Hi Friends! Happy Tuesday… I hope everyone is getting back into the swing of things with ease. I know I am still somewhat recovering from the holiday season, but I am ready to get my nose back to the grindstone.

As you may have seen, I hunted New Years Eve with ol’ Otis. And, as far as closing out the year, we could not have asked for a better hunt. It was a crisp, clear morning, with just enough wind to really keep the ducks moving. We knew it was a good sign when, around 15 minutes after legal hour, we had several ducks on the water and were patiently eying a pair of monster canvasbacks paddling around about 85 yards away from us. Unfortunately, that was as close as they would come to our blind, but it lit a fire under us to have an excellent hunt.

And that, we did! Had we not spent 20 minutes passing up decoying ring necks in hopes of getting the chance to blast away at those cans, we would have limited out by 8:30 with zero problem. Because the ducks were flying so well, we were able to really take our time with most of the shots and make them count. Pulling the trigger 10 times and walking out with a limit isn’t too shabby, huh?!

I know, I know. It should be 6 shots, 6 ducks… I will be the first to admit – a.) I am not that good of a shot, and a.) When a ring neck swoops by at [what seems like] 165 mph, you’re lucky if you can get your gun up in time, much less take it down with 1 shot. And don’t act like that’s not the truth! But, I digress. [Not so] long story short, we limited out on ring necks and a mallard or two, and ended the morning with big smiles and not-so-empty shell belts. It really was one of the best hunts of the season so far, and a great way to end 2014.