2011 late season waterfowl

The 2011 waterfowl season has been unseasonably mild and a bit slower than years past in the Canoga Creek environs.  The late season opener saw very mild temps and light winds, not optimal for open water.  We hunted the bait ponds and shot four mallards.  Nick handled the retrieving duties and made some miraculous finds in heavy cover.

The second day of season seemed to promise cooler temps and some weather, so a field hunt was organized on the Hoster field. Rich was in on this one, a tough, muddy, hardcore layout hunt in which we knocked down 9 geese and 1 duck.  Three of the geese we knocked down made the end of the field and crash-landed in the gully behind my barn.  They were unfortunately not found (no dog).

Day three found us accompanied by Dan DeLaywer of NY Ducks Unlimited ensconced in the comforts of Double Black blind on Cayuga Lake.  Due to very late carousing the night before with Dan, we all shot very poorly for the first flights, but finally managed to scratch down a half dozen mallards between the group.  Brant did the the retrieving and performed well. It was great reconvening the old crowd- Ernie, O'Connor, Riegel, Dan, Danielle, and myself.

Day four found us back in the bait ponds, taking advantage of a hard freeze that occurred overnight.  We had planned ahead for frozen water and had set up a blind near a spring fed pond that almost never freezes, leaving a duck magnet when all other inland water is locked up tight.  We shot 5 ducks- 2 gadwall and 3 mallards. Nick was on duty for the retrieves.

Day five, it was back in the ponds, as Rich had reported having been frozen out still at Double Black.  Conditions were milder, but the ducks were still few and far between.  We again shot five ducks, the bag consisting this time of 2 black ducks and three mallards.  Brant did some nice retrieving, but there was nothing spectacular in that department.

Day six, the last hunt of 2011, found us once again in warm temps and very little wind.  Though we were ready for a change of season, the ponds were the choice.  the early flight was slow, but the action turned on after 1000 and we, once again, scratched down 5 ducks- 1 gadwall and 4 mallards.  Brant made some great finds in heavy cover, including two blind retrieves, demonstrating a kind of coming-of-age wherein he is developing instincts and beginning to use his nose where needed.  It was a great way to end the year.

Happy New Year to all grousers.  Here's to a happy and healthy 2012.

Post yer Kids Fishing over Memorial day Weekend!!

Here's mine... this was Friday. There will be more if the weather holds. Click here for more of the story.

Double Black Opening Weekend- Cayuga Lake

Ducks

Sat- 13. 5 teal, 8 mallards
Sun- 12 1 black duck, 1 merganser, 10 mallards

Dog Retrieves

Brant- 5
Sage-1
Suzie- 3

Winds

Sat 25-30 mph S/SE
Sun 15-25 mph, S/SE

Canoe Trips

Sat- 3
Sun-2

Best opening weekend in the history of Double Black. Period.

Tori scores bullheads

...with a little help from George!

Don't worry about me Rich

Serious Duck Hunters

Duck season is only seven months away.

Ducking & the Boss

Epic

It's about the memories...

If ya ain't here, ya outta be...

January 2, 2008 Limits at Double Black, Cayuga Lake

Reference--ponds at Canoga Marsh

By request--

Canoga Marsh Restoration Tour and Work Party

Canoga Marsh Restoration Tour and Work Party, Sat., June 2, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Come for as long as you can. Meet across from 3208 Route 89, Fayette

Tour starts at 10:00 a.m. followed by an all day work party. Plant shrubs, transport cattails, clean up Canoga Creek, rip out invasive roses and put up nesting boxes as part of an extensive wetlands restoration project in Canoga Marsh. These habitat improvements complement the newly dug vernal pool and wetland potholes and make the habitat even better for waterfowl, frogs and salamanders. Vernal Pools have been described as “wicked big puddles”. These small, temporary wetlands are typically wet on a seasonal basis. Spotted Salamanders, Wood Frogs, and many other amphibians depend on these pools as breeding sites and rarely entrust their larvae anywhere else. As well as provide unique, fish-free habitat, vernal pools provide the benefits of all wetland --- reducing flooding and purifying the water that passes through them.

Dress in rugged clothes. Bring work gloves and a shovel if you have them. Some gloves and tools will be available. If working in the wetland appeals to you, bring tall boots or waders. Come for any part of the day. Please estimate when you expect to be helping when you register at 607-532-4104 or manager@cayugalake.org.

IT'S ONLY JUST BEGUN!

If you have seen a bright orange, long arm version of this excavator you were probably driving past the Canoga Creek Farm and Conservancy sometime after about 4:00 PM on Tuesday 3-13-07. Yes, that is right, the drotts have arrived to begin Keiths long awaited adventure into the prolification of waterfowl and other aquatic creatures that will begin to thrive on the newly, yet to be dug, ponds that these excavators will create. Congradulations Keith and Moe on the startup on this new and exciting venture for the conservancy. I know you have both had a long wait, full of anticipation and much aprehension, waiting for this project to begin. Hopefully all will go well and we all will be enjoying the fruits of your efforts. Remember to take many before, during and after photo's of the project for your scrapbook. Let us know if there is anything we can help with, were looking forward to seeing the final results!