Thorny Cypress Pool 2 Status?

[4scout]

Pintails are definitely the toughest ducks for us to work in close enough for a shot. Seems like 99.9% of the time they circle 5+ times, looking like they are going to come in on the next pass and then eventually fly off. Not sure what to do that would help...anyone have any recommendations that work for you...thanks

 

[rsimms]

Glad you had a good hunt. Lucky you killed anything with "old charlie" hunting with ya. I know there were plenty of tales being told in the blind.

We added it up. Assuming we all started duck hunting when we were about 15 years old, the "olde fartes" in this group had a combined 268 years of duck hunting under our belts. We wondered how many combined waterfowl we've all killed. If we knew it, it would likely be an obscene number.

 

[nwsg76]

We added it up. Assuming we all started duck hunting when we were about 15 years old, the "olde fartes" in this group had a combined 268 years of duck hunting under our belts. We wondered how many combined waterfowl we've all killed. If we knew it, it would likely be an obscene number.

I would not post that number publicly. I think PETA would burst into flames if they read it.
Lots of good guys,wisdom, experience that will never be duplicated.

 

[tickweed]

I can tell you this, pins do not like canadas.

 

[MickThompson]

Pintails are definitely the toughest ducks for us to work in close enough for a shot. Seems like 99.9% of the time they circle 5+ times, looking like they are going to come in on the next pass and then eventually fly off. Not sure what to do that would help...anyone have any recommendations that work for you...thanks

Pintails land about as often as grebes fly I'm convinced.

I know it happens even though I've never seen it!

 

[Smashdn]

Pintails seem to like big open spots where they can see a long way. I'm sure there are exceptions and someone will post about the limits they killed in a timber hole but it has been my experience they like fields and big marshes and water.

 

[4scout]

I can tell you this, pins do not like canadas

That's good to know..we did have a few Canada goose decoys out.. thanks

 

[4scout]

Pintails seem to like big open spots

I've heard this too and I've never shot them in the timber either.. thanks

 

[West_Tn]

I can tell you this, pins do not like canadas.

I 100% disagree with that. I start and finish all the way to the water pintails with only a canada goose call all the time.

 

[poorhunter]

Pintails decoy pretty good in dry fields in Noeth Dakota, even over honker decoys.

 

[Harold Money jr]

I'm sure y'all had pintail whistles and I'd bet you used em. On our best pintail days ever we quit using a mallard hen call all together and only used whistles. We had several groups act like pintails when we used mallard hen calls with whistles mixed in circle, circle, circle then geek out or lose interest. We've tried no calling and have had mixed results, our best by far was straight whistles, mainly pintail calls with even a drake mallard thrown in and wigeon whistles to mix it up a bit. I has worked for us when the large numbers of pintails are migrating. The mallard hen call seems to scare em more than anything. That's our experience.

 

[webfeet7]

We added it up. Assuming we all started duck hunting when we were about 15 years old, the "olde fartes" in this group had a combined 268 years of duck hunting under our belts. We wondered how many combined waterfowl we've all killed. If we knew it, it would likely be an obscene number.

I can't believe you let those Duggans hunt with you

 

[nwsg76]

I can't believe you let those Duggans hunt with you

They needed someone to cook!

 

[4scout]

I 100% disagree with that. I start and finish all the way to the water pintails with only a canada goose call all the time

I've never tried this technique but will next time I get the chance...definitely can't hurt...thanks

 

[4scout]

Pintails decoy pretty good in dry fields in Noeth Dakota, even over honker decoys

I'm hunting a flooded field, maybe they act differently in dry fields... I do know they're hard to figure out and drive me crazy... thanks

 

[webfeet7]

They needed someone to cook!

They used to be dang good shots too!

 

[4scout]

I'm sure y'all had pintail whistles and I'd bet you used em. On our best pintail days ever we quit using a mallard hen call all together and only used whistles. We had several groups act like pintails when we used mallard hen calls with whistles mixed in circle, circle, circle then geek out or lose interest. We've tried no calling and have had mixed results, our best by far was straight whistles, mainly pintail calls with even a drake mallard thrown in and wigeon whistles to mix it up a bit. I has worked for us when the large numbers of pintails are migrating. The mallard hen call seems to scare em more than anything. That's our experience.

We've tried all of this too but next time will focus on not using the hen mallard call and see what happens.. thanks

On sunny days we do use spinners and they'll drop from 200 yds high to 100 yds in no time, then circle, circle then fly off... beautiful to watch but will drive you crazy...

 

[Hymie3]

Hunted pool 2 today. there were five of us drawn and three backed out and didn't show. We had a two man limit today. Took a while but we made it. We had birds the entire time we were hunting today. Missed a few lost a couple. The refuge is absolutely loaded. Hopefully get a few tomorrow. Yes. Loaded with pintails and yes they are stubborn.
Did manage 1 beautiful bull this morning.

 

[WilcoKen]

Hunted pool 2 today. there were five of us drawn and three backed out and didn't show. We had a two man limit today. Took a while but we made it. We had birds the entire time we were hunting today. Missed a few lost a couple. The refuge is absolutely loaded. Hopefully get a few tomorrow. Yes. Loaded with pintails and yes they are stubborn.
Did manage 1 beautiful bull this morning.

A great achievement and also a great picture. Congratulations!

 

[rsimms]

Hunted pool 2 today. there were five of us drawn and three backed out and didn't show. We had a two man limit today. Took a while but we made it. We had birds the entire time we were hunting today. Missed a few lost a couple. The refuge is absolutely loaded. Hopefully get a few tomorrow. Yes. Loaded with pintails and yes they are stubborn.
Did manage 1 beautiful bull this morning.

Excellent! How'd you like the road getting in there?