Attention Duck Hunters!!! Take some time to get out on the water. Over the last week, we are starting to see the first mini-flight of the season. Unfortunately we are into the second week of January, but more ducks are here than have been here all season. Reports from the field have been extremely positive and while scouting a large pond yesterday, we saw the most ducks we have seen in 4 years. Woodies, mallards, gadwall, and divers were all pouring in towards and after dark. A week ago at the same pond, only 5 ducks were seen. With the season winding down quickly, this may be the best we will see. We have been waiting for ducks and the cold weather that pushed across the midwest and northeast after Christmas has finally forced some ducks towards us.
We would still recommend small decoy spreads and limited calling. With duck hunters at an all time high, the ducks are more educated than ever. Hunting is challenging with crowded lakes and rookie hunters experimenting with their new calls. It is nice to see growth in the sport and experienced hunters are going to have to get creative. It makes all hunters better and makes the sport more fun. Take time to help a rookie hunter and enjoy the mini-flight that has arrived!
Dirt Road Dispatch 
DRD knows my history with outdoor gear. 12 years ago I purchased a Benelli SBE, a Browning floating gun case, and a Browning Parka (soft shell, Goretex, thick zip out liner). 2 weeks ago I bought a “dry bag” -basically a rubber bladder with magnetic seal ($18)The SBE was a knee-jerk to a gas semi that failed under tough duck hunting conditions. Last Friday I rolled a kayak in the Gulf of Mexico while heading to a duck blind (25 knot wind in my face and tide high and against me). The bag floated and Nikon binocs plus 3 boxes of shells were bone dry. The SBE floated in the Br fgc, and though wet to mid chest the parka stayed warm. Reaching the island blind I uncased the SBE, poured the water out of it, loaded 3 wet Kent Impact #3’s and shot ducks. Never got into my dry shells from the bag-worked out of my parka pockets. That hunt told me quality counts. $29.97 at Wal-mart may sound good but sometimes a wallet needs to empty to ensure good experiences in the outdoors. One mistake I made was not having spare gloves in the dry bag. Cold hands were no fun but the other gear let me smile riding the wind and tide in with a nice bag of ducks. ———–JW