My dad and I went out for a hunt on the 24th and the birds worked pretty well. We passed on numerous groups of ringnecks but one ringer snuck into the day's bag. Ended up with a mixed bag of 8 birds (pintail, gadwall, widgeon, teal, and ringer).

For the second hunt in a row I was busted trying to sneak up on about 20 mallards. A significant number of birds roost about 200-300 yards away from where we set up. Every morning about 10 minutes before shooting time I would estimate 500 birds get up and head off to their morning holes. Except for the mallards, they always stay put in the same spot. I have great cover for sneaking up on them until I am about 75 yards away. As soon as I poke my head around the brush to get a little bit closer they bust me. I wish they had the brains of a ringneck!

How would you handle this roosting area? Try to hunt it in the evening or bust them out in the morning and see if they trickle back in?

Left Side of the Spread


Right Side of the Spread


The Birds

Bout how our christmas eve went just no pinnys... man i got a roost spot just like that and the best luck iv had is gettin in there mid day and catching those groups of big ducks coming in to rest durring the day...and cloudy days make easier to get those birds to roost before shooting time is over