatile shells that can ideally hunt ducks in both our field and marsh settings, and not bounce off a speck.

Finally a nice rain here yesterday evening, hoping a few of those find your end soon, and ideally without the severe winds our storm brought.

[Ericdc]

Darren I'm trying the 3 inch hevi upland #5's with 15% bismuth.


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[Darren]

Darren I'm trying the 3 inch hevi upland #5's with 15% bismuth.

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Got my attention, wonder what the pellet count is? Likely pretty high given it's 85% steel shot. BOSS was good to me but can't be the solution at the price point they're now at. What was a painful $31/box for the 2 3/4" is now more like $37, ughhhh. This stuff's only $20 more than a case of Xpert ($199.99)....which in today's world is a full $100 more than it used to be not that long ago.

EMHS29123__20299.jpg

12 GAUGE 3" 1 1/8 OZ. 1350FPS HEVI-HAMMER
The most appropriately named product on the market. Tighter patterns, higher speeds and more knockdown power. In short, it increases your chance of success in the field. HEVI-Hammer Upland® has 15% high density bismuth, layered over 85% steel pellets. That small but mighty leading edge of bismuth packs nearly 50% more knockdown power than the steel layer at 40 yards. With our 9.6 g/cc Bismuth, you can generally shoot one shot size smaller than steel for the same lethality. In our HEVI-Hammer®, both the bismuth and steel are the same size! The energy of the Bismuth layer truly hits like a HAMMER! HEVI-Hammer® Upland is a superior non-toxic shotshell for areas where lead is prohibited or for environmental conscious hunters. We are offering loads for large, medium, and smaller upland game birds.

FEATURES
15% 9.64g/cc Bismuth layer
85% Steel layer
SPECS
Gauge: 12
Shot Size: 5
Shell Length: 3"
Muzzle Velocity: 1350 FPS
Shot Weight: 1-1/8 oz.
Shot Type: Bismuth/Steel
Density: Bismuth 9.6 g/cc over Steel 7.8 g/cc
Usage: Upland

[5 stand]

Darren I'm trying the 3 inch hevi upland #5's with 15% bismuth.

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Got my attention, wonder what the pellet count is?

232 # 5 steel pellets
31 #5 bismuth pellets
263 total pellets if they're both #5 give or take...

[Darren]

That would be a pretty good punch!

[5 stand]

I stole this off of a DerbyacresBob post...

From KPY Shot Shell Ballistics
1500 fps steel #5 shot is going 773 fps at 28.2 yards and it takes .084 seconds to travel 28.2 yards. it gets 1.39" of gel penetration at 28.2 yards.

[Ericdc]

I look forward to trying it out, best part is I got it for less than $200 a case at Rogers last year.


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[Rick]

I look forward to trying it out, best part is I got it for less than $200 a case at Rogers last year.

Be interesting to see if the bismuth fractures. When I tried some of the early Bismuth Cartridge Co. Bismuth in my 20ga, I found no magic in it, but I did find fragments of the stuff in some birds. Have since read that that can depend on the percentage of tin alloyed in it. More being better.

Didn't note that issue with much more recent 16ga BOSS shot birds, but haven't brought many to the house and others have reported some fracturing with it, too. Dunno. (Still have most of the bulk batch I bought to try through my Model 12, but it handles steel well and that's what I most often run through it.)

[Duck Engr]

Have buddies that are big time into the hevi bismuth. I’m not a good enough shot to justify the cost of bismuth unfortunately but they do their fair share of killing with it.

[Darren]

Have seen BOSS fracture, especially my earliest ones I demo'd, didnt notice it last season at all.

A little hesitant on the punch of the steel 5's of that Hevi load combo at a little longer ranges or when taking on a speck, so would be banking on the 15% bismuth composition. Still on the hunt online and failed to take stock of my current collection yesterday evening because my answer might well be to only buy 5 boxes instead of a full case. Given my propensity to let it rip, may well just go with cheap 2s or 3s, or spend more and try the hybrid 2s/4s loads from Migra, something along those lines.

In any case, seems that supply has discernibly improved so maybe an in-season purchase isn't out of the question if hunt success makes that necessary.

[MARSH BEAR]

I have always been too "frugal" to buy the bismuth or other exotic loads. This year I am going with Federal 3" 1 1/4 oz 1450 fps in #3 and #4 shot. If you get them in close the steel will do the job.
We only have ducks in our area, so geese so not figure in my decision.

[Darren]

Rick,

Saw a vid clip of new Lucky Duck spinner (link below) from this year's SHOT Show claiming this new one is designed to stop white-down every time. Note wing shape change, said to be a help in maximizing spin rate:

https://www.luckyduck.com/lucky-xhdi/

The Lucky Duck® XHDi solves a long-standing problem for waterfowlers: The wings stop white side down. No more shiny white wings flaring finishing birds. For duck and goose hunters alike, the wing-stopper technology being remote-controlled keeps your spread looking as natural as possible when you need spinners for ducks, but also gives the capability to turn them off when geese are on the deck.

Always fun to see what gadgetry is coming along next.

[DComeaux]

I have always been too "frugal" to buy the bismuth or other exotic loads. This year I am going with Federal 3" 1 1/4 oz 1450 fps in #3 and #4 shot. If you get them in close the steel will do the job.
We only have ducks in our area, so geese so not figure in my decision.

I've killed quite a few geese with 2 3/4" # 4 Winchester. It's all in how close you can get em, and passing on iffy shots. I may not have as many on the strap some days as others but I'm content with my choices.

[Rick]

Rick,

Saw a vid clip of new Lucky Duck spinner (link below) from this year's SHOT Show claiming this new one is designed to stop white-down every time. Note wing shape change, said to be a help in maximizing spin rate:

https://www.luckyduck.com/lucky-xhdi/

The Lucky Duck® XHDi solves a long-standing problem for waterfowlers: The wings stop white side down. No more shiny white wings flaring finishing birds. For duck and goose hunters alike, the wing-stopper technology being remote-controlled keeps your spread looking as natural as possible when you need spinners for ducks, but also gives the capability to turn them off when geese are on the deck.

Always fun to see what gadgetry is coming along next.

Started rigging mine to stop white down when I first brought one back into regular season duty after moving to the mudhole in 2006. Industry's running a little behind...

[Ducaholic]

[quote="Rick "Industry's running a little behind...[/quote]


I wish it had never shown it's face even thought it was a hoot early on. Now it's just a PITA.

[SpinnerMan]

I have always been too "frugal" to buy the bismuth or other exotic loads. This year I am going with Federal 3" 1 1/4 oz 1450 fps in #3 and #4 shot. If you get them in close the steel will do the job.
We only have ducks in our area, so geese so not figure in my decision.

I have been too cheap. I don't think being cheap is a bad thing, but being stupid cheap is, which I think I have been.

I do two types of hunting.

DIY where I'm hunting ducks and geese that I have gotten a fair number of over the years. No reason to spend more. A few less mallards or Canadas, so what? Doesn't make a difference in my enjoyment. Honestly, I think it is more fun trying to get them in real close and often don't shoot at birds that are in range for that reason.

The other however is me and my buddies making a trip to hunt where we've never hunted before for birds we may never have even seen before. Guide fees, tips, hotels, air fare, why are you not buying the higher performance ammo? That's where I have been stupid cheap. Now there hasn't been a lot of times where I think it cost me, but there was a beautiful drake eider last year that I'll always wonder about. Did I miss or did I not have enough punch at that distance. I was the only one to get a shot at a drake eider the entire trip. It was a fun trip, but the results were far from expectations. That one bird would have turned my fortunes of that trip quite a bit more favorable.

I've killed quite a few geese with 2 3/4" # 4 Winchester. It's all in how close you can get em, and passing on iffy shots. I may not have as many on the strap some days as others but I'm content with my choices.

I have ducks and geese so I vary what I'm shooting depending on what I am expecting. Early season where I'm expecting wood ducks zipping by twisting and turn at Mach 3, I'm loading up with 4's and just have to let the geese get a little closer. If it's late season goose hunting big wary birds, I'm going BB's all day. If I think I can get them in tight, I'll usually (depends on recent level of success) try to do that, but if they aren't I want to be able to reach out a little and I often do effectively. If I'm expecting a mixed bag of ducks and geese, then I'll go with the 2's.

The 4's did the trick.

PXL_20221022_155911484.jpg

[Duck Engr]

One brand’s tag line is “I didn’t come this far to miss” or something similar. Some truth in that sounds like.

[Rick]

One brand’s tag line is “I didn’t come this far to miss” or something similar. Some truth in that sounds like.

Think it would be fun to go back to lead just to see the scramble for new excuses.

[5 stand]

In South Dakota I can still shoot lead at pheasants on certain properties and when I get out of the truck if I can shoot lead that's what I grab... If I could get the same performance with steel I would just simplify and have one shell...

[Rick]

In South Dakota I can still shoot lead at pheasants on certain properties and when I get out of the truck if I can shoot lead that's what I grab... If I could get the same performance with steel I would just simplify and have one shell...

(5 stand, our new editing capabilities allowed me to inadvertently edit your post down to the part I've quoted. My apologies.)

I'll not fault anyone for going where their experience leads them. That's what's brought me around from once believing the 20ga inadequate for big ducks, even with hot, high antimony lead 5 handloads, to being tickled to find the little 2 3/4" 20ga steel 5s I now favor for all ducks in stock. "Works for me."

Nor would I want to deny anyone the pleasure of experimenting with whatever facets of the game interest them. No longer being much of a shooter no doubt factors into my glazing over when discussion turns to bigger, badder bullets, super-dupper chokes and such, while call, decoy, concealment and dog talk all still grab my attention...

[Duck Engr]

Tighten up, Rick!

[5 stand]

In South Dakota I can still shoot lead at pheasants on certain properties and when I get out of the truck if I can shoot lead that's what I grab... If I could get the same performance with steel I would just simplify and have one shell...

(5 stand, our new editing capabilities allowed me to inadvertently edit your post down to the part I've quoted. My apologies.)

I'll not fault anyone for going where their experience leads them. That's what's brought me around from once believing the 20ga inadequate for big ducks, even with hot, high antimony lead 5 handloads, to being tickled to find the little 2 3/4" 20ga steel 5s I now favor for all ducks in stock. "Works for me."

Nor would I want to deny anyone the pleasure of experimenting with whatever facets of the game interest them. No longer being much of a shooter no doubt factors into my glazing over when discussion turns to bigger, badder bullets, super-dupper chokes and such, while call, decoy, concealment and dog talk all still grab my attention...

I really don't think you edited any of my gibberish, that's pretty much what I wrote...
I quoted you and Engr and I think you remove that?

[Rick]

Tighten up, Rick!

Started to post "Hadn't had my fourth cup of coffee yet." when I realized I had your post in edit mode, too.

As Dad was fond of saying, "Don't get old."

[Rick]

I really don't think you edited any of my gibberish, that's pretty much what I wrote...
I quoted you and Engr and I think you remove that?

Maybe so.

[5 stand]

Rick you mentioned lead and scrambling for new excuses, I'm sure there was mostly humor in that and I got all serious no big deal...