[Coldwater Charters]

First off congrats to those that had good hunts, it sure wasn't good conditions for it at least on Saturday morning. And for those that didn't do so well,,,I can relate. One thing I stress especially on an opener is you can't control the weather and of course other hunters. Although I very rarely hunt water during goose season with the mid 50 temps and mostly sunny skys the geese that we hunt surely wouldn't be going to a field so I figured we would hunt a day roost on Saturday right by the lake. Well after the geese all loaded up on the lake from all over the county,,,we did the worst thing I could think of,,,,we shot and all the geese left Killed one goose and cripped another I couldn't row fast enough to get after rowing about a 1/2 mile around on the lake trying to get it located. I thought when going to hunt this spot,,,they would see us,,,we would kill em and that would be the way it was most of the morning,we did it that way before with similar circumstances,,wrong!!! They either landed in the middle of the lake or short of the decoys. We did have several chances at Goldeneye and buffle heads,,,but due to shooting behind them or they had bullet proof vests on we only managed one Buffle Head. Around noon we pulled and went to a corn field where we shot 6 geese out of one flock that did center punch us. I had 2 other parties with other guides that day. One hunted a corn field all day and shot 6 geese in the afternoon which for the conditions was excellent IMO. The other hunted a small bay where there were hundreds of geese and ducks most of the week. But the weather change put them somewhere's else and that party only shot one duck,They had a few other chances but just not real good chances, either landing short or just passing by,,just bad luck.

Today was much better. I had 2 parties. My group shot 14 geese and 8 Mallards in a corn field and the other party, they hunted water,,,shot 12 Mallards and 2 geese. Somedays are better then others

 

[Jethro]

Way to go guys!!
...sure looks like some fat mallards there.
wanna trade for some tasty Divers?

 

[brdhntr]

Coldwater, any day you can take out the Black Cloud (his initials are DD) and they get 12 ducks is the most amazing. He hunted with us on Saturday, and our spot that was filled with ducks the week before was devoid. They shot 3 mergansers, and the high water in the river had the 3rd bird about 400 yds downstream when my Britt brought it back. Anyway, sorta wished I had volunteered to take the spot he had open with you on Sunday. From his recount, they had a great day. I've been so frustrated with the terrible weather, that I just stayed in bed on Sunday.

 

[ddolph]

My new name is Sunny Days no more Black Cloud. Had a great hunt with Coldwater Charters on Sunday. For the record we actually shot 14 ducks and 4 geese and had plenty of oppertunities at others. We had some missed shots, some missed cues, and other assorted excuses as to why. But we had a great time. Good people, good dog work, lots of fun. I think Coldwater Charters broke the jinx and chased Murphy away. The weather was wild it took us 4 hours to drive back to Novi. However I do love hunting when Mother Nature is showing her stuff, just like to be out in it. Mike from
Saturdays hunt with brdhntr was different, 50 degrees, no birds. But we just hung out by the river, talked hunting, enjoyed the river and the people we were with. On top of that each dog got to retrieve a bird, fun times in the country.

 

[ddolph]

oops! left some stuff off. Mike from Coldwater Charters was on the phone constantly with our guide making sure everything ways going well. He even offered us a spot in the cornfield he was hunting when the snow sent all the ducks and geese in on them. But our group figured we were having fun and no reason to waste shooting time picking up and moving, so we just stayed put and had fun. Thanks for a good time Coldwater. DD

 

[Coldwater Charters]

The Black Cloud has been lifted. I would love to take the credit for that, but the reality is mother nature did her thing and it came together nicely. I was one real nervous guy all week prior to the opener. I have seen this stuff before. Good ice conditiond,,,concentrated ducks and geese and then a thaw,,,,it's like magic,,,they disappear. Also with the lakes thawing and the boat ramps open,,,it leaves allot of guys back in the door for some hunting. Although where we hunt we don't need a ramp,,,just drive up,,unload the boat and hunt. I guess it didn't hurt things too much and some guys that would get to hunt if there was lots of ice were able to.

I scouted today and it seems the birds are back on a regular pattern already. With extreme cold weather forecasted, it will lock up the launches and put the birds in the middle of the lakes and concentrated to keep the water open almost like a refuge. This is what I like to see. The fields around the lakes in Southern Michigan should all start to be consistant when the weather starts getting back to normal after this cold spell. I had hunters for Tuesday and opted to kick them back a week or 2 with no argument. They are calling for a low of 6 degrees and a high of 13 with west winds from 15 to 20 mph and wind gusts to 35 mph.....not what I call comfortable conditions. The wind and over casts sky's might put some birds in the fields but I doubt it,,,they don't like those cold temps. If you do hunt Tuesday,,the geese will want to be out of the wind in the field,,,a low spot or close to the trees that break the wind. Thanks Don for the glowing endorsement. Although you folks had a good hunt,,,some of my best clients got the big fat 0 on there first hunt, right Dan, but somehow figured I knew what I was doing and realized the conditions were not good for hunting weather wise. I always try to instill reality into my hunters, sometimes things happen with weather,,,other hunters, and just plain bad luck. Just because I am a guide doesn't mean I'm immune to all the variables. Most of the time thankfully,,,,things work out for the good,,,,that's a good thing,,,,,right.

Don,,what did you think of Russ's duck calling??? I told you after the hunt if I was there they all would have decoyed,,,,,but to be honest,,,I can't hold a candle to Russ on a Duck call,,,,he's the best at calling ducks I have ever heard in the blind. I can read them just about as good,,,but his call is like a musical intsrument,,,,just an all around impressive and knowledgeable waterfowler. He has taught me a ton about duck hunting.

Can't wait to see your pictures. Oh yea,,,here's a tip. Keep the camera batteries in your coat pocket until your ready to take the pictures. My digital does the same thing. I load them in to take the picture,,,then pull em out after I've taken them.

 

[UKLABMAN]

For the compliment Mike. Now I just need to get the goose callin down just a tad better! I love calling those greenies!