Flyway Fowling Guide Service, LLC
Patience was the name of the game in 2008!
As I reflect on the 2008 season I can't help but feel disappointed in the harvest of 275 birds compared to 480 for 2007. Then I reviewed the numbers and saw that most species are comparable to last season, except for canvasbacks (Closed - down 75); green-winged teal (down 26) and mallards (down 65). The total for these three lone is 166. I feel conservative saying that an add ional 40-50 birds would have been harvested had I called the shot rather than waiting for positive ID.Special footnote: I am proud to say that absolutely no canvasbacks were accidentally shot in this closed season in my boat.
Even though the numbers were down, I am glad to report that we had a safe and enjoyable time each day in the boat. I think the early snowstorms in the Dakotas sent the birds back to Canada and we lost our normal migration for the year. I believe the USFWS have put together a solid module for canvasback and, unless there is a serious population decline, we won't see the season closed for 2009. I am already looking forward to next year.
Here is a breakdown for the year: 190 puddle ducks (69%), 81 divers (30%) and 4 geese (1%). We lost 29 ducks which put us at a 90% recovery rate for the season. We ended up with 19 species with an average of 4.9 birds per day.
Species Breakdown
| American black duck | 1 |
| American wigeon | 16 |
| Blue-winged teal | 8 |
| Bufflehead | 37 |
| Canada Goose | 4 |
| Canvasback | Closed |
| Common goldeneye | 18 |
| Common merganser | 1 |
| Gadwall | 36 |
| Greater scaup | 11 |
| Green-winged teal | 12 |
| Hooded merganser | 1 |
| Lesser scaup | 5 |
| Mallard | 102 |
| Northern pintail | 4 |
| Northern shoveler | 7 |
| Redhead | 4 |
| Ring-necked duck | 3 |
| Wood duck | 4 |
A New Experience!
I was proud to have been included in a segment of "Northland Adventures" with Dave Carlson which aired the weekend after Christmas. Mr. Carlson and his film guy, Dave Roll are classy fellas who were an honor to have in my boat. Also, hats off to Steve Walker and Dan Wennerlind for rounding out the group for that day.The Lure of Pool 9
Midwest hunters make up the majority of my clients each year. but last fall I was happy to take out hunters from Mobile, AL and Swansea, SC as well. It's truly interesting to hear about how things are done elsewhere in the great country and show off out beautiful river.A
HEARTFELT THANK YOU
Once
again I want to thank my clients, friends and family (especially my wife, Donna)
for yet another successful season on Pool 9. I thoroughly enjoyed he
companionship and the memories that are made.
Todd
& Donna Lensing
“It's
not the destination- it's the road traveled.”
--
Capt. Billy
****
Flyway
Fowling Guide Service
(608) 734-3235