|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
"A great guide and hunting setup" -Tony Accerano, SPORTS AFIELD MAGAZINE
|
|
Waterfowl Report Welcome to Steve McCadams' Weekly Waterfowl Report. Waterfowlers wanting to monitor activity of ducks and geese here in Tennessee's Kentucky Lake area, along with reports from elsewhere in the Mississippi flyway, will want to check in often for the latest migratory movement, state and federal refuge counts, and other interesting information for hunters. Additional information can also be found by clicking on the Waterfowl Forecast icon on your LEFT.
(Updated January 11th, 2010) WARMER WEATHER REPLACES LONG COLD SNAP...CHANGE LIKELY TO HELP DUCK HUNTERS By Steve McCadams
After some ten days of below average temps the region is experiencing a slow warm up which may well work in favor of duck hunters in the region, many of which have suffered ice problems in shallow and backwater hunt areas for the last several days. Last Thursday the region experienced a migration where big numbers of ducks passed through riding a snow storm and cold front that really stimulated movement. Nice bunches of mallards, pintails, and ringnecks were seen and areas that had some open water had good shooting. Although many hunt areas were frozen over, those that had a pothole of water or hunted main lake areas which still had open water enjoyed a good hunt as new ducks entered and filled the air. The last several days ducks have not moved much, sitting tight and dry feeding on refuges in some areas. Hopefully, the approaching warm up will stimulate ducks to return to feeding areas that have been frozen over for almost a week. While cold weather is always on the minds of waterfowlers, there are times when extended spells of frigid temps work against hunters as ducks change flight patterns and often lay up for several days await the thaw. Other times ducks will choose dry feeding areas and alter their usual flight paths, a scenario that often works against established blinds and hunt areas or roosting and resting spots. Meanwhile, high numbers of ducks are still in the region and although movement has been curtailed due to ice and severe cold, the warming trend may well open up some flooded fields, backwater sloughs, and river bottoms by the end of the week. Updates on the latest duck counts are as follows: Aerial survey taken Monday (Jan 4th) by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service showed the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge had an influx of ducks. Total refuge numbers showed 200,609 ducks and 6,462 geese. Here on the Big Sandy unit there were 56,334 ducks and 2,485 geese. The Duck River unit had the lion’s share of waterfowl with 138,515 ducks and 3,477 geese. The balance of the total observation was on the small Busseltown unit where 8,760 ducks and 500 geese were residing. Topping the list as to species were mallards at 130,411, followed by gadwall at 25,038. Next on the list by were pintails at 13,210, ringneck at 7,064 and black ducks at 6,352. By comparison to yesteryear the total duck count is one percent below last year at this time but 19 percent above the 5-year average and fourteen percent above the 10-year average. Duck numbers also increased dramatically on nearby Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge on Lake Barkley near Dover. TN where aerial surveys taken last Tuesday (Jan 5th) estimated 51,562 ducks and 4,588 geese. The total on ducks is 16 percent above last year's survey at this same time and 29 percent above the 5-year average. When compared to the 10-year average the survey is 54 percent above the average. Season remains open here through January 31, 2010. # # # (Posted August 22, 2009) GOOD NEWS FOR DUCK HUNTERS...60-DAY SEASON AND 6-DUCK BAG LIMIT Tennessee officially set season dates and bag limits this week and thanks to a good fall flight forecast where duck numbers increased from last year hunters will have a 60-day season and 6-duck bag limit. Duck season dates will be November 28-29; December 5 through January 31, 2010. Reports released recently by U. S. Fish and Wildlife (USFWS) indicate increased numbers on a variety of species (click on the Waterfowl Forecast) to your LEFT on this page for an article and chart showing duck numbers. Both Ducks Unlimited and Delta Waterfowl painted a positive scenario for the fall flight, thanks to increased pond counts and breeding duck brood surveys across much of the prairie pothole region, especially in the Dakotas and portions of Saskatchewan. I am already taking reservations for the upcoming season so feel free to contact me anytime. Thanks, Steve
Improved habitat conditions on the prairies this spring helped duck
numbers reach the highest level in a decade END (Below you'll find a story I wrote a few years ago on the passing of an old friend. It appeared in newspapers and a few websites I write for. In my 30 years of outdoor writing this was the toughest one to write but it also got the most response. I hope you'll take a moment to look it over and share my memories of an old friend who once captured my heart...and still has a piece of it. After you've read it I hope you'll give your canine companion a big hug from me.)) # # # GOODBYE
NOT EASY…14-YEAR OLD LABRADOR WAS FAMILY MEMBER
After some 13-years of friendship, trust, and unconditional love my old buddy Ace, a black Labrador retriever, took his last breath and headed to the big duck blind in the sky. After more than a decade of faithful service, time began to take its toll and the “old timer” fell victim to the ravages of old age where diminishing eyesight, hearing loss, and arthritis chipped away at this one-time athlete. His husky frame still reflected the stamina and physique of a veteran working dog but the years slowly robbed him of his once near perfect appearance and toned body. A graying muzzle chased away the jet black while the block head and hefty chest remained as a reminder of what once was. I retired my old pal some four years ago after a great season full of memories and long retrieves. Many a mallard was softly deposited in my hand after a jaunting swim in bone chilling water. Together we saw many sunrises and logged countless hours in the great outdoors. It seemed all he wanted to do was be with me and please me. Labradors are like that. Four-legged, web-footed bundles of joy that come into your life and command a place in your heart. Ace traveled with me to the pheasant country of South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska. Together we treaded the gumbo mud of Arkansas’ rice fields for ducks after switching over a few weeks prior from dove outings here in Tennessee. The river islands of Kentucky Lake, where I’ve hunted ducks for over 40-years, seemed to feel right at home for us. Over the years he found many cripples that attempted to get away in thick cover, only to fall victim to his desire and keen sense of smell. Sometimes he even stopped dead in his tracks and pointed, only to dive in after his prey with the thrust of a full back trying to make a first down. Thanks to his love and affection I have many memories to choose from and often wrote about him in this column and photographed him for several publications. He didn’t have any fancy titles from field trials but he was a champion in my book. My wife Linda and I have been under the spell of Labrador retrievers for many years. We’ve always treated them like members of the family. Their disposition is second to none and Ace was a gentle giant, looking deep into your soul with big brown eyes the way only a Labrador can do. A few years ago when I had a visit from an uninvited guest called cancer, my first day home from the hospital was spent pondering this hurdle in life. Helping me make the best of a bad situation was my pal whose nudges of the muzzle and wet tongues across the hand reminded me of how fortunate I was to have had his friendship. He seemed to sense something was wrong and was there to help. Prior to the surgery and bad news I had contemplated starting a pup, as he was a year or so past prime. Suddenly, the reality of the moment silently screamed the possibility that he was the one who might be there in the seasons ahead instead of me. Life has many sobering moments. Now, some seven years later I won my battle but the war goes on. Letting go has been hard. The next day after his death I was searching some of the same islands and bushes for winged mallards, just the way he and I had done for years. Every tree or willow break seemed to shout a memory. A big goose here or a pintail drake there. In-between tears I could sometimes see my old friend trotting toward me from the same spot, duck in mouth and as proud of it as a kid with a new baseball glove. After pausing on the island point and reliving some moments from yesteryear it was time for me to get back to a blind full of clients. Some have been with me long enough to have witnessed the old man and his feats, seeing first hand his mischief and talents along the sandbars of his life. Often I’d have customers call and ask about my canine companion. I suspect they knew of our bond. As breathing problems entered the picture over the last few weeks I could tell my old friend was coming to the end of life’s journey. Nothing I could do would stop the aging process, although I cut no corners over the last few years as to medications and medical attention. After all, it was the least I could do for a faithful friend. The last few years he knew when I headed out in the wee hours of the morning, shotgun case in hand, what my destination was. He often followed me to the truck door, the way he had for so many years only to be gently turned away back in the direction of his warm blanket of countless naps. His soul was willing, but the flesh was weak. Time is the best healer and it is through the young eyes of a young female black Labrador named Molly that I face each yell of an alarm clock these last few mornings. She’s a ball of joy and a chip off the old block. One of Ace’s pups from five years back, Molly has won our love and will carry the bloodline to another generation. A fitting reminder of her dad whose love helped me through good times and bad. Each retrieve she makes has a little bit of Ace there with her. And, did I mention she had brown eyes? Well, you know how it goes from here. Steve McCadams is a professional hunting and fishing guide here in the Paris Landing area. He has also contributed many outdoor oriented articles to various national publications. Steve
McCadams |
"America's Best Known Crappie Fisherman" - Nick Sissley, FISHING WORLD MAGAZINE
Steve's
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
Words don’t come easy this week. Last Friday night I had to say
goodbye to an old friend and here at the McCadams’ household we’re
not quite over it yet. 
