-
- Species
- Whitetails
- Rut Reporters
- Deer Camp
- Big Game
- Small Game
- Birds
- Special Methods
- Bow Hunting
- Conservation
- Heroes of Conservation
- Hero for a Day
- Outdoor Skills
- Total Outdoorsman Challenge
- Land for Sale
-
- Species
- Bass
- Trout
- More Freshwater
- Saltwater
- Catchbook
- Special Methods
- Fly Fishing
- Hook Shots
- Conservation
- Heroes of Conservation
- Hero for a Day
- Outdoor Skills
- Total Outdoorsman Challenge
- Land for Sale
-
- Health & Fitness
- F&S Adventurer
- Outdoor Skills
- Total Outdoorsman Challenge
-
- Rifles
- Shotguns
- 2nd Amendment
- SHOT Show
- Outdoor Skills
- Total Outdoorsman Challenge
Last of The Woodies: A Break From The Bow Stand
Recent Comments
- bowguy6633 on Announcing the Results of the Bowtech Insanity Buck-Scoring Contest (5)
- Walt Smith on A Deer Hunter May Be First to Tag a Minnesota Timber Wolf (16)
- old_greenie on Announcing the Results of the Bowtech Insanity Buck-Scoring Contest (5)
- Bushwackers on Announcing the Results of the Bowtech Insanity Buck-Scoring Contest (5)
- buckhunter on Announcing the Results of the Bowtech Insanity Buck-Scoring Contest (5)
Categories
- Ammunition (4)
- Big Game Hunting (41)
- Bird Hunting (15)
- Bow Hunting (242)
- Cover Packages (9)
- Deer Hunting (575)
- DIY (1)
- Fishing (3)
- Fishing Gear (1)
- Fly Fishing (1)
- Gear (31)
- Great Plains (3)
- Guns (23)
- Hunting (496)
- Hunting Gear (30)
- Mid-South (2)
- North Central (18)
- Northeast (2)
- Optics (2)
- Optics (4)
- Rifles (18)
- Rut Report (23)
- Shooting Gear (7)
- Shotguns (4)
- Small Game (6)
- South (2)
- South Central (2)
- Survival (1)
- Trout Fishing (1)
- Venison: America's Meat (11)
- West (2)
Recent Posts
- Announcing the Results of the Bowtech Insanity Buck-Scoring Contest
- A Deer Hunter May Be First to Tag a Minnesota Timber Wolf
- Call Better: Try These Two Turkey Yelps
- Bowtech Insanity CPX Buck-Scoring Contest, Final Round
- Looking For a New Line of Work? Think About Taxidermy
- Bowtech Insanity CPX Buck-Scoring Contest, Round 3
- Good Stuff: Gear Keeper Rangefinder Holster Lets You Stay on the Move
- Creators of Deer Antler Velvet Spray Sue MLB
- World Record Muley Divides Family for Decades
- Bowtech Insanity CPX Buck-Scoring Contest, Round 2
Archives
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- February 2005
Syndicate
Whitetail 365
in your Inbox
November 09, 2010
Last of The Woodies: A Break From The Bow Stand
by Dave Hurteau
A duck-hunting post on Whitetail 365? I know. Sorry. I couldn’t help myself.
I’m just feeling so badly for Bourjaily and DiBenedetto. Those poor guys. And it just so happens that this morning I took F&S Managing Editor Jean McKenna to my favorite local marsh, which was lousy with woodies and teal the day before she came. (Just as the turkeys were gobbling like crazy just before she arrived this past spring. And the deer were feeding early just prior to her showing up last fall.) But as Jean drove north with her camo and waders and usual tough luck, a sleet-and-snow storm deposited a couple inches and sent the most of those early ducks packing.
But not this woodie—possibly the last one we’ll put in the bag this fall. We also managed to take a mallard, although the shooting was pretty slow. It was a nice break from the treestand, though, which brings me to deer hunting. I think it’s safe to say that there are more whitetail specialists (folks who focus solely on whitetails in the fall) today than ever before. It sometimes seems that such specialist even dominate the scene. But I don’t think so. I suspect that the vast majority of deer hunters—even hardcore deer hunters—still enjoy getting into the marsh or the uplands. What say you?
ADVERTISEMENT
Today on Field & Stream
Loading...
Visit Our Sister Sites at Bonnier Corporation
| Enthusiast | Kiteboarding | QUAD | SKI | Skiing | Scuba Diving | Sport Diver | TransWorld Ride BMX | TransWorld Business | TransWorld Motocross | TransWorld SKATEboarding, | TransWorld SNOWboarding | TransWorld SURF | WakeBoarding | WaterSki | Warren Miller Entertainment | WindSurfing |
|---|---|
| Travel | Caribbean Travel & Life | Destination Weddings & Honeymoon | Islands | Meeting Traveler | Resorts & Great Hotels |
| Lifestyle & Shelter | Florida Travel & Life | Garden Design | Home Ft. Lauderdale | Home Miami |
| Luxury | SNOW | Spa |
| Marine | Boating Life | Cruising World | Fly Fishing in Salt Waters | Power Cruising | Marlin | Motor Boating | Sailing World | Salt Water Sportsman | Sport Fishing | Yachting | NewBoats.com | UsedBoats.com | YachtBroker.com |
| Outdoor | Field & Stream | Outdoor Life | SHOT Business |
| Parenting | Babytalk | Parenting |
| Science | Popular Science | Science Illustrated |
| Saveur | Saveur |
| Working Mother Media | Working Mother |
| Entertainment / Events | World Entertainment Services | World Sports & Marketing |
Fieldandstream.com is part of the Field & Stream Network, a division of Bonnier Corporation.
Copyright © 2012 Bonnier Corp. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
Comments (19)
Not sure about the majorit, but I sure do. Although I also would not classify myself as a whitetail specialist. I prefer to be a generalist.
What kind of gun is that?
In the spirit of bipartisanhip, I love both deer and waterfowl hunting, which makes for tough choices when both are in season.
Although I enjoy deer hunting, I'm addicted to getting out on the river with a couple buddies to hunt duck and geese. There's nothing like calling in a bunch of birds to your decoys and seeing feathers flying. We've been seeing activity picking up here in Western PA recently. I'm hoping to get out this week and I can't wait.
I made it out to the marsh this past weekend. And it was the last weekend to bowhunt before all the rifle hunters shoot the woods to pieces this weekend.
Went out to some public hunting land two weekends ago and had a blast. Only problem was out of the box of shells I shot I only got 2 ducks. Looks like I'll be spendin' some more time at the range before next season.
pbshooter,
That there's an Ithaca Model 37 pump, great gun. Bottom feed and eject, so works for both right and lefthanders.
Still being made, and I believe I just saw they came out with a 28 gauge.
Can tell from the waterfowl engraving. Sold mine, wish I hadn't.
I've got access to good duck hunting land....no access to good deer hunting land. Decision made for me. As long as whatever hunt I go on is successful in any respect of the the word I don't care what it is I'm hunting. Without having a ton of time to scout and set up a stand and whatnot for bow hunting it makes waterfowl and upland a more appealing choice right now because there's less pre-game and post-game time spent on the hunt.
Hey Dave-- My old knives are teasing me, saying "you forgot about me!". I told them they are wrong, and any day now I'll be recieving a blade that will replace their sorry carbon!
John L.,
Right you are. That there is indeed a Ithaca Model 37. I used to kill a whole bunch of grouse with that gun; then I got the bowhunting bug.
Sorry Walt,
I've been away. I'll get on it.
Good post. I especially like the Ithaca pic. I revived my Dads old Mod 37 "tractor gun" and plan to use it for grouse after deer season.
What did you use for ammo in it for the ducks?
i will hunt anything i can and birds are a great way to shift gears. my dog won't put up with me just deer hunting all the time. he keeps his eye on my shot gun cabinet.
http://ithacagun.com/featherlight.html
Classic Model 37's still available, check website above.
They are virtually indestructible. The one I had was from the 40's, looked like the original owner had driven fence posts with it, but shot extremely straight and was light. The bottom feed and eject is great for waterfowling, or any nasty conditions. Now available in 12, 16, 20, and 28 gauge, in various grades.
They'll last forever.
Sounds like Jean is back luck. Every time she shows up the game runs and hides and the weather turns bad. I'd think twice about asking her to go the next time. :)
Just kidding.
Hang in there cause is sounds like she is over due for a good hunt. You'll want to be there when that happens.
So far, I'm the odd man out if it doesn't leave a blood track to track, I'm not interested in hunting it. So, ducks, pheasant and geese are all out for me. And I hunt NJ with is NOT known for bieng a trophy buck state, I just love shooting deer. Buck or Doe, down they go.
i'm from nj and trying to find good private land is damn near impossible and the other option for me is to chase wary deer the size of beagles in the pine barrens (which i still do occassionaly). 90% of my hunting is waterfowl or upland. to be honest i kinda like them better than deer huting anyway. but, to each there own, i just like these better.
i prefer the upland and waterfowl, unfortunately most of my hunting access is deer hunting land/leases...
Ain't nuthin' like jump shootin' woodies (squealers!) off a creek or slough!
It always amazes me and I have to pause before picking up a drake! THEN, it takes me a minute or so to pouch one because I have to admire all the colors! Pink, green, fluorescent blue, white, red, orange..... WOW! What a bird!!
Haven't taken one in over thirty years, but can taste the sweet nutty flavor with my mom's dressing!
Bubba
During Rifle Season in ND there were so many birds it was ridiculous- considering the early goose season was sparing. Gave it the though but wasn't brave enough to camo myself for the birds and not be visual for the deer hunters.. of course we are in the second blizzard of the week and all though sweet spots are now empty.
Post a Comment
In the spirit of bipartisanhip, I love both deer and waterfowl hunting, which makes for tough choices when both are in season.
pbshooter,
That there's an Ithaca Model 37 pump, great gun. Bottom feed and eject, so works for both right and lefthanders.
Still being made, and I believe I just saw they came out with a 28 gauge.
Can tell from the waterfowl engraving. Sold mine, wish I hadn't.
John L.,
Right you are. That there is indeed a Ithaca Model 37. I used to kill a whole bunch of grouse with that gun; then I got the bowhunting bug.
Sorry Walt,
I've been away. I'll get on it.
i'm from nj and trying to find good private land is damn near impossible and the other option for me is to chase wary deer the size of beagles in the pine barrens (which i still do occassionaly). 90% of my hunting is waterfowl or upland. to be honest i kinda like them better than deer huting anyway. but, to each there own, i just like these better.
Not sure about the majorit, but I sure do. Although I also would not classify myself as a whitetail specialist. I prefer to be a generalist.
What kind of gun is that?
Although I enjoy deer hunting, I'm addicted to getting out on the river with a couple buddies to hunt duck and geese. There's nothing like calling in a bunch of birds to your decoys and seeing feathers flying. We've been seeing activity picking up here in Western PA recently. I'm hoping to get out this week and I can't wait.
I made it out to the marsh this past weekend. And it was the last weekend to bowhunt before all the rifle hunters shoot the woods to pieces this weekend.
Went out to some public hunting land two weekends ago and had a blast. Only problem was out of the box of shells I shot I only got 2 ducks. Looks like I'll be spendin' some more time at the range before next season.
I've got access to good duck hunting land....no access to good deer hunting land. Decision made for me. As long as whatever hunt I go on is successful in any respect of the the word I don't care what it is I'm hunting. Without having a ton of time to scout and set up a stand and whatnot for bow hunting it makes waterfowl and upland a more appealing choice right now because there's less pre-game and post-game time spent on the hunt.
Hey Dave-- My old knives are teasing me, saying "you forgot about me!". I told them they are wrong, and any day now I'll be recieving a blade that will replace their sorry carbon!
Good post. I especially like the Ithaca pic. I revived my Dads old Mod 37 "tractor gun" and plan to use it for grouse after deer season.
What did you use for ammo in it for the ducks?
i will hunt anything i can and birds are a great way to shift gears. my dog won't put up with me just deer hunting all the time. he keeps his eye on my shot gun cabinet.
http://ithacagun.com/featherlight.html
Classic Model 37's still available, check website above.
They are virtually indestructible. The one I had was from the 40's, looked like the original owner had driven fence posts with it, but shot extremely straight and was light. The bottom feed and eject is great for waterfowling, or any nasty conditions. Now available in 12, 16, 20, and 28 gauge, in various grades.
They'll last forever.
Sounds like Jean is back luck. Every time she shows up the game runs and hides and the weather turns bad. I'd think twice about asking her to go the next time. :)
Just kidding.
Hang in there cause is sounds like she is over due for a good hunt. You'll want to be there when that happens.
So far, I'm the odd man out if it doesn't leave a blood track to track, I'm not interested in hunting it. So, ducks, pheasant and geese are all out for me. And I hunt NJ with is NOT known for bieng a trophy buck state, I just love shooting deer. Buck or Doe, down they go.
i prefer the upland and waterfowl, unfortunately most of my hunting access is deer hunting land/leases...
Ain't nuthin' like jump shootin' woodies (squealers!) off a creek or slough!
It always amazes me and I have to pause before picking up a drake! THEN, it takes me a minute or so to pouch one because I have to admire all the colors! Pink, green, fluorescent blue, white, red, orange..... WOW! What a bird!!
Haven't taken one in over thirty years, but can taste the sweet nutty flavor with my mom's dressing!
Bubba
During Rifle Season in ND there were so many birds it was ridiculous- considering the early goose season was sparing. Gave it the though but wasn't brave enough to camo myself for the birds and not be visual for the deer hunters.. of course we are in the second blizzard of the week and all though sweet spots are now empty.
Post a Comment